The multitool of the automotive world!

[derekmac]

What I tell people learning to backup a trailer is, if you want your trailer to go left, put your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel and move them left.  Same for going right.

[Cupboard]

Oh, I don't really think about my hands at all. Most of the vehicles I have to reverse things with have a steering wheel knob which is handy.

[RT1969]

I actually had to take driving lessons for trailers. And learn how to back up around corners etc. That was pretty intense for someone who learned to drive 2 weeks ago 

And now I haven't really driven a trailer for years, only one time per year or so. And everytime it's like learning it anew.... 

[derekmac]

I've been driving with trailers for as long as I can remember.  When I was young, I use to drive my Grandfathers ride on lawnmower around with a small trailer attached, and that's how I learned.


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[Grant Lamontagne]

I am a novice backing up a trailer but I have done it twice now- successful both times and one of those times was in a crowded parking lot.

Def

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[Grant Lamontagne]

I see it has been a bit since I updated this thread.  Not really a long time, but I have done a fair bit to the trailer since then.  Also it seems like I haven't posted a picture in a long while!  Here's what it looked like when I bought it:



Here's what it looks like right now.





I spent $500 to buy it and have put a good chunk more money and effort into it.  Starting at the front, I replaced the coupler (bit that fits on the ball) because it jumped off the ball when I was taking it in for the safety check and ran into a railroad track, denting the coupler so it would no longer fit on a ball.   

That cost a lot once you factor in cutting off the old coupler (welded on) and welding on a new coupler, plus the cost of a tow truck to get it to the trailer shop to have the work done on it.  While there I also put new chains on it, new reflectors, upgraded the lighting to LED lights (less hassle) and had a few other things upgraded on it.  That was about $350 all told, plus $100 for the tow truck.

I also added a wheel jack on the tongue to keep the coupler off the ground and make it easier to hitch up.

Since I don't have a motorbike I cut out the bracket in the front that held the front tire of a bike.  I'll probably replace the deck next year since it's ok at the moment and I have some dirty landscaping jobs for it this summer.   

I also bolted 1" squared aluminum pipe across the top to hold my kayak J racks.  With these cross bars and enough J racks I can comfortably carry four kayaks on racks with one to two more inside the trailer, depending on the size of them.

You'll also notice the yellow deely boppers I attached to the back.  I can't actually see the trailer when I'm pulling it as it is too low and hidden by my spare tire and too narrow to be seen in my wing mirrors.  Adding these means I can see the trailer in all my mirrors now.  If you don't know what deely boppers are, you must have been absent in the 80's.
 


The other main problem I had with this trailer was some rust on one of the fenders.  It was just surface rust where it had been dripped on at the previous owners' place.  The drips eventually wore away the paint and the metal started to rust.  It wasn't serious, just surface rust, but I figured I'd fix it anyway.  I also decided to increase the visibility at the same time, so I got bright yellow anti rust paint and used my angle grinder with a wire brush attachment to clean off the old black paint and bring it down to bare metal.  Then I sprayed on a very uneven coat of yellow anti rust paint that I will even out a bit later if the weather holds long enough.

Given how easily a trailer can be stolen and re-registered in this province (ie legally stolen) I figured I'd make it a bit distinctive too with the yellow.

Between the distinctiveness of the fenders, the lock on the coupler and the geographic and canine issues trying to steal it, I imagine thieves will just go elsewhere. 

By the way, I had three kayaks and all the gear that goes with them in it yesterday and it hauled very nicely! 

Def

[Whoey]

looks good, should match the old jeep pretty closely?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Different shade of yellow, but yeah, the yellow and black color scheme does seem familiar. 

It started to rain- I'm hoping the paint mostly dried before it did.  Either that or I'll have to get the grinder out again in a few days.

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Certainly looks the part mate

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[WhichDawg]

very nice! we called them deely boppers "curve feelers" I think or whiskers (our joke was clumsy people should have them on when walking)

can you "etch" engrave your personal info (any numbers/letters etc) somewhere on it that is hard to find unless you know where to look? just wondering

[Grant Lamontagne]

I could and I've thought of that as well, but there are a few other, easier to steal and less distinctive trailers in my neighborhood so I imagine mine is pretty safe already. 

Besides, I have this thread as reference in case I need it, plus I'm insured. 

Def

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[Grant Lamontagne]

It looks like the rain didn't hurt the coat of paint I put on it, but I'll still have to wait for another decent day to apply another coat.

Hopefully the rain didn't penetrate the first coat and start some more rust or I'll have to start all over again.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Unfortunately the yellow paint didn't last too well.  Countless stone chips are starting to cause rust to set in and I figured I'd better do something about it before it's too late.





As you can see, it is quite a mess, so out came the angle grinder and wire wheel again and I took it down to bare metal again.



I only wish I had the time right now to do the whole body of the trailer and not just the fenders, but I only have so much time before I move and this was the biggest priority.  I picked up some spray in bedliner for pickup trucks and I figure that should stand up to more punishment than the basic Tremclad did.  Unfortunately all that was available was black bedliner.





So now my trailer isn't quite as distinctive looking as it was, but at least the metal should be somewhat safer from rust now.



My marker lights haven't fared much better than the yellow paint, so I purchased new LED lights on eBay- I got ten for less than I could get one for locally, so I'll probably wire those in today.

As I said, I'd really hoped to be able to strip the whole thing, paint all the metal with bedliner, replace the deck etc this year, but I don't see any of that happening as I have no place to work on it when I get to Ottawa, so I'm limited to whatever I can do here and now.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Oops, forgot the final product, at least for now.



I plan to somehow fabricate a mount for the spare tire on the outside of the bed so I can reclaim the space it takes up on the inside. 



I'm also thinking that a tool box may find it's way onto the trailer too if I can find one for a reasonable enough price.

Def

[derekmac]

Princess Auto sells a tire mount that should do what you need. 

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/heavy-duty-spare-tire-trailer-mount/A-p8112575e

[Grant Lamontagne]

Princess Auto sells a tire mount that should do what you need. 

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/heavy-duty-spare-tire-trailer-mount/A-p8112575e

Thanks, I think that one mounts on the tongue though and I'm not sure I can do that.  With the folding jack stand and the giant spare tire on the back of the Jeep there's not really a lot of space to mount things on the tongue any more.

Def

[ducttapetech]

Weld a bolt on top of one of the sides. In front or back of the wheel well. Then stick the tire on and tighten the nut. Tire will be on the outside and it will cost you all most nothing.

That's us mobile

[Grant Lamontagne]

That's pretty much what I'd planned.  I thought about making an A frame that would attach inside the bed and hold the bolts whole they poke through the grate, and I could attach the wheel to that.

Def

[ducttapetech]

That would work nicely too.

That's us mobile

[Grant Lamontagne]

Another project for another time......  I am going to miss my power tools when I move! 

Def

[ducttapetech]

Didn't you take them with you?

That's us mobile

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'll be taking a drill and my hand tools.  I don't have a garage or any place to put my various saws, grinders, sanders etc so they will have to stay here for now.

Our place in Ottawa is small and there's barely enough outdoors space for my Jeep.  No garage, no basement space etc.

Def

[ducttapetech]

Bummer. Hopefully you two can find a bigger place later.

That's us mobile

[dks]

...so they can become more   

[Grant Lamontagne]

We are looking at cottages.

But I should probably get a job at some point.

Def

[Whoey]

since it's black now maybe I need to do a batch of white Lamontagne logos... or a stencil so you can spray it whatever colour you want?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Silly wiring question....

The incandescent lights I am taking off were wired up with only one wire.  There was a white wire connected to the light, and a black wire that was cut off pretty far back on one side of the trailer, and no black wire (seemingly) on the other side of the trailer.

I'm not very good when it comes to electricity, but don't you need two wires to create a circuit to make things light up?

Any help on sorting this would be appreciated...

Def

[Whoey]

grounded to the frame?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Maybe- don't I need a positive and negative to make a circuit?

Def

[derekmac]

You do, but if it's grounded to the frame either via a mounting screw, or wire, that will make the circuit.