Upgraded My Wood Hauling Capability.

[Halligan]

I've been looking for a used trailer for the past 6 months with no luck. It seems that everyone wants top dollar for used junk so I gave up and bought a new trailer. I'm no stranger to trailers as I've had several over the years so I know even brand new trailers can be junk.

I purchased this trailer through a local manufacturer who builds their own trailers and sell's several other brands as well. I don't know if they market there custom built trailers to other dealers but they do build a stout trailer for a fair price.

I went a 5X10 because I wanted as much payload as I could get on a single axle and I figured a full 5X10 trailer of fresh cut wood is about all the single 3500lb axle could take. Yes I could have gone bigger but I would have lost payload and it would be easier to overload. Plus the 5X10 takes up less room for storage.

Since the dealer had no 5X10's built I had to order it which gave me the opportunity to make a few customizations. They are as follows:

1. Upgraded the rear light's to LED grommet style lights in a steel light box. I've busted enough standard square lights to know this was a smart upgrade.

2. Spec'ed the optional gas strut assited gate. While the gate is not that big I figured any less work for my back is a good thing. I just hope it doesen't get damaged if I hit something backing up.

3. Had the rear gate reinforced a little so the expanded steel won't bend as easy when running heavy items up and down it..

4. Added expanded steel to the sides to prevent stuff from rolling out of the trailer.

5. Added a 2" square receiver to the front rail. I did this so when I haul my log splitter I can slide a 2" ball into the receiver and hitch the log splitter to it. I'll still use a ratchet strap in the rear of the splitter if I'm traveling a long distance but for short trips this will be great.

I know you guy's like picks so here's a few.Link RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink Removed

 

[smallcabin]

Great thinking on the mods. Never seen the receiver hitch on the front of the trailer before, great idea. You will be happy with that for a long time.

 

[bogydave]

Nice addition to the wood processing tool box.
Nice features. You'll get many years of good use out of it.
Good idea with the receiver, Slide in all sorts of attachments
electric/hand winch, work table, to lock down the log splitter in the trailer & some you'll invent

 

[Halligan]

Nice addition to the wood processing tool box.
Nice features. You'll get many years of good use out of it.
Good idea with the receiver, Slide in all sorts of attachments
electric/hand winch, work table, to lock down the log splitter in the trailer & some you'll invent

I never considered those other options the receiver could be used for. Though I don't think the top rail could handle the stress of a winch.

 

[bogydave]

I never considered those other options the receiver could be used for. Though I don't think the top rail could handle the stress of a winch.

With an angle brace to the tongue I bet it could
Winch logs right up on the trailer

 

[Halligan]

With an angle brace to the tongue I bet it could
Winch logs right up on the trailer

I like the way you think bogydave.

 

[bogydave]

I like the way you think bogydave.

Think like a "lazy old guy with a bad back"

 

[NickDL]

Nice trailer but I don't understand the receiver in the trailer??

 

[Nickolai]

Nice trailer but I don't understand the receiver in the trailer??

It's so he can add in a 2" receiver in order to secure the splitter in the trailer. Genius!!
I'm stealing this idea!
I have a 5x10 trailer that I had made by a buddy, he used a 3500 lb axle kit from Princess Auto and fabricated the rest himself.
Just had a guy in town look at it to add a ramp similar to what's shown and I reckon I'll get him to put a receiver mount on the front while he's at it.
Beauty trailer!

 

[MasterMech]

I've been looking for a used trailer for the past 6 months with no luck. It seems that everyone wants top dollar for used junk so I gave up and bought a new trailer. I'm no stranger to trailers as I've had several over the years so I know even brand new trailers can be junk.

Looking for a good deal on a trailer myself. People are crazy. Everything cheap needs a ton of work ($500 for a 5x10 with a twisted tongue, coupler is shot, rusty, old decking, beat-up lights, cheap POS jack u-bolted to the side of the a-frame, etc) making it worth more as scrap IMO or they want within $200 of what a new unit sells for. Gotta love when the ad says "Needs nothing." We'll see about that.

1. Upgraded the rear light's to LED grommet style lights in a steel light box. I've busted enough standard square lights to know this was a smart upgrade.

Yes .......

2. Spec'ed the optional gas strut assited gate. While the gate is not that big I figured any less work for my back is a good thing. I just hope it doesen't get damaged if I hit something backing up.

Yes .......

3. Had the rear gate reinforced a little so the expanded steel won't bend as easy when running heavy items up and down it..

Yes .......

4. Added expanded steel to the sides to prevent stuff from rolling out of the trailer.

Yes .......

Keep's the trailer weight down too (1x's are heavier). Important for a single acle that will get loaded!

5. Added a 2" square receiver to the front rail. I did this so when I haul my log splitter I can slide a 2" ball into the receiver and hitch the log splitter to it. I'll still use a ratchet strap in the rear of the splitter if I'm traveling a long distance but for short trips this will be great.

Yes .......


Now make like SmokinJ and add a 2" receiver on the back so the splitter can follow you home even if the trailer is full!

Now where's the tube rail, white LED back-up lights, and brakes? (j/k) Nice trailer!

 

[Treacherous]

Nice trailer!!

I finally bit the bullet myself last spring and bought a new trailer. Nothing on CL seemed worth the money. I have a couple flat snowmobile trailers but they don't work the best hauling wood so I bought this new Olympic trailer (5x8) with 3500lb axle. Tows well behind my '96 5.0L AWD Explorer. Not in these pictures but put all kinds of strong tie down loops and hooks on the bed, railings etc.

 

[Elderthewelder]

nice trailer, where did you buy it at?

 

[Treacherous]

nice trailer, where did you buy it at?

Thanks!

(broken link removed)

I am told the Olympic trailers are made down in Tumwater. I had them build one for me with the swinging rear door and the spare tire mount. This isn't one you would typically see for sale.

 

[Halligan]

Like I said I looked for awhile but everything out there was junk. Sounds like your area is no different.

Looking for a good deal on a trailer myself. People are crazy. Everything cheap needs a ton of work ($500 for a 5x10 with a twisted tongue, coupler is shot, rusty, old decking, beat-up lights, cheap POS jack u-bolted to the side of the a-frame, etc) making it worth more as scrap IMO or they want within $200 of what a new unit sells for. Gotta love when the ad says "Needs nothing." We'll see about that.

 

[Halligan]

Nice trailer Trecherous.

 

[Treacherous]

Like I said I looked for awhile but everything out there was junk. Sounds like your area is no different.

It sure sounds like it.

I too came across overpriced rust buckets or near new asking prices.

 

[Gasifier]

Think like a "lazy old guy with a bad back"

Halligan. You just have to be careful. As I am sure you know already. The list of things we want just keeps getting longer. But the bank account keeps getting slimmer and slimmer.

Oh. That is one awesome trailer man. Nice. Really nice. I wish I had one of those. Nice truck to man! Love the look of black on a vehicle.

 

[Halligan]

I hear you. Hopefully I'm done with buying wood burning "accessories" for awhile. Though I have read a 70cc saw is the cat's azz .

Halligan. You just have to be careful. As I am sure you know already. The list of things we want just keeps getting longer. But the bank account keeps getting slimmer and slimmer.

Oh. That is one awesome trailer man. Nice. Really nice. I wish I had one of those. Nice truck to man! Love the look of black on a vehicle.