Projects Dragster update - Built a trailer

Well, while waiting for my hoops I figured it would be a good time to work on the trailer. My sad little utility trailer wasn't going to cut it next time taking the frame to be welded. I picked up some steel yesterday and got this far today.





I'm stealing the basic design from one of Ivo's old trailers. I still need to make the little truss setup on the outside, finish the straps for the rear tires to sit on, make some ramps, and mount the jack. I got a pretty fierce welder tan today.

 

Not bad Kerry.

 

Oh am I going to watch this build.....very very cool! nice job Kerry, I need to build one next.

 

Thanks. Oh yeah, I need to make the pocket for the front wheels too.

 

Remember, trailers back "in-the-day' were different: single axle, light weight, no flooring, no springs, no brakes, no shocks, no covered trailers, one tail light.

My dad and I pulled one like that about a million miles from 1957 to 1963. Then we updated to a dual axle with plywood floor and two tail lights, but still no springs, no shocks, no brakes. Pulled till 1967.

 

You arent messin around are ya...lookin good.

 

AMEN!

And you dont need an F950 Gigantorig to pull the damn things!

 

I spied a red hand winch in the shop. Does it go on this build???? And it looks like you'll need a 59 Ford wagon too>>>>.

 

Nice job Bro!! Not much fun to have a racecar and no way to move it.

 

Thats 2 killer digger trailers on the HAMB this year! I like the trend!

 

Yeah, I know I probably should have left the springs off. I had them though so I figured I'd use them.

Yep, the winch goes on there too. I did forget to mention that. SSSHHHHHHhhhhhh! Not sure I want the dear wife to figure out that I might be thinking about a wagon! ;-)

And Bruce, since you notice little things, did notice the bare block? I got the stuck pistons out without any trouble.

My welders "tan" just woke me up. Gotta love that aloe lotion stuff.

 

As long as you are only rubbing the aloe on your face and arms!

 

You want springs on your trailer, believe me. Some things from "back in the day", like no springs, are better off left there. It looks good.

 

Kerry, are you going to use modern wheel straps? When they fit they work nice!

 

WOW Kerry , you are a working machine. Very cool.

 

Oh yes I see a really clean oil pan too. And you have a lot of neet stuff kinda placed through out the shop. Trailer looks great and those 59 wagons rule with the Y-blocks>>>>.

 

I've got a big boat trailer that'd probably make someone a killer trailer similar to this one. Just needs to be leveled out on the deck and ramps made. It looks pretty similar to this one in shape and size - maybe a bit longer, say 22-24' or so.

I need to dump that rotten transomed boat off of it and drag it back up here to Tulsa to sell.

 

I agree that things like "spings, brakes, even stop lights" are good. Very good and all trailers should have them. But, if he is building a "back-in-the-day" trailer, heh heh heh, they aren't part of the deal.

 

Looks good Kerry I think you will like having the springs and also it will reduse the chassis fatgue on your dragster by cutting down on the shock of the road which is the biggest problem with dragster chassis damage.

 

budsuperpro:

do you block up the frame while towing?
would think a longer car would need 'something'.

Rick (1939fiat)

 

Rick
no not on the front motor car 169 WB, but I do on the Rear Motor car 215 WB.

Bud

 

budssuperpro.

Ok thanks..was just wondering.
Here's an update on our trailer.
It's an original Mr Ed built in Fresno..
Purchased new by Francis Crider around 69 till 73.
(to long to fit in my shop,so everythnig has been done in the driveway)

Rick

 

I agree with the springs, they are a necessity imo.

Far as the welders tan goes, wear an old sweatshirt over the T-shirt.
You'll be cooler than you think even if the day is stupid hot.
I seem to end up doing most of my welding in the summer.

Car tie-downs work ok over the slicks.
You may want one over the rear nerf or axle if there's room.

Diesel truck shops sell these tie-downs at pretty good prices at times.
They usually get a pallet-load of them in.
20' long most times, but they're easy to shorten and strong.

Home depot also sells fairly good car tie-downs.

I'm curious if the spring brackets are just tacked in now.
Once the dragster is a full-on roller - meaning fairly complete - that's the time to set the tongue weight on the trailer.

Now that you're dragster bound, is the coupe just gonna be for Saturday nights?

I'm wondering too what the times at the strip were after you got the blower on?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Far as a pain relief goes for serious sunburns, skip the store bought stuff and go to the nursery.
Buy an Aloe plant, but make sure the label says 'Medicine Plant."

It's the name and the succulent leaves are a little fatter than the regular Aloe plant.

Tear off a leaf, peel it back and rub the soft and cool pulp directly on the burned areas.
It seems to help seal the burned areas from oxygen which adds to the pain as well as inputs a natural pain reliever.

A few years back we floated the Owens river on inner tubes . . . about 4500' altitude and I got a heck of a sunburn on my shins.

None of the over the counter stuff really helped.

The Aloe plant did better by far.

 

yup, your right, now is the time to get the tongue weight right, I try to get about 300 lbs at least on the tongue of an open trailer.

Bud

 

I just got Weld sunburn last week (inside of Arm ) I was Tig welding an add on to the bed on my truck to carry my Golf Cart ( Toe Vehicle ). anyhow I use Solarcaine spray and it seems to do the job im just peeling now.

Bud

 

Lookin' good Kerry!

 

Thanks again for the kind words guys.

I hadn't given the straps an tie downs much thought yet.

This isn't a pure 1963 recreation, beep. I'll suffer through the springs and maybe even some shocks.

1939Fiat, that is a VERY cool trailer!!!

My worst welder burns are on my legs. Sitting indian style in front of the the weld did a number my my white legs.

I did weld the spring mounts on. I realized that was a mistake right after I did it. I have the axle mounted where the third spark plug will sit. I've waffled on the ramps. If the front end is light they will be removeable and will sit under the front end. If the front is heavy they will be mounted on the back of the trailer.

 

What is the weight of the vehicle you are pulling it with - 1/2 ton, 3/4, or 1 ton?

I've pulled my trailer (my old trailer) with a 1/2 ton Chevy and had to worry constantly about how exactly to load it where I had plenty of tongue weight, but not too much. I would even back vehicles onto my trailer to get more weight just aft of the rear tandem on the trailer to keep from overloading my bumper and truck.

Now, I've got a 3/4 ton Dodge and wow... what a difference on loading something on a trailer! I load however I want now, just merely making the vehicle fit on the trailer, tie it down, and then go. Worlds of difference between the 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks.

My point is if you're pulling it with a heavy enough truck, you can put your axle whereever you want it and use it mainly just to support the area where the motor and trans are going to be on your dragster. Such as the placement of a single axle under a boat trailer and how far back they are located for the weight of the boat and motor.

 

Kerry
You going to make it to mo-kan for the HAMB meet next weekend ? if so see you there.
( unless it Rains ) KCIR This was in March this year R/T .039 9.96 @ 136 and then rain.
Bud <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fQ17vVpuVq8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fQ17vVpuVq8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

Heck yeah I'll be at the HAMB Drags! Wouldn't miss it. I'll be there in my blown hemi powered 31 Pontiac five window. See you there!

Don't worry Jay, the coupe won't be neglected. I don't think I'm going to make her any faster though.

I've got an S10 blazer to pull the digger with but I put some threaded bungs in the rear boxing plates on the coupe when I built her. I might just cook up a hitch on her.