I just purchased an old fashoned 14x8 camper trailer, not a pop up but enclosed three sleeper. Anyway, what I would like to do is extend the tounge about 4 feet and put a wire steel mesh platform in front of the trailer to haul a quad, sort of a "poor mans" toy hauler.

Does anyone have any advice on the best way to go about doing this? Its a small single axle trailer, I don't think the extra weight of the quad/tounge would necessitate a trailer brake.

I was thinking of just having a 4.5 foot steel frame welded to the frame/tounge thats already there then have a new trailer tounge put on the front of the steel frame. What does anyone think? I can post a picture of the trailer later.

My goal is to be able to have the option of hauling two atv's, one in the back of my Ram and the other on the trailer. I got this idea from those new pop up campers that come with a mesh platform in the front of them for the same purpose.

 

I don't see why it wouldn't work just fine. I would suggest that you stay with the same size channel as the tongue frame, but move up to the next thickness (guage) of channel wall. I think I would also weld in a Tee in the frame rails at the front of the camper itself, and extend the new rail into that so the original meeting point for the hitch doesn't become the pivot point of stress due to the new length and the weight of the 4 wheeler.

Pull the wheel hubs and clean them up, and repack the bearings with new grease and replace the old seals and you're good to go

 

I would pay attention to the extra tongue weight. And make sure the trailer lighting wires are properly lengthened.

Good luck.

 

Great advice. The tires definately need replacing, I was very nervous towing it 65 miles home with no spare. Tail/brake lights dont' work, he gave me an extra set so I'll have to replace them. It's actually been pretty well taken care of considering it's age (I'm guessing 70's) needs new curtains and the cushions re-upholstered. I'll probably put in some new carpet and floor tiles. Hubs say "Cardinal" so I'm assuming thats the brand. I'm prob. going to paint it silver.

 

I had an old 14 foot '70s Cardinal. It was damn near bulletproof durable and I loved it.

One thing to remember is if you lengthen the tongue you lower the tongue weight on the ball as the wheels remain as the fulcrum point. It might tow badly as a result (excessive sway), but if you keep a generator or ATV on the platform that will offset this (or if the platform itself is heavy enough).

It is an excellent trailer for your intended application though. Just a thought...Enjoy

 

I just finished cleaning it up a bit. Sink has a very slow drain, was clogged but managed go get it to drain a little. Tail light wires came loose underneath the trailer and are mangled, lights prob. work but I need to rewire them. A/C seems to work just fine. Guy I got it from put a mini fridge, marine battery and adaptor as well as an A/C in.

 

Don't laugh, it will serve it's purpose.

[IMG]local://upfiles/37647/6D6699118E6C43FEACFE5DC37ACEE297.jpg[/IMG]

 

good cleaning and some fresh paint will do wonders

 

Yeah, I scrubbed it down with cleanser on the outside and inside. I'm surprised none of the cushions smell bad. I figure a new coat of silver paint will do wonders and won't show dirt as easily.

 

Wow, Looks exactly like the one I had...