How to restore an old trailer yourself

[@TexasGTO]

Straight to it. You got a like from me instantly!

[@SouthernGinger]

Haha thanks! Not every video is that way but many are haha

[@SteveCarmichael]

As good as new! The decking made a big difference.

[@SouthernGinger]

+Steve Carmichael yeah it turned out awesome, I have new wheels for it too to put on it

[@davidjones9822]

sweet 4runner man! I love my trail! I also have a trailer I am going to redo just picked it up today hope it looks half as good as yours turned out

[@SouthernGinger]

+David Jones haha thanks man! If you don't make the same mistakes as me I bet it would be 10x better :)

[@MikeKapotsy]

awesome job on the video and trailer restore Zach, nice Retroweld tee while welding!

[@SouthernGinger]

+Mike Kapotsy Thanks buddy!!

[@bkl8804]

Thanks. Good stuff. What was that liguid you put down before drilling the metal?

[@SouthernGinger]

They make threading oil you can use but honestly any kind of oil to keep the heat off the bit is all you really need.

[@bkl8804]

@@SouthernGinger Figured it was for heat. Thanks for the clarification!

[@DaveGatton]

Great job Zach.....on the trailer and the video.

[@SouthernGinger]

+Dave Gatton thank you Dave! I appreciate that!!

[@Shameling]

Great restoration. Love those lights.

[@SouthernGinger]

+Waylight Creations thanks buddy, yeah I love LED so I made sure I got those :) only complaint I have is that they have a hole on both sides. I'm not sure why.. maybe for a pipe? I want to fill it with something, I'm thinking a plastic cap or something.

[@SouthernGinger]

You can get those lights off Amazon! amzn.to/25SbkT8

[@Shameling]

SouthernGinger Cool. I'll bookmark them.

[@donnythedart]

Very nice job Zach!

[@SouthernGinger]

+donny carter thank you sir!

[@remmyboyyy]

Gotta sleek look to it, out with the old in with the new! 10/10 would rate again

[@SouthernGinger]

Thanks Buuuuuuuuuuudy!

[@mikespain8655]

You did a good job. Two things I would have done differently: 1) Paint or stain the boards for long term protection (even though they are pressure treated. 2) Wiring along the angle iron will chafe under the boards as it is placed. 3) Prime the Bare metal before painting it.

[@SouthernGinger]

Thanks Mike and you're totally right, those would have made it an even better trailer! Right now it just chills in the back of my yard collecting leaves lol

[@sdmcustoms]

nice work man ,looks great

[@SouthernGinger]

+sdmcustom woodworking thanks buddy!!

[@Mj-CWO4]

You need protective grommets for wiring where they pass thru wear points

[@SouthernGinger]

Totally agree, thank you!

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

Ended up being a nice little 4x4 trailer.

[@SouthernGinger]

Thank you! Super simple to update too! And of course you can just get some LED lights instead of welding but I wanted some much needed practice

[@xSyberprox]

Thanks for video. By curiosity why not go for plywood rather than planks ?

[@SouthernGinger]

Just a preference and planks allow water to drain as well

[@hole1stdrillpresschannel]

Really nice work! Btw, love the style of the vid!

[@SouthernGinger]

+hole - 1st drill press channel thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@miltonhill5313]

Good job, did you pay attention to the price? If so how much was it?

[@weekendhomeprojects]

Just bought a rusty old tilt trailer and am thinking of doing the same thing. What kind of discs were you using on your grinder? Did it help? Any tips?

[@SouthernGinger]

I'd get some wire wheels and maybe some flap disks for your grinder and just some elbow grease :) I love restoring stuff and this project was very rewarding

[@ROWLESmade]

Turned out great! I have a utility trailer that's in desperate need of rebuilding. The deck is beat and I've had new lights in the garage for a year now, but it keeps getting pushed down the list of to do's. Someday;-)

[@SouthernGinger]

GET OUT THERE AND DO IT!

[@nateanthony313]

Good video! What kind of sanding disc do you use? I tried a flap disc and worked great for about 4 minutes. 😕

[@SouthernGinger]

Yeah that's what I used too, check out klingspor sandpaper

[@zeromystik]

Let me start off by saying, great job with the restore. I watched this video because I want to restore my brother's trailer for his business. But the one thing I noticed that no one else seems to have caught is the way you did your wire ties. You used house style wiring nuts. Those should only be used in home applications. They weren't designed to handle vibrations. In automotive applications you should solder and shrink tube.

[@SouthernGinger]

+zeromystik yup you're totally right! I later went back and fixed that haha. Thank you for catching that :)

[@user-no9qb6lj7c]

I am going to start welding and making trailers also refurbishing but I’m a you g welder (17 years old) any ideas for other builds ?

[@SouthernGinger]

Oh great! There is lots of things you can make for folks. Front shelves for houses, table legs, custom mounts for side by side coolers.. the list is endless. Find something you're passion about and do it! :)

[@Cactusworkshopchannel]

Nice job! it looks very good in black with the wooden flooring or whatever is the name of the bed. maybe wooden bed? :D

[@SouthernGinger]

+Cactus! workshop 2x8's wood decking? Hell if I know lol

[@DummyFace123]

Nice job!

[@SouthernGinger]

+Hokibukisa thank you friend!

[@Retroweld]

Nice job! Go Toyota!!

[@SouthernGinger]

#yota4life ! I love my 4Runner.. :)

[@Retroweld]

Tundra guy here! :)

[@loyang7015]

i wonder how much$$ for materials restoring a trailer that size. reason im asking is that i pick up this beat up 5 x 8 trailers that needs plenty of work done on it. just wondering is it worth putting all the work into it or simply just go buy a new one already intact. trailer i pick up needs new tires, board deck needs replacement, lights n wires need done, spare tire, paint job, and needs ramp for loading atvs.

[@SouthernGinger]

I paid $300 for the trailer and put maybe $200 into it :)

[@loyang7015]

great job restoring yours. i got the trailer for free so im guesting i will be spending 200+ on mine

[@SouthernGinger]

@@loyang7015 yeah I think that's well worth fixing then

[@Fire84569]

What kind of spray paint did you use?

[@SouthernGinger]

The best kind! Rust-Oleum hammer black

[@LivefreeanddiyTv]

Nice, looks great. 🤓 The only suggest I have is to add some gaskets to the metal where you're running wire through, to help prevent the wire shielding from scraping off and causing a short. But it's probably too late and it's probably not going to be a problem anyway!

[@SouthernGinger]

+Live Free and DIY yeah I did round over those edges beforehand tho :)

[@doyola7]

If the wire insulation isn't strong enough to withstand the vibrations then natural selection will do its thing and cut the wire. And that's ok. We can't keep coddling underperforming wire insulation this way. Let the free market do its thing and in a few generations wires will be indestructible! Gaskation is theft!

[@SouthernGinger]

Hehe couple years later now and they still holding strong!

[@BruceAUlrich]

Nice job.

[@SouthernGinger]

+Bruce A. Ulrich thanks Bruce!!

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Very nicely done! I need to do that with my old trailer. Thanks for giving me the motivation. Where did you get those cool lights? That's one of the things I need.

[@SouthernGinger]

Thank you Mark! You can get those kickass lights from Amazon - amzn.to/25SbkT8

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thanks! Gotta order me a set.

[@SouthernGinger]

Please do, you might actually lock in my amazon associated account by using that link lol. I keep "loosing" it after 180 days lol.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

SouthernGinger Will do!

[@royromero8496]

COOL!

[@SouthernGinger]

Thank you 👍

[@davidstill754]

Paint won't stick to bare metal. You need to prime it first. Other than that not bad at all

[@daveyjones662]

What size wood did you use on your trailer

[@SouthernGinger]

That was 5/4 deck boards but you could use 2x8s if you can fit it! They're a little stronger too. Also make sure it's pressure treated wood :)

[@daveyjones662]

@@SouthernGinger thanks for the information

[@SouthernGinger]

@@daveyjones662 you bet!

[@PNWTone]

Good for you man

[@SouthernGinger]

Thanks!

[@ShyRage1]

What kind of paint was that?

[@SouthernGinger]

Should be just Rust-Oleum Hammer tough, I love that stuff!!

[@ShyRage1]

@@SouthernGinger thank you, im going to go get some of that today lol

[@SouthernGinger]

@@ShyRage1 awesome! Good luck!

[@singlepistonproductions3232]

Great job!

[@SouthernGinger]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it!

[@mikeceasar4801]

What's the name of the paint you used?

[@SouthernGinger]

Rust-Oleum hammer tough

[@mikeceasar4801]

Okay thank you

[@DeaconWoodworks]

Did you just pick up that trailer or have you had it? I ask because I'd be interested to know what you paid for a project/restoration trailer versus a new one.

[@SouthernGinger]

+Deacon Woodworks trailer was $300 + $50 lights + $60 for new wheels and tires + $80 for decking and $15 for paint. So right around $500 total.