Needing a trailer for taking my Go-kart to the track, there were many options but most fell short of the mark as to what was required or were not really a practical solution.
That’s when I came across a used Easy trailer (Harbor Freight) folding utility trailer, cheap and still with all the bits attached, it looked to fit the bill perfectly for what was needed. Only issue was there was rust and a lot of it… So started the epic rebuild of this little red folding trailer.
Initially the focus was on simply fixing the rust, however as time went on and the project grew increasingly ambitious, more and more was being done, including redesigns of standard parts and eventually many custom designed and manufactured parts. In the end, close to every single nut and bolt was worked over in one way or another, the sum of which would become the remade trailer.
For this project I tried to be as detailed as possible when describing the works carried out, taking particular time to outline the reasoning behind why certain methods were used and how they were done. Later on in the series I go into the design criteria, considerations and alterations that went along with redesigned and custom made parts. As a result the content is sizeable and so the documented project has been broken up into multiple parts (listed below).
Personally I found the project rewarding as the return on labour invested was high. Not only this but along the way learnt a heap of new techniques for working with different metals, not to mention the process of taking my own designs off the computer screen and applying real world manufacturing practises in order to achieve a final and complete product.
Hopefully you enjoy reading all about it, there is a lot to get through I know, but with any luck you’ll be able to get something worthwhile out of this series as I did.
Part 1: Introduction
An introduction to Project West, how and why it came about, what the aim is for the project and what outcomes are wanting to be achieved.
Part 2: Rust Repair and Painting
Delving deeper into the design, build and existing condition of the Easytrailer/Harbor freight folding trailer. Starting the process of fixing rust and other damage all the while dismantling piece by piece.
Part 3: Replacement Parts
New parts are bought, designed and manufactured to replace all the old and worn out components. With the project in full swing, progress is being made on the rebuild of the Easytrailer/Harbor freight folding trailer.
Part 4: Reassembly
Having finished fixing the problematic rust, painting various components and gathering new parts it was time to it all back together, transforming a pile of parts into an Easytrailer once again.
Part 5: Pimp My Trailer
The final instalment in the series! In this part all the upgraded, custom designed and manufactured parts are covered in depth. Design considerations, challenges and solutions for taking the humdrum Easytrailer (Harbor Freight) folding trailer to the next level!