Making a Trailer From a Long bed Frame and bed? Anyone?

[67Mach1]

I just picked up an 85 Silverado parts truck for $150.00

Planning on using the front end for a 67-70 disc swap. Thinking about turning the bed into a trailer. Any one done this before?

Any tips?

Thomas

[lilred67]

i made one out of a furd truck,thats all it was good for.....
i have a bed from a phone co. truck on it now with all my electrical tools/material in it.when i have a side job i just hook up and go...works great.

[71SWBChevy]

I haven't ever done it with a longbed before, I think it would cause alot of weight to be on the truck instead of the trailer axle. Everyone I have ever seen is a short bed, someone else might have used a long bed before though.

[84 400]

No not another 85 getting chopped ha ha ha
as said ealyer i think a long bed wouldput alot of weight on the tongue. What are you towing it with?

[67Mach1]

Originally Posted by 84 400

No not another 85 getting chopped ha ha ha
as said ealyer i think a long bed wouldput alot of weight on the tongue. What are you towing it with?

towing with a 91 F150 with a 302 auto, knock on wood but she pulls my 20 foot trailer with my suburban on it w/out too much trouble. Hills aren another story, have to take a running start at them. Not worried about weight. but good thought.

The 85 is a bit on the ready to part out side. No engine/ tranny in bed, pait terrible, missing a window. Gy said I could put a motor in it and have a good truck, but getting it to pass emissions and the fact that I would see it as a restoration, dont have me putting much time and effort into it.

RagenRat: that is one nice little trailer. Like the use of chanel to get the toung stabalized and a bit longer.

Looked like it once was a nice truck...

Thanks for the photos.

[Blue85]

Just cut the frame in half by the tranny crossmember, notch the top and bottom of the frame a few inches in front of the box, heat and bend the frame rails together into a V, weld some reinforcing plates to the notches, weld whatever hitch you want to the V and reinforce it with some heavy steel.

[cdowns]

as far as weight on the tounge is concerned it just goes back to grade school math and science// you make to tounge longer for less weinght shorter for more weight// you can google "fulcrum and lever" for a more detailed scientific explanation of the principle

[RicksTrucks]

Originally Posted by cdowns

as far as weight on the tounge is concerned it just goes back to grade school math and science// you make to tounge longer for less weinght shorter for more weight// you can google "fulcrum and lever" for a more detailed scientific explanation of the principle

I am wanting to do the same thing. So where would be the best place to cut to get the tongue long enough to spread the weight and not make it too long.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by RicksTrucks

I am wanting to do the same thing. So where would be the best place to cut to get the tongue long enough to spread the weight and not make it too long.

that would pretty much be a trial and error type of deal for me , i'd start long and then shorten it till i got it nondorky llookin, dont forget that by hanging weight in back of the axel(fulcrum) that you dont need as long a tongue(lever) so if you add a step bumper with vice and anvil verses no bumper tailgate verses no tailgate ETC ETC it affects the balance of the trailer

[rage'nrat638]

heres the one i made

[68C15]

I have an 80 1/2 ton I made into a trailer. it was simple, just follow directions stated above. mine can haul upwards of 5000 lbs.
it comes in veryhandy for home remodeling-demolition work. you dont have to worry about the crap in the back of your truck for daily driving.
one word of advice though. the tongue length affects the skill required to back the thing up. (ie. long tongue = fast acting/looking like an idiot)

[Huck]

Don't recall but if it has coil springs--don't bother as they tow like crap and bounce like crazy. If leaf, see above for how to's.

[67Mach1]

Originally Posted by Huck

Don't recall but if it has coil springs--don't bother as they tow like crap and bounce like crazy. If leaf, see above for how to's.

Thats why I decided against doint this with my 71 parts truck. Heard about he problem with coils and towing.

This one is just for practice as I will eventually make my 67 GMC Longbed into a trailer and it has leafsprings too.

Length of tongue seems to be important. I will go long and shorten if I need to.

Thanks,

[Aarons72s]

Here is my 69 trailer.

[davidh]

Originally Posted by Aarons72s

Here is my 69 trailer.

I did that to 67 3/4 ton. I always feel guilty doing to a chevy but after you pick it apart might as well. I'd rather do it to a ford or dodge but when you tow with a truck of the same style it looks better with both of them in uniform.

[beaterC10]

I guess I am the voice of dissent.

I had a trailer built from a 77 short step bed, it was okay, but after using a 5x8 landscape trailer I sold the pickup bed trailer and started looking for a landscape trailer.

My biggest complaints with the step bed trailer were the empty weight and towing characteristics. When it was loaded it would wag real bad at any speed above 50 mph, not real handy for my use.

I was told the wagging was due to the axle being too far forward. Most landscape trailers have the axle about 2/3 of the trailer bed length back from the front of the trailer bed, most short beds have the axle centered on the bed length.

[67Mach1]

could one of the issues be that the trailer is too high? How about putting lowering blocks on it to lower teh center of gravity?

And Mine will be a long bed? Might make it and then put it up for sale. Depends on if I like the outcome.

[beaterC10]

Originally Posted by 67Mach1

could one of the issues be that the trailer is too high? How about putting lowering blocks on it to lower teh center of gravity?

And Mine will be a long bed? Might make it and then put it up for sale. Depends on if I like the outcome.

My trailer was built from a lowered truck and had the axle flipped on top of the springs. It towed okay empty or with a light load like brush, but it would wag when I hauled mulch or a big load of trash. I was told the solution was to load the heaviest weight toward the front to keep the tongue weight up. The problem with that solution is the small amount of cargo capacity a short step bed provides to start with. It looked good though when I towed it with my lowered stepside.

[lilpup69chevy]

ragenrat why on earth would you chop up a dodge dakota R/T to make a trailer? i mean i know its a dodge and all but heck you could have traded it for a nice chevy LOL

[Blue85]

You guys worry to much about tounge wieght, ive had 4500lbs of scrap metal in my trailer and it hardly even sagged the suspension on the 1/2 ton tow vehicle.

[BarryB]

I am thinking about taking a 72short frame and an extra short fleet bed I have and make a trailer to tow behind my 68 c10. You know lower it to match the the ride height of the 68. That would be sweet haul my luggage to shows and such.

[Aarons72s]

davidh, I didnt do it. A guy that had a 70 bought it for the bed ( which was worse than his original) took his bed off and put the trailer bed on his truck then put the bed from his truck on the trailer. After he did that he asked me if I wouldnt mind getting rid of it for him. I reluctently said yes, thinking silently sweet free bed and trailer! The bed is in real good shape passenger side straight good floor but dr side smashed in. But thats of i have a straight skin to put on it. Which I tried to sell to the guy earlier. Plus it has the gm eaton axle too. Best money I never spent! I have use it a few times and have had no trouble with it. Loaded it with a ton of scrap, drove it on the interstate 50 miles 1 way at 70mph. I do admit when it is empty it sways alot going down the road but it is mainly the springs flexing. Hope this helps.