DIY Disaster No. 86, Part Deux: Futility Trailer

Some projects should be left untouched.

This is Part Deux. If you haven't already, check out Part 1.

When I first got my rally car back from my cage builder, I spent weeks and weeks putting the thing back together, installing seats, the steering wheel, stuff like that; but the real challenge was re-installing the electrical system. I took my time, re-routing wires around the cage, expertly soldering connections as I went along. The whole electrical system install took me two weeks of painstaking attention to detail.

Then I did the worst possible thing ever to the car.

Since the main engine harness ground was relocated to accommodate strut tower reinforcement, long story short, I hooked up the wrong cable and a bunch of smoke ensued, along with that acute electrical smell, y’know the one that makes someone say, ‘Is something burning?’

Turns out, something was. Like the electrical system. The ground wire throughout the entire car had melted – and melted the wires next to it. So for the next two weeks, I rewired the entire car, connected everything correctly, then nothing. The sucker wouldn’t start. Another two weeks go by, and still nothing.

After the third week, I wanted to roll the car out into the street and set the thing on fire.

That’s what I wanted to do with this trailer too, but I didn’t. I’m not really good at arson, but I’m also not good with giving up.

Wifey and I did however, have a lengthy discussion about the merits and demerits of building our own teardrop camping trailer. Among the merits, it’s small, easily towed and relatively cheap to build. Demerits, it’s small.

Coffin small.

And, apparently, not so easily towed.

While the trailer is the perfect size for a teardrop, we are the not the perfect size for a teardrop, especially with a dog. I’m six feet tall. I need me some space. So, after much contemplation, I decided to rehab the trailer into a utility trailer and sell it on or trade it for something more our size.

While not easy per se, I did find myself enjoying the transformation from scrap heap to showroom. I started by knocking all that nasty wood off the entire trailer, which was fastened there by approximately 1,311 three-inch screws. The trailer was well built back in its day, even the wood parts, but the ravages of time worked against it. Once I got down to the layers of the plywood deck, I ripped that off, but was pleasantly surprised to find some heavy-duty, pressure-treated lumber on the base, which was in great condition. I just buzzed the surface with a wire wheel and it looks great.

After much scraping, the completed trailer.

Then I hit the trailer’s frame with the wire wheel. I buzzed off all of the old paint, rust and whatever was left of the wiring. I got it down to a nice, clean surface and repainted the whole thing with black, rust-inhibitor paint. I’m pretty happy with the result, which makes it look close to new.

Then, despite my history with wiring, I bought myself a brand-new permanent trailer light kit from Harbor Freight, which came complete with tail lights, side markers and wiring. And wouldn’t you know it, the thing was plug-n-play and had directions! I simply laid out where I wanted things to go and blammo, it worked! To mount the rear lights, I fabbed up some supports out of angle iron and bolted them to the frame (I don’t know how to weld yet).

Also from Harbor Freight, I bought all new hardware and tie-downs. I installed four deck-mounted rings, and four eyebolt rings for a tarp tie-down. I added new safety chains and the locking pin for the coupler as well.

All and all, I think it came out great. It will make a great base for those more daring for the teardrop scenario, or it will make a great landscaping or gardening trailer.

What did I learn from all this? Don’t have lofty dreams? No, do have lofty dreams, but be prepared for the unexpected. In this case, size mattered.

-30-

Finished! Being towed behind my trusty 2002 Xterra. FYI, trailers do need fenders in RI, but the fella who bought was going to use it at a campground to haul firewood to campers.

One of the side marker lights from the trailer light kit from HF.

Safety First Kids. New safety chains and little thingie to make the other little thingie not pop off during travel.

Thank goodness for those free wheel covers. I didn't have to scrape and repaint the wheels.

Behold the greatness!