truck bed trailer

[dhawk]

I was gifted a trailer made from a 60-66 chevy truck bed w/ coil springs and swingarms. It was originally a 1/2 ton that someone tried to beefin' up by welding the springs and making a tracking bar. It currently is very wobbly(left/right) so I was going to start with shocks and a new tracking/traction bar.

I am planning on using it for a wood trailer, so was thinking about adding new springs as well. I have read a few places that switching from 1/2 to 3/4 ton springs is as straight forward as it can be. Any experience/precautions?

I am also planning on using original lights so it looks cool, any changes happen in the run of these trucks that make it so I need to pinpoint the exact year? If so, how do I do that?

Thanks for any/all info!

[jtrichard]

You DEFINITELY want some good heavy duty shocks like Monroe magnums so it don't ride like its on the ocean ....also you might look for a 3/4 ton rear axle and you cut the axle shafts off, plug the tubes and pack the bearings then you have a GOOD trailer axle

[PGSigns]

One thing you may want to think about is what bed it is and what shape it is in. A fleet side with good solid fenders would be better served on a truck. The bed sides are getting harder to find and in good shape are quite valued.
Jimmy

[Clyde65]

I agree with PGSigns!


Also if it isnt in decent shape, the 1/2 ton rear axle would be fine for hauling wood. stiffer springs and new shocks would help a lot. One thing you need to look at is how the tongue is grafted onto the frame. I have a 1/2 ton trailer-pickup bed and have hauled wood in it that was a foot or more over the top of the bed ( long bed) this was green wood also. it handled it fine.

[TJ's Chevy]

I have a wide side bed/trailer at one time as well. It had 3/4 ton coils and coil over shocks. Was a little bouncy but worked fine...darn shame I sold it.

[dhawk]

I agree with PGSigns!

Also if it isnt in decent shape, the 1/2 ton rear axle would be fine for hauling wood. stiffer springs and new shocks would help a lot. One thing you need to look at is how the tongue is grafted onto the frame.


The sides are in decent shape, but it is the middle of the mtns in Idaho, not sure if it is worth trying to sell them.... As far as 1/2 ton springs go - does anybody know if the VRate ones ramp up to as stiff as the HD 1/2? I am going off of lmctruck.com's springs (not sure who manufactures them).

[aerotruk63]

Generally GM would use the next series up springs and call them Heavy Duty. So stock 3/4 ton springs are heavy duty half.