2005 PJ Trailers 20' Gooseneck Lo-Pro Equipment Hauler Revamp

[Brucker]

My trusty old trailer hasn't been so trustworthy lately. Besides the original decking failing apart, the fenders are both smashed, the paint is scratched and faded, and worst of all, some of the lights aren't functional and the wiring as of late has been giving us some issues. None of this comes as a surprise as we maintain the bearings, jack, and tires religiously, but honestly haven't done much to it otherwise since we acquired it back in 2010. And everything we did was immediately after purchasing it. Things like adding an aluminum tool box to the top of the neck, adding mounts for stabilizing corner jacks, and reinforcing the receiver mount at the front of the trailer so my receiver mounted winch could safely pull from it. But everything is is pretty much original, even the decking. With the items needing attention adding up, it is time to take it out of service for a couple weeks and give it a good make over.

Here is the trailer in question:







The fenders:







The front receiver hitch with winch mounted in it and the aluminum toolbox:



The stabilizing corner jack mounts:





The the old decking not holding up too well anymore...









Plans include all new wiring, led lights, new wood and metal decking, new fenders, a couple new D rings welded in place, and everything will get a fresh coat of paint and safety stickers.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Prepping to steal fender ideas...

Mark

 

[Brucker]

I have a client that is a major lumber distributor for local lumber yards and places like Home Depot and Lowes. Just so happens that they offered me the employee discount on some very nice #1 KDAT (kiln dried after pressure treatment) 2x6 and 2x8 twenty footers. How could a guy say no to over 50% off retail??? So I went and picked them up earlier this week. I will be using this lumber plus some sticks of metal tubing to create the new deck floor. I haul some heavier equipment that I would like to ride on metal that won't have the flex the wood can when point loaded.



Then I raided the storage connex and pulled out a couple rolls of new trailer wiring, a new breakaway box, and a water resistant junction box:











Also stole some of the new LED lights I have been hoarding:



Not sure which back up lights I will add, but it's down to these 2. Honestly will probably end up using the round as space is limited on the back end of the trailer. And it never had back up lights to begin with, so just any reverse light will be a HUGE improvement:







Also robbed a set of cube lights that I am thinking of adding to the top of the neck to add spot lighting to either side and the deck when needed.



And then I took a couple weld on D rings off the shelf so I can add a couple more tie down points.



Stopped at the local hardware store and picked up paint and the other necessary items to spray:



Along with new hardware for the decking. Decided to use good old carriage bolts instead of trying to mount from the bottom and risk boards loosening up over time, or the wood to metal self tappers that always break upon removal.



And also some new reflective safety tape:



Then I was going back and forth about building or buying fenders. I could use a set of drive over fenders, but ultimately I should really just purchase a deck over for the wider equipment. So I decided against that and was going to build a removable stock-ish set. But then during some late night online shopping, I found a set of new fenders for a price I couldn't pass up. So looks like I will be making some removable fenders out of these new beautifully rolled shells.

 

[Brucker]

Prepping to steal fender ideas...

Mark

Sorry, not going with the drive over fender route. Plan currently is to just build some removable fenders.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Sorry, not going with the drive over fender route. Plan currently is to just build some removable fenders.

That's actually what I need to do with mine. My aluminium ones are torn up.

Mark

 

[Brucker]

Removed the original decking by cutting it apart as the majority of the wood to metal self tapers snapped apart as soon as any force was used.




Anyone want some rotten wood?

 

[brettf]

Thanks for sharing! Good motivation for me. Look great!

 

[Brucker]

Removed the remaining hardware that was rusted into place. An angle grinder with a cut off disc made quick work of them from both sides. No sense in leaving anything that could cut me later on. Then smoothed out the tops of the C channel with a flap disc to remove the rust. Was amazed how well the frame has held up after 21 years.

Looking at the hardware that was left:






Cleaned up:





And with the decking removed, I can finally look everything over. There are some things to repair, but overall, I am pretty happy with how well it's held up over the last 21 years.

There is a strap that ties the ramp holders together that is broken and needs welded up:



The back end of the frame is tearing apart on both sides:





And now I know why the wiring had been giving me issues. Besides the snap locks and the wire nuts, I found another junction box I didn't know existed. Thank goodness I am starting from scratch on the wiring....







Going to clean up the entire frame, not down to bare metal, but get any loose rust off and at least scuff up all of the shiny powder coating. Then I can hit the spots that need it with Eastwood's rust encapsulater spray and then a good primer over everything