How to Make a Trailer From a Pickup Bed
Trailers are versatile vehicles, and they make moving heavy items or taking trash to the dump a lot easier. Traditional trailers can be a bit pricey, but building your own at home isn't that difficult. It does take some welding skills and a little bit of ingenuity, but when done correctly, it's an inexpensive way to get a workable trailer. Plus, any spare parts can be sold.
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Things You'll Need
- Donor truck
- Jack
- Jack stands
- 3/8-inch ratchet and sockets
- Protective gloves
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Reciprocating saw with metal blades
- Tape measure
- Permanent marker
- V-shaped trailer coupler
- 2 4-foot sections of 6-inch steel channel
- MIG welder
- Welding helmet
- 20 feet of 18-gauge wire
- Blue butt connectors
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Trailer wiring plug
Instructions
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1
Find a truck online or in the classifieds to use for a donor vehicle. You can use one with a salvaged title or one that's damaged in the front end. As long as the rear of the bed and rear of the frame are straight, you'll be in good shape.
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2
Place the truck and bed on jack stands. You want the stands to fit to either side of the split between the bed and the cab. This way, when you separate the two later, you'll be supported still.
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3
Unbolt the driveline and gas tank using the 3/8-inch ratchet and sockets. These can be sold as well.
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4
Put on the hearing and eye protection along with the gloves.
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5
Cut the frame between the cab and the bed using the reciprocating saw. This will separate the two parts of the truck and leave you with the rear half that you need for the trailer.
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6
Lift the cab and move it forward with the help of your assistant. The cab and everything else on this half is now either junk or salable, depending on the vehicle.
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7
Measure the distance between the end of the bed and the cut section of the frame. You want these two measurements to be the same, so mark the longer section with the permanent marker and cut it using the reciprocating saw. Since you cut the bed and cab apart without taking any measurements or marking the cut--mostly because it was inaccessible--your cuts will most likely not be even. This will fix that problem.
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8
Weld the C-channel steel to each side of the frame to create a "V" shape using the MIG welder and welding helmet. The steel is going to form the neck for your trailer and will setup the mounts for the hitch. By making it centered on the bed and welded together, you'll get the most stable load out of your trailer.
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9
Weld the trailer coupler to the pointed end of the frame. This is where the trailer will connect to the tow vehicle.
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10
Route the wire from the trailer coupler at the front of the bed to the taillight wiring on the bed trailer. Wire them into the old harness using the wire cutters, crimpers and butt connectors.
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11
Wire the opposite end of the wiring to the trailer wiring plug. It's best to get the same style and type of plug as the tow vehicle, that way connecting the two together will be easy.
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