I Need to Get This Trailer Done So I Can Get Ready For the Off-Road Wrecker Games

Merlin has to work quick to get this trailer finished so he can get to work on prepping Tow Mater for the Off Road Wrecker Games. This was a big project to take on and it is taking up a ton of room at the shop!
‪@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage‬ ‪@MattsOffRoadRecovery‬ ‪@FabRats‬ ‪@offroadrecoveryteam‬ ‪@trailmater‬
For more information on the Off Road Wrecker Games and to get your tickets visit: www.mattsoffroadadventures.co...

[@benjones3329]

You gotta tow it, nobody has a tow rig like this show it off, you’ve earned it !

[@jeepindave5464]

Yeah it'll look nice on the roll back. Plus he can thrash it harder and not have to walk home lol.

[@davestevens4263]

Ha ha ! I don’t read comments before I open my trap . I’m not the only one who says show it all off .

[@jeffcombs8237]

Got to agree. Cool combo

[@markw.2106]

Absolutely agree, more of your stuff on the road the better!

[@berniegoertz]

Tow it to the Wrecker Games!!!!

[@willyporter7373]

Tow it with that Mini Semi! Show them both off! Best hauler of the bunch.

[@craigstevens7196]

Loved seeing your daughter working with you. Nice family vibe!

[@jameswest9261]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to go play with Merlin. His backyard and shop appears to have all the cool play toys.

[@hobyyoung860]

Are you kidding? You know how bad ass you will be in the mini semi with Towmater on the back. That is cool great work man

[@markpeck5117]

I totally agree....the mini semi would look bad ass towing the wrecker

[@chicnwing4519]

The wrecker would look too cool rolling down the highway on the mini semi

[@halswenson4076]

I think that you should tow the wrecker to Sand Hollow. Don’t take the chance of something breaking down en-route. Besides, that rat rod towing the wrecker will draw a lot of positive attention.

[@alexfrederick9019]

Definitely another vote for the tow, especially considering how often custom vehicles decide to act up. Not to mention just the hazard of people that CANT F'ING DRIVE!!! Better to have a tow rig that can run a block for the wrecker in the worst case scenario.

[@barryoliver]

I have no idea who might win the ORWG but if you show up with a wrecker that you made from scratch on a trailer that you (re)made towed by the mini-semi that you made from scratch, you definitely win the style award...

[@loydachamberlain8257]

Definitely tow it with the mini semi and trailer! Sweet rig!

[@carlmarsteller8649]

I think you should trailer it. Two reasons, 1 great test for the trailer and 2 if something should break you can get her home.

[@archstanton9206]

Tow it. You'll win all the style points as son as you pull in to Sand Hollow. Very nice work, love your style Merlin.

[@petejoy6328]

You got to tow it!! Pulling up in the semi and trailer would be a show stopper for sure! All us old guys in NorCal are rooting for ya!

[@bombero3368]

I would trailer the tow truck to the games. In case something happened, you still have the trailer to bring the tow truck back home. Besides, it will be cool showing up in that rig!

[@dozergarnaat8008]

You gotta haul it with the semi that would be awesome two old school baddies cruising to the wrecker games

[@crbrepairmotorcycles6608]

That's a totally AWESOME setup for truck and trailer!!!🥰 I'd drive to the Olympics and tell everyone it's no trailer queen it shows up to impress 👍

[@stevedahl3689]

This 'Merlin' definitely makes magic! You must tow that bad boy. You have the absolute coolest setup!! They will be soooo jealous when you roll in with this winning rig and tow setup! Siccc-em, Merlin!

[@JoshOfAllThings]

I'd trailer it just in case, plus everyone else will be towing with modern trucks and trailers and you showing up with your mini semi and old trailer will be awesome.

[@wildnature0.0]

You are a nice guy Merlin:), so I suggest put it on a trailer, you have a backup if breaks, you will not expose yourself at noise and cold all those miles.

[@beau0718]

Actually fixing his own projects. You rock Merlin.

[@clivehorridge]

Merlin, you have to tow it, that wrecker riding on the “new” trailer of your old semi will look sweet. What a rig, there’ll be a crowd around it for days. ❤️🇷🇴

[@1ltlbrnc]

If you are thinking about using the mini semi then definitely tow it! You could bring your Jeep too and have a smaller runaround extra wheeling vehicle. Get the most out of the trip!

[@akghound]

100% correct. That would be pretty darn cool.

[@kevinculbertson2071]

If he is going to bring an extra vehicle, it should be the golf cart!

[@bripslag]

Another vote for towing the Jeep and the Wrecker behind he mini semi. 👍

[@moderndimension9632]

Incredible! If it is up and running, without a doubt, tow it with the mini semi. You'll get a win at the wrecker games no matter what happens.

[@richard3141592638]

Tow it, of course, and use that fabulous mini semi and new trailer to tow it. And bring along something else to wow them all, of course. Thanks Merlin - great little video. Can't wait to see you at the Games

[@Popeyes66]

She looks ridiculously beautiful Merlin.

[@RUBP3ZZ]

Trailer it, and make a video of the trip. Would love to see how the whole truck trailer setup works.

[@bobcats905]

From 🇨🇦 I’d say trailer the wrecker, nothing would be nicer to see than this package on the highway. One very sweet unit.

[@pappete9988]

You've definitely got best hauler award. Better let Matt know he needs to get it ready to be presented.

[@williamknight5259]

‘Ain’t nobody’ gonna arrive with the mini-semi trailer blowing coal combo kinda cool. You will win the coolest arrival award right off the bat! Will put you one up, at the start, on every one else arriving with their mundane portages ….. JS 😂

[@jbj27406]

That is one FINE looking rig, and you were right, the wheelbase on that tractor is perfect. The proportion and perspective on that rig is absolutely ART. Well done.

[@joegriffith226]

Straight up gangster build love your vision of the coolest projects on you-tube always looking forward to next idea from this channel keep up the amazing job 🇺🇸👍🏻👍🏻❤

[@dieselwrencher]

I vote tow it because you have built an awesome hauler and no better way to show it off than by using it.

[@nathans3094]

Thats a tough call Merlin, if you drive it you might be the only one that doesn’t show up on a trailer but if you tow it you would definitely have the coolest tow rig.

[@timdunmyer4549]

The rig came out real nice Merlin. So when are you putting some west coast mirrors on the truck and maybe a couple utility/work lights on the back of the cab for backing up or loading at night. I say load the wrecker up on the new rig and travel in style.

[@boblister665]

Coming along nicely Merlin. Those scotch locks would turn your wire to green puss in a month with the salted roads where we live.

[@mclarenscca]

Merlyn, did you order an LED flasher? They work like a champ! You can forgo the resistors. Absolutely tow the wrecker!

[@ernestpaul2484]

This may be a simple observation, but the ease in which you and your cousin Paul can cut an almost perfect circle with a torch or plasma cutter AND doing it freehand is truly awe inspiring. I know it takes a lot of experience, but still, just watching it being done is amazing.

[@tdwz1652]

I'd love to see you show up with the mini semi towing tow mater

[@bigds6692]

Man this is such a cool set up! There is something about building your own hauler vs buying one. Amazing work man!

[@4knanapapa]

When he shows up in that rig with mater on the back he's already won.

[@bigds6692]

@@4knanapapa absolutely! We have seen mater work already and it's a beast! Definitely my favorite out of the bunch. I love Paul's and Matt's rig but Mater is a different animal!

[@keithreilly386]

Hate wiring huge pain in the butt great job

[@RMonkey]

If you can, tow the wrecker with that tow rig. You'll definitely have the coolest set up of anybody. That little semi is awesome, great job creating that beautiful rig.

[@milt6208]

Seeing all those cars in your front yard must make those Havasu snobs happy. Ex-Havasu resident. The only person who needs to be happy is you.

[@leewelbanks6366]

That little rig is great, love the stacks and just the look of truck, a small flattop bunk would be the cherry on top.

[@adamvirtue3841]

That set up is so fricking awesome You should haul the wrecker on it to the games

[@rclip848]

My grandmother told me the secret to life..age and treachery will always triumph over yo👍uth and inexperience Wrecker games is yours Merlin My money is on you best of luck to you all .. Merlin Paul,Ben ,Matt , Rory and Robbie ( and the crew you have 👍)well done guys you have created something special, entertaining and down here in Tasmania we are so so so bitterery envious. No way could we run the amazing machines you build here ….transport… we can only dream Keep it up

[@goptools]

Hi Merlin, since you asked, I would say to trailer the wrecker to the games. It would probably make it there just fine under its own power, but if you break anything at the games, it would be much more convenient to load it back onto the trailer than to have to fix it before you can go home. Thanks for the video!

[@WA7ALUT]

Please tow it ! We want to admire your hard work! 😃 It needs a long haul test that we know it will pass with flying colors 😃

[@markohern5073]

Absolutely beautiful !!!!!! I love it Merlin.

[@rickcooper6817]

Merlin, your work is out of this world! That semi and trailer is some kind of sweet. There is no doubt that the tow truck can make the trip on its own, but you have to haul it on your new rig so you can show it off. Plus, you might need to haul Matt's wrecker back home for him. Thanks Merlin.

[@davidfarmer1666]

That's the sweetest rig on the road. The presentation is truly old school. Everything you work on seems to fly together like magic. You are a top notch mechanic who has more knowledge than all us fools watching you. Thanks for the fine presentation.

[@reelshawnbradly3069]

I am absolutely jealous of that truck! Great job backing on the blind side without mirrors, unless you deleted a bunch of failed attempts... 🙂

[@rogerkett2133]

Your tow rig will steal the show. Good to see dodge gating more love & out on the street.

[@marvincarter870]

Heck yeah Merlin you have to tow it this mini tow truck and trailer are awesome and Paul and Matt will be envious of them! Good job 👍

[@josephbarber1782]

The mini semi and trailer are awesome.

[@boh348]

Trailer looks good. Nice set up. I normally have to put a little grease on the old light rubbers to get the bulbs to slide in. The last dual rear axle I did I put a carrier bearing on the front diff tube and run the two piece shaft to the rear one. We used a small single speed divorced gear to gear transfer case backwards for the divider. Worked pretty good. I ran rotella t6 oil instead of gear oil and it never got hot. It did get hot with 90w in it. Nice set up for sure. I have a nice old IH TR11 on long frame with hyd cylinder still on it if anyone wants to make a tilt bed car hauler. New Mexico. complete truck and complete extra chassis as well. We built a couple gas mileage gang trucks from 36 chevy one with 4bt and the other with npr 4 cyl. both engines IDI. I do not do electronics. 5 speed sticks then a np205 backwards for a huge over drive. They were 1/2 ton trucks on 78 ford f150 frames in a contest to whom could get the 50 mpg goal. The trucks were so light with the 3.50 rear 9 inch they would drive off with the xfercase in low range making it a two to one over drive. Same thing we ran rotella t6 in the trans, xfer case and straight rotella 40 weight in the rear diff. The npr truck got 3 mpg better all the time. The old trucks are way better slicing through the air.

[@DaveMerrill-is4vt]

Definitely bring it on the mini-semi. We all need to see that sweet rig up close and personal.

[@tywheeler6001]

This is the coolest build, definitely need to haul the tow truck, this set up will be a hit and everyone will want to see it.

[@markgordon6971]

Now that's a nice car carrier. You do some really great work.

[@scotttaylor3872]

Tow it for the long haul. Drive it into Sand Hollow. Matt might need a tow back to his shop... The tractor/trailer looks awesome!

[@craighepburn9332]

I love the mini truck that smokes like a big mack. looks grate.

[@timothygeiger8271]

Remember to always do the tug test when hooking up to the trailer. After you hear & feel it latch, do a slight forward pull before releasing brakes, to make sure it latched. I always like to get out and look at the jaws like you did. I think you should tow the tow truck to the wrecker games. Two reasons, in case something breaks & you're not able to do a quick on road repair, you have a way to get it home, & you can haul another vehicle up there with you, so you have a car to drive for the 3 days you're up there.

[@GMauriceGuinouard]

Absolutely tow it! Mini semi is too cool not to, and probably more comfortable on a long drive.

[@JRD77VET]

Tow it show off your beautiful handiwork. The entire rig looks GREAT.

[@chriserickson3885]

Definitely the coolest tow rig I have ever seen. 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@PaulSmith-tf9bn]

I think the dodge is one of the best builds I've ever seen. wish I had that much talent. Can't wait to see the finished product .

[@4knanapapa]

That's impressive, can't find a cummins powered 33 dodge tandem dually, I guess I'll just have to make one, wow.

[@tim1894]

You can. It just takes time and patience. Merlin does amazing work but he had to start somewhere

[@DJMoore-001]

Hell I think it would be awesome to see Towmater on the trailer behind the Mini Semi, But then You would steal the show. I have been waiting for the Mini to come back since I binge watched all your videos. This is going to be awesome.

[@BoshMX]

Tow it! You are the only person with a show quality tow rig

[@dave6501]

Hay Merlin I think you should take the Recker up there on the trailer as you may need extra fuel and a vehicle to drive around. Plus knowing you great collection you'll use another one of your great vehicles to drive the trailer 🙂

[@Bonderoev]

Such a cool rig! You need to figure out some drive for the rearmost axle, so you can put the hammer down and really get truckin'! European regulations would absolutely murder you for those headlights. XD Oh and scotch-locks? For Shame!

[@toddpaul9002]

Fricking awesume merlin , ❤️

[@autotec61]

Love watching what you do you remind me of a great friend and mechanic I learned so much friend growing up wish he was still around today miss him so much

[@jeremydoblinger3609]

One of the slickers build I've seen latley..merlin is a mad man..I love it!

[@wernerswardt7512]

That mini semi looks great. It looks like there is enough space for a sleeper cabin behind the cab😀

[@stevezwemer1262]

Was thinking the same thing

[@user-wv9vy4rw1f]

are you still planning a power divider for the mini semi? I was anxious to see what you came up with. and theres no way you can't tow it if you own that awesome truck and trailer.

[@ronaldgentry9923]

I was wondering about that too. Have seen several mini semi trucks reverse the front output on a 203 Tcase so it had 2 outputs out the back, set it up so Tcase could be divorced from trans. Run one driveshaft back to the Tcase mounted a couple feet ahead of the tandem axles, then run one shaft to each rear axle using a carrier bearing over forward axle to get a shaft to rear axle. It gives you a diff between the axles that you can lock(same as locking power divider in real semi}. also gets you a low range.

[@jimsteen7648]

SWEET and Badass all at the same time! You are having to much fun!

[@mattkrueger4096]

It's like a package deal! You have trailer it in! Your mini semi is awesome!

[@jacobthornock317]

I vote loading the mini semi with your tow mater and the jeep for a run a round rig/backup. I'd ask Matt if you could park in his yard though, the amount of traffic at sand hollow will make it difficult to turn around without sinking into the sand.

[@georgevindo]

But he'll have a tow truck or two around to help him out if he needs it.

[@u.p.tinkering]

You build such awesome stuff Merlin! Love the channel!

[@u.p.tinkering]

Oh, and definitely tow the wrecker with the mini semi and trailer you built for sure!!!

[@bst0125]

By all means, transport "Tow Mater" with another of "Merlin's Mechanical Menagerie". quite a diesel work force! This showcase's Merlin's Mechanical Mastery an Engineering skills! Kudo's to you sir.

[@ricoolivier]

True to his namesake... In a large couldron over and open fire just add some wires, lights, an old truck, an older trailer and poooof! You have yourself an art piece worthy of his name! Fantastic as always!!!

[@timpowell3255]

I would say trailer it along with like your mini pick-up that way you have a extra vehicle to get around in

[@fattynl]

How do I apply to be your 40 year old apprentice? Been a mechanic at Lexus stealerships for 20 years but what you do and what you make seems a whole lot more fulfilling! Thanks for bringing us along on all your amazing projects!

[@adrianneedham2373]

Merlin you are a magician that is one sweet little rig you got to show it off and tow the wrecker

[@Hanlonsgarage]

Tow it! Awesome tow rig to show off to the competition!!

[@pameladunn7346]

we really enjoy your videos ... we share the idea of "he who dies with the most toys wins" definitely load tow matter on the ( mini big rig ) what an impressive piece of machinery - that trailer is still massive 53 ft is insane "looks perfect now"

[@davidhorting1613]

This is my favorite build ever! Hope to see it at the tow truck competition 👏👍. Excellent stuff as always! ❤

[@OzarkTroutBum]

Driving it there gives you bragging rights because no one else will do it except maybe Matt. The visual of arriving in the hauler though would be priceless.

[@seanmarr6029]

I love that truck. Tow the tow, you gotta show the rig off. Stay safe.

[@davidbenji1]

That's SUCH an awesome looking truck! Great job!!

[@4knanapapa]

Just found your channel about a month ago, it's become one of my favorites, as a retired tech i love the projects you do and the mechanics that go into them, keep up the good work.

[@drkrypton4410]

here's some other channels. these guys are all friends and live near each other. robby layton, fabrats, matts off road recovery, chads fab, trail mater.

[@BenDover-vm7ku]

@@drkrypton4410 All my favorites !!!!!

[@4knanapapa]

@@drkrypton4410 yes I watch all of them, like Diesel Creek too, but when it comes to all around knowledge and ability Merlin is exceptional, he does everything himself, unbelievable abilities.

[@KrisD007]

@@BenDover-vm7ku love yer name! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@boony3263]

Tow the Tow truck, always good to have an extra ride when you're gonna abuse the other.

[@trygvehaglund6519]

That truck and trailer are perfect for carrying the tow truck to Sand Hollow! Go for it! Thanks for taking us along.

[@johntimm7265]

You never fail to amaze me Merlin.

[@mattthescrapwhisperer]

That truck & trailer combo turned out sweet! looking forward to the driveline to the rear axle video.

[@xboysfunfab473]

I vote for you hauling the tow truck. I want to check it all out while I'm there. You did an awesome job on this set up. Awesome job Merlin.

[@stephenlewis8143]

As a mechanic: skilled, artful, inventive, flexible, efficient, speedy. Bringing old pieces to life; the extended trailer, cutting and lessening the load; then the work (& skill again) in getting the old wrecker & cab to go & pull the "full" operation. Then that semi joyful attitude along with the dogs on parade (part of the family), quite the event & informative show. Thanks.

[@Markam248]

It looks great. Can’t wait to see it loaded and rolling. I think you should use the mini to pull the wrecker to the event.

[@briannovak1283]

Merlin, tow it to the games. Just in case. You never know when something will break.

[@thomasfletcher760]

Haul it to the wrecker games , make everyone jealous ( gives more room to haul the trophies back , too )

[@brandonrobinson2251]

Regardless of the outcome of the wrecker games Merlin wins best of show hands down. Tow her Merlin and smile big as you pull into the parking lot cause all eyes will be on you

[@Westerntraveler]

Take the new little Semi to haul it would be a good test run. The truck looks absolutely amazing. Love to see how the second axle drives I missed that

[@samwest9444]

That’s awesome! Two questions, are you still planning on making the rear axle drive? And does it have a Jake brake?

[@berniegoertz]

Also wondering about what brakes if any you have on your new trailer. Might be something to consider given the weight of the load you’re going to be carrying.