Hello all, recently joined but I've lurked for a long time. I'm a finish carpenter by trade and have owned a utility/service body trailer for several years. It was never really ideal for my work and had planned on selling it but now I'm thinking about setting it up as an "overland" trailer. But also I'm thinking it might be a terrible idea and need some opinions.
The biggest downside is probably that its built like a tank. 6"x2" steel channel frame. I have no idea what it weighs but its probably a ton. I don't plan on doing any hardcore offroading but I'd like to be able to get to interesting camp sites in the North east, so maybe it would be fine. The bed and frame are in great shape with only minimal surface rust. If I do decide to go forward I'll start with sandblasting the entire rig, losing some weight where possible, ditching the axle and surge brakes for a wider axle with electric brakes and cutting the fenders out for tires matching my truck. Lose the ladder rack and build a lower mount for a RTT, that could also be swapped to my truck for shorter trips. I have zero money in this thing right now and it owes me nothing so I might give a shot, just to try and build out some cool kitchen and storage ideas in the truck box compartments. Just like some opinions on whether its a dumb idea or not. Oh also even as it sits right now with the narrow axle it tows great and my truck will have no problem pulling it, just not sure its a good starting point or not. Photo of the tow vehicle as well. Thanks
The biggest downside is probably that its built like a tank. 6"x2" steel channel frame. I have no idea what it weighs but its probably a ton. I don't plan on doing any hardcore offroading but I'd like to be able to get to interesting camp sites in the North east, so maybe it would be fine. The bed and frame are in great shape with only minimal surface rust. If I do decide to go forward I'll start with sandblasting the entire rig, losing some weight where possible, ditching the axle and surge brakes for a wider axle with electric brakes and cutting the fenders out for tires matching my truck. Lose the ladder rack and build a lower mount for a RTT, that could also be swapped to my truck for shorter trips. I have zero money in this thing right now and it owes me nothing so I might give a shot, just to try and build out some cool kitchen and storage ideas in the truck box compartments. Just like some opinions on whether its a dumb idea or not. Oh also even as it sits right now with the narrow axle it tows great and my truck will have no problem pulling it, just not sure its a good starting point or not. Photo of the tow vehicle as well. Thanks
