Thoughts on refurbing my trailer...

I had this trailer custom made probably 20 years ago. 4ft wide and 7ft long with 18inch high sides. So I could put my trial bike in the trailer long ways and my swag and other gear easily next to the bike.

Its served me well over the years, but it needs some serious love. The wheels and tyres are original. I doubt they will last another year though. As now its main use it lately is for firewood. So my intentions are to undersling the axle to give a little more height, buy new rims and LT tyres, larger also the whats on there, this might be hard to work out though. I will have to put new hubs on and maybe a new axle depending on the bearing combination it has matches the new hubs. Then make a cage for it, only something maybe 600mm high though.

Which brings me to my questions.

Should I replace the spring packs with something to take more load? What would a cube of split firewood weigh? As it stands the trailer can comfortably fit a cube of split wood, fill to the brim would be not a lot more, maybe 1.2 cm2. So with the cage it might be somewhere in between 1.5 and 2 cubic metres.

The current springs are 45 x 6mm, 6 leaf slipper springs. From a quick eBay search they would be rated circa 500-600kg. The ATM of the trailer is 750kg, the Axle Group load carrying capacity is 1000KG, so I'm assuming this means the trailer is capable of carrying 1000kg, but the springs are not.

I am also thinking of running an extra length of RHS from the end of the draw bar and down the centre of the trailer to provide some extra strength. Not sure if this will be necessary though.

Attachment 82890

Looking at prices of a good quality trailers these days. I would refurb. The market has so much Chinese junk now as well. I'm sure you could refurb it to your expectations rather than compromise for a ready built quality unit or pay good money for something custom.

I would sell it and buy a tandem trailer with Brakes. Plenty for sale second hand. Even buying something that needs work will probably still save you a bit.

As it stands you are keeping....... which bit??

I love my Grand Dad's Axe. It is awesome!!! I have put 3 new handles on it and replaced the head twice! It is a beast! It will last forever!

More Chassis, 6" Draw Bar. Electric brakes. Fresh tyres.

If you do end up going the new axle / spring path check out Huntsman down Dandenong way. Do whatever track want could even go braked if you wanted, pretty reasonably $$ to. .

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Just keep in mind you can't legally tow over 750kg without brakes on the trailer to.

I wouldn't be loading a single axle much over 1 ton.

Depending if you stacked the wood nicely or just thrown in and also type of wood makes a huge difference to weight. 2 cubes was be approx 2ton in most woods. Most people who sell by the cube are usually not a proper cubic metre of wood either. Think they are meant to legally sell it by weight now.




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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

I would sell it and buy a tandem trailer with Brakes. Plenty for sale second hand. Even buying something that needs work will probably still save you a bit.

As it stands you are keeping....... which bit??

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As it stands. The body of the trailer. Springs I may keep or upgrade to a slightly heavier setup and I may need to change the axle as I will have to change the hubs. I don't want to sell and buy a tandem trailer to be honest. The trailer size is perfect for me and it tows really well.

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

More Chassis, 6" Draw Bar. Electric brakes. Fresh tyres.

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Yeah the draw bar could be a little longer I think. Not sold on Electric brakes, just yet, but for the little extra $$$ it will cost, I may go down that path, then if I do I would have to seriously think about beefing up the chassis. Definately new rims and tyres, size I haven't figured out yet.

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Originally Posted by Rossco

If you do end up going the new axle / spring path check out Huntsman down Dandenong way. Do whatever track want could even go braked if you wanted, pretty reasonably $$ to. .

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Yeah I've bought a lot from them in the past, and they are close'ish to work.

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Originally Posted by matfew

Just keep in mind you can't legally tow over 750kg without brakes on the trailer to.

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This I did not know. Thank you.

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Originally Posted by matfew

I wouldn't be loading a single axle much over 1 ton.

Depending if you stacked the wood nicely or just thrown in and also type of wood makes a huge difference to weight. 2 cubes was be approx 2ton in most woods. Most people who sell by the cube are usually not a proper cubic metre of wood either. Think they are meant to legally sell it by weight now.

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Thank you everyone for your input. I have some thinking to do...

I just went through a bit of an upgrade myself and used Huntsman mob as you can’t beat their pricing.
Their warehouse packing guys tho need a good kick up the arse...lol
Ordered 2x 6 leaf springs and got 7 leaf...all good easy fix. Also ordered 4 x U bolts and washers and nuts and got 12 of each and a mystery bag of different bolts and nuts...beauty[emoji23]

Anyway, this was the state of of my good bolts and brackets. Both springs lost centre bolt and kept moving around...oops
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...021/02/123.jpg


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Originally Posted by mudski

As it stands. The body of the trailer. Springs I may keep or upgrade to a slightly heavier setup and I may need to change the axle as I will have to change the hubs. I don't want to sell and buy a tandem trailer to be honest. The trailer size is perfect for me and it tows really well.



Yeah the draw bar could be a little longer I think. Not sold on Electric brakes, just yet, but for the little extra $$$ it will cost, I may go down that path, then if I do I would have to seriously think about beefing up the chassis. Definately new rims and tyres, size I haven't figured out yet.


Yeah I've bought a lot from them in the past, and they are close'ish to work.


This I did not know. Thank you.



Thank you everyone for your input. I have some thinking to do...

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Sorry mate, you are literally keeping the tub! Madness. Everything else is under size for your new intended use. Sell it to someone that needs a nice 7x4. Buy a tandem 7x4 or better an 8x5 with the springs, axles, brakes, rims, tyres, chassis, drawer bar you need now. That is the list of changes you are looking to make mate! Read about my Grand Dad's Axe again mate. Never look back.

i'm with mudrunner TD . the changes you are talking about may end up costing close to half that of a new trailer . the body of the trailer does not look all that strong . a single axle trailer with brakes the same size generally will have an atm of at least 1450kg . and for carrying wood , i think this would be a minimum , as 1 tonne ( + trailer weight ) could fit without gates . you can also get single axle trailers that size that will take heavier loads . i'm in qld and there are manufactures here that advertise on the net ( i would think there would be a few down your way too ) all size and types of configerations and atm's and many offer specials ( discounts ) at times . worth the time to search i recon . just sort yours out enough to sell and put the money towards a new or second hand one that suits your use .

FWIW: Work down here in a garden supplies and there is one local wacky old bloke with a smallish tandem axle car type trailer as old too as the hills that he constantly swears will carry 2.0T+ [emoji51]
Due diligence (somewhat) he is only ever allowed to collect 0.5m3 of mulch at any one given time and refuses to upgrade to save himself fuel as has been kindly suggested [emoji23]



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Thanks guys. I know a tandem trailer can carry more, but, where I get my fire wood, tracks in Toolangi state forrest, a tandem trailer will be an absolute PIA to navigate. Plus, I do use my trailer for weekend camping where a tandem would be just far too big to use.

Ideally, a tandem would be great and also having a smaller trailer for other uses. But, I don't have the room for two, so I think to suit my total needs for a trailer, I will have just to meet somewhere in the middle, and just not over load the trailer.

I also forgot I have enough RHS here to beef up the chassis, I will be speaking with a trailer builder during the week to see what I can do to make the most out of what I have.

Yes, its not a tandem, I need to meet somewhere in the middle an just work with it.

I'd love a tandem though. But its just not going to work for all my needs.

Double check if our Hodgey Sparky Mate might possibly know of any single axle beast chassis’s that he might be able to get a first right of refusal purchase hopefully [emoji120] [emoji106][emoji106]
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...021/02/137.jpg



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Years ago I converted my campervan hubs from five to six stud. I found brand new six stud trailer hubs with holden bearings. I was also told at the time they also were available with ford bearings. Ended up being a very simple conversion.

(Bought them from Twin City CV Joint - in Wodonga)

you do realise the name tandem only means twin axles has nothing to do with the size. You can get a tandem in 7x5 if you want. That will be bugger all difference size than what you have now and I have towed a 8x5 around so STUPID spots on the farm and never had an issue with the trailer being the one holding me up...

Just saying.

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Originally Posted by matfew

you do realise the name tandem only means twin axles has nothing to do with the size. You can get a tandem in 7x5 if you want. That will be bugger all difference size than what you have now and I have towed a 8x5 around so STUPID spots on the farm and never had an issue with the trailer being the one holding me up...

Just saying.

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Yep. I’ve been looking around. Haven’t found one in my price range though which right now ain’t a lot. Lockdown will set us back nearly 2k due to building halting and we have the entire front of the house in rented scaffolding. Which now has to stay longer. Selling my trailer won’t get me a lot, not enough anyway to put with what it will cost for new wheels, springs and what else I need. I will have to just make do with what I have and when money is good again, I will look at something.


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Just another wacky idea I once viewed on a Youtubey firewood cutting/splitting and carting contraption binge.
A bloke ingeniously strong hinged his strengthened up trailer tub at the rear and designed in two chunky flat plates underneath towards the front with approximately a 100mm gap between the chassis plate and the tub plate.
Shoved his pumpkin bag exhaust jack in the gap upon arrival back at his house and saved himself a squillion on hydraulic rams/pumps/lines for a pretty tough bush tipper trailer [emoji106][emoji106]



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^^^^^^^ This Bloke is Not the guy you ask about modding things up ^^^^^^^

You have always wondered where the term "MB'd the shit out of that!" came from?? This guy! He is a Beast! bhahahahah.

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

^^^^^^^ This Bloke is Not the guy you ask about modding things up ^^^^^^^

You have always wondered where the term "MB'd the shit out of that!" came from?? This guy! He is a Beast! bhahahahah.

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Hahahaha!!!!!!!!

Here’s another Aussie Youtubey one, cheap and easy enough idea [emoji106][emoji106]

https://youtu.be/JVkbl0QWs_s

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...021/02/140.jpg



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So unfortunately for now, I have to do this on the real cheap. This house reno/ build is really sapping the purse, big time, Stage 4 lockdown is costing us day by day, plus a few other things we've dded into the build. The trailer needs new rims and tyres minimum, so thats all its gonna get. I'll have to upgrade as I can. I'll undersling the axle so I can fit larger rims and tyres.

Hopefully when coin permits again after the build, I will look at a dual axle setup.

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Originally Posted by turnercu

Any update on the trailer? Hope there won't be any more lockdowns in your part of Australia.

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Not a lot to be honest. Most of my time lately is taken up with house stuff, plus I have scaffolding everywhere. One of the front tailgate bullet hinges was seized totally and it ripped off the tailgate. So now theres a gaping hole in the bottom part of the tailgate skin. So that needs to be fixed but ran out of welding gas...
Heavier springs and axle is in, new rims and bigger tyres also, and a length of RHS down the guts from the drawbar for extra strength. Ideally getting it sandblastd and repainted would be awsome, but costly, so I guess a flappy wheel on my drill and a few hours I will spend doing the best I can. then I'll give it a coat of jam to doll it up a bit.