Hudson Trailer rebuild

upnover

upnover

Grumpy, decrepit Old Man
Moderator
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Morganton NC
Since I went to an RV to haul to my Jeep to go wheeling, I had to find another trailer. I mainly needed one that could haul the weight, but wasn't super heavy.
I posted up here and a good friend wrote to tell me he had one, that he wasn't using. He hadn't used it in a long time. From the looks of it, in a VERY long time.
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The trailer came with a storage box full of goodies, four so so tires, and a nice rotting floor.
I have used it several times. Since my Jeep mostly rides on the railing, I wasn't worried about falling through.
Phase one, replace the flooring
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My son helped me take off all the old flooring. Wasn't as roted as I thought, but not the greatest. I will be recycling the old flooring as some shelving in a storage building.
The old flooring was attached with a torx bolt that was flush mount. No way I was even going to attempt to take these thing out. My plan was to cut them off with the grinder, but my son found that about to whacks with a hammer, and they broke off. So, that's what we did, then I took the grinder and smooth them all off so the new boards would lay flat.. I wire brushed all of the inside, and laid down two coats of paint.
Putting the boards down it more time consuming than I thought. Using Prime treated lumber from s'Lowes Hardware, I had to do some clamping, ratchet straps to pull the bows out.
Add to that, having to dodge the old bolts, it takes a while. Four boards, with a lot of breaks due to heat and knee, this is all I got accomplished.

After this is completed, I will begin the outside of the trailer. I did find on Hudson's site that I can make it all original stickers.
Not sure if this is what I am going to do, or if I will do it with a little personal touch.
 
Hudson is right down the road from me. You can buy everything you need from them. Even those old tires with rims are cheaper than buying tires and having them mounted.
 
Also looking for suggestions on what to treat the deck with. I have a few ideas, but willing to entertain others.
I don't want slick!
 
I use deck sealer. Doesn't make the floors slick at all. If you are using treated lumber wait till next summer before treating.
 
I have a bunch of cabbet that i got on a deal. Of u r in the area any time soon I have 2 unopened gallons left. $20 ea, cost $40 at lowes.
 
you can also use an oil based stain on it. again, wait until its dry. the oil will keep the water from penetrating. Ive even heard of ppl using used motor oil to seal them cheap.
 
Great trailers (mines exactly like that, except for upgraded axles and "landscaping")... very stout! So, you used a wire brush/by hand or wire cup/grinder? The results look great! Mines in dire need of rehab :(
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
you can also use an oil based stain on it. again, wait until its dry. the oil will keep the water from penetrating. Ive even heard of ppl using used motor oil to seal them cheap.
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I did used motor oil a couple years ago on one of my trailers, and have since done it on two more. It works very well, and after a couple weeks in the weather is not slick at all.
 
Dave I used a twisted wire cup brush on a grinder, For the rest of the trailer, it will require some hand brushing too.

I had thought of using the burnt motor oil, thinned with some kerosene, when it's good and dry and on a good hot day. I have seen it done before myself. It will eventually have some leaking petro on it anyway.
 
If you want it to last a long time, motor oil would be your best bet. It's going to happen eventually anyway.

Etrailer is the cheapest place to buy the bearings and brake parts for it, the guys at hudson are really helpful with part numbers too. Looks like they are probably dexter ez lube axles which are great axles/spindles and super easy to work on. Good purchase.

Has the wiring been all hacked up?
 
Looks brand new!!
 
How much $$ in the new deck? Looks great. Y not paint a custom upnover logo on the deck and have it sealed, b some awsome bling!
 
GotWood said:
How much $$ in the new deck? Looks great. Y not paint a custom upnover logo on the deck and have it sealed, b some awsome bling!
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I have also seen someone burn/engrave a logo into the deck. looked pretty good. might make it harder to sell.
 
Less then $300.00, including lumber, bolts, nylock nuts, and drill bits
I am using rustoleum gloss black rattle can Dave.

Gonna use The motor oil for treating, no logo
On the side where it says Hudson trailer, it's gonna say UPNOVER
 
Looks good Chip

The thing about a Hudson trailer if it says it's a 5 ton your payload is 5 ton. Not 5 ton minus the trailer weight. Never have understood this about these trailers.
 
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