Bantam BT3-C trailer resto

[SteveW]

I have a 1947 trailer and thought I had stuff here already but who knows. Been working on it to get it on the road and will be a working trailer. One thing I did not like was the cheap hinge arrangement for the tailgate. Mine was beat up anyway and I wanted to have it removable. I had some hinges for a second tailgate and thought I could make them work. They did and I am happy. It was a lot of work though. Not much for pictures and I have others but not for now. Main thing was getting the offset from the gate to the body. I had welded a piece of 1" square across the underside of gate already to help make it stronger. I made a yoke of 1" flat and bent it to go around the tailgate hinge. Had to hold it out a bit to line up with the opening in tailgate hinge. For the hinge I had to get it away from frame so I welded 3/8" by 2" angle onto frame then tacked and bolted the tailgate hinge on it. This lined things up. I measured and drilled 1/2 stock and cut it  a little longer than the yoke and drilled 1/2 holes through it. Ground down the rod so it will slip in and out of opening like any jeep tailgate and decided to weld a drilled out 1/2 square nut on inside for a little more bearing of the rod.



Here was some dry fitting



That was finished product.
ran out of shielding gas so pretty dirty welds



I had no chains when I got trailer and bought these later so they have to be fitted. But it will work and is removable

[SteveW]

Trailer tub flipping. I had trailer on its top to get the bottom cleaned and put drawbar axle etc back together. Needed to flip it over but pretty dang heavy with wheels on so I put a strap on a maple tree and on the drawbar rigged some tackle and my wife and I flipped it. Chocked the little dolly rig I had to get it from rolling and used my jeep jack to raise it up until I could get under the drawbar to push. Wasn't sure which way the jack would fall was only unknown. I told my wife to keep line over my left shoulder and pull when I said and if I hollered drop it to do so and not move a muscle. Had about 3 seconds of a little unsure it would get up there but once it did and gravity took over she came down without hitting shop/fence or tree. That is a good wife who thinks you are crazy but still helps.

[SteveKfl]

A good wife, and a good helper.

[Rus Curtis]

I'm guessing that removable tailgate may have some advantages!

[SteveW]

Getting close to the finish. I had floor sag and also had too much damage on front of floor to weld up or patch and not going to spend on a repro floor. So I ran 1" square tube across the axle and jacked up under the hat channel until it was straight. Pieced in square tube to support on frame channel and made clips to screw into blocking I made for keeping axle and bed from banging on heavy load. The little rubber snubber is not available and the jeep snubbers are way to thick so I made this one from some hardwood I had. I had a place cut me some 18 ga sheet to fit bottom and laid it over the existing bed 38" x 72". It is a little long but I will knock it over and tack it when front and sides are secured. I also cut  1 1/2" angle and welded it to floor and then through bolted it into the outside tub angle. Next is coming down the sides and license plate frame them it is ready to get registered and tagged.

[SteveW]

Well it is done. Except for cleaning up and paint. Ready to get it registered and plated. Hopefully not to difficult. Only had paper bill of sale and not notarized but found out through cleaning up 1 more digit on sn so it is a moot point. Florida is fairly easy on trailers under 2,000 lbs and also over 25 years old. I have a customer who is a Sherrifs deputy so will get them to verify sn is correct and lights and such are o.k. and will get it weighed at farmers market on certified scale. We will see. Anyhow. The floor is done and welded on front and along sides and peened over back. I welded a plate frame. hooked up light for plate and put reflectors on rear. Also had a mystery hole so I put a tab on tailgate and drilled it so I can lock the tailgate shut. when I get the top made it will be somewhat secure. I am working on a spare tire holder underneath and think I have it figured out but not a high priority now. I am very pleased and for me it was a warp speed project















Not shown but made little clips and put rods in back to see the trailer. absolutely invisible hooked up to my F-150

[SteveW]

Fun day with trailer first workout and road test. Up to 60mph, some railroad tracks and curvy side streets along with overpass and 1/4 turn ramp. Very pleased. Removable tailgate best feature.



load up to my shredder chipper for composting



brought back some finished product and working right from back, easy effort and very little spillage



Here are my markers for now. Getting better backing it in.

[SteveW]

Made some top pieces for a fitted canvas cover. Pretty happy and I think it will work out o.k. Might have to do some sanding but will wait until I have a canvas person look at it and see if I can have top made like I want. Now have 24" inside so that helps.



2x6 southern yellow pine and cut to fit into sockets. each brace had to be custom fit since tub is not exactly brand new now.



scrap wood for middle brace to keep top from sagging and water pooling