tylerryals
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Thought I would share my welding trailer build off of an M353 base, because when I got this idea, there were hardly any (that I managed to find) examples to pull inspiration from, or to decide if it was a bad idea or not. I chose this route because it was easy and cheap to get a hold of an M353, there is a guy in fairly easy driving range that peddles them (any .mil trailers really) out regularly.
Counting buying the trailer and the required materials to mod it, I'm into the trailer sub $2000 (I don't have an exact number, more than $1500, less than $2000). The other route I would have went would have been a ground up custom trailer and after some quick estimation, it was apparent that I could buy, mod, and be done an M353 before I could even buy the major materials (channel, angle, tread plate, axle, springs, rims, and tires) and still have all the minor materials and hardware to have to purchase.
I am perfectly aware of the fact that you can buy a cheap "utility" trailer for that or less and use it, several people around here have done so, but that was not an option in my eyes; they do not make good welding trailers for regular-heavy use, in my opinion (and that's all it is, an opinion).
Overall, I would say its not as ideal as the custom one I would have built, but at less than half the price (estimated) its perfectly good enough. I'm not completely settled on leaving the job box on it (hence why its only strapped down), but for now it will serve its purpose, it was one of my old ones I don't use anymore. Eventually, I would like to draw an integrated box out in CAD, send it out to be sheared and plasma cut, and build an integrated box onto the trailer that sits in the "hole" at the front of the trailer.
The box that is there now is 48"x24"x24", if I do make one to go there, it'll be approx. 40"Wx20"Dx24"H and be a permanent part of the trailer, but that project will be farther down the line when I have time. The only thing that is incomplete at this point is I am going to add a bench vise to it, I just haven't made up my mind where and how yet. If anyone has any questions, feel free to throw them at me; I would have liked to seen examples to get a better plan before I started and will be glad to help anyone else.
Sorry for the lack of progress pictures, I didn't really intend to make a build thread or anything, it just hit me to post it as an example to someone else.
Counting buying the trailer and the required materials to mod it, I'm into the trailer sub $2000 (I don't have an exact number, more than $1500, less than $2000). The other route I would have went would have been a ground up custom trailer and after some quick estimation, it was apparent that I could buy, mod, and be done an M353 before I could even buy the major materials (channel, angle, tread plate, axle, springs, rims, and tires) and still have all the minor materials and hardware to have to purchase.
I am perfectly aware of the fact that you can buy a cheap "utility" trailer for that or less and use it, several people around here have done so, but that was not an option in my eyes; they do not make good welding trailers for regular-heavy use, in my opinion (and that's all it is, an opinion).
Overall, I would say its not as ideal as the custom one I would have built, but at less than half the price (estimated) its perfectly good enough. I'm not completely settled on leaving the job box on it (hence why its only strapped down), but for now it will serve its purpose, it was one of my old ones I don't use anymore. Eventually, I would like to draw an integrated box out in CAD, send it out to be sheared and plasma cut, and build an integrated box onto the trailer that sits in the "hole" at the front of the trailer.
The box that is there now is 48"x24"x24", if I do make one to go there, it'll be approx. 40"Wx20"Dx24"H and be a permanent part of the trailer, but that project will be farther down the line when I have time. The only thing that is incomplete at this point is I am going to add a bench vise to it, I just haven't made up my mind where and how yet. If anyone has any questions, feel free to throw them at me; I would have liked to seen examples to get a better plan before I started and will be glad to help anyone else.
Sorry for the lack of progress pictures, I didn't really intend to make a build thread or anything, it just hit me to post it as an example to someone else.
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