Car Trailer Modification

For years it seemed often we would wind up relying on a good friend and a two wheel dolly to go rescue that current 'Gotta Have'. All the good stuff is always at least a hundred miles away. leading to a white knuckle drive back, 50% duty cycle in the rear view mirror. Just waiting for something to happen, cos you knew it likely would.

 

The two wheel dolly is a nimble beast and of great value. They can be tucked away like an engine lift. However loading them can be an absolute nightmare and they still place a heavy reliance on that old rear end, rotted tires, etc.
Anyway, an upgrade was certainly in order. i went out and got one of these, a 16' dovetail, wood floor, basic car hauling trailer, 7500 lb capacity, single axle brake.

 

The basic trailer, while certainly a big step in the right direction, has a few limitations. Loading it could still be a bear and once you had the car up there it was difficult to exit the vehicle due to the trailer fenders blocking the car doors from opening.
Obviously this wasnt a problem with larger vehicles like my F100. The tongue mounted winch solved the loading issue. But more often we are hauling lowered sports cars...

...Mostly Honda Preludes.

 

Getting them up there wasnt so bad but opening the door led to door chips from trying to squeeze through or footprints on the seats from climbing out the sunroof.
No escape on the passenger side either, not that there would be. Just wanted to make sure...
Yeah, gonna hafta do sumpin bout this first thing.

 

The plan was pretty simple really, make the fender removable but securely reattachable.

Marked and taped a straight line around the three sides of the fender.
Using an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel i severed the fenders top third.
The hardcore would just go with this, or maybe remove the fender altogether. However the sound of four open wheels spraying the side of my vehicles didnt sound so good. I like the fenders, just want a vehicle exit strategy.
Outer floor planks were removed for clearance, fender top seperated from base of trailer
Plenty of clearance for all but the lowest, frame dragging load. And if that happens the doors will just hit the softer trailer tires, good deal!
With fender top removed i welded in a section of small angle iron around the three sided perimeter, top and bottom.

 

The end pieces were left to follow the contour of the fender to make a little 'lock', keeping it centered.
A ten inch segment of 1 1/2" angle iron was slid into the triangle pocket, welded secure. Making a rigid lock for travel. Outer latches secure the ends and eliminate vibration.
Hole drilled in added angle iron mates with welded on nut for easy removal and tightening of locking bolt.
Top and bottom mated back together, cleaned up and primed. Applied self adhesive all weather seal along top seam.
Latches added, front and back. Painted up good enuf, it is a utility trailer after all. Just want to limit the rust cos it prolly wont get washed much and its gonna get nasty...
...Hauling stuff like this, from some of the places they're stuck in. Trailers really live to be abused it seems, poor trailers. Oh well, saddle up!
Problem solved! Easy removal of fender, door opens completely allowing free access to set parking brake and steer winched up vehicles.
Easier for vehicles that actually run, even if just for a minute.
Simply remove the trailer fender, set in truck bed. Drive the car on the trailer, set parking brake, open door as normal then carefully exit the vehicle.
Grab trailer fender from truck bed, slide it down on the center post of angle iron. Latch the clamps, tighten locking bolt, strap down vehicle securely and drive away. Easy peasy! Love it when a plan comes together!

 

Build notes:

 

  At first I just cut the drivers side fender, being lazy i guess. I paid for this lazyness one time when having to load up a prelude backwards that was parked head first in the woods. I knew better, always do so that weekend, after reloading the car correctly, modified the paggenger side as well. think i still need to put that rubber seal around the passenger fender tho, might get to that one day  
 

 

 

  
     
     
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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