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How to find a totalled/crashed Tacoma to make a Tacoma bed trailer

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by MaxKrax, Oct 12, 2021.

  1. Oct 12, 2021 at 3:57 PM
    #21
    Cereal_killer

    Cereal_killer Well-Known Member

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    Yeah
    Buy the parts you need individually, you'll save big time.

    Stick a trailer axle under it, no need for a rear end.
     
    airmax233 and Sharpish like this.
  2. Oct 12, 2021 at 4:18 PM
    #22
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    My knee jerk reaction is that a fabricated trailer using the same size tires and no heavy axle would be superior in every way. There is some discussion of off-road trailers on Matt’s Off-road recovery and Ronny dahls YouTube channels. Low weight, big tires, and an off-road hitch seem to be key things.
     
  3. Oct 12, 2021 at 4:26 PM
    #23
    MaxKrax

    MaxKrax [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes that is legal here in Nevada!
     
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  4. Oct 12, 2021 at 4:38 PM
    #24
    Phlogiston

    Phlogiston There are no victims, only volunteers.

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    A@!#$@$%#$%
    The wild west
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    think of the comedic value if you used a ridgeline bed instead.
     
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  5. Oct 12, 2021 at 4:40 PM
    #25
    mutely

    mutely Well-Known Member

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    Don’t do it the way you are intending. It makes for a shitty and heavy trailer design. Using the truck frame and axle is way overkill and when you look at how much weight you put on the tow vehicle tongue, it makes for a really bad design. If you want that look, as others stated, simply buy the bed sides and tailgate then make a real trailer frame around those items, and use a real trailer axle (you can get adapters for the wheels to match truck). You will end up with a way better trailer and not some overweight badly towing pos.
     
  6. Oct 12, 2021 at 4:56 PM
    #26
    MaxKrax

    MaxKrax [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I didn't really think about those issues. I am going to have to re evaluate my plan. Thanks
     
  7. Oct 12, 2021 at 4:59 PM
    #27
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

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    You can use the bed for aesthetics but you would need a custom frame and a trailer axle.
     
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  8. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:12 PM
    #28
    MaxKrax

    MaxKrax [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm starting to think this whole idea is not going to work out, as the parts are going to be expensive and I'm going to end up having to build a whole new trailer. I originally thought I could buy a cheap crashed truck, salvage the bed and sell off what is left in useable parts, making the trailer free (or close to it).
     
  9. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:14 PM
    #29
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    It has been done before, but I’ve only seen it done with jalopy beds that were likely sitting on a farm for 30 years.
     
  10. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:19 PM
    #30
    gilligoon

    gilligoon Well-Known Member

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    Yeah they are great hay haulers around the farm but not so hot for the highway.

    I pulled a O.G. 70s Datsun bed trailer for 15 miles up and down a mountain @ 30 mph, and the angles on it were weird. That chunk full of old rusty spinning metal is a heavy load when the box is empty. Overloaded with wet firewood, it was very solid other than being tongue-heavy, receiver a bit too low. Couldn't get nearly enough weight behind the axle

    The rig looked so cool with a 70's tiedown box tagging along behind a new Off-Road. Datsun/Yota mix was some laughs. Quicksand and "old man tan". BTW there's a super sano old tan Datsun 4x4 I see running around in Ft Oglethorpe, GA.

    It would take some engineering and fabrication skills to get a bed trailer set up for highspeed hauling. You want the axle nearly centered under the payload, frame rails nearly level, and the receiver/yoke and axle perpendicular. And if you're going 45mph plus... supportive springs with stable damping.

    "Blah, blah... shut up, old man..."

    I'm sure there are some internetgineers here who can spec it out for you.
     
    tonered[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:24 PM
    #31
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    If I was spec'ing anything, it would have those axleless Timberens on it. Nice setup there.
     
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  12. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:28 PM
    #32
    gilligoon

    gilligoon Well-Known Member

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    AGREE!
     
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  13. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:31 PM
    #33
    airmax233

    airmax233 Always ready for the next adventure

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    What’s your budget?
     
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  14. Oct 12, 2021 at 5:34 PM
    #34
    MaxKrax

    MaxKrax [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was hoping to be no more than $1500 into it after all is said and done
     
  15. Oct 12, 2021 at 7:22 PM
    #35
    TRD2021SPORT

    TRD2021SPORT Well-Known Member

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    You have to decide what is more important, cheap or less work converting into a trailer.

    A cheap wrecked truck is going to have damage to the bed and the frame and likely will need to be painted to match. A front end wrecked truck from a reputable auto dismantler in the same color as your existing truck will require much less work to become a matching trailer.

    Basically you can pay more up front or you'll pay more at the end when all the extras are added up.

    If you are willing to pay a reasonable amount I'd try contacting LKQ or find someone that has access to Copart or similar insurance auctions.
     
  16. Oct 12, 2021 at 7:59 PM
    #36
    desmodue

    desmodue Unsprung member

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  17. Oct 13, 2021 at 5:13 AM
    #37
    Skennedy82

    Skennedy82 Member

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    I couldn't find a 3rd gen, but plenty of 1st gen's. Made a custom frame, bed cover, bed drawers and bed rack

    20211004_170450.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2021
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  18. Oct 13, 2021 at 5:23 AM
    #38
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Its sacrificing a lot to make it cute. Which is the story of everything I guess.

    Mostly wasted space - there is a lot of air between bed and fender. Plus theres going to be a weight penalty to make those bedrails rigid enough to hold a rack.

    It would be far cheaper and more practical to take a used utility trailer and swap a six lug axle onto it. But that isnt cute. :notsure:
     
  19. Oct 13, 2021 at 5:39 AM
    #39
    airforceb2cc

    airforceb2cc Well-Known Member

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    As stated, Copart will be the best way to find insurance totalled trucks. I bought thousands of vehicles every year from Copart when I worked for a salvage yard. You will be bidding against a bunch of salvage yards who want to part that truck out and sell every single piece that is usable...and if there is a usable bed, you will be paying at least $2k as that will bring in $5k for a yard if it includes the gate and lights. Plus the rear axle sells for $1250 assuming it is NOT a locker. You can browse Copart (or any other local insurance auction sites) to get a good idea of how much you will be spending on a totalled Taco and then add in the fees. Then account for towing to your house. Assuming the truck has severe front end damage, there wont be much left to salvage so not many buyers will be interested in the carcass you have left so figure getting $200 tops from a scrapper on what is left.

    Long story short, you will NOT be able to do this for $1500. I would assume $3000 as a starting point plus the metal to manufacturer a hitch. Then matching wheels and tires and paint so it matches your truck will drive that price even higher. So basically it can be done but not anywhere near your price point. And nowhere near practical but would look really cool!!
     
  20. Oct 13, 2021 at 5:49 AM
    #40
    Skennedy82

    Skennedy82 Member

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    I spent around 4500 on material. That included the steel for the frame, lock n roll hitch, trailer axle with brakes, truck bed and wood for the bed drawers. If you find a bed, try to find one not damaged as the skins are quite expensive. It works great and goes wherever I need it to go. PM me if you want any info. Figuring everything out was the hardest part
     

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