Note: I will add pics very soon. Also this is my first fabracation project so I realize it might not be perfect but we all start somewhere and it fits my needs.
Also the rig I plan to haul is in the 3500-4000 lbs range
I picked up a 1979 4 horse trailer with living quarters about 8-9 weeks ago to convert into a low buck crawler hauler.after picking it up in Louisville ky and pulling it home it was time to tear down. Took the gate off the back, all the dividers out, cut out the wooden floor. After that I put the trailer on jack stands every 6' or so . this was to make sure the frame was supported evenly and did not get tweaked when the walls And roof came off.after removing the walls and roof there was a ton of grinding. The original frame was rusted, not wasted but bad enough. So I decided to double frame it due to the rust and the fact much structural support was lost by removing the roof and walls. The original frame was 3x3 1/4 with 2x2 3/16 crossmembers. There was going to be 15 feet of hauling area so I decided to add 3 feet for 18 foot of deck space. I used 3 1/2x3 1/2 1/4" angle for doubling the main frame. The 18 ft sticks where put in place and welded in for the double frame, after that the 2x2 3/16 crossmembers where put in on 3 foot centers.these where also doubled, the orgional cross members where the same size but faced downward so there was a flat surface. i layed the new cross members in facing up, this created a sidways "t" shape.A piece of 5in channel was used to tie the frame rails together and cap them off as a bumper. I ran across some treated lumber that was discounted at lowes (1/2 price....score) it was mixed 2x10s 2x12 2x8 12 footers. This worked fine for my floor and dnt break the bank. The upward facing angle that I used to double the crossmembers is 2", so this did not effect the floor seems their the same thickness. A storage box between the fenders was next. A friend did this for strength and help tie everything together on his so I went with the idea also. I wanted to be able to straddle it with a smaller rig if need be so it's only 15" high (15"x4'x6') . To help with support and help add strength I used 3/16 plate in a 12" triangle for gussets to tie the frame,box, and fenders together.
This is currently where I'm at. Lights, and a spring over axle kit( horse trailer did not sit very high but this will put me at 1' from the ground to rear bumper loaded) are all that's left before moving into the living area. I'm also on the fence right now but I think I'm going to upgrade the 3500 lbs axles for some 7000 lbs units incase I ever get a bigger rig.
Also the rig I plan to haul is in the 3500-4000 lbs range
I picked up a 1979 4 horse trailer with living quarters about 8-9 weeks ago to convert into a low buck crawler hauler.after picking it up in Louisville ky and pulling it home it was time to tear down. Took the gate off the back, all the dividers out, cut out the wooden floor. After that I put the trailer on jack stands every 6' or so . this was to make sure the frame was supported evenly and did not get tweaked when the walls And roof came off.after removing the walls and roof there was a ton of grinding. The original frame was rusted, not wasted but bad enough. So I decided to double frame it due to the rust and the fact much structural support was lost by removing the roof and walls. The original frame was 3x3 1/4 with 2x2 3/16 crossmembers. There was going to be 15 feet of hauling area so I decided to add 3 feet for 18 foot of deck space. I used 3 1/2x3 1/2 1/4" angle for doubling the main frame. The 18 ft sticks where put in place and welded in for the double frame, after that the 2x2 3/16 crossmembers where put in on 3 foot centers.these where also doubled, the orgional cross members where the same size but faced downward so there was a flat surface. i layed the new cross members in facing up, this created a sidways "t" shape.A piece of 5in channel was used to tie the frame rails together and cap them off as a bumper. I ran across some treated lumber that was discounted at lowes (1/2 price....score) it was mixed 2x10s 2x12 2x8 12 footers. This worked fine for my floor and dnt break the bank. The upward facing angle that I used to double the crossmembers is 2", so this did not effect the floor seems their the same thickness. A storage box between the fenders was next. A friend did this for strength and help tie everything together on his so I went with the idea also. I wanted to be able to straddle it with a smaller rig if need be so it's only 15" high (15"x4'x6') . To help with support and help add strength I used 3/16 plate in a 12" triangle for gussets to tie the frame,box, and fenders together.
This is currently where I'm at. Lights, and a spring over axle kit( horse trailer did not sit very high but this will put me at 1' from the ground to rear bumper loaded) are all that's left before moving into the living area. I'm also on the fence right now but I think I'm going to upgrade the 3500 lbs axles for some 7000 lbs units incase I ever get a bigger rig.
