I don't know where else to put this... but it's been an idea on my mind for some time.

How hard would it be to reconfigure a 2500HD or 3500HD long bed into a trailer? I am thinking that the same look as a stock truck's rear end would be sweet, as well as if it was a 3500 for just increased load capacity.

I would probably simply cut the frame of a "totaled" truck with a good rear end off at the front of the bed, then get a local fabricator to design a tongue and bumper pull hitch.

I could make the e-brake functional by using an old CUCV or HMMWV parking brake lever mounted to the tongue, but how would you go about making the brakes functional?

I like the idea of having a "matching" trailer as well as the fact that with the fuel tank still installed on the bed plus putting a transfer tank IN the trailer, it would extend my range, be just as offroad worthy as the rest of the truck, and would also function as a source of spare parts should something go wrong.

Any ideas?

Huh, that is an interesting idea. You see a bunch of old trucks around here made into trailers, but none are ever very nice. I had the same idea when I was thinking about getting a 2-door tahoe one time.

Figuring out the brakes would be tough, though. If you could find some sort of electric brake system that uses discs you might could modify the axle to accept the calipers from it....

Spoolin,

Check this guy out - he's got a really sweet little trailer.

www.mark.trudgett.com/Interests/trailer.htm (http://www.mark.trudgett.com/Interests/trailer.htm)

I used a buddy's a few years ago, old 3/4 ton Chevy p/u trailer behind my K5 Blazer for decoys, canoe, etc. Worked and looked slick, brakes and brake lights/turn signals were functional. Brakes were adapted to surge brakes - not great, but better than nothing.
Later,
duckhunter

Depending on what you plan load into it you may not even need brakes but since their there you may want to look into a hydraulic system like the ones employed on u-haul auto transports. It's baisicly a floating coupler and master cylinder that uses the weight of the trailer to push on the master cylinder when you hit the brakes. would probably be a b**ch to get it proportioned right but could definatly be done.

I don't think that brake system would be hard to working. Just use a brake coupler like Pex68 said. They sell them at marine places for boat trailers. As far as the proportioned part of it, it is self adjusting. The heaver the trailer the more weight pushes on the coupler and the more it brakes. Just be a matter of bolting it up and hooking up the brake line, and of course bleeding the system. The only problem I can see is the front of the bed box is just flat out ugly. Usually its up to the back of the cab so you don't see it. So the Engineers don't waste a lot of time on it. I agree I have seen quite a few converted trailers, and non of them look right. If your a body shop man or something and could put some kind of front on the bed it will probably look a lot better.

Maybe put some kind of diamondplate box on the front or something.

For brakes I would think going electric would be your best bet. IF you needed them. I've seen a lot of older trucks turned into trailers as well. You may want to consider using the frame as part of the tongue. Just heat the two rails and have them meet in the center then continue one rail a little farther further. That may be the easiest route on the tongue. But all in all I think it'd look nice. It just might be a little more expensive than its worth since you won't be able to haul a lot in it.

I think DuckhunterInTN has a great idea to finish up the look. A diamond plate box over the frame rails would really set it off and hide the ugliness of the front of the bed.


Good luck if you follow through with this.