[TheForge] OT - HF Trailer

[dann at wctatel.net]

Rubber tires mounted on new rims are pretty cheap at Walmart.  The last
trailer that I rebuilt, I upgraded the rims to the 12 inch size, figuring
that I could use those little 12 inch car tires for future replacements.
The trailer hubs / bearings / springs might be worth saving.  I hate the
those little 8 inch HB trailer tires seem to last me only about 1000 miles
of road use.

But for rebuilding a trailer now, my pregnant idea is to use the straight
rear axle of a front wheel drive mini van.  They come with springs, and
replacement tires on rims can be found at recking yards, cheaper than you
can pay some one to fix a flat.

All that said, if your time is worth a $1 an hour.  It is probably
cheapest to just get another new HB trailer.   There are also  lot of new
- USED HB trailers that people ordered, but didn't really need. I saw a
brand new assembled on sell at a local auction for $100 including the
light kit.

Dann


> Hey Folks!
>
> I was hoping to get your advice concerning a damaged trailer my
> fiancee and I have.  I'm assuming it is just a HF kit deal.  It looks
> like it, orange, foldable, etc.  About 2 months ago I loaded it up
> with way too much river sand for the back yard.  On the way home I got
> to experience the joy of a blow out.  (I learned a lot, like checking
> and verifying towing capacity!)  We eventually had the trailer towed
> home on a flatbed.  So now we have a trailer parked out front with two
> damaged beyond repair wheels, and a bent axle.  Then, to top it off,
> last week some drunk hit our trailer, our neighbors trailer, and a
> telephone pole, before driving off.  So the wood box of the trailer is
> now trashed as well.  My fiancee wants the eye sore gone from out
> front.  I know we need a trailer, so I'm wondering if its a better
> (and hopefully cheaper) idea to have someone put a new axle on and
> then rebuild the wood box for it.  Otherwise we'll just get rid of it,
> then turn around and buy a new one in a few months.
>
> What's your guys (and gals) advice?  Should I try and save the frame
> and have it repaired?  Or would it cost just as much to simply buy a
> new trailer come spring?
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> Jim Beard
> http://regionalchaos.net
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