Car hauler with surge brakes.

winchested · Jan 23, 2017

Hey folks.

Just wondering what y'all think.

Never had a car hauler before. Considering buying one used.

Looking at a 16 foot with surge brakes.

For the small amount of time I'm going to use it are surge brakes fine? My pop up is electric brake and it works great. Never towed with surge before.

I'm betting trailer plus my Scout ii on the trailer doesn't put it over 6K lbs. However without WDH they say not to tow over 5k on these trucks...

What do y'all think as with surge I can't run a WDH.

Not looking to spend over $1500 CDN on a trailer. Found one not too far with surge and two sets of tires for $1400.

Big thing is first trip with it will be 3200km.

Looked at an electric over hydraulic conversion and that's prob another $700 CDN for the actuator.

Do y'all think I'd be fine towing this with 3.31 on a non tow package truck.

If say this first trip would only be like 5500 lbs as there won't be anything in the scout ii.

winchested · Jan 31, 2017

winchested · Feb 8, 2017

Well I've gotten to working on this trailer...

Found some super rotten spots... I got ****ed on this deal lol. I'm Into It about $1500 now. Just got 5 new tires 205/75R14s. (1760lb each) went with the Hercules power str.

Found this rot In drivers side outer frame...

To fix that I have made a few frame braces out of 3" 1/4" angle and 3" 1/4 flat bar. 26-30" long because I don't have time to replace the whole outer 2x4 rail.

Well the rear most rail is completely gone shot and dead.

Unfortunately I can't just weld in a frame brace on this one so Im in the process of cutting it off the back and have to go get a new piece cut. Looking at another $70.

Still waiting on the breakaway kit $50 through Amazon.

My running lights came in from Etrailer today. Bought a gallon of gloss black rustoleum and I'm just going to spray it when it gets a bit warmer.

I cut the ramps off. Going to weld some 1/4 diamond plate onto the ends and make them bolt on. (they weigh a whopping 70 lbs each!)

Work in progress.....

Wife isn't happy lol. Not one bit.

winchested · Feb 23, 2017

Well this trailer is coming along thanks to the nice weather we've been having in southern Ontario!

Just need to run all my wiring. Add my new lights.
Wire in breakaway.

And do a little bit of welding on the brackets and new rear frame member.

Grease bearings and adjust brakes.

winchested · Apr 8, 2017

Well trailer is almost done greased the bearings and adjusted the brakes.

There was enough grease in each bearing to grease them 5 or 6 times and the castle nuts were def 1 hole too tight.

Now they are perfect!

Jsrunnlus · Apr 8, 2017

That little trailer has come a long way!

winchested · Apr 15, 2017

Well got it all finished and took it on a maiden voyage today for a shakedown run before the big weekend.

Caliber weighs in around 3000lb +/-

Measured tounge weight without car: 280 lb
measured tounge weight with car: 500 lb

Tows great. Tow haul mode only she drops into 5th around 85-90km/h cruise worked np.

Pretty much only know it's back there when going up hills.

1 hub was warmer than the other 3 so think I might have to back off that brake a couple more turns.

Makes me excited.

Car hauler with surge brakes.

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