$200 Tent Trailer To ????

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RoyB

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I needed a project to keep me busy during these strange times
Wandering around FaceBook MasrketPlace, I spotted this nasty looking trailer frame for $200. And it was about 5 miles away. During a pouring rain storm I went and picked it up. Didn't even give it a once over....raining too hard.....Hooked up and left.

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First impression is it towed beautifully. No terrible bouncing around even though it was totally unloaded.

This morning, I woke up early and had at it with my 4" angle grinder. Cut the deck off and had some VERY good surprises.

First, it has a Dexter Torsion 2500# axle! My favorite type of axle for these small trailer builds

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Second surprise is it has a perfect condition fresh water tank

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Third bonus is it has four stabilizers and a tongue jack
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There is not a spot of rot anywhere. Chassis is in extremely good condition.

It was a tent trailer so there is a neat winch system that I removed and will use in the garage to remove my RTT off my other trailer

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Now....What do I do with it? My original plan was a simple utility trailer to go to the dump and haul my tractor and log splitter around. But it is in such good shape I'm not sure it might be time for a Tear Drop.....Always wanted to build one, not my cup of tea, but for resale......Or maybe a camping trailer for a RTT.....

We shall see!
 
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Dang man, sweet deal, especially with the Dexter 2500# torsion and the water tank, which looks like it's sort of baffled in the middle, which makes it SO much nice and keeps water from all rushing to one side or the other when off-kilter too far.

I have both that same Dexter set up and a 22gal fresh water tank on my trailer. That you have both of those, and a solid frame that looks well-built and well reinforced is such a huge start. $200 is unreal. Looks like the upper tent body--was a foldout popup deal probably?--must have gone to hell and the trailer was then used for simple hauling and construction, etc.

Looking forward to what you end up doing with it. All sorts of potential there.
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RoyB

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Thanks! I was ready to order a trailer axle kit from Ebay......Axle, shackles, springs, hubs and fenders for $360......Would have needed another $200 in steel to get to this point!
The fellow I bought it from had a number of trailers in the yard. All in the same condition, but all much larger. Seems he makes a few $$ finding old travel trailers and tearing them down to the frame and selling a rolling frame.

This trailer was indeed a fold out tent trailer...even had a set of fold out steps on the side!
 
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RoyB

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well, a die has been cast. it will be a utility trailer with a canoe/kayak rack. this afternoon I cut all the extension off the sides. the fenders will be external. the steel I removed was cut up into 18" pieces to be used for the sides of the trailer.

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I shortened the trailer by 18" and this moved the axle back. Not sure if I'm going to relocate the axle or not. With it left like it is, it will make backing up easier and it should track beautifully. But it looks a bit strange. What do you think?

View attachment 147485
 
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Interesting! I like it.

The axle is back further than I expected, no doubt because of the way the original load above was designed. I wonder if it will present any problems as far as loading too heavy and creating too much tongue weight. If mostly a kayak and general purpose trailer, shouldn't be an issue, I'd guess.

I have to watch it with mine, and though my Dexter axle is a bit more forward, I have the nose box with a lot of weight in it. Mine also has the cargo box sides sort of halfway over the wheels, so there is a bit of wheel well housing on the interior. My cargo area is just under 8' long but wide enough between the wheel wells to carry sheet goods with room to spare.

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It gets a ton of use both as camping trailer and general purpose cargo trailer.

I wondered if you were going to remove the side additions, so am excited to see where you're going with yours.

Always fun to watch a good build of something being re-purposed with good sense.


Stay safe, stay clean, stay positive!
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If you'd rather not have these images in your thread, let me know, I'll remove 'em quick.
 
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RoyB

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Sometimes things just work out. The metal I cut off the sides of the trailer were re purposed for the uprights. And look how a piece of 5/4 Pressure Treated Decking slid right in. This made attaching the sides so easy....

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Now to attached the side walls.....
 
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Good choice on the 5/4 pressure treated deck board floor. I built my utility trailer 10 years ago with the same boards and they've been great. I figured I'd have to replace a few of them over time given the heavy use it gets but I've had no problems at all.
 
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