Show us your trailer

[dagr8tim]

Let's see what you lug behind your Jeep. I'll start this show:

I just picked this up last spring and have used it more than I ever thought I would use a trailer. It's a 1950's Converto Utility Trailer (4x6). During WWII, Converto made airborne trailers for the US Army. As Bantam did after the war, they started making civilian trailers. This basic design was used by atleast 10 different companies in the 1950's. Converto is still in business, but lost all of their records in a fire in the 1970's. I'm not totally sure what year the trailer is. It's somewhere between a 1946 & 1960's. It's registered as a 1953. I'm told the oddball trailers are worth more than an actual Bantam trailer.

Most likely I'm going to build it as a quasi military offroad trailer. I brought the trailer home today and here's some pics.

http://buckeyejeeps.com/albums/utiltrailer/2011_02_19_12_46_46_630_800x451.jpg
http://buckeyejeeps.com/albums/utiltrailer/2011_02_19_12_46_59_723_800x451.jpg
http://buckeyejeeps.com/albums/utiltrailer/2011_02_19_12_48_18_363_800x451.jpg

I got the "original" rims for the trailer. Don't know anything about them beyond that they are a 16x6. No clue as to the bolt pattern.
http://buckeyejeeps.com/albums/utiltrailer/2011_02_19_12_47_20_184_800x451.jpg
http://buckeyejeeps.com/albums/utiltrailer/2011_02_19_12_47_32_21_800x451.jpg

I'm considering a freshening up and making it have more of an old military trailer look. I don't know much about it. It was made by a company in Eastern In that's still in business. They had a fire in the 60's and lost all records, so there's no hope of really finding out much more. Based on my research thus far, this nearly exact trailer design was produced by atleast half a dozen companies from the late 40's to the 60's.

Here's my whole gallery of pics of the trailer.
http://buckeyejeeps.com/gallery/utiltrailer

So far the only thing I've done is add a set of used 31" BFG's. I think it really changes the stance of the trailer.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ckigukDQhqI/Tioi0fIppiI/AAAAAAAAAOk/4K1jIa7bwz0/s912/2011-07-22_21-04-14_7.jpg

Future plans in addition to doing a military look is to convert the axle's to a Jeep lug pattern, and put angled fenders on it.

[XJMJeep]

My 1st trailer build. Made from a late 60's early 70's Apache popup.

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/IMGP0677.jpg

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/IMGP0676.jpg

[XJMJeep]

My current trailer project, still so much I want to do!

Before
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/m416-2.jpg

After
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/100_0633.jpg

[dagr8tim]

My current trailer project, still so much I want to do!

Before
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/m416-2.jpg

Soooo Jealous. That's what I wanted before I found mine.

[bluedragon436]

Tim that trailer you have will be a nice build once you put some TLC into it.. Can't say I wouldn't mind finding myself a trailer like that one Mike has too.. Folks want way too much money for stuff like that up this way...

[Firemanray]

After
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/100_0633.jpg

Cool trailer, reminded me my B-I-L has one of those sitting around his place. I may have to talk him out of it. Only problem is I already have 7 trailers. (another fact this thread brought to light).

[XJMJeep]

Cool trailer, reminded me my B-I-L has one of those sitting around his place. I may have to talk him out of it. Only problem is I already have 7 trailers. (another fact this thread brought to light).

I'm up to 4 trailers & I'm trying to talk myself out of buying an M101A1 :D

[rugidone]

Heres my home away from home :D

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01213.jpg

[dagr8tim]

Tim that trailer you have will be a nice build once you put some TLC into it.. Can't say I wouldn't mind finding myself a trailer like that one Mike has too.. Folks want way too much money for stuff like that up this way...

I've got alot of plans. First is to get the lug pattern to a Jeep pattern so I can use one spare. Then I plan on sandblasting it, painting it, new fenders, and a canvas tarp.

This is the look I'm going for.
http://www.weaponsofwwii.com/forumfiles/Tanks/PMVR/Private/P7120018.JPG

[Mudderoy]

Heres my home away from home :D

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j36/rugidone/DSC01213.jpg

I wish I had a place to keep one of those. I've wanted one for years. Would be perfect to tow behind the XJ.

[rugidone]

Ya, they tow nice and easy depending on the size, my buddy has a 12footer loaded and you can definitely tell its back there with the 350 in his 1/2ton.

Its old, but it can follow me off the beaten path.

[greeno]

My current camper trailer project, still so much to do

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/greenojeep/whiteheap001-3.jpg

[XJMJeep]

I've got alot of plans. First is to get the lug pattern to a Jeep pattern so I can use one spare. Then I plan on sandblasting it, painting it, new fenders, and a canvas tarp.

Tim,
I wanted to change my lug pattern too and the cheapest, easiest route I have found is to change axles. I found a very good price on a 3500lb axle they will custom build to the specs you need for under $200. If your interested I can give you the info as I don't want to just post links without asking.
I love the look of your trailer and the tailgate just makes it all better!

[XJMJeep]

My current camper trailer project, still so much to do

http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr164/greenojeep/whiteheap001-3.jpg

I'm looking forward to seeing this build too!
I love off road trailers! :drool:

[jccatt]

Keeping it green. This is the second floor. I got the trailer for $50 about 7 years ago. :love0007:

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd364/briscatt/Mods/IMAG0228.jpg

[dagr8tim]

Keeping it green. This is the second floor. I got the trailer for $50 about 7 years ago. :love0007:

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd364/briscatt/Mods/IMAG0228.jpg

Any history on the trailer? Feels shockingly similar to my trailer.


Tim,
I wanted to change my lug pattern too and the cheapest, easiest route I have found is to change axles. I found a very good price on a 3500lb axle they will custom build to the specs you need for under $200. If your interested I can give you the info as I don't want to just post links without asking.
I love the look of your trailer and the tailgate just makes it all better!

There's a mom & pop trailer sales and repair place down the road from me. I stopped in one day and the guy said $30 bub assemblies with bearings and all.

I've seen 3,500 lbs axles on amazon for $100, but don't know if shipping would kill me. If I go that route, I'll probably replace the leaf springs at the same time.

My problem is that I would then want to use the spare parts to build a lighter duty trailer, then probably have to find a new place to live.

[XJMJeep]

There's a mom & pop trailer sales and repair place down the road from me. I stopped in one day and the guy said $30 bub assemblies with bearings and all.

I've seen 3,500 lbs axles on amazon for $100, but don't know if shipping would kill me. If I go that route, I'll probably replace the leaf springs at the same time.

My problem is that I would then want to use the spare parts to build a lighter duty trailer, then probably have to find a new place to live.

$30 for replacement hubs?? Now I'm jealous!!

Trailers are addictive and I don't know why! Start with one and out of no where there are 3 more, or as Firemanray said 7!

[jccatt]

Supercheap have new hubs, including bearings for $49. I had a jammed bearing race on one side so I just biffed it.

[XJMJeep]

Another one followed me home! :crazy:

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/Trailers/20130714_1731321_zps07d919fe.jpg (http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/XJMJeep/media/Trailers/20130714_1731321_zps07d919fe.jpg.html)

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/Trailers/20130714_1731441_zpsb381eb80.jpg (http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/XJMJeep/media/Trailers/20130714_1731441_zpsb381eb80.jpg.html)

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/XJMJeep/Trailers/20130714_1731571_zps7f333032.jpg (http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/XJMJeep/media/Trailers/20130714_1731571_zps7f333032.jpg.html)

[4.3LXJ]

Now the GI trailer won't be lonely. It has a friend

[nickyg]

Opps wrong kinda trailer