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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 8, 2015 9:04:06 GMT -5
Has anyone converted a boat trailer into a utility trailer? If so, could you post some pictures? I traded for a dual axle boat trailer and I want to convert it into a flat bed trailer. I have some ideas on how to make the frame flat. The trailer has hydraulic surge brakes on one axle. I have no idea how those work. The hydraulic line is disconnected from the hitch reservoir.
I'd appreciate any advice, ideas, or tips on this project.
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Post by parson on Dec 8, 2015 9:26:22 GMT -5
I've never attempted it, but a quick search brought up several youtube vids on a conversion like you mention.
Sounds like a workable idea to me.
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 8, 2015 9:53:42 GMT -5
I'm hoping I can figure it out. The trailer is rated for 5500 lbs. The axles are a more towards the back than I would like but I think I can make it work. Most of the weight I'll be hauling will be towards the back anyway.
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Post by esshup on Dec 8, 2015 10:02:21 GMT -5
Once you get it loaded and drive it a few times you will figure out how much tongue weight you need. The scary part about surge brakes is that if the trailer starts to sway, you cannot use the brakes to straighten it out like you can with electric brakes.
If the floor of the utility trailer will extend over the tires, make sure there is enough vertical clearance so the tires don't hit the floor at full load + any suspension travel.
If the brake line is disconnected, you might have to rebuild the master cylinder and/or the brake cylinders. The brakes work like car brakes, but the trailer pushing on the trailer hitch is the foot on the brake pedal so to speak.
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 8, 2015 12:54:01 GMT -5
I wonder if it would be easier to convert the brakes over to electric? The deck will be between the fenders. It's a little over 6" wide there.
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Post by featherduster on Dec 8, 2015 14:43:52 GMT -5
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 8, 2015 15:08:03 GMT -5
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Post by scrub-buster on Jan 25, 2016 9:59:38 GMT -5
I watched a youtube video on welding and decided I could install the angle iron frame on my boat trailer myself. My only welding experience was with a stick welder in high school shop class 20 years ago. I think I did OK with the wire welder. I made a 13' long and 6'3" flat bed. It's ready for paint and deck boards now.
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Post by esshup on Jan 25, 2016 10:49:30 GMT -5
Looks good. I can't tell from the pics, but typically the paint is removed in the area where the welding will take place to prevent contamination of the weld.
As for converting the brakes, you might be able to, I'm not sure if the surge brakes take the same backer plate as electric ones.
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Post by scrub-buster on Jan 25, 2016 10:54:38 GMT -5
Thanks. I ground off all the paint where the welds were. I haven't checked on the brakes yet.
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Post by esshup on Jan 25, 2016 12:05:47 GMT -5
I got curious and googled it. www.etrailer.com/question-9702.htmlFWIW, if you decide to go that route, I have an axle from my 3500# Triton AUT 1282 trailer that has electric brakes on it. Drums, everything that is attached to the axle, including the axle. The torsion axle went bad, but the brakes are still good. It was easier to replace the whole axle with new brakes on it than it was to replace pieces/parts. Trailer was new in 2009, and nobody, not even Dexter axles can tell me why it broke. It wasn't overloaded, it had maybe 1,200# on it. The axle is a 5 lug, 14" rim, I need to measure drum size. I was going to throw it on Craigslist for $150, but if anybody on here wanted it, $100 would do. Pick up only for that price. I'm less than 2 miles North of Rt. 30, 12 miles West of Plymouth, IN.
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Post by scrub-buster on Jan 25, 2016 21:14:01 GMT -5
I'm on the opposite end of the state or I'd check out that axle.
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Post by esshup on Jan 25, 2016 23:27:14 GMT -5
It's not worth the trip for you then!! No biggie.
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Post by scrub-buster on Feb 7, 2016 10:26:44 GMT -5
I used a sanding disk to remove any rusted areas on the frame. I put a coat of primer on it and 2 coats of flat black. Getting rid of that horrible burgundy color made it look a lot better. I used 2x10's for the deck. 94 holes through 1/4" angle iron is a lot of drilling. I was going to wait until this summer to start the camper build on the trailer. Since the conversion to a flat bed went so good I decided I would go ahead and at least get the camper shell built before I pull it to Tennessee in late April. I want to build a large tear drop shaped camper that will be tall enough for me to stand up in. I want the outside to look like an old barn or shed. I like the rustic look better than a modern style. The camper will have a storage compartment that will hold around 150 bow staves. The wood box will be the platform for my bed on the inside. I put a bow stave on the trailer in this picture to see how most of the weight will be positioned over the axles. I'm glad I went with a boat trailer. If the axles were any more forward I don't think it would have worked. I also picked up 2 new tires for it. That will be new rubber on all four wheels plus a spare on a rim.
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Post by nfalls116 on Feb 7, 2016 10:31:13 GMT -5
Keep it.up looking forward to seeing it complete
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Post by scrub-buster on Mar 13, 2016 23:05:30 GMT -5
I've been working hard on the camper portion of this project. I drew out a side profile and framed up the walls. I picked up some old red oak barn siding. I trimmed the bad ends off, pulled out all the nails, and cut them down in width to 6" and under. They were to thick to use so I decided to resaw them in half. I made a spring board to help hold them against the fence. I put together a simple roller support to catch the boards. 4.5 hours later I had a nice stack of boards ready to be used as siding on the camper. I have 12 hours of work just in getting these boards ready to use. I also had a huge mess.
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Post by scrub-buster on Mar 13, 2016 23:15:31 GMT -5
I rounded up some help and mounted the walls on the trailer. It was to tall to fit in the building where I've been working on it. We put some temporary braces on it and moved it to another building so I could keep it under a roof. I leveled the trailer up and secured the walls to the roof to keep them square while I worked on it. I started putting the roof ribs in it yesterday. Today I finished the roof ribs. I framed up the wood storage area/bed frame Once I had everything framed up I cut out the door. I put roofing felt paper on the walls to help with the water proofing. I marked all the lines where the cross supports are. I moved the barn siding to the build site. Tomorrow morning I should be ready to start putting them on.
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Post by nfalls116 on Mar 14, 2016 0:28:06 GMT -5
Never saw the spring board that's awesome! It's looking good so far I hope it turns out good for ya!
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Post by steiny on Mar 14, 2016 6:36:45 GMT -5
Not too sure that you will save anything over just going out and buying a used camper, but looks like a fun project. I like projects like that.
Way back when, a fella I worked with converted an old bread truck into his own low budget motor home camper. They had a lot of fun with that rig.
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Post by deadeer on Mar 14, 2016 6:42:47 GMT -5
Great creativity on your projects!
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