Trailer officially complete 09-25-08

[phenrichs]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

You people are too kind! I was kind of worried the plywood bumper would look dumb, but with everything assembled I think it turned out pretty good.

You have got to be sh**ing me, that's plywood. I couldn't tell from the pic. Looks great. Now I have to give it a +1 to the positive post earlier.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by OP

You have got to be sh**ing me, that's plywood. I couldn't tell from the pic. Looks great. Now I have to give it a +1 to the positive post earlier.

I was trying to figure out some type of bumper for the trailer. I don't have the tools to bend sheet metal, or I would have done aluminum diamond plate. I had leftover 1/2" plywood from the deck, so I just glued one sheet on top of another and clamped it. A few days later I removed the clamps and cut if to 40" x 8", then roughed out the rounded ends with a jigsaw and belt sander. Then I laid out the holes for everything. I countersunk the 4 mounting bolt holes with a 3/4" forstner bit so they'd sit flush and I could mount the taillights over them. I then sanded the faces with 160 grit and then 500 grit in an orbital sander. I applied ebony stain, and 4 coats of exterior spar urethane semi-gloss.

The mounting brackets took some thinking. I ended up going to Home Depot and went to the construction section where they carry the t-brackets used in frame construction. I bought 2 black t-brackets and then bent 2 90 degree angles in them. The brackets already had 1/2" holes, so I used 1/2" bolts. They flex a little and the bumper may vibrate - don't know yet. If that happens, I'll design a center brace to make it a little more rigid.

[trip]

Very nice job CJ!

Ya bringin' it to Custer next Spring? I'd like to see it first hand.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Trip

Very nice job CJ!

Ya bringin' it to Custer next Spring? I'd like to see it first hand.

Yessir, that's the plan!

[mrfuni]

"Weight: Don't know for sure. The trailer itself weighed 130 lbs as sold. I cut maybe a couple pounds of that off when I narrowed it, but I added a 1-1/4" steel angle crossmember, so it's probably a wash. The box is maybe 40 pounds. I'd guess maybe 180 pounds total. Given a 400 pound weight limit of trailer and contents, that leaves me about 220 pounds of cargo capacity, which should be more than plenty."

CJ...
Did I miss it or did you figure the weight of the plywood for the base and bumper? 1/2" plywood is heavy. I know because I've put it up to protect windows in a hurricane :(

Also, how does it pull now that it is together?
thanks...Joe

[trip]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Yessir, that's the plan!

Cool! I think it would be great in Custer if you took about 30 minutes and explained to a group of us what you did and how you did it. Kind of a Trailer 101.

[scion0]

Then tape the Trailor 101 and display it here for the rest of us. :-)

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Joe (mrfuni) #250

"Weight: Don't know for sure. The trailer itself weighed 130 lbs as sold. I cut maybe a couple pounds of that off when I narrowed it, but I added a 1-1/4" steel angle crossmember, so it's probably a wash. The box is maybe 40 pounds. I'd guess maybe 180 pounds total. Given a 400 pound weight limit of trailer and contents, that leaves me about 220 pounds of cargo capacity, which should be more than plenty."

CJ...
Did I miss it or did you figure the weight of the plywood for the base and bumper? 1/2" plywood is heavy. I know because I've put it up to protect windows in a hurricane :(

Also, how does it pull now that it is together?
thanks...Joe

The weight was just a SWAG. The plywood deck was only 34" x 40" - not that heavy. Technically, it was 15/32" thick, so knock off a 32nd of thickness. ::)

I actually haven't towed it yet with the Nomad. I plan to try it on the road next weekend.

[roadman]

Good job on the trailer!!!!

[dogdoc]

great job CJ

[ringadingh]

It came out very well, looks good and well built. Im sure it will tow like a dream. Grab a beer and sit in the garage staring at it for a while, you deserve it.

[pirate]

Looks awesome, CJ! You should be very proud of yourself.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by beezer

That really looks good CJ. Those bolts you used to fasten the box to the bed look like good anchor spots for bungies or a cargo net.

Yesterday I saw pictures of a similar trailer someone had built, and instead of the quick-release knobs/bolts to secure the box, they used eye-bolts. The "eye" would be a better way to secure bungee cords or a net, and could still act as a quick-release. I am considering doing that.

[ells]

Not sure why you would want quick release there in the first place. Why would you take the "box" off frequently? You're probably not going to take it into the motel room with you every night. Or, maybe you have a plan to plug the holes and use it as fishing boat! :)

[dantama]

Originally Posted by Ells

Not sure why you would want quick release there in the first place. Why would you take the "box" off frequently? You're probably not going to take it into the motel room with you every night. Or, maybe you have a plan to plug the holes and use it as fishing boat! :)

I don't need a trailer at all..........except for in one instance, and taking the box off might make it work.

When my wife and I went to Garden of the Gods in the car, we thought that it would be a great pedal bike ride around the park. It would be nice to put two pedal bikes on the trailer and ride down there.