Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Gordinho80's Offroad / Camping Trailer Build

Discussion on how to enjoy the outdoors.

by Gordinho80 » Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:43 pm

Been wanting to start a trailer build for some time. I've been looking for a good starting frame since. I wanted something on the cheap, and preferably with current registration. I stumbled across this one last week and immediately contacted the seller. I had contacted many sellers since I started looking, and only manged to get a hold of a couple. This guy contacted me and I had a feeling it would go through!

$100 asking price with registration. Went to look at it today. Seller arranged to have Notarized Bill of Sale and current registration. Seller admitted that there was a decent amount of surface rust, more so then he initially thought when he looked at it again yesterday. Agreed to discuss price when I went today.

Upon arriving and seeing the amount of surface rust, examined it and didn't find anything more then just that, lots of surface rust. He asked if I would do $50, I said $40. Agreed and we hooked it up. Lights all work minus 1 that is missing bulb and lens. Registration is current, expires in 3/2013. Torsion axles with oil filled hubs w/ indicator caps. LED tailights.

Drove it home without issue! Pulls like a dream. Seller gave me original title, bill of sale, and current registration (in his name). Now I start cleaning it and getting it ready for Phase 1; Utility type camper with walls.


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

$ Cost breakdown:
--------------------------
Trailer - $40
Primer - $20
Spray Paint - $15
Some replacement bolts/nuts - $10
6 lug axle & springs - $40
Spring Hanger Kit & Replacement U Bolts - $50
Replacement wheel studs/nuts - $40
--------------------------
SOLD Torsion Axles/Wheels/Tires - + $100
--------------------------
$115 total cost to date
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by dvanbramer88 » Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:47 pm

Nice pick up :thumleft:
Chevy Power!
Long live the Republic
"Violence is not always evil. The judicious use of violence and those willing to use it without hesitation is often all that stands between wolves and sheep."

Build Thread
User avatar
dvanbramer88
Lifer
 
Posts: 2283
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:12 pm
Location: PA, Bristol
Name: Dave
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by DirtyBacon04 » Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:50 pm

Sand blaster HO!!!!
Trans-Continental Trailblazer - 5th Award
Current Count of Transmission Rebuilds: 5.5
***The more you know, the less you need.***
USMC '07-'12
Dirty Bacon's Build
User avatar
DirtyBacon04
Moderator
 
Posts: 3048
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:59 am
Location: AK, Fairbanks
Name: Michael
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Rated

by Trail X » Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:20 pm

Yeah, a little media blasting and it should be right as rain... might have to unbolt some parts to get into some of the joints though.

Good starting point. I see a lot of sweat in your future.
8-) Build Thread | ExPo Build | YouTube Videos
Not all who wander are lost. -Tolkien
User avatar
Trail X
Founder
 
Posts: 9935
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:22 pm
Location: VA, Roanoke
Name: James Downing
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Guide

by v7guy » Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:04 am

Looks like a damn good start, especially for $40!
build thread

All things in moderation, including moderation.
Some people never go crazy... what truly horrible lives they must lead
User avatar
v7guy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3712
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:17 pm
Location: NY, long island
Name: Jason
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by navigator » Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:25 am

the hubs are worth $40 if you had to replace them and you can likely get at least $20 for the motorcycle mount.
Shoot, with a little paint you might get $20 more for the two tires/rims(if they aren't dry rotted) that you are for sure going to replace.
Those tires/rims run about $70 each around here. The tires are about $40 each as I just bought two myself.

Great start man!
"Please consider a search before posting. Folks on this site PIONEERED functional offroad use of these trucks."
The answer to many common lift questions can be found
here
My Build Thread
User avatar
navigator
Moderator
 
Posts: 4651
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:16 am
Location: NC, Winnabow
Name: Chris
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Gordinho80 » Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:33 am

Thanks guys. I intend on taking it all apart and sanding everything down. I'll likely be moving the wheels/tires, bike mount, and possibly the axles/hubs. I have a camping trip planned for the first week of Oct. I hope to have the trailer ready enough to carry our gear and mountain bikes.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by HARDTRAILZ » Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:36 am

Nice find
I hate to advocate weird chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone...but
they've always worked for me.
User avatar
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
 
Posts: 6342
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:49 am
Location: IN, Batesville
Name: Kyle
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by fishsticks » Fri Jul 13, 2012 1:18 pm

Slightly jealous, but anxious to see what you come up with.
11 Silverado LTZ - 6.2L/6l80, 2/3 drop, self tuned
85 Hilux - 3RZ, dual cases, caged, 40s, chromo everything
02 TrailBlazer LTZ - 35s, lockers, balls - Gone but not forgotten - Build
User avatar
fishsticks
Moderator
 
Posts: 4356
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: WA, Vancouver
Name: Donny
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by JCrayton99 » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:22 pm

An offroad camper is my intended winter project. Starting it with one of these:

http://www.cargotrailernj.com/4x8-enclo ... go-trailer
JCrayton99
Trail-Blazer
 
Posts: 428
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:44 pm
Location: CT, South Windsor
Name: John Crayton
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Guide

by Gordinho80 » Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:04 pm

Took the trailer apart today to start cleaning the rust off. I might be selling the axles and wheels before putting it all back together. Looking at the axle, I can't fully make out the capacity, but it doesn't appear to be much. I could essentially keep it as is and use it for my upcoming camping trip to Watkins Glen, NY in Oct, but if I find a buyer, I could get a 3500 lb axle kit with 6 lug hubs to run the H3 wheels in time.

Image
I spent a few minutes with the grinder and wire wheel on the furthest most bar in the pic. Not enough time, but its a start. My goal today was to get it all apart, and I accomplished that much

Image

Image

Here you see the serial # and capacity rating for the axle... I can't tell if that is a '0'250, but it looks like it. If that's the case, the axles can only handle a 500 lbs load... not great.

Image
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by Trail X » Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:09 pm

Any progess is progess. Looks like either a 0 or a 9. 9 may not be very realistic. But for a bike carrier, I'd be surprised if it was only a 500 lb capacity. Aren't most closer to 800lbs? Maybe I'm off.
8-) Build Thread | ExPo Build | YouTube Videos
Not all who wander are lost. -Tolkien
User avatar
Trail X
Founder
 
Posts: 9935
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:22 pm
Location: VA, Roanoke
Name: James Downing
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Guide

by Wahugg » Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:38 pm

Just as a suggestion, try putting a bit of of hydrochloric acid on the area where the number is stamped. Nothing too extreme but something around 15 to 20% or 6 mols. The reasoning behind this is that the acid will effectivally remove any rust or corrosion that may be in the dimple of the stamped number, and the area around it. This will hopefully clean the stamp out, make its edges more defined to make it a bit easier to read. Remember that HCl is an acid of its self, but as long as you don't go above 6 mols then it shouldn't hurt or pit the metal you put it on. Just make sure to clean it up real good when your done, and this stuff will burn or irritate your hands if you get it on them so wear gloves.

And to my eye, the number appears to be 3250.

-Wahugg
Wahugg
Addict
 
Posts: 576
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:09 am
Name: Wahugg
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: AWD w/ G80

by Gordinho80 » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:26 pm

I'm going to contact Reliable... I can read the serial #... Just need to call them.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by MrSmithsTB » Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:46 pm

Nice!
back in the saddle
TB BUILD
User avatar
MrSmithsTB
Veteran
 
Posts: 1756
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:28 pm
Location: EHT, NJ
Name: Bob
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Other GMT360/370
DriveTrain: AWD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Gordinho80 » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:42 pm

Holy crap!!! Who's this????? Where you been, man?
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by MrSmithsTB » Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:35 pm

I've been around. Focusing on other things. I logged on to see what's been goin on around here. Been missing the tb and wanted to look at my build thread and whatnot. I see you have made lots of progress with yours!
back in the saddle
TB BUILD
User avatar
MrSmithsTB
Veteran
 
Posts: 1756
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:28 pm
Location: EHT, NJ
Name: Bob
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Other GMT360/370
DriveTrain: AWD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Rated

by navigator » Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:50 am

sometimes you can take a black crayon and "color" the pits and then wipe off the surface.
We used to do something similar with stamped dog collars to make the info in the stamp stand out better.
A sharpie works also but then you have to use something like fingernail polish remover to get it off of the unwanted area.
"Please consider a search before posting. Folks on this site PIONEERED functional offroad use of these trucks."
The answer to many common lift questions can be found
here
My Build Thread
User avatar
navigator
Moderator
 
Posts: 4651
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:16 am
Location: NC, Winnabow
Name: Chris
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Gordinho80 » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:18 am

Just called Reliable... they couldn't find anything from the SN, but they asked me to look for a part # on the hub arm. I found it... TA-1000. Looks like its 1000lbs per side. That is much better. Something I can actually use until I get the 3500lb axle set up for the H3 wheels.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by 06MidnightBlue » Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:22 am

Not bad! Great starting point for sure.
User avatar
06MidnightBlue
Addict
 
Posts: 597
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 4:14 am
Location: CA, Sacramento
Name: Jeff
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD

Next

Return to Camping / Survival