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Dream come true, I got my own trailer. Haha. But like most things I get, I got a good deal, but it needs some work. Its a 2000 16' 7k Supra car trailer. It has been used in the winter and never washed, so its rusty. Has those bad wiring clips all over the break wiring and just needs some love. But its got a solid frame and deck, new led tail lights and wiring, 2 new tires, 2 low tread tires, good working breaks and sweet fold down ramps.
Drove down to Mass to pick it up from a wheelin buddy. and dragged it home. I just had to load the truck on it quickly.
No I dont tow the truck with the 4runner. Im currently in the market for a good ole tow pig.
Heres the rust.
Center Hangers all look like this, front and rears arnt too far behind. Shackles are thin in spots, axles and backing plates are bad too. Basically, everything under the trailer.
Ubolts
I know. Its bad. rust sucks, but thats what you get here.
Trailer frame isnt bad, Ive started sanding with a flap wheel and painting while I was waiting for parts to come in.
Last edited by rattlewagon; 08-25-2021 at 03:33 AM.
old vs new hangers. Yes, the new ones are taller. Im lifting the trailer 3/4, its what they had in stock for pats at my local place. Haha
Angle iron keeping them straight while welding.
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They are welded on, and primered, but I didnt get a picture of them apparently.
Axles out for paint. Ill check in on the wheel bearings once their back under it. (One project at a time, Haha) Gray is primer, black is the finished paint.
Going to get the other side cut out and new hangers welded in this weekend. Hopefully re hang the axles. First wheelin trim of the year is First weekend of June, so theres a small deadline.
wow, the rust is one thing i don't miss about living on the east coast...makes good stuff old crappy stuff quick if you don't take care of it.
Looks like you are off to a kick ass start putting a second life into that trailer. Great base to work with.
looks like the axle tubes were in surprisingly good conditions vs some of the trailer
Hey thanks! They were mostly surface rust, but are pretty pitted. The backing plate bolts look like the ubolts. I know Ill have to replace them eventually.
The only tie downs are on the side, and are not in good spots for my truck, so Im adding a few.
Ill do the fronts this weekend while I have the welder out doing the hangers.
Got all the welding done on the trailer this weekend.
New passenger side hangers burned in.
Front D rings. Welds arnt very pretty, but they are solid!
Getting parts ready for paint, I found that most of the bottom leafs are cracked, and 2 had cracks in the second leafs. Also, the center hole in the equalizer is wicked wollowed out, so Ill get replacements from the spring shop.
Also managed to sand, prime an get two coats on the ramps.
Went to my local spring shop with the cut off parts and they handed me new parts. The ONLY difference between the new set up and the old set up is the hangers are 3/4" taller and the shackles are 1/2" shorter. Its what they had, guy said it would work. Hangers are in the same place on the frame as the old ones, springs and equalizers are the same length. I have not yet hauled anything with it, or even had the trailer on its own wheels yet, but when I flex the trailer out by hand the shackles flip over. On the old set up one spring would hit the frame before the other could flip over, but now the equalizer just keeps swinging till the other one swings down?
What stops the equalizer from swinging? Are my mounts too far apart? Add Bump/swing stops? Longer shackles? Limiting straps? research time...
The trailer is looking good, nice job on the rust repair! Just curious, do you think the trailer axels will see that much real world articulation when hauling? Seems the loaded weight vs empty weight and (no wheelsl) would make a difference in keeping and the springs and shackles from flexing and turning as much... unless you have to do alot of 4wheeling just to tow your Toyota to your 4 wheelin spot, lol. I don't know, I'm just making assumptions and have no experience what so ever with car haulers lol. Looking at your pics, it seems like a longer shackle might help... hope you get it figured out, keep up the good work!
Yeah, I asked the spring shop and they said it would never do that with weight on it. Its just because theyre hanging. Good to know! I like when the answer to a problem is just "dont worry about it" Haha
Got wheels primed and painted. One more coat of white then they will be done.
Rest of the frame sanded, primered and first coat of black. No pictures of black yet. Will do a second coat tomorrow and start putting the lights and stuff back on.
I also checked, re greased, and tightened all 4 the wheel bearings and inspected/tested the breaks. All good! . Hopefully be back on its own wheels in no time!
Last edited by rattlewagon; 05-27-2017 at 07:33 PM.
Towed the truck 200 miles this past weekend, everything went great.
I still have a few things I want to do to it; Add a tool box on the tongue, move/get better jack, add a receiver mount for a winch, and reinforce the fenders so I can stand on them.
05-19-2017, 06:35 PM
