6' x 10' utility trailer build.

Working on getting the corner uprights plumb. Once these are tacked in solid, I'll attach the top rail.

It should be mentioned that I welded the top side of all the cross members before I work on the uprights.

 

Tossing op the front top rail. I gave the supplier the wrong size or the piece was cat the wrong length. It only slows me up a little, but it does annoy me.

 

Using my fabrication square to hold the upright in position so it remains plumb. These things work awesome!

 

It's looking like a trailer frame. I've moved along pretty fast. I can usually do the uprights, fenders and top rail in less than an hour. It is quite a bit of welding and you can tell by the amount of smoke in the air. The haze is not a dirty camera lense.

Backing up a bit: Attaching the fenders is pretty straightforward. No rocket science here. All I do is sit on my roll around stool, support the fender with my hand between the tire and the underside of the fender. My hand is in a fist shape and I can eyeball it so the fender is level and rock my fist left or right to do this. I put a heavy tack on one side of the fender where it touches the frame. Still supporting the fender with my fist, I put a tack on the front of the fender where it meets the frame.

Please ask If you would like more details.

 

Boxes for the tail lights. I build these to stay built.

 

Tail light box and light attached. I had a previous customer thank me for building these boxes like I do. He slid his truck into the ditch while towing his trailer. His buddy attached his tow strap to the light box and pulled both truck and trailer out of the ditch. I wish I had a pic of that.

 

I make my own bed tie downs. Just some excess sched. 40 pipe slices cut in half. I put this in the 4 corners as well as 1 on each side in the middle. I like things to stay put.

 

Dammit! This one is on them! I have never ordered expanded steel this narrow! I was pretty pissed, because this shut me down for the day as it was too late to ran after another sheet.

Regardless, I did get the trailer ramp gate frame built, just couldn't attach the mesh iron.

 

Next day:

I got the proper size mesh placed inside the tail gate frame. You can see my mesh supports are not welded yet. Ill do that after I flip it over.

 

Gate attached to the trailer. I make my own hinges. I just use scrap 1.5" x 1.5" angle with a 1/2" hole drilled in both. I blot them back to back and this becomes a strong, cheap hinge.

 

Trailer tail gate latches being fabbed up.

 

Test fitting the latch pieces. It's just some scrap 2" band iron.

 

Latches installed and cleaned up with the flap wheel.

 

At this point, I have concluded all welding activities.

You are looking at 4 hours and 4 beers to get to this point...as long as all parts are cut to the correct size. This was a 2 day project because of the wrong expanded steel.

 

Washing the trailer down to remove the mill oils. It's fun playing with the foam cannon.

 

Nice

 

I wheeled the trailer inside to dry. I got it on the hoist to make wiring the lights much enjoyable.
I hope to never lay on the floor again if I can help it.

 

Trailer painted. I use the Harbor Freight truck bed paint and roll it on. It goes on thick and seems to hold up very well. In addition, the extra paint left in the can does not harden up. You can do touch up painting for a long time.

Be warned, the stuff does smell. I have to leave the doors open or I get a bad head ache.

 

Trailer sides and floor lumber. Preparing to cut them all to size.

 

Deck boards installed. I'm using the bar clamp to suck the boards together. There will still be gaps in the floor after they dry.