My first trailer project.

[Frank Angerano]

So I decided to pick up a small trailer if I could get one for the right price.  I found this one for a few hundred bucks on Craig’s list.  It is  a galvanized trailer which is exactly what I was looking for. The wood was shot and needed some minor repairs which I could care less about as long as the chassis was good. 
I striped it down and put a new deck on. I had some vinyl realtree graphics that I had laying around so I added them to the fenders which I think worked out well. Very happy with this little guy.  
I'm having the iron workers at my jobmake me up a few lightweight side rails that will have a 22 degree bend in them to accommodate the tires that slightly hang over the edge and will incorporate some tie down points as well. 

[mikeexplorer]

I overhauled my smaller trailer last year. The mesh deck was broken in several places and was getting rusty. Replaced the wiring harness and put in all new LED lights.

The main difference is the deck is HDPE plastic sheet that I had cut up at work. It did add some weight but it will never rot.

 

[Frank Angerano]

I remember this project.  It came out very nice.  Mine is juts a little guy enough for my two machines that me and my son use.  I was going to swap over to the led but the existing lights and harness are in perfect condition and work great.   I do however want to change the tire size.  I have 5.30x12 tires.  I want a wider and maybe slightly taller tire on my existing rims.  

[Rich1028]

Nice!!

[Frank Angerano]

Thanks @Rich1028.  Hey @mikeexplorer or any other member that can explain something to me. The trailer tires on my trailer are 5.30 x 12.   What is the 5.30? I know the 12 is the rim but that 5.30 ? 
 

I want to go bigger as in width and a bit taller but keep the same rim. Is that doable ? 

[Ajmboy]

@Frank Angerano very nice, you always find good deals. I like the camo wrap. My trailer needs a little tlc...

3 minutes ago, Frank Angerano said:

Thanks @Rich1028.  Hey @mikeexplorer or any other member that can explain something to me. The trailer tires on my trailer are 5.30 x 12.   What is the 5.30? I know the 12 is the rim but that 5.30 ? 
 

I want to go bigger as in width and a bit taller but keep the same rim. Is that doable ? 

I believe that's the width. check out https://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailer-tire-sizing-tables.aspx 

If you can fit it move up to 13", you can get cheap rims and tires as a combo.

[Frank Angerano]

Great web page @Ajmboy thanks brother.  
 

[Frank Angerano]

Stained, sealed and ready to roll! This weather is a good indicator how the water will bead up on the wood and see how well the sealer worked.  FYI did anyone know Thompson’s water sealer has been banned in the state ? 
I went to the store to get some and they said it’s no longer available here in NY due to a chemical that is harmful.  
I wound up using a new oil based product that seems to be good but we will see.

[Ajmboy]

Looks great! I've used thompson's honey gold transparent sealer for years on my deck. HD didn't have it this spring (I put it down annually) so I used their:

 

I haven't heard of it being banned and I would probably say the HD folks are making this up because Lowes still sells it and its available in NY. HD went with PPG and that's one of their brands: https://www.pcimag.com/articles/104753-ppg-and-the-home-depot-expand-partnership-with-launch-of-olympic-stain-products

Thompsons is part of Shermin Williams paints, who probably just lost the HD contract or pulled out. My local lowes has this in stock. 

 

[Frank Angerano]

I seen the one you posted and the price was good as well.  I grabbed the behr one that dries in 60 min and it had a built in stain. It’s also oil based.   I was planning on going up yesterday so I needed something that dried fast. Plans changed after I seen the weather but I think I made the right choice based on the way it came out.  
I also went to my local hardware store and they told me the same thing about Thompson’s. I wonder what the real  story is and I bet your right @Ajmboy it’s a bunch of bs.  
 

[dippa]

Great job! 💪

[Airborne]

Great work guys , always love seeing everybodys ongoing projects ,  only thing id add to any trailers would be two strips of “ Grip tape , thats just me though lol, i slipped and busted as* once,lol.  Wife thought i was Dancing lol....so i got the traction tape , i had a buddy that had a long strip it worked well

[pilsboy]

can you tell if the grip tape helps with snow? i had the same kind of issue last year.. was thinking of maybe installing checkering plate or some kind of griling

[Diyguy99]

Great work guys! Nice looking trailers. I like the water seal idea, does it make it slippy?

[jb68]

great job!

[vlxerdon]

Old thread but still a great read. Thanks to all involved.

[ForumIdiot]

nice

[littleguy]

Damn nice work!

[jen]

I am a cheap skate..I got a 20 ft. boat trailer that had the 2x6 box tubing bunks rusted .   IT was heavy with a 3500 lb Dexter axle.    A guy gave me 3 x 3 angle that i welded (I'm a bubble gum welder) across the frame.

 The hydraulic surge brakes were shot so I ordered and installed electric brakes (Kit had everything including new axle bearings).  

BTW..I tow with a 2018 Tundra with factory trailer break controls...There is an electrical trick / modification you have to make on the  trailer to accommodate the Tundra controls. 

[jen]

BTW  the electric brake Kit was nice. It was complete with bearings and seals also.  It had two sets of seals as some Dexter axles were different.  I ordered new tires mounted on rims from amazon.

The Southwest site also had online help for dummies like me...

[jen]

OK I admit i am a chicken#@$T when it comes to loading my equipment ..sandrail or SxS .. onto the trailer. 

 I am usually by myself also.

  So unless i have a banked unloading area to back up against (I am very good at backing a trailer) I load and unload from the front of the trailer.   I made 36 X 18 inch ramps that hook onto the trailer front.  They are 3 inch angle with 2 x's .  I am going to add texture paint to them as my sand rail likes to spin the smooth wheels.

I added two more 2 x6's after this pick  for safety as the front end slipped off when loading one day.

They are easier for me to lift than long ramps.   Attached is a picture,   Never mind the clutter in the barn OMG!

[jen]

ALso being a cheap--- , frugal person, I treated  my 2 x6 trailer deck with used motor oil.  

OK i can hear some laughter...So when I backed my sand rail up on the trailer with the 1966  VW  motor pulling the front wheels up the ramps, the tires spun and the sand rail went sideways toward the edge ...OMG. 

IT was close...I am going to treat the boards with some traction paint and maybe a low guard rail  along   the edge,

[sunn]

Yes, used motor oil works wonders for wood preservation.  I use that process on the two of my trailers, even tho the wood is treated.  

[jen]

The oil soaked in but My trailer boards are still too slippery for my snad rail to back up on.  I was thinking about putting expanded metaal on a section but some kind of sand paint might be better.

[mikeexplorer]

On 6/21/2025 at 2:06 PM, jen said:

BTW  the electric brake Kit was nice. It was complete with bearings and seals also.  It had two sets of seals as some Dexter axles were different.  I ordered new tires mounted on rims from amazon.

The Southwest site also had online help for dummies like me...

 

Why did you install electric brakes? Maybe your state is different but here in PA  less then 3,000 pounds weight and single axle does not require them. Looking at your trailer and machine I can't see that exceeding 3,000 pounds. 

 

[jen]

I was concerned about towing up and down hills going to WVa.  Also was concerned about emergency stopping traveling on interstates.   

Over cautious ...you think...?

[sunn]

Wow, Jen, I am impressed by your handiness for mechanical ability.

I observed your method for loading the trailer over the tongue end where the trailer may be lowered for better angle of loading.  Interesting!

[jen]

My trailer is high. So being a Chicken the front is much safer looking.  My SxS goes on easily. My Sand Rail likes to spin as it tries to pull the front wheels up the ramp.  Given the boat trailer i salvaged has the axle way back --the boat was an inboard /out board so had a lot of rear end weight.- so i like the rear odf the sand rail towards the back.

[jen]

Trying to make trailer tie down tire bonnets from old tire chains.   I am using 1/4 steel cable as pictured.  I have overcenter  straps  pictured to tighten bonnets..  I am going to use 3/8 Cu tubing  crimped  on 1/4 in steel cable to hold cross chains in position

[jen]

Using the second class lever rule and a bath scale i calculated my hitch weight was 700 lb with the trailer loaded at 1300 lbs.  Tindra rated at 10,400 towing and >1,200 lbs  hitch weight.  ????