Trailer Upgrades

[Big4x4ride]

So I have a 2012 model 18’ 14K equipment trailer, 83” deck width with sides. The sides needed to go in order for the JK to fit, and it surely needed a cleanup and fresh coat of paint. I had a bearing failure a while back that scarred a spindle, so that needed some attention as well. All that led to this becoming a project lol.
When done, will be sprung over instead of under, lengthened to 22’ (17’+5’ dove), replacing the damaged axle and adding brakes to 2nd axle, mounting 2 trailer spares under the deck, sides removed, new paint and lights.

 

[OleCoot]

nice project.

 

[Blitz]

Can’t wait to see it done. But wish I had known you were doing this. Would have offered up my 18’ steel deck car hauler for it.

 

[Big4x4ride]

Can’t wait to see it done. But wish I had known you were doing this. Would have offered up my 18’ steel deck car hauler for it.

I have to stay with the 7K axles in order to be able to haul my Dad's trackhoe and bobcat around. He no longer has a trailer (since I bought this one from him a few years ago), so I have to make sure we have a way to move em if needed.

Got everything precut today for the most part, plan is to try and get the dovetail welded in tomorrow. I have the new axle, 4 new springs and hardware, and full set of bearings here just waiting on the damn wheel seals to show up which wont be until Monday. ill get the brackets installed so moving the axles will be pretty simple one evening next week.

 

[Blitz]

I have to stay with the 7K axles in order to be able to haul my Dad's trackhoe and bobcat around. He no longer has a trailer (since I bought this one from him a few years ago), so I have to make sure we have a way to move em if needed.

Got everything precut today for the most part, plan is to try and get the dovetail welded in tomorrow. I have the new axle, 4 new springs and hardware, and full set of bearings here just waiting on the damn wheel seals to show up which wont be until Monday. ill get the brackets installed so moving the axles will be pretty simple one evening next week.

Makes sense.

 

[Big4x4ride]

Dovetail is on. Ended up with 56” instead of 60” due to only cutting 6” off the original trailer instead of 12”. I wanted to save this last crossmember for support on the flat deck portion and not have to add another one. 6 3/4” drop is where I ended up at with 7° of dove angle. That got the back of the dove just about where original deck height was, which compensates for the added height from the spring over setup. Also fabbed the start of the spare tied carrier which will be right under the deck just behind the axles. Tomorrow I’ll get the new spring mounts installed and be ready for the axles to slide back. If I can salvage the u bolts I’ll go ahead and slide the axle being replaced back and flip it over to see what the height will truly look like and determine what I need to do for fenders. Will also allow me to get the spare tire carrier hung and finished up. Have vacation coming up week after next, if weather holds out I’ll try and get this thing painted. Not having luck finding an affordable way to blast it, so looking at a quick wire wheel cleanup and hit it with some Eastwood Rust Encapsulator and then some good ol Rustoleaum

 

[Blitz]

You gonna plate it at the splice from the old part to the new dove?

 

[OleCoot]

Looks good David

 

[Big4x4ride]

You gonna plate it at the splice from the old part to the new dove?

Yep, that gets done tomorrow. Didn't want to make noise with the grinder tonight.

 

[Blitz]

Yep, that gets done tomorrow. Didn't want to make noise with the grinder tonight.

I hear ya on the noise part. That’s why my shop is 100’ from the house when we built the new place.

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

Yep, that gets done tomorrow. Didn't want to make noise with the grinder tonight.

I hear ya on the noise part. That’s why my shop is 100’ from the house when we built the new place.

is that a family or neighbor concern?

 

[Big4x4ride]

is that a family or neighbor concern?

Both to be honest. I've tried to do my best to keep the noise down if the garage is open at night out of respect for the neighbors. I live in a little nicer neighborhood now than I did a few years ago, around here I'm the only one who does stuff like this routinely lol. My old house, I just blended in there so all was good. Same time, my daughters bedroom is right behind the garage as well, so I try and keep it down for her as well once she is winding down as well.

Generally the door is closed and A/C is on in the garage when Im working on the Jeep, so noone really hears or sees much from outside, this trailer is a little different animal.

 

[Blitz]

is that a family or neighbor concern?

for me it’s family. I’m out in the country now. The neighbors can get mad all they want. There are plenty of hot rod dudes around reving their motors at midnight around here.

 

[Big4x4ride]

Spare tire carrier is in, not 100% complete yet, but it’s there. Light brackets welded on, fishplate installed (wish I had flipped this over from how I did it, too late now.). I added in the new suspension mounts and moved an axle to the new rear location. Other axle is pulled to be cleaned up, new perches welded on and rebuilt for install next weekend. I have another new axle to build as well, and the axle currently under the trailer is the one with a bad spindle. I’ll fix it later on just to have a spare sitting around for a rainy day. New deck height looks to be 30” or so, not quite a deckove. Still trying to decide a plan for fenders Getting closer by the day though.