On a bit of a whim, I bought a used open trailer a month ago. I wanted to add some features to it, like moving the toolbox, adding a winch, replacing the factory “scotchlok/butt connector” wiring and a few repairs that were needed.
The trailer’s a 22′ long w/dovetail, with 3500lb axles. Made in 2020 by HP Manufacturing LLC in Oklahoma, it looks similar to the Iron Works Challengers trailers. Overall it wasn’t in too bad of shape, other than a damaged fender, but like all trailers wiring was subpar.
My first project was rewiring the trailer, so I ripped out all the wiring, added 21 more wire supports and a new molded 7 way cable with box. I deceided to not mount the battery in the tool box, I wanted it out of the way so I used an under deck battery mount with deep cycle Interstate battery. Apparently the mount wasn’t setup quite right for a group 24 size battery, so I had to lengthen the bolts a little, and I didn’t like the way nuts hit the angle, so I made a “do-dad” to give the nut a flat area to attach to. This mount is attached to angle iron welded to the frame.
I next added 3 deck lights to help see what I’m doing when strapping down the car, and Suparee Recon 1 reverse lights mounted just behind the axle. The Suparee pod lights were especially impressive, they really light up the area behind the trailer and are BRIGHT!
I did do one thing I regret, I wired it with 12ga, which was overkill. With all LED lights, it just does not need that big wire and using 14ga would have made things easier. All wiring was soldered and adhesive heat shrink over all connections. I made sure to add service loops just in case I needed to swap something out or work on it.
While I was at it, I added a Harbor Freight Rock Light for a tool box light – this worked out better than expected. I mounting it to the lid with magnets so it can remove it to point to anything I need to, but just mounted static in the lid it really lights up the box and the surrounding area including the hitch.
To control this stuff, I added a cheap switch box mounted inside the tool box. Reverse lights are setup on a DPDT switch which can alternate between the reverse lights working from the truck, or to turn them on manually.
Trailers are a bitch to find a spot to mount your tag, I decided to try mounting mine at the back, attached with a hinge, which I hope keeps me from bending it up. I’m not sure how good of an idea this was or not, time will tell.
Next projects on the trailer are a Solar Cell to keep the battery charged, removable winch mount, and an under-deck spare tire setup. Hopefully I can get this stuff done before it gets too cold outside!
Note: Some links in this post are affilate links, because why not. They are all products I bought, have used myself and will note if there is anything good or bad with the product.