OzFab
Well-known member
It sound like it may have been an offroad trailer...
You'd have to check you local regulations but, in most places, it doesn't matter what size wheels you put on a trailer
Might be picking this one up on Saturday
- Thread starter jfxwave
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It sound like it may have been an offroad trailer...
You'd have to check you local regulations but, in most places, it doesn't matter what size wheels you put on a trailer
Doc Sprocket
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jfxwave;238916 Question: Is 5X8 trailer supposed to have 16" wheels? It's a single axle and the sticker says it will hold 3 said:
machinist@large
Active member
Does it have brakes? Is it a drop down axle? The family farm has 2 tandem axle trailers (one's still a stock trailer; the other one is a work in progress); both are rated for 10,000 lbs. Both have one axle with brakes, one axle without; both have 6 bolt hubs. I can't tell you the dia. of the studs off the top of my head. I do know that, here in Michigan, any trailer with a GVW rating over 2,999 lbs is required by law to have brakes on at least one axle (we're talking small, non commercial, trailers here; if you're loading a backhoe on it, it's in a different class). Semi's are required to have brakes on all axles.
So, does it have brakes? If your state allows 3500 lbs GVW without brakes, it may just have a non brake axle. Does it have a square flange welded to each end behind the hub? Usually there to mount the backing plates to. Maybe some pictures?
Doc Sprocket
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This makes me nuts, and should be illegal, IMO. I have hauled that much without trailer brakes and under the right (wrong) circumstances, is downright scary. And I'm not talking about towing this with a Jetta, either- a 3/4 Ton Chevy 2500 Express cargo van, and an Astro, too.
Recently, a friend of mine (who can be pretty dense sometimes), purchased a new, factory manufactured 3500lb single axle landscape trailer. It came without brakes. I couldn't believe it. Very wrong, very bad, and I have more than enough towing experience to confidently say so.
machinist@large
Active member
You're 100% right!!! Using a 1 ton dually (Chevy C-30 w/ 15,500 lbs GVW) Dad could tell right away when the wiring for the electric brakes on our current stock trailer had a broken connection; He said it had his complete attention. Fortunately he didn't have a load on the truck as well and it was a warm, dry day; He was able to deliver the hogs and limp home with no one getting hurt; if he'd been driving a 1/2 ton, it could have been bad.And DON'T EVEN get me started on the stuff I saw dragged in when I worked for U-Haul.......
Doc Sprocket
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And DON'T EVEN get me started on the stuff I saw dragged in when I worked for U-Haul.......
No doubt! I had that danged thing very nearly push me right through a red light in an unexpected low traction situation. As far as the junk you've seen, I believe it. Ontario law for some stooopid reason does not require an inspection on a low-capacity trailer. Ever. I can booger-weld some old scrap together, register it, and haul it at highway speeds that very same day. It's insane.
machinist@large
Active member
In Michigan, trailer plates are now permanent (with a pr$ce t$g t$ m$tch), and A LOT of people will just plate ONE of their trailers, and swap the plate from the trailer they purchased to whatever one they've cobbled/ hacked/ BOOGER WELDED together ( highly accurate phrase; ranks right up with my friends "Chicken SH*T"; i.e., "how did you get that bird to sh*t on command like that?).
It never ceases to amaze me how many people have no clue when it comes to safety........
Doc Sprocket
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I know we're getting off topic here, but i am curious about that price tag. Here in Ontario, trailer plates are also permanent. Plate costs $15. And as long as trailer is of same basic type, there's really not much to stop us from doing the plate swap, too. TBH, I have been known to whip a plate off of one of my trailers to haul something else in a pinch. Funny story, for illustrative purposes-
For well over a year, I have had a brand new license plate and title in my desk drawer for a trailer that does not yet exist. You read that right. Read it again! I had begun to build myself a new 4x8 box (utility) trailer, and went ahead and registered it as built, so I would have the plate ready as soon as it was done. Life got in the way, and project got shelved, yet it legally exists.
That's how easy it is to register a trailer (home built). You show up at a motor vehicle department, fill in a quick form indicating type, # of axles, gross weight, colour, etc, pay your $15, and away you go. They assign you a serial number, hand you a title and a plate, and you're done.
I had another friend claim (steal) an abandoned trailer. He shot off to the DMV, paid, filled out the form, screwed the plate on the trailer, and towed it home the same day- legally his, and not provable otherwise. Crazy, huh?
For well over a year, I have had a brand new license plate and title in my desk drawer for a trailer that does not yet exist. You read that right. Read it again! I had begun to build myself a new 4x8 box (utility) trailer, and went ahead and registered it as built, so I would have the plate ready as soon as it was done. Life got in the way, and project got shelved, yet it legally exists.
That's how easy it is to register a trailer (home built). You show up at a motor vehicle department, fill in a quick form indicating type, # of axles, gross weight, colour, etc, pay your $15, and away you go. They assign you a serial number, hand you a title and a plate, and you're done.
I had another friend claim (steal) an abandoned trailer. He shot off to the DMV, paid, filled out the form, screwed the plate on the trailer, and towed it home the same day- legally his, and not provable otherwise. Crazy, huh?
machinist@large
Active member
Yes we are getting 
fftopic:
If my memory is correct, I believe Dad said that it cost upwards of $400 (or more
) to plate his RV trailer when he bought it. I may be wrong; I do know that it's extremely expensive.That's why so many people are flying like that.......
OzFab
Well-known member
Doc Sprocket
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Sad, but entirely true.
jfxwave
New member
We fixed the front tires and they had the front springs upside down. Fixed the seat-belts and other little stuff. Then we took it for a spin and my kids loved it!
Video of the kids riding
Lots of talk about my trailer so here are some pictures. The trailer in this picture looks real narrow but it's 5' wide.
Video of the kids riding
Lots of talk about my trailer so here are some pictures. The trailer in this picture looks real narrow but it's 5' wide.
OzFab
Well-known member
jfxwave
New member
Thanks Fabroman!
The guy I traded for felt the same way as I did about the stuff we traded. I didn't need or want the audio stuff and It was just collecting dust, he said the same about the kart so I think we both made out.
The guy I traded for felt the same way as I did about the stuff we traded. I didn't need or want the audio stuff and It was just collecting dust, he said the same about the kart so I think we both made out.
Doc Sprocket
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Aw, excellent! doesn't it just give you a HUGE smile to watch the kids having a total riot on that thing? nice work!
jfxwave
New member
So what do you guys think about that trailer? I wasn't sure it was 3500lb except for what I seen on the sticker (3.5k) I don't know anything about trailers. I'm going to see if I can buy some new shorter tires so I can put the fenders back on or just drill new holes. The trailer handles very good even if I can see it. LOL The drop hitch is 10" but I think I need to go lower because the trailer is still tilting back some plus I'm going up on my lift 3" for a total of 18" with 42" tires.
Thanks to both of you for your input. It's make me feel good that the first thing both of you thought about was my kids. I'm a single dad of three and they are my world (FYI My wife past 3 years ago while giving birth to my youngest child Madison. Thats why I'm a single dad) So ya my kids and I are very close.
Thanks to both of you for your input. It's make me feel good that the first thing both of you thought about was my kids. I'm a single dad of three and they are my world (FYI My wife past 3 years ago while giving birth to my youngest child Madison. Thats why I'm a single dad) So ya my kids and I are very close.
That's great man. That's what these forums and hobbies are all about. Yea sometimes we get to bring in the $$ from it, but it's the small stuff that counts.
Doc Sprocket
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Dangit- I'm very sorry to hear about your wife, that's just terrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Enjoy your children as much as possible!
I've got two kids, too- I can definitely identify with the thrill of watching them have a really good time!
I've got two kids, too- I can definitely identify with the thrill of watching them have a really good time!
OzFab
Well-known member
Wow. Sorry to hear about your wife, thanks for sharing...
Both toystory & I have kids so, we get it; no matter what else happens, family comes first.
Not sure about the trailer. It appears to be a good, solid frame but I don't think it could handle 3500lb & the info on the sticker may as well be written in chinese to me. As with most trailers, a lot of the lateral strength is in the side panels; as this one doesn't have any, you've already lost out there...
Both toystory & I have kids so, we get it; no matter what else happens, family comes first.
Not sure about the trailer. It appears to be a good, solid frame but I don't think it could handle 3500lb & the info on the sticker may as well be written in chinese to me. As with most trailers, a lot of the lateral strength is in the side panels; as this one doesn't have any, you've already lost out there...
souperman000
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