Newbie with a trailer needs advice from the pros

[toddallman]

Hello Everyone. First time post...but I have been stalking the site all summer. So, I finally found a trailer for a descent price off Craigslist. It is a 4X8 I want to build a very basic stripped down teardrop...It has great potential. It's very strong. I would like some advise and opinions on the various issues that I am sure it has. Mind you...this is it. There is no maybe you should just get an HF or anything like that. I have a friend who is will to help me with some welding. I know that the axel needs moved because the fenders are in the way of what would be the door. While we're moving the axel I thought this would be a great time to address the springs and other issues. The tires seem to be huge fore such a small trailer. I am going to attempt to post the pics. Here we go....

[bobhenry]

You are very lucky in that the fenders ride with the axle and are not mounted to the frame.
Moving the front perchs and the rear shackles should be a quick fix for a good welder. If it were mine I would make a tail dragger out of it ( wheels as far back as they can possibly go) and by all means leave the big tires. It will be very old school kool. Look at the early 40's and 50's models and use them as a possible model for your build. Just one question is that little trailer even 4' wide ?

[toddallman]

Yeah it's 4wide. The picture just makes it look skinny. I'm a big guy though...so I'm sure I'll be taking up most of that room...6'1 210+. Good thing the wife is tiny I dig the old school look. With the chrome hub caps....
It bounces and lunges forward like a 2 year old on a sugar high. Hope to cure that....gonna pull it with a Subaru forester. Looking for Reese hitch now.

[48Rob]

I'm with Bob!

The larger wheels, when the trailer is finished, will look very good.
Many people choose the smaller wheels (usually by default) that come with the kit trailers.
Nothing wrong with them, but the tiny wheels usually look way out of proportion...

The springs you have look ancient, not a bad thing, as long multi leaf springs ride great.
They are very rusty though, and should be taken apart, de-rusted, and inspected, cleaned, painted, and in my opinion, greased.
The difference in the ride between dirty/rusty and cleaned/greased is like night and day!

Nice looking platform to build on, good luck with your project!

Rob