David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 Building a period trailer for my Dodge, so that's why it's here in this board. It made of model T parts, so I could have posted it there too. I have another thread discussing towing and working through aspects of mounting a hitch that can be found here The goal of this build is for a period-correct (ish) utility trailer that could have been build from plans found in popular mechanics or some other magazine. The use of this trailer is strictly for going to local car shows at speeds not exceeding 35 mph and very little load. It's to haul my daughter's power wheels and lawn chairs to the show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 This is the inspiration for this build. The magazine article is the only copy I could find online. Resolution is terrible. If you try, just hard enough, you can make out the words Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) Acquired parts so far Compete T front axle with good wheels and all suspension intact. Just needs refinishing and tires. Rough T fenders that will be repaired and cut where required. Not restored to new, but fixed up bit. These parts set my height and width for the build. All I have right now are screen shots from the FB ads. Axle was a bit over 2 hours away. My dad came with me to get it. It would only fit with the passenger seat moved right up to the dash. The ride back was awful! I took the passenger seat, he drove 🙄 Fenders were local Edited January 6, 2019 by David_Leech (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Frame detail for the build. My radius rod connection will be likely turned around. This is a compression joint, not extension. In these pictures it faces forwards. It is designed to face backwards. My frame will be wood as shown in the last pictures (will not protrude from the sides as this one is). I have the ability to use steel. Wood is a design choice I have made. I just need to respect the limitations of the trailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Local lighting requirements are: One red tail light One white licenseplate light Two red reflectors as far apart as possible Purchased from eBay this working kerosene tail lamp. Has red rear facing lense, clear side facing lense, and a convenient license plate bracket Purchased these reproduction "King Bee" glass reflectors for WWII vehicles. Close enough! Lighting requirements fulfilled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Ball socket for the radius rod. It will be flipped over from the position shown in the picture and embedded into the center beam of the frame by boring a shallow hole for it to sit in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 This is the trailer hitch I chose. Patent dates on it are 1936 and 1940. It is newer then I was hoping for but I believe it is unused. Look at the casting marks, they have not been worn away by the ball. There were older ones that were considerably less then this one, but they were all in pretty tough shape. A modern hitch was not an option, too out of place. I will of course be using safety chains to comply with local laws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Other than lumber, square nuts, and carriage bolts, all parts are acquired. Next step will be restoring the axle and fenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 6, 2019 Author Share Posted January 6, 2019 Two used tires sourced through a co-worker. New tires were just too much this year. The only source I could find was catalogue order from the USA to Canada. No one local could help. Drove the prices up far too much for me to justify. Thanks Shelby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Looking great David can’t wait to see the progress on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
36 D2 Coupe Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 A safety question - are turn signals required for the trailer and do you have them on your Dodge? Maybe a good idea to plan for them at the start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 22 minutes ago, 36 D2 Coupe said: A safety question - are turn signals required for the trailer and do you have them on your Dodge? Maybe a good idea to plan for them at the start. Not according to local regulations and the dodge does not have them. Hand signals only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 Right from the service Ontario website on registering a home built trailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 On 1/7/2019 at 4:26 AM, Mattml430 said: Looking great David can’t wait to see the progress on it. Once eBay shipments start rolling in I can can get building it! Started on the fenders. Some cracks to weld up and dents to fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 Fenders have had the worst damage repaired. I'm not interested in making these ones perfect. They have dents, creases, thin spots, and the one had a huge split almost cutting it in half. The other had 2 inches rusted off the front edge. The splits and holes are all welded up. The front edges have been trimmed to match and the edges folded over. They were all warped and I have them squared up again. My theory is a utility trailer would have never been perfect if it was built from scrap parts. These are already a ton better than they were before. I gave them a quick spray to see how they looked painted. I will be brushing on rustoleum (Tremclad up here) and it will be good and thick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 Wow, the black certainly shows defects! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 I'm wondering if there will be any strength left to these if I cut the sides out of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 8 hours ago, David_Leech said: Wow, the black certainly shows defects! They might be better if you do them in satin black. They would definitely loose a bit of strength cutting the sides out of them. But if they are attached we’ll enough to the trailer sides it wouldn’t matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 I did semi-gloss. They look better now the paint has dried. Lost alot of the shine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted July 21, 2019 Author Share Posted July 21, 2019 I can't believe so much time has passed since I started this project. Amazing how life gets in the way! Today I got the axle assembly and the wheels painted. The spokes are soaking up some linseed oil. They are original and very dry. Solid, but very dry. Here is to hoping they don't spontaneously combust! I still need to track down some inner tubes and mount my new-to-me tires. The bearings still look serviceable, so that's a bonus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Power Wagon Dude Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Trailer-Builder David Et. Al, I thought I would add my 2-Cents worth with pictures and a description of our "Parade Trailer". Custom built 2" X 2" steel tubing frame with a complete Axle, Spindles, Hubs & Wheels.- All 'left-over parts' from a 1923 Touring. I had a local wheelwright completely rebuild the spokes for safety, but left them with a clear ''Natural' Finish. We found an original Budd Company, Screen Side box and added some 'drop-down' wooden seats from a 1971 Kaiser 2-1/2 ton ("Duce & a Half") Military Truck. We 'modified' a pair of Touring Car rear fenders and used big rubber grommets for mounting to Box. clear-grain Red oak with all six sides of each board having 10 Coats of Polyurethane finish and stainless steel bolts & nuts to hold everything together Even found a 1923 California, Commercial Trailer license plate for the original Dodge Brothers Tail light & mounting bracket to complete the build If the Dodge Brothers & their Automobile Body Builder, the Edward Budd Company had designed and built a trailer, this is what it might have looked like. The trailer has only about 50 Miles of very easy use and is For Sale in California and can be delivered. Questions of more information (209) 533-3663 or donncharles1@gmail.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 That is beautiful! How much to deliver to half way between Toronto and Niagara Falls in Canada? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Power Wagon Dude Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 "Trailer Builder" David, Well, my Wife has some relatives who live in St. Catherines, Ontario. She hasn't seen them in a LONG time. Maybe I can deliver it to you for the cost of driving to Niagara Falls? I'm open to ALL offers!! Keep-on-Dodgin' "Power Wagon Dude" in California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 If you are driving a Tesla I will pay the gas no problem! It's nice but not in the budget. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted September 26, 2019 Author Share Posted September 26, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted September 26, 2019 Author Share Posted September 26, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted September 26, 2019 Author Share Posted September 26, 2019 Progress is being made. Fenders get mounted tomorrow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 Fenders don't fit well. They are getting trimmed down to fit. I hate to cut up such old tin, but they aren't exactly in great shape anyways and don't belong to any car at the moment. Oh well. They will live on in the trailer for a long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 Fenders on. Had to narrow them to fit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB26 Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) Very cool build. Would love to add a hitch ball to my Dodge. Edited October 2, 2019 by DB26 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Leech Posted October 2, 2019 Author Share Posted October 2, 2019 I still haven't worked the hitch mounting out for the car. Hopefully a neat and tidy solution can be found 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB26 Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Hopefully. It will be interesting to see how it is mounted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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