[Goldfinger]

I'm busy rebuilding a trailer that was given to me, but all the timber was rotten (hence given).

The steel frame's sound, so I used an angle grinder with an 'aggressive' cup-type wire brush on it and got all the rust off and a lick of metal paint on.

Up to now, I've got the floor in...





It's Greenheart  in planks, inch thick and rebated so there's no gaps.

Now, what do you think will work best for the sides?

More planks rebated, or could I use sheets of 'marine' ply, but capped to stop any water getting in from the top.

[arugula]

Great job! Either, the marine ply may be slightly lighter in weight than inch thick planks. We have an old wooden trailer which used to have planked sides and now has ply sides.

[Goldfinger]

Not got enough greenheart left for the sides, doesn't matter really  I only used it in the floor for strength, I was thinking of normal soft wood planks in the sides if I did use planks..

[Trillium]

You'd need to decide what you'd most use it for - small things like stone, soil, compost, or hauling larger items like firewood, skids, decorative stone, etc. to decide what sort of sides you'd need.

I have marine ply on mine, but even that won't last forever. Water still accumulates and works through. Though I suppose wood over 25 years old might need replacing   

I did see an idea where a fellow did solid sides and then built add on sides of panels that just slipped onto the sides. That way he could haul bulky items like branches and bags of leaves.

[Goldfinger]

You'd need to decide what you'd most use it for - small things like stone, soil, compost, or hauling larger items like firewood, skids, decorative stone, etc. to decide what sort of sides you'd need.

Exactly why I'm undecided on what to use for the sides. 

We already have one trailer, we use that for when we go camping, but currently it gets used to haul everthing. So getting this second one will be handy for doing the 'dirty work'.


Or vis versa, depending how good it comes up.... 

[Gwiz]

When I did a similar job to you a few years back, I used floor boards for the sides, suitably treated, of course. They are all going strong still, but I do have a proper fitted cover over the top to keep out the rain when it's not used.

[Trillium]

Ahh, covers. Now you're talking luxury items, Gwiz   

[smud6ie]

I converted an old stock trailer to move ride on tractors etc and used 6" x 1" gravel boards for deck and sides but left slight gap between for swelling when timber gets wet.
smud6ie

[Gwiz]

Ahh, covers. Now you're talking luxury items, Gwiz   

Mr luxuriant, me.

[Goldfinger]

Covers? That would have been my next question. 

I was thinking of making a canvass cover. Can you still get the Proper heavy stuff these days?

And is it hard to cut and stitch?

[Trillium]

If you're talking the heavy duty canvas stuff, you can cut it but stitching can be hard if you haven't got a heavy duty sewing machine. Depending on fabric thickness, a regular sewing machine might handle thinner stuff if you use a heavy duty needle and threads for it. Hand sewing is very tedious and not always strong enough.

[smud6ie]

When I needed a new top for a folding caravan I got one made by a local cavas company and often have off cuts,are any of these nearby?
smud6ie

Link here.

http://www.tomhughestarpaulins.co.uk/2.html

[Goldfinger]

Thanks smud6ie for that link!     

Never thought of looking for someone who does covers to size... 

[smud6ie]

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smud6ie