Akita rescue trailer

[Whiskerfish]

So last summer I picked up a very used 5 x 10 enclosed trailer for the rescue I work with. It was in very bad shape but the price made it a bargain. I worked on it for about a month last year with limited funds and made it operational. We used it for a couple of local events and than the Lady that runs the rescue took it to the National show in Ohio and back in October. When she got back a piece of strapping was hanging off the bottom of the frame. So now that things have quieted down a bit I have it back in the shop.

This is what I started with

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The duct tape covered where the aluminum sides were ripped apart. The back door was so bad I striped it down to the bare frame resquared it, welded in some reinforcements and started over. Took 3 days just to get all that lettering off.

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The trailer was only like 6 years old but apparently due to the pressure washing equipment had basically been soaking wet that entire time.

So now it is time to take a serious look at the frame. The plan for this week is to remove the racks and stuff I built last year (the pic below) then rip out the floor and assess the frame from inside. Grind it all down with a wire wheel treat with OSPHO rust converter and weld in reinforcements where needed. Then build a new floor and replace all the stuff i am tasking out.

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[ericheath]

Trailer rescue, you lucky dog. Leave room for a Goldwing?

[Whiskerfish]

Nope. It generally stays pretty full of the stuff we use for adoption events. Tables and tents and dog crates and merchandise we hock plus our banners and such.
From one of our events last year

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So today was a pretty good day. Dirty and nasty but got a lot done. I took out all the stuff I had built in last year then ripped out the floor. Of course all the screw heads were rotted beyond use. Had to chisel/ grind every one then pry the floor panels up over the remaining studs. My Back is gonna talk tonight.

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The frame was nasty

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A few hours of work with a high speed wire wheel on the side grinder and now I can see what I have to work with

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[robin1731]

A lot of guys use Rhino liner on the floor and up a foot or so on the walls. Keeps the floor in good shape even if things get real wet. Good traction and cleans up nice too.

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[Whiskerfish]

Excellent idea but hopefully this will never be wet on the inside again. Might do the bottom though.

[brianinpa]

I would say you went a few years beyond the service life of that floor!

[robin1731]

Excellent idea but hopefully this will never be wet on the inside again. Might do the bottom though.

I just use regular undercoating on the outside. With any bed liner you would have to watch out for the wiring. And rubber under coating you can do at home with spray bombs. It will take a number of cans but it is at least DIY.

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[77Gowing]

I would say you went a few years beyond the service life of that floor!

and a few years beyond the service life of MY back and possibly yours. If we ever meet rest assured I'll never back sas ya!
Very industrious indeed. I am envious of your skills and those of many of this forum. I would like to think I have a good mind, but as for a body...I am clearly wanting, like all the pretty girls say.

[Whiskerfish]

Should get the OSPHO today and get that on the metal. Only place I know that carries it is a paint store downtown

Then tomorrow I can start fitting the steel. At least get it laid out. The angle cross rails are only 1/8th inch thick. I scavenged a couple of Bed frames from along side the road and cut off all the brackets yesterday so that will do for most of the reinforcements. The center strip will be flat stock I have left over from some other projects.

I think I can cut the ply to the dimensions then roll out a coating on the underside before I install it. Hopefully I can find some dry ply. Seems like that is always an issue when getting the PT stuff.

So far it looks like the biggest expense will be the plywood. 39 a sheet for PT 3/4 inch, and will need 2. The OSPHO I think is around 40 for a quart then whatever I come up with for a topcoat. Have to scrounge around in the shop and maybe find something there. Trying desperately to keep the cost down and hoping to be able to finish this for under 150.

[raiddrten]

This stuff simply works. I know I have posted it before, but for serious rust--the kind that chips off with a hammer, there is nothing like it. i bought mine at Rural King. It dries to an almost glass like hardness. One day of drying time, and a wire wheel will barely dull the shine. Just get the rust down to hard rust and the stuff will really adhere well. i use it in battery boxes and the underside of mower decks

If you use it on an area of the trailer that will see sunlight, the black color will need a topcoat that needs to be applied the same day. The aluminum color is UV stable, but costs more. Even battery acid just sits on the stuff with no damage

[raiddrten]

Sorry---forgot to post the link
http://www.agriguardcoatings.com/

[Whiskerfish]

Looks interesting but unfortunately no sources close enough. Benjamin Moore no longer carries OSPHO I have been buying it there for 20 + years, it upsetted me and I told the lady so!!

Got some environmentally friendly "Stuff". I will try it but do not have high expectations.

[Whiskerfish]

So the newer rust converter seemed to work OK. Due to the cold and high humidity I gave it 2 days to dry but it looked pretty good so i went ahead with a topcoat. Just happen to have a quart of rustoleum on the shelf that was not destined for anything so the frame is brown now.

I put it on pretty thick and it is about 45 in the shop so I am not sure but hopefully tomorrow I can start cutting and welding up the reinforcements.

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[Oldewing]

Nice work Steve

[Whiskerfish]

Another full day and another day closer to done. All the new angle is fitted welded and painted. If my back holds up tomorrow I hope to pickup the plywood for the new floor. Need to get this thing done and out of my shop!!

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