Lowe’s trailer!

I just picked up this small trailer on Craigslist yesterday. It’s one of the cheapy 3x5 Lowe’s utility trailer. I have a short bed Tacoma that fills up fast when we go camping. My plan is to put larger tires and use it for camping equipment. Maybe to haul 400-500lbs of gear. Light off-road here and there but it will primarily be used on road.

I have never done anything like this before so I was wondering if I could use wheel adapters to get the same bolt pattern as in my Tacoma And run the same tires.

Is it safe to use wheel adapters for a trailer like this? Again, trailer will be used primarily on the road.

 

I’m going for something like this when it’s done

 

Watching this one because I had similar ideas for toting my camping gear and canoes.

 

The axles on those are kinda cheapy, I wouldnt put spacers, expecially since your gonna put more stress because its going offroad. If it were me, since its just a camping/utility trailer i would just get some larger wheels and beefier ties and run it.

 

Im sure someone will chime in that knows more than me. Its either I do spacer/wheel adapter or I get a custom made axle with the bolt pattern I want. Going the axle route will be more expensive so I think I'm going to order up some 5on4.5 to 6on5.5 adapters and give it a whirl. Same bolt pattern as my 19 Taco.

 

there really arent many parts that can break, but axle is the only thing i would be worried about. i guess you just have to ask yourself what your priorities are, and if you want the same wheels?

 

If you want more height for bigger tires you can move the axle to the bottom of the springs, you will either have to relocate the perches or bend the axle the opposite way. I did this with a cheap 4' X 8' I have a portable welder on.

Not the best pictures but it's loaded down. This is before the axle swap and bigger tires.

 

Just my opinion, but.....
This is a cheaply made trailer and by the time you upgrade the wheels, axle, and frame to do what you want, you'll spend more money than just buying a better trailer.

 

Could be true but I jumped on it because it was only $200 and they guy kept it in his garage so it’s pretty clean

 

I flipped the axle and upgraded from 12 to 13 inch wheels, made a huge difference. Eventually will build a real camping trailer.

 

I haven’t flipped the axle but I put 15” wheels on it and tomorrow I’m putting in a better floor. I really need to weld up a rack so I can run a RTT

 

I am eventually going to build a real trailer but for now this set up is nice. Really happy going the trailer supported camping route. Can't get the gf to go away from facilities so don't need the ultra rugged yet.

 

Got some new fenders welded up. Next is paint! I’ll probably leave it like this for our first trip to see how it does but eventually a rack with RTT