This trailer was abused by a construction company for years, and then abandoned in poor condition. I used it to haul away a junk vehicle when the company went out of business, and abandoned it in the woods for a few years, with a 4-post lift that was also going to scrap.

After I bought some property, I loaded the lift onto the trailer & hauled them away.

It sat in the woods on my property for several years, with the lift on it, until I got my workshop ready for the lift.

Then I dragged them out and started cleaning up the lift.

I removed the lift from the trailer in pieces, as I cleaned the pieces.

It got used once more before I started fixing it...

Eventually, the trailer was empty, and I started cleaning it up. I had to grind away several welds that had been cut off, and I removed the damaged racks for the missing ramps.

The trailer itself had been used for towing or pulling other things, so its rear beam was bent back. Most of the others were bent down.

To straighten them, I used a 2-post lift arm, a heavy commercial ratchet strap, and a bottle jack.

To straighten them, I used a 2-post lift arm, a heavy commercial ratchet strap, and a bottle jack.

I gave most of the cross beams a slight arch.

I gave most of the cross beams a slight arch.

Then I doubled the cross beams by welding in identical 2x3x1/4" angle iron. In the process, I also drilled a hole through each one's Left end (and a few other places along the side rails) for wiring. I also replaced the missing RHR wheel cover, and added a central tongue jack. But I haven't removed the old side-mounted jack yet, or repaired the tongue latch. I installed a prewired 7-blade connector with a box of binding posts to connect the trailer wiring, and welded on a few ground studs. I also caged the taillights.

After pressure-washing it all a few times, I rolled on the same Rustoleum Sail Blue (7724502) that I used on the welding cart & the 4-post lift.

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The new tongue jack was ~$70 at TSC, and seems to be very functional.

After pressure-washing it all a few times, I rolled on the same Rustoleum Sail Blue (7724502) that I used on the welding cart & the 4-post lift.

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After pressure-washing it all a few times, I rolled on the same Rustoleum Sail Blue (7724502) that I used on the welding cart & the 4-post lift.

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These LED taillights & marker lights should last - especially with the cages around them. I also put 4 new trailer tires (ST235/75R15 2830#each@80psi) onto the old rims, which have been straightened & painted white.

It took 10 2x10x16s (and a 2x10x10) to deck it. I'm staggering the cuts, and ripping one of the center boards that I expect to last longer and not need replacement. The outer 2 boards are bar-clamped & sledge-hammered under the lips of the side rails.

It took 10 2x10x16s (and a 2x10x10 to fill those last 2 holes) to deck it. I'm staggering the cuts, and ripping one of the center boards that I expect to last longer and not need replacement. The galvanized self-drilling countersunk screws cost ~$30 for 100, but I only needed ~60.
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.

The new tongue jack was ~$70 at TSC, and seems to be very functional.

The LED markers on the front corners & fenders should keep people from hitting it.

I was able to straighten the mangled coupler latch, and replace the missing bail. So I painted it, rather than cut off the whole coupler & replace it.

Turns out there's a kit for that:
Bulldog 024200



The new tongue jack was ~$70 at TSC, and seems to be very functional. It's a big improvement over the side-pivoting one.

It has come a long way, but it's ready to use again.

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I still plan to do something with the chain, and I'll probably cut off the side jack eventually. It could also do with a storage box in front. I haven't decided if I'll build removable ramps or a hinged gate/ramp...

The new tongue jack was ~$70 at TSC, and seems to be very functional.

It has 4 new ST225/75R15 Transporter 10-ply tires. ~$350 in Aug.2019