There is a full 128 cf load of wood on a light 5x8 trailer. Even with another axle different tires and plywood on the floor it is not safe to haul on the road. Frames are way too light especially with the pole only going to the first crossmember. I wouldn’t waste time or money trying to make it something it will never be, I got this cheap to abuse moving wood a couple hundred feet.
That was kinda my thought. It would be a lot of doing to reinforce a wimpyish frame. At some.point, building one or buying one becomes.cost and time effective. Minor upgrades might be in line to be able to haul what I already do, with a greater margin of comfort. Sca
What am I missing? Get a 25 year old RV; here practically free; take a reciprocating saw with metal blade cut off top.
When I was 21 I did something similar. I was moving to Florida and needed a trailer. At the time I had a 1971 Starcraft popup camper that I ended up tearing down to an open trailer. Away I went, all my crap strapped down tight to the hillbilly trailer, linoleum floor still attached in places
Holy crap. I know you said yard use 200 feet, but I’m amazed it doesn’t just collapse under the weight.
I have a super heavy duty 5x10 single axle I’m probably going to do some work on. Has 4” c channel frame and crossmembers. 12 ply tires, 7k lb axle, pintle hitch, 2” Oak decking. 8 springs per side, electric brakes, etc. I’ve had 7-8k on it in logs and it pulled fine, while going 500-600 feet on my property. Was an old asphalt roller trailer. I agree, don’t waste time altering that trailer you have. None of its components are meant to be heavy duty. Tires, axle, bearings, springs, frame, decking, crossmembers, etc. I’d sell it and look for a heavier duty trailer that’s 5x10-6.5x12. If you really want capacity get a dump trailer, then you can dump what you haul.
Time for a field-trip. Head to wherever they sell trailers close to you and take a few pictures of a 5x8,10,12 etc with a 3,000-3500lb GVWR. Compare the differences to what you have now and understand that the trailer you took pictures of, is the MINIMUM standard for what you want to do. If you think you can replicate it and do so for a cost that appeals to you, then go for it. but I doubt that will be the case if you are being honest with yourself. You should notice major differences in how the deck is supported, and the tongue. Most 3,000lb trailers are going to be A-Frame tongues and frames that extend under the front portion of the deck. Another advantage of trading up would be a slightly larger deck size that you would not have to load high to carry the same loads. Stability would be much improved. Unless you can source the materials for free or almost free and you have the tools/skills to DIY the build at home (welder?), I can't see it being less money than buying a used utility trailer and putting yours up for sale.
Welp, bit the bullet, and got a new wagon. We hit TSC here in town, price for the 5x10, 2990 gvw, had gone up $500 from 5 weeks ago. We did some online searching and ended up in Putnam, Runnings, with a better 5.5'x10' 2990gvw, for $300 less than TSC. And it comes with a little tool cage on the A-frame. It didnt come with a foot for the jack, but a harbor fright visit took care of that (got the wheel). Built some chocks this morning. I was going to run some 4x4pt through the saw, but then a little voice suggested I check the shorts-shed. They might be too small, but I have something to use till better splits show up. Next real chore is to figure out sides. Plywood doesnt come in 10', the vertical supports for the top rail are angle iron (dont really want to drill holes in that) and the top rail is square tubing (dont really want to drill into that/introduce moisture into). 2x6x10 pt decking will make the sides, putting it together it together is the next thoughts.
Nice trailer, I saw one similar to yours at TSC a few weeks ago and almost puked when I looked at the price
Im glad we looked around a little. Big tree job coming up, didnt want to wait another couple weeks for a purchase. Or when prices go up another $500!
?? for ya...do you want the sides mounted permanently or temporary? You could make 2x4 uprights, bolt your decking boards to them, then use heavy duty pipe/hose clamps to hold uprights in place. Stack your rounds of wood against uprights will help hold them in place. Doesn't your trailer have stake pockets on the bottom rail?
that's a gray area in this state. You don't need a license for a trailer here unless it's big/ heavy enough. For example, I haven't seen a plate on a single boat trailer that isn't some cuddy cabin or similar non inland waterway type boat. I see plenty of large wakeboard boats on trailers and none have license plates. Pretty much any ski boat runs 3000 lbs, and the big wake boats are 6000 and + lbs. I've never seen any of those with plates on the trailers. Heck even the triple axle 27' or so mega wakeboarding boats/ trailers I've seen had no plates on them. The only trailer we have had with a licence has been the 30' camper, and the 18' car hauler my dad had.
I swear I see 2x4 stake pockets on that trailer. If so, that's the easy answer to adding sides. That's a nice trailer! The price of steel has gone up so much that even the 12x12 garden shed I have been eyeing went up like 300 bucks. When it drops to non stupid pricing I'll buy it.
