Tool Trailer for Handyman Service

[Ray Cecil]

Well, if I am almost 3900lbs dry.....a tank of gas, my ass, and a few things in the bed, I should reach 4250-4400lbs fairly easily.

Gary you said something about the horse being smaller than the wagon. That got me thinking about big rigs....is the tractor not lighter than the load?

[kramttocs]

The hitch location affects the weight distribution.

Nice find on the trailer.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Tractor is about 1/4 total of 80,000#, maybe a bit more.

Heavies (100 -110,000) are not uncommon.
In my line of work usually pressure treated lumber.

I was run over by an 80,000# rig in 1984.
Just the cab of the rig.
When he stopped I was under the crank down legs.
But I'm here to tell about it.

Tail wagging the dog. Is that what you mean, Ray?

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, tail wagging the dog.

My 2015 F150 should weigh right at 5,000 lbs.  My trailer weighs almost 3000, and Big Blue is probably about 6000.  So with all the stuff we had in Big Blue and on the trailer we had almost twice as much trailer weight as we had tow truck weight and it handled it fine - with brakes on both trailer axles.  But I'd not try that w/o brakes on the trailer.  Nor with brakes on only one axle.

So I was just saying that when you get to a situation where the trailer weighs an appreciable portion of the truck's weight you need to have brakes on the trailer.

[Ray Cecil]

Found some stats on the trailer.

GVWR 2990lbs
1670lb capacity
205/75R15

So, if my truck wet with my but in it weight about 4000lb it should handle it easily. The transmission and brakes are my biggest concern.

I

[Ray Cecil]

So, Ive been out of town a lot, and consequently not been able to do much on the bullnose, or the trailers, or the sawmill or the garage.

I had a little time yesterday so I ran to Rural King and bought two new wheel/tire combos for the handyman trailer. I went through the wheel bearings on the other side. Bearings looked good, grease was a little old, so cleaned/flushed the hub, repacked grease and reassembled and put my new rubber on.

The roof is the next project. Im going to pull off the trim, and really seal the panels well. Then put trim back on. I might rhino line the trailer. I dunno. Im not too worried about the looks of it. Its seen better days and there is some damage that need repairs.

All the lights work, except the ones that have busted housings/lenses. So ill need to fix those too.

[Gary Lewis]

So that's why we haven't heard from you!  Welcome home.

IIRC you'd already done one wheel bearing 'cause that's why you got the trailer - it went out.  So now you are set, but no brakes yet?

What are you going to seal the roof with?

[Ray Cecil]

I bought some clear sealer at lowes and slathered it on every seam. I just did that 10 minutes ago. Of course I knocked the loose stuff off.

Once that sets up I will get some of that seam tape to go over top of all that. I dont have time to be meticulous with it right now. Ive got to get it water tight good enough to get it out of the barn so I can put up insulation and drywall.