I've got an older wood deck (18') car trailer. I want to make some changes/upgrade and need some suggestions. Please let me know what you have done that has worked well for you.
1. At some point, I added a winch in front of the forward bar and welded the mount directly to the frame. The winch sits in the weather and I have to attach a battery every time I want to use it. Not ideal. I'd like to add a tongue box with either A) the winch inside with the fairlead running through the back, or B) mount the winch on a receiver plate and weld a receiver onto the front crossbar. Regardless of winch location, I want to add a battery (in) with a solar panel charger (on) the tongue box. Show me yours and how you did it?
2. I currently run steel wheels (5x4.75) that are older and ugly. I found a set (6) of Blazer aluminum rims that are 15x7 that would not only look better but also give me two spares. The cost for the 6 rims is the cost of one new wheel/tire spare. I would have to dismount my new tires and remount @ $. I could also just paint my steelies and not try and be fancy. Votes either way?
3. To bring a spare I normally throw one into the bed of my truck. I'd like to add a carrier to the side of the trailer. Anyone add one that they particularly recommend (or don't)?
4. I need to update my side running lights and reflective tape. Links to what you've used/like?
I mounted my spare under the trailer. Sure it will be messy to get it out but I've never needed it so I figure 1/1000 chance of getting it vs 1/1 chance I need to work around it if it's mounted up top
Get a tongue box for the winch and battery. I also vote yes on blazer wheels and i got my reflective tape and LED running lights at tractor supply. Probably cheaper online, but they're the kinda thing i would rather look at in person first
Jfryjfry said....
“I mounted my spare under the trailer. Sure it will be messy to get it out but I've never needed it so I figure 1/1000 chance of getting it vs 1/1 chance I need to work around it if it's mounted up top”
i Did the same. But I stole one of the crank and cable type spare tire carriers from another Durango and mounted that to the frame under the deck. That way the tire is protected from rain and sun and the same crank I have in my tow Durango works on that crank to drop the tire if I need it.
I love the look of alloy wheels on pretty much anything, but I have terrible luck with them on trailers leaking at the beads. I actually think it has something to do with heating up the rubber enough to get it to seal well. I brought it up to my dad years after I had moved out of the house and he said he had the same problem and always put tubes in if it was an alloy rim on a trailer.
Also, most of the alloy blazer ones probably have too much offset for a trailer and won't clear the springs. You are very much going to want to check before you buy.
Depending on how your tongue is constructed, it might be relatively easy to mount the box on the tongue and the spare underneath it inside the V of the tongue. Then you can hold it up with a bolt from the bottom up into the box and the threads won't get rusty.
If you are looking at harbor freight tongue boxes the more expensive one is 100% worth the extra, both because of the better seal and more importantly because you don't have to find the key every time you want to open it.
I put e-track on every trailer now. Once you get used to using it you'll never want to go back. Wheel straps on e-track is so convenient. I also use these at every corner for my backup chains on cars, but I realize some folks don't use chain anymore.
These are very cheaply made and you really have to be looking to tell the difference between the two brightness levels, but mounted on the front so you can see them in your mirrors they let you check up on your connection and lighting while you're driving at night. If you are rewiring anyway.... If you don't have an easy way to drill a 3/4" hole weld a flat washer with the right size hole hanging down from the bottom of the frame.
I wanted to built a trailer using a stake bed truck bed so it had the holes for the stake sides,
add lots of loops for straps ,
One other thing I am going to do is add some clearance lights to the front edge of the trailer fenders to help with the "wide load" and also lets you know your lights are working ,
