Beginnings of a trailer?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Beginnings of a trailer?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Hoshield on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 08:37 pm:

I know it's not the best, but might this be a start for an occasional use trailer for a T? I thought of welding C-channel for tire tracks. It would probably be only for to/from storage, and local break downs. I can't afford a fancy enclosed trailer, but for what I do ... I don't know as I really need one, either.

Old boat trailer

Old boat trailer

Despite it's looks, it appears to be pretty solid and well made.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 08:42 pm:

Was this used in salt water?
Check the welds for cracks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Noel D. Chicoine, MD, Pierre, SD on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 08:44 pm:

with the axles that far back, it puts a lot of the weight of the car on the hitch of the tow vehicle.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 08:45 pm:

Not nearly strong enough Look for something else. Ebay has trailers all the time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 08:47 pm:

no


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 08:55 pm:

Dennis

If you used it, you would have to move the axle. As it is, you would have about 800 - 900 lbs tongue weight (unless you added a LOT of backend).

I would keep looking.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Hoshield on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 09:00 pm:

No .. I doubt if it was in salt water, but OK ... I'll heed the warnings and look the other way!

I had thought of the tongue weight, but thought I would have to back it on anyway, given my long pickup bed.

No problem ... it's better I'm not tempted ... I have other more important things to spend my pennies on!

Thanks all.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 09:01 pm:

Make it at least 5 no's, for the reasons already listed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve in Tennessee on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 09:52 pm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viHDD3-dVpM

may want to watch this first.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve in Tennessee on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 10:08 pm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viHDD3-dVpM

may want to watch this first.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Hoshield on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 10:16 pm:

That would be my speed ... launch'n the 'T'!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Bohlen, Severn MD on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 10:18 pm:

Dennis,

Along with eBay check Craig's list. Do a search for car and/ or utility trailer. That's where I found mine and a great deal to.

Larry


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 10:21 pm:

The only reason that trailer exist is the price of oxygen and actyelene is to high! What do you think of your model T?? What do you think of safety for you,your T,and others? When we were on our way to the Old Car Festival we had a nice looking tire on our tandum axel trailer blow out!! Tandum axel no problem pull over and put the spair on.If you have a blowout on that pice of iron you would proably destory your T and who know's what else?? Sorry im such a blunt jerk but that"s what i think!! Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Hoshield on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 10:21 pm:

Yep ... I would usually check Craigs list first, as it would be more likely to have stuff closer to me. I wasn't actively looking for a trailer, although have wished I had one, on occasion. I just happen to drive by this one every time I go into to with the T or not. Today, I finally decided to stop and take a couple photos, as I 'wondered' about it every time I went by.

Well ... no more. :-)

When I'm ready I'll search the trailer posts here, again, then go 'troll'n'!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 10:25 pm:

Looks like it could be made to work, but unless you have steel on hand to do it, it would be expensive to upgrade it. It would take a lot of work. I think you would be better off looking for a used 16 foot tandem flatbed trailer. With some shopping, you should be able to find one with ramps for less than $1000. With it you could take your car anywhere.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Saturday, September 14, 2013 - 11:32 pm:

Buy it,remove hitch,jack,axle and springs,and winch and chunk the frame work to the scrap man.The parts you save would cost a good bit,probably around 3 to 4 hundred new.
Hollow tubeing rust from the inside out.You cant see the trouble till it is to late.
If you can modify that,with a little more effort,you can build a trailer for occasional use.When and if I get the floor and ramps on it,I will post pictures of the 1 I built for hauling my T pickup when it is finished.
It aint hard to build a trailer if you have a welder,grinder,and a level place to work and can measure Very well.
For a single axle trailer the Axle center should be a inch back from center of trailer frame for each foot of length.
A 10 foot trailer for example would have the axle 5 foot 10 inchs back from the front of the frame.This ensures enough weight to the front but not to much.I have built about 5 single axle trailers and I am told by all that have towed them that they pull easy and dont jar the truck loaded or empty.
A tandem trailer,you measure from the middle spring shackle center and put it a inch back from frame center for each foot of lenght.
16 foot trailer,the middle spring shakle would be 8 foot 16 inchs from the front of the frame.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 02:40 pm:

Depending on the rules for your state make sure it has a paper trail. Craigs list is a good place to look but sometimes...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rion Schulze on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 06:06 pm:

I'd keep looking. Prize the treasure that you want to haul (The Model T) enough to have a good trailer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 06:27 pm:

Bud DeLong is right. That POJ should be in the scrap yard.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 07:31 pm:

So as usual I guess I will offer a possibly contrary position. When I entered the hobby I towed a T for thousands of miles on something similar.
It had a single axle, no suspension and a hitch very similar. I made two "tracks" out of 10 gauge sheet metal chanels about 10" wide with 2" flanges and about 12' long. I "stacked" these onto two more 10 gauge chanels that were 8" wide by 2" flange. I stitch welded it together about 2" in 8" all along. I located the tracks so the axle was about 7' from the front of them. I BOLTED the tracks down to some brackets welded to the axle and a cross member about a foot back of the front of the tracks. This way I eliminated the weld stress risers across the tracks. I used the trailer for years and eventually sold it on and about 40 years later it is still in service hauling T's and similar light cars. It was light and strong. I towed it with a Volvo 144


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 08:07 pm:

What was the price of that thing. $50.00 is too much.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 08:09 pm:

I will also say that a number of people copied the design and those are still kicking around as well providing good service
My one qualifier is I am a engineer and I know steel design and construction


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 08:16 pm:

Richard
The Volvo you are talking about? It was new then!!!
The trailer cost me about $50.00 to build using mostly found material. The spindles were from a '53 Ford car. The axle was 2" x3" x 1/4" HSS. The spindles bolted on (I would not weld to a car spindle then and I won't now). For the main frame I used a pair of junk model A frame rails. The tongue was 3" std pipe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:35 pm:

You can't polish a turd!!!!!!! Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 10:48 pm:

Bud
Not all of us are as rich as you!!! Personally I don't like wasting things


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 02:25 am:

Let me know if you go on the road with that thing so I can stay home.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Stroud on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 05:31 am:

Mack, look again at the main frame rails. They are channel iron, looks like 4" from here. If the price is right, and the steel and parts aren't too rusted, it looks like a good start to me for a light trailer. Granted, it would be mostly for parts and material, but still, a start. Just sayin'. Dave


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 06:14 am:

Let's get started ..... :-)




Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 09:43 am:

Les,With a shrinking pension health care problems im far from rich! It's been a long time since i was buying up old 1 and 2 row corn pickers up for useable iron but this is what i see from here.The 2 straght pices of 3" channel total 20'?? Old coupler proably less than the standerd 2 5/16" a very lite duty boat winch? No wires so probably just old tires no brakes,and maybe water/rust damage to hub/bearings?? Other than that all i see is some fellow who has a short stream?? That's what i see and if you could built a useful rig i still see only 1 axle which in if only my mind is UNSAFE ON THE HIGHWAY!!! Paint it safety yellow with black stripes,flashing lights,put a ribbon on it,BUT YOU STILL CAN'T POLISH A TURD!!!!!!! PS,Thank's Jim,I find your knowledge of hauling priceless! Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 10:50 am:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Monday, September 16, 2013 - 12:06 pm:

Roger


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