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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 29, 2020 19:52:18 GMT -5
With all of the falling ash trees, I decided I needed a narrow trailer to haul them out of woods around our stands. I wanted something no wider than my side by side so it would fit down our trails. I looked around on craigslist and FB marketplace and didn't see anything that would work. I was looking into buying hubs and steel to build one from scratch. I found an old pop up camper that someone cut down for sale. I figured it was cheaper than buying materials and would save time over making a new one.  It didn't take long to get the sides off and the floor loose. Only 6 screws held the floor on.  The frame is solid.  The width of the main frame rails is perfect. I zipped off the side pieces and ground them smooth.  Now here is where I could use some help. I don't want the wheels sticking out on the sides. I want to move them directly under the frame rails or just inside them. I don't need the springs. This will be a low speed farm use trailer. It won't be on the road ever again. If I put them under the frame, the bed will sit higher. If I put them inside the rails the bed will be lower but the tire spread will be narrower. I'm not sure which one would be less likely to tip over on hills. I can build wheel wells if I put them inside the frame. What do you guys think? My plan is to remove the axle and just weld the hubs to some brackets.    I moved it inside the garage due to the snow moving in tomorrow. I think I might have enough steel scraps to move the axle hubs. You probably noticed the different tire sizes. I want the wider tires to keep it from sinking in soft dirt. It came with a spare rim the same size as the wider tire. I have a brand new tire that will fit the smaller rim. I'll mount it on the front as a spare. The corner jacks make it nice and solid to work on.  |
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 29, 2020 19:53:58 GMT -5
Another option would be to cut a length of axle out of the center and weld it back together keeping the leaf springs attached. I'd have to move the spring mounts in.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 19:55:07 GMT -5
Looks like a good start. Good luck with your new project. I would be temped and move the tires inside the frame to make it narrower.
That would take some welding and spring work.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Nov 29, 2020 19:57:27 GMT -5
I would think moving them to the inside and keeping that lower center of gravity would be best. Just my two cents and you know what that’s worth. Can’t wait to see how this project comes along.
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Post by stevein on Nov 29, 2020 20:10:32 GMT -5
I think the higher and more narrow you make it the more likely it will tip. I like the tire inside the frame idea. That will keep them from hanging up as much. Maybe something like they use to haul logs by horses would work better.
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Post by stevein on Nov 29, 2020 20:16:07 GMT -5
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Post by greghopper on Nov 29, 2020 20:18:10 GMT -5
Goggle Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System and look there for ideas....
Cut axle in half turn wheel around re-mount then cut off excess remaining axle.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 29, 2020 20:41:43 GMT -5
An ATV log skidder is on my build list. I've been slowly gathering supplies for that project. I will be hauling brush and limbs so I need a trailer for now. |
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 29, 2020 20:43:19 GMT -5
Goggle Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System and look there for ideas.... Cut axle in half turn wheel around re-mount then cut off excess remaining axle. so the lug nuts will be facing in on the hubs? The trailer will be light enough to flip over if I need to change a tire. |
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Post by greghopper on Nov 29, 2020 20:52:53 GMT -5
Goggle Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System and look there for ideas.... Cut axle in half turn wheel around re-mount then cut off excess remaining axle. so the lug nuts will be facing in on the hubs? The trailer will be light enough to flip over if I need to change a tire. Yeah or jack it up and reach around to remove....or make brackets and re-mount with nuts facing out! Or form fill the tires and be done with it. |
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Post by esshup on Nov 29, 2020 21:04:15 GMT -5
Another option would be to cut a length of axle out of the center and weld it back together keeping the leaf springs attached. I'd have to move the spring mounts in. That's what I would do. Keep the lug nuts facing out. Think of the hassle if the tire would go flat, with it loaded on soft wet soggy ground in a few inches of snow....... With the lug nuts on the inside that is... You don't want a skidder, you want a log arch. If you build a log arch so it fits on top of the trailer, you mount a winch on the front of the trailer and go up to the arch. use the arch to pick up the log and slide it onto the trailer. Lemee find a link, I know a guy by St. Louis that built one. I couldn't find the thread, so I sent him a PM, I will post the link to his build when he replies. |
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 29, 2020 21:17:38 GMT -5
Another option would be to cut a length of axle out of the center and weld it back together keeping the leaf springs attached. I'd have to move the spring mounts in. That's what I would do. Keep the lug nuts facing out. Think of the hassle if the tire would go flat, with it loaded on soft wet soggy ground in a few inches of snow....... With the lug nuts on the inside that is... You don't want a skidder, you want a log arch. If you build a log arch so it fits on top of the trailer, you mount a winch on the front of the trailer and go up to the arch. use the arch to pick up the log and slide it onto the trailer. Lemee find a link, I know a guy by St. Louis that built one. I already built a log arch. It connects to the trailer that the small one is sitting on. It works great for loading logs. I want something small enough to take through the woods. I won't be hauling big logs with it. |
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Post by bartiks on Nov 29, 2020 21:18:44 GMT -5
I would do what scrub suggested, remove a section of the axle. Weld it together, make something for the suspension to mount to and bob is your uncle. Slap some flooring on it and get after it. Good idea taking an old camper and doing a little work to it.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 29, 2020 21:21:14 GMT -5
Another option would be to cut a length of axle out of the center and weld it back together keeping the leaf springs attached. I'd have to move the spring mounts in. That's what I would do. Keep the lug nuts facing out. Think of the hassle if the tire would go flat, with it loaded on soft wet soggy ground in a few inches of snow....... With the lug nuts on the inside that is... You don't want a skidder, you want a log arch. If you build a log arch so it fits on top of the trailer, you mount a winch on the front of the trailer and go up to the arch. use the arch to pick up the log and slide it onto the trailer. Lemee find a link, I know a guy by St. Louis that built one. Here is a picture of that bottom trailer with my log arch attached.  |
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Post by esshup on Nov 29, 2020 21:26:47 GMT -5
That's what I would do. Keep the lug nuts facing out. Think of the hassle if the tire would go flat, with it loaded on soft wet soggy ground in a few inches of snow....... With the lug nuts on the inside that is... You don't want a skidder, you want a log arch. If you build a log arch so it fits on top of the trailer, you mount a winch on the front of the trailer and go up to the arch. use the arch to pick up the log and slide it onto the trailer. Lemee find a link, I know a guy by St. Louis that built one. I already built a log arch. It connects to the trailer that the small one is sitting on. It works great for loading logs. I want something small enough to take through the woods. I won't be hauling big logs with it. This is an arch that helps him load logs on his trailer, not just for carrying one log. I'll post the link when he replies so you can look at it. |
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Post by esshup on Nov 29, 2020 21:28:12 GMT -5
That's what I would do. Keep the lug nuts facing out. Think of the hassle if the tire would go flat, with it loaded on soft wet soggy ground in a few inches of snow....... With the lug nuts on the inside that is... You don't want a skidder, you want a log arch. If you build a log arch so it fits on top of the trailer, you mount a winch on the front of the trailer and go up to the arch. use the arch to pick up the log and slide it onto the trailer. Lemee find a link, I know a guy by St. Louis that built one. Here is a picture of that bottom trailer with my log arch attached. Ya beat me to it!!! Good deal!! I'd section the axle, move the tires barely inboard but leave enough room for side flex of the springs. It'll be stronger if you keep the leaf springs and axle. |
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 30, 2020 22:11:59 GMT -5
This afternoon I got back to work on the trailer. I cut out the two cross beams in the center and removed the axle. It took a good amount of time to cut them off and clean up all of the welds.  Then I flipped it over and welded in some heavy duty channel for cross beams. They were left over from my deer skinning platform. This will strengthen the frame up quite a bit.  I was hoping to be able to weld the spring mount brackets inside the channel but that wouldn't have been enough clearance. I had to weld in spacer blocks to mount them to.  I'm going to get some new U-bolts and flip the axle over to the other side of the springs. That should allow it to gain a few more inches of clearance.  I think this will give me enough room to get the tire off. I'm sure it will after I flip the axle.  Do you think this will be a wide enough wheel base?  |
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Post by duff on Nov 30, 2020 22:20:12 GMT -5
I would say it depends on terrain, load and speed.
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Post by greghopper on Nov 30, 2020 22:30:45 GMT -5
I weld them leaf springs brackets with a 7018 rod or a high heat mig probably do multiple passes also.
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Post by scrub-buster on Nov 30, 2020 22:43:38 GMT -5
I weld them leaf springs brackets with a 7018 rod or a high heat mig probably do multiple passes also. I don't have the equipment for that. All I have is a flux core wire welder. |
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