Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

This is a rustfree slightly dented good box on a C20 heavy spring optioned leaf truck so I might as well do it right.

Has anyone made use of the brake system with a surge coupler? The main question is do surge couplers like this have good pressures for the brakes? http://www.tiedown.com/aactuator.html

Also has anyone seen a V mount surge coupler? Most seem to be designed for a 3" single square tube like a boat trailer tongue.

Backup relief solenoid needed?

Just leave the pinion in the rear and let it spin??

PS, this is how you move a nonrunning truck without having to have someone steer it around;)

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

You don't need any solenoid with most surge brake mfg's or anything attached to the truck. if building a trailer out of new stock i would also consider using the new single unit axles that bolt or weld to the side rails. they come complete. they eliminate the axle. Pretty cool. they are made by Timbren. they are avaiible to 3500 lbs per side. from 400 lbs. We sell them but they availble most places

http://www.timbren.com/aeon-rubber-springs.htm

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Thanks for the response, I will keep that in mind for future trailers. I plan on using the dana 60 and factory suspension in this trailer.

Still looking for other input...

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Seems like a waste of a good truck. Find a 73 up to do that with and sell this one.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Usually brakes are only required over about 3000 lbs. I'll assume that the trailer will weight 1000 or less. The rear axle and springs on a 3/4 ton was probably only rated for about 2000. How much are you thinking of hauling with it and do you really need brakes?

Also it's pretty easy to weld a piece of square tubing in when you pinch the frame at the front. Bridge the A frame with another piece of tubing and attach the inboard end of the square tongue extension to it. You are adding a T shaped assembly to the middle existing pinched frame rails.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Truck had no engine, cab was shot- rusted through on firewall, visor area, kickpanels, rockers, mounts, corners, etc. I parted the truck out. Believe me, I'm all about preserving trucks, but it just wasn't practical with this one. I'd have had more in it than it would be worth.

Good points, I'm thinking of hauling around 2000lbs with it so about 3000lbs total weight. I'd like to stay as safe as possible and no one has ever regretted having brakes. I will use the A frame and T idea you mentioned for the tongue, can get another few inches that way. I always thought most of these trailers had tongues just a little too short.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

True you can't be too safe but frankly I've hauled plenty of trailers and never had a problem with the light ones with no brakes. I built a trailer like you want to from a bunch of crap I had for a buddy of mine. They work great. I've used it lots of times behind my own 72 and never felt I needed trailer brakes. FYI I did the tongue as I descibed and it worked great. Like you said you get that extra bit of tongue length.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I had a long bed trailer a few years ago, loaded it just like my truck and never had brakes on it, didnt need them, my 3/4ton truck had plenty of brakes for both.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

So just check/change the diff fluid and call it good? Let the pinion spin?

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Hasn't been a problem for the one I built 15 years ago.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I removed the brake stuff, but other than that nothing.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I might do this to a coil spring truck sometime also. I've heard they don't make as good of trailers, is that true?

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

i built a trailer with a 86 short bed. I cut a small pie cut in both sides of the frame and bent the frame in toward each other, i bought an A frame coupler from tsc and welded/bolted it to the frame. I used the factory wiring and lights, works great.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I hear they sway a lot and shouldn't be used... Leaf spring is more stable...

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I've got one with coils and helpers, and it does great, but they may sway without helpers (I bought mine this way).

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Everytime I see one of those I get a little choked up. Yet another truck that didn't get to be somebody's hot rod.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I bought a 69 Chev C10 with the optional leafs in the rear for the sole purpose of making a trailer with it. I had heard leafs were better for a box made in to a trailer. The rest of the truck is totally shot.

Nother one of my "someday projects"

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

i dont see a need for brakes on such a small trailer, just another possible problem on the road

you could hookup an altenator to the pinion of the rear and run a refrigerator for longer road trips:metal:

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

neat idea. I would of never thought of somthing like that.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

:c2: the possibility's are endless

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Wondering now if I should remove the axles from the Dana 60 so it doesn't have to spin them?

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

If you're still thinking about surge brakes, look at this setup:
http://www.ufpnet.com/Actuators/tabid/54/Default.aspx

The surge brakes were hanging up on my now 10 year old bass boat. I finally figured out it was the brake rod in the actuator that was rusty and hanging up in the master cylinder. Long story short I orded a whole new A-60 actuator. I couldn't believe how easy it was to install. The surge brakes are over-ridden by the back-up light. Instead of a 4-pin straight trailer connector you use a 5-pin with the 5th pin connected to the back-up lights. When you put your truck in reverse the back-up lights turn on and powers a solenoid on the back of the surge master cylinder which opens up a path for the brake fluid to flow back into the reservoir. Pretty simple really.

I couldn't believe how easy it was to install. The online place I got it from sells a weld-on mount for the A-60. With that in place it is two pins, a brake line connection, then bleed the system with a screwdriver.

10 years after buying the bass boat I read the surge brakes manual. You're supposed to push up a lever when you park your trailer so the brake rod doesn't get corroded and hang up. :dohh:

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

^ thanks for the link. Looks like a good product, how much $$ do they run?

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I think it was $180 plus shipping for the actuator assembly
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Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I dont think you need trailer brakes if the brakes in your truck are in good working condition. It has worked for me with heavy loads no problem (2-3K#) You may as well invest in a tranny cooler if you dont have one already, or new brake pads for your truck etc. As for the diff, I would drain it out, replace gasket and refill.. Just my 2 cents

Here's a pic of mine.. very similar color to yours :metal:

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I have built hundreds of these trailers. I personally use a 3/4 ton with coil springs with a hydraulic dumping bed. I have hauled 5000lbs of gravel in it. With a coil spring trailer, you need to have good shocks or it will sway all over the road. For best performance, cut your axle shafts off and bolt the end plates back on. Next, remove your dana 60 3rd member and weld a plate to cover the opening. Add gear oil to keep your hubs lubed. You now have a full floating straight axle. With an eaton axle, you can simply buy an additional pumkin cover and use that to cover the opening instead of having to weld a plate. You can also sell the eaton 3rd member for $100- $150 which will cover all costs to construct the trailer.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Nice rig, I was thinking of adding a ladder rack like that too. My tongue is longer though to help with backing up and also to clear my larger toolbox when backing up sharply, have more room when getting things into back of SUV, ect. Also a little more stable at speed on the road.

No brakes won't be an issue when pulling this with the 2500hd but I will be pulling this on occasion with my honda Pilot and lets face it, its not a real truck and could benefit from brakes, especially with the traffic in the minneapolis area. This trailer has new brake lines and non rusty parts. I bolted on a standard coupler for now and will see how she works before buying a hydraulic actuator.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

What holds the axle ends if you cut part of them? Why not just remove? Also if the axles are not turning the gears why bother removing the pinion gear shaft? Good to know on the Eaton cover. If you have an extra I'd be interested. I plan on building a second trailer from an Eaton coil springC20.

Got the wiring hooked up. Sure is easy to use the original lights and they are nice! Now if I could incoorporate the backup lights that would be awesome.

Also tempted to hook up a hand parking brake on the tongue and use the parking brake feature too. I know some will say don't bother but why not if they are in good shape and stay that way since I won't use this in the winter and salt them up.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

The axle end plate is part of the axle shafts. I just cut the shafts right by the plate and bolt the plate back on to seal the axle housing. I remove the eaton 3rd member for the purpose of selling the parts. I guess you can leave the pinion on a dana since it does not have much value for parts. If you step up to a 7 pole connector, you can use your reverse lights. I did that on my trailer because I needed the extra wires for the hydraulic dump. A member in Grass Valley, CA uses the 67-68 parking break for his trailer. I have not bothered to because I'm on flat ground; he lives up in the mountains. There are some old threads about these trailers and he has a pic of his e brake setup.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Thanks guys for the advice. I got it on the road and works great. I replaced the tailgate, rear bumper. I also redid the shocks and aired up the tires so it rides better than my standard 9' utility trailer now. The longer tongue makes it stable and ride better. Also removed the axles, redid the gaskets and put fresh gear lube in. Just need to straighten out the tailight area, mount the truck toolbox on front, and prime and paint everything. Oh, and maybe wire in the backup lights.

Got about 300 in parts it so far but Its capable of high speed cross country hauling heavy loads. Not too shabby if you ask me.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

That looks great. I don't know enough about rear ends to totally get what you did. Guess Ill look at a parts break down of one so I can figure it out.

I'd really like to know the specifics about where you did your bends, how long is that extra bar you welded in for the tongue? Just a little more detail when you have a minute.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

CG here's a link to building a truck bed trailer I ran across. Looks like a solid deal to me. Of course there are a number of ways to build the tongue.
I am saving a 97 truck to do just this with.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Nice job on the trailer... looks like that puppy is heavier than the mulch :lol: With a toolbox and a rack for lumber, etc. these trailers are awesome !!!

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Now if you would just fix those tail light and back up lenses you will be set!

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Eric, A nice guy stopped by on Saturday and helped me pull out the dents around the tailights :metal:

He is a little over 100lbs now so it must have been close! And he's still in the process of bulking up for winter:sumo: I would love to get a nice ladder rack for this. I've got the toolbox, just need to fix latch and mount to frame.

I didn't get the rear end thing either until I tore it apart. Basically, on the Dana 60 8 lug, the axle shaft has the end plate that is on the outside of the hub. So, you take those bolts out and the axle comes out. You then cut the end plate off, and bolt it back on. This way, you remove the axle but retain the original end plate. You don't even have to take the wheel or hub off. This is because the bearings are on the outside of the axle tube between it and the hub.

I'll take some measurements on the bends and let you know. I don't know if its the best way, I just know it was pretty easy and this pulls great with no sway or hopping but I did put new shocks on also.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Take the easy route and just leave the rearend alone, tearing into it u will cause lube problems for the axel bearings and end up with a locked up wheel on the side of the road
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Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I took some pics today of the way I did it. Like Ray, I notched the frame and allowed the top and bottom rails to overlap a little so its a lap joint instead of a butt joint.

I'm going to do the permanent wiring with some cord that runs through the rectangular tube tongue.

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

more pics. Tape is measuring from the box bracket edge in the 1st pic below

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

Thanks for the extra pics and info!



Mark

Re: Making a trailer from a Pickup
 

I picked up one of these long bed coil spring trailers... I just registered it on Friday. The guy I bought it from overloaded it and broke the panhard bar and the spring retaining plate... I hope to fix those two isses next week. I just need to find some tires....