Advice on Welding HF Trailer Kit

[EmptyNester]

My current "big project" is a hovercraft. One of the things I'll need to use it, is a trailer to transport. I didn't want to buy a trailer large enough as it would cost as much or more than the hovercraft.

So, when I started the project about a year ago, I bought a Harbor Freight trailer kit that bolts together.

I was thinking that it would hold up a little better if I welded the joints in addition to the bolts.

Question 1) Is it worth while to weld the trailer

Question 2) If it is worth while, should I disassemble it to grind the powdercoat off where I can to weld it, or just grind it off while assembled?

At some point before I use it, it will need an extended tongue and a wider platform. I haven't figured out if I should do that in wood, or frame in angle and then use a wood deck.

Any thoughts on that are welcome.

Thanks

[DaveO]

Do you have a model number to post, so we could get a look at the as-built construction on the HF website? For instance, for widening the platform it would help to know if the wheels are completely underneath, or if there are fenders to deal with.

I'm interested to hear what others have to say about the bolt vs. weld part of this thread.

[sportbike]

Check out this thread. All kinds of things that were done to a Harbor Freight trailer.

http://www.links4jeeps.com/forum/index.php?topic=6436.0

John

[Jason]

Ever since I learned what a hover craft was when I was a kid, I wanted one. Post pictures and updates as you build it so we can all see. These should not be too heavy I would imagine. Do you have any target numbers for weight?

[DaveO]

That guy really did a good job documenting his trailer project. His hinge replacements make a lot of sense: beefier and it just intuitively looks like a design improvement over the original. Now I think I'd actually consider getting one of those trailers.

[EmptyNester]

Great info so far.. thanks.

From the Jeep web page it looks like they took it apart before they welded it. So, that probably is the better way to go. (I need to get an inspection on it to get a title and it takes a month or two to process, so I figured I'd get that the paperwork before I welded it.)

I purchased the 1720 lb non-folding trailer (item #94564). It has a 4x8 bed and has an addition 3' for the tongue.

The hovercraft I'm building has an empty weight of 500 lbs. (I think that may actually be a little heavy as I can still lift either end, so I know it isn't 250 lbs.

The size of the craft is 14 ft 6 inches long and 6 ft 9 inches wide. This is a big gap from the 4x8 trailer, but I know some other folks have modified small trailers. Also, I expected to have to build an improved trailer at some point, but needed something quicker just to be able to move the thing from my garage to a storage place for the winter (once construction is done).

The hovercraft sits on 4 "landing skids", which are 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 6". The rear skids are 4 ft 8 inches apart and 20 inches from the back. The front skids are about 40 inches apart and about 65" from the back.

The cushion that the hovercraft rides on is outside the landing skids. I've seen that other people build deck around the wheel wells and the fenders just stick up.

I've seen some folks who build a simple frame with trailer tongue wheels on each corner. They fly onto that, crank it up, roll it over the trailer and then drop it on the trailer.

I've also seen folks who build ramps and fly directly on and off.

One thought I had was to build a wood platform that I fly on, secure the craft to the platform, then use an electric winch to pull the platform onto the trailer. (Thinking that I could weld guides onto the trailer frame for the wood frame, then secure it with hitch pins.)


I'll post pictures of the project on the "Personal Projects" page.

[redbeard]

One thought I had was to build a wood platform that I fly on, secure the craft to the platform, then use an electric winch to pull the platform onto the trailer. (Thinking that I could weld guides onto the trailer frame for the wood frame, then secure it with hitch pins.)

Might not be the simplest way to build it, but definitely the coolest. The only downside might be the angles involved flying on and pulling it up. Maybe you could look at a tilt bed tow truck for some inspiration.

[SeanMurphy265]

I used the bolt together kit (non folding) for a smoker build. I bolted it together and then went back and welded it together. I also boxed in the frame, axle, and reinforced the tongue. I think they are fine for hauling light weight stuff, or if you have a small car and need a way to haul stuff.

[Jason]

Might not be the simplest way to build it, but definitely the coolest. The only downside might be the angles involved flying on and pulling it up. Maybe you could look at a tilt bed tow truck for some inspiration.

I was thinking a multi-piece platform that can fold out but you may have a good idea with a tilt bed that can slide out to keep a low angle. Maybe it could hover all the way on then.

[EmptyNester]

Sean - So, I assume you just grinded off the finish while it was assembled rather than disassembling it? Were you happy with how that worked?

Jason - Can you explain what you were thinking a little more?

Thanks