Building a Gooseneck Trailer From Scratch
2021 ж. 22 Қаз.
2 255 796 Рет қаралды
I try my hand at building a Gooseneck trailer from raw steel and components.
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Having a trailer that is spec'd. EXACTLY the way you want and as strong as the Golden Gate bridge: ~$10K Saving money while doing it: ~$5K Being able to say, "I built it myself!": Priceless 👍
I couldn't have said it better myself! 👍
Hsjswjwue2www
Not to mention the money hell make off YT doing it
@@WaldosWorld where at in new england are you located? if you don’t mind me asking…
@@WaldosWorld later in the video i see a live free or die plate, question answered! i live in belmont
My grandpa started a welding shop that he eventually turned into a trailer manufacturing company where they started building custom gooseneck trailers and campers. Everything they made was so heavy duty and high quality, eventually someone offered him a lot of money for the company, and bought him out. But he always taught me how important it was to over build and make quality vs quantity. And because of that is why people trusted and wanted their trailers. Good job on the build, it really took my back and was very nostalgic.
Quantity out weighs quality for $. But morally quality beats quantity. The choice is yours.
Lol he apparently didn't teach you enuf. He still sold the company. Guarenfuckintee quality is shit now.. if not now then give it 5 years. Yo grandpa's legacy is gonna be shit lmao.
@@chadpendt2863 100% correct! They all do!
@@chadpendt2863 then you start a new company and do it again. It’s standard practice to sell your start ups once you can get enough money to make it worthwhile so you stay with the giant ass revolving debt that’s at the mercy of the market. Sticking to over built super quality shit is great to get customers but you can’t expand it or survive on the margins in those types of businesses in down turns. Don’t judge other people’s lessons when you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.
I worked at a trailer dealer for a summer. The trailers these days are not welded properly and sometimes are even missing welds.
You’re a descent, hard working guy from what I see from my cheap seat. You’re out there on a limb as a typical independent operator and business owner who is sharing what it’s like for the average Joe. A good example for young people to consider who might be contemplating this type of work. I would simply say, ignore the nonsense even though it’s hard not to take it personally. Consider the helpful, considerate comments. Try not to let one individual take away the enjoyment and satisfaction you clearly have for your chosen profession.
What is your plan for getting it on the road?
Back in ‘81, when HighSchools really had shop class, a classmate built a BIG fifth wheel for the family farm. It was amazing. The trailer was huge, the welds were perfect and I was envious. The best part, the classmate was a girl!
My first welding instructor claimed women made the best students. He said if they liked to dance they picked up TIG quickly.
"This trailer will enable me to annoy my spouse for years to come by bringing home more projects than I can handle." It's like you looked into my soul!
I dream to be able to use this line
H😄😄😄
@@samt5663 yyy
@@samt5663 you that ugly ?
So brilliantly true!
As a fella who builds trailers exactly like this for a living... you did a great job! Few things I'd like to suggest if you ever were to build this again... build the head if the trailer first separate from the main frame. Make sure the head is square and make sure the main frame is square. Then install the head on the main frame squaring the gooseneck to the axle. Reasoning for this is to make sure the trailer doesn't dog track and pulls straight as an arrow. Id also recommend adding torque tubes to the head and front of the main frame depending on how heavy you plan on hauling.
Will also note that in the years I've been welding I've never seen a torque tube ran the length of a trailer before but I can't say I'd disagree with the design either. Personally I'd have tied the mainframe together with some 6 or 8 inch channel and tied those with the crossmembers for the bed of the trailer. But I do really like the way you did it
Do you have a an email or number I’d like to pick your brain about building a trailer
The only thing I would add to this comment is put I beams front and back ,tack weld them check for square then put the middle I beam in tack and check for square Then weld the I beams in ..When main frame is square and welded then ,tack on your spring hangers check for square . He is correct the main frame has to be first and it has to be square , or you could end up with an out of square mess .
Bullseye 🎯 🎯 🎯
Back in the 70's, my father and I had a construction company and ran the family farm. A cousin who seemed to know what he was doing, came into town to help us build a gooseneck. It ended up 8' x 20' and was a beast. Eventually, after Dad passed, and I was no longer doing construction, even sold off my portion of the family farm, sold the beast. Still miss him - always will - and miss the beast! Especially now that I have some land back and would love to have that trailer back. You've done a great job! One of the nicest things about a gooseneck is how much easier it is to get into a tight spot than a comparable (or even smaller) bumper hitch trailer. A few years ago, I had a bumper hitch 16' flatbed, and couldn't get it into the same spot where the Beast had always been parked. It was in the back yard of the house where I grew up, and the alley was pretty narrow. With a 3/4 ton pickup, backing the Beast in was super easy, but never could get that doggone 16' flatbed in the same place. it was always cattywompus! If you're not an engineer or a radio host, you should be!
"This trailer will enable me to annoy my spouse for years to come by bringing home more projects than I can handle". I was watching this video on my TV while my girlfriend was reading a book. She heard this line and immediately said "No! You're not getting one! I don't even know what it is, you're not getting one!" HAHAHAHA!
A full 50 minute minute video of custom building a gooseneck from scratch, and a person i really like doing it. Amazing video as always Waldo!
Thank you so much, you're too kind!
Badass trailer only thing I think would be a problem is the “ramp” or whatever its called on the back dragging the ground if you try and go up a hill to steep
@@fullsendsornosends1176 airbags would solve that
I have already watched 20 minutes of some dude building his own trailer for shits and giggles but it felt like 5 minutes. Good stuff.
That's great to hear, thank you!
Same for me as well and it felt like a 20 plus minute video instead of the 50 minutes. Goes to show how good it is when you lose the track of time in this way. X
@@WaldosWorld Approximately how many hours do you have building this trailer from start to finish?
I love how this dude seems so genuine. He's doing stuff with his hands, thinking about it, being safe and planning. Best part: he doesn't act all yeehaw just because he welds and lives in the country and likes trucks and stuff.
😂
Are you his mom? He's a nice gentleman
You got a problem with people that act as you say "yeehaw"?
@@joshlower1 that's entirely dependent on whether or not they are being prosaic and derivative.
yippie aye yo kai yay mother trucker
My favorite part was in the beginning, when he had his buddy carry the heaviest side of the bottom rails. Than he does the laziest jog to help him out. Love it!
"Whered you get that truck and trailer from?" Waldo: "I made them" ultimate flex
Exactly! 🤠
As someone who has been building Gooseneck trailers for a living for the last 3 or 4 years, you're doing pretty good. Keep practicing.
My Dad was a welder for more than 40 years and once believed that it wasn't necessary to backoff the regulator T-bar before opening the gas cylinder valve. He was in his mid 50's when he had a regulator diaphragm burst as he opened the cylinder valve. He then decided that backing off the regulator before applying pressure to it was the best procedure.
That was brilliant Waldo. One man, a mig welder, an engine lift, a plasma cutter and a rusty tractor with one headlight. 10 out of 10 for fabrication tips. Your a diamond geezer (UK slang), pun intended. I've just found your channel, great video sub'd, learnt a lot of useful practices and technique. Thank You. Tony
So glad to see the reverse light on a big trailer. I never understood why long big trailers dont come with them.
Me too, I have seen so many gooseneck trailers get hit due to the people behind the trailer not knowing that they were backing the trailer up!
Awesome job man! I built one myself about 15 years ago, almost identical. It's hard for people to believe I built it in my gravel driveway. People assume it's factory but even the oak on the deck was DIY from the woods to saw mill.
only counts if you mined and smelted the steel yourself on your own bessemer converter. jk lol . that is a nice project jealous
I built a 3500K single axle utility trailer a couple of years ago and was pleased with the outcome. The state DOT inspectors even liked it when I was getting it titled. This video makes me want to expand my horizons and build a gooseneck.
I build one with a friend back in the late 1970's to haul lumber cut in a sawmill... And another to haul the sawmill itself... No plans, none to take measurements from... No kit parts, completely from scratch... Used old house trailer axles .... All I can say is when you think you have enough gussets.... Add more!!! Oh yeah, and it was build using only an acetylene touch and a gasoline Miller arc welder ... Old school stick weld... The hand held grinder was powered by the welder... We were in Big Cypress Swamp in Florida
Great build!!! Loved watching this video and can't wait to see how it gets finished!!! Wonderful camera work and great editing! I cannot imagine how much extra work it is to do all the actual work and film it at the same time but you do an amazing job! Also, I want to say how great Johnson Trailer Parts is! I bought parts and plans from them and couldn't be happier! I called with a couple questions and the owner himself picked up and took plenty of time to help me make the right decisions for me! Super helpful and so easy to work with. The plans arrived and are incredibly detailed and easy to work with and have lots of suggestions about various ways to finish and customize it too. (NO! I did not get paid for this, I just found them so helpful that when I came across this video, I felt compelled to let you all know!)
You're gonna have a million+ subs within a year if you keep pumping out content like this. Great editing, good camera angles, really well thought out.
3 months to go.. still needs over 800k subs
Bro didn't pump out more content like this. ):
Your comment didn't age well.
@@jayw900 well, in my defense, he didn't keep posting this type of content
i have watched several of your vids and i am very impressed, earned a new sub here buddy. 60 yr. old from Indiana here that has done a little bit of everything and i love to fabricate. great job.
I have absolutely no real intention of building a gooseneck trailer from scratch but if I do I’ll have a foundation of what I’m up against. Love your attention to the most minute detail. In another lifetime of my next life, i would love to master many of skills it takes to design & build such a project. 👍 Well Done Waldo!
Consider adding a diverter valve to the hydraulic jack system and make your ramps hydraulic too. Great build. You’ve got me motivated.
Thank you! Yeah, I kind of wish I went the hydraulic dovetail route
@@WaldosWorld This is my fist time watching you, and I have to say I'm very impressed! I don't know where you live, or how much rain you get, or the firmness of your soil, but I saw the dovetail touch the grass once or twice and couldn't help but think of future weather and soil conditions. Especially if you carry something very heavy, that fixed tail might bite you a couple times. Overall, it's still very solid and will last until the end of time!
@@WaldosWorld dang, sounds like it's time to build another trailer....lol
Wow I’m actually super impressed. Never seen anyone build their own gooseneck, super cool!!
Thank you so much! 🤠
What do you do for work when your not building things in your back yard ? My Dad made us a tandem dually trailer for farm use using frames from school buses , has a 28 foot main deck and a 8 foot top deck on the goose neck part . He built this when he was 73 years old , in his spare time he built and showed my son how to build a flat deck for his 1 ton . At 86 years old in 2014 he built us a firewood processor but passed away suddenly and never got to see it work . I really enjoyed watching your video brought back a lot of memories , thanks
I built a 16' car trailer several years ago. Found scrap 8" channel that was in excellent shape for $40 a stick, and found on craigslist some 7000lb axles from a house hauler for $150 each, and they had new tires on them. I bought 3, used 2, and sold the third one for $300. Bought checker plate and made the runs where the car tires sit 2ft wide so I could just shear the 4x8 sheets down the middle. I ended up spending somewhere around $800. Only thing I had to use that was new was the checker plate, hitch and safety chains.
The trailer looks great! You have done a great job. A tip for you. When you are trying to bend a thick piece of steel and don’t have an Oxy/acetylene torch, you can use a Tig torch with slightly lower amps. Just keep the tungsten moving across the area you are wanting to bend and don’t let it form a pool. It actually work pretty well.
Thanks for the tip! 👍
@@WaldosWorld that’s what she said 😜
Who has a TIG machine and not a torch?
@@m16ty anybody , every one dosent have something at thier fingertips every day. maybe its outta gas. good tip on using tig torch
@@m16ty not many welders, torch is a must have
Man at work! I love to see people living life, enjoying and doing what makes the world unique and great.
Amen! 👍
Liked and subscribed just because of the 1776 shirt! Got recommended this while watching Matt's Offroad Recovery.
Thank you for the sub!
I've never owned a trailer but from what I've seen you do it came out fantastic 👏 You've done a wonderful job and as you said you'll save some money making that trailer. 👏
My dad built a 28' with hydraulic beaver tail 25 years ago. His gussets at 26 minutes are at 45° also, they just started to crack. Many trailers are built at closer to 30° reaching down closer to the deck.
I helped build gooseneck stock trailer in high school. Few bumper pulls since then.
Oh nice, it's a fun project!
@@WaldosWorld Yes they are, and exactly how you want it built.
Man I just wanted to say you are so knowledgeable about metal working and all the tips you give are amazing thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
This was my dad’s hobby. He was a welder and maintenance mechanic for Eastman and built gooseneck horse trailers for fun.
Mr. Waldo great job ! For those who don't like the project pause video at 21:20 😂
Hahaha thanks! 🤣
This video had the perfect balance of being informative and showing what you are doing while not being unbearably long and drawn out. For most a 50 minute video is too long but I've seen videos similar to this where they split it up into 30+ minute videos that might as well be "real time"... at no point did I skip this video and reference Monty python with a loud "GET ON WITH IT!". very well done
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback!
The cutting of the angles on the risers makes a huge difference on looking like a backyard home made job vs looking like a factory built unit. Nice work
Thank you for sharing this experience and for the incredible quality of your videos - you should be proud of your work in front of and behind the camera.
You should run the wiring for your lights through the torque tube to protect it.
no you run all wire though a 1.5x1.5 x1/8 tubing as you have to brake at the axles for the brakes as well cross over to each side for all the side marker lights with 3/8 pipe trailer that size must have 2 sets of side marker lights per side as well cross over to each back lights
This has been my favorite video of the whole channel hands down, love al the fab content and long videos are great love to see the quality and effort you put into this
Thank you so much!
That little diamond tip? Won my sub, thank you sir
Insane. Your skills are incredible. You make it look so easy. Video quality is excellent, amazing editing. You show just enough detail and make this fun. Thank you.
Waldo you’re one heck of a fabricator! Awesome job on this! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! 🤠
Your dog and property are beautiful! Oh yea, excellent job on the trailer! Looking forward to future episodes. This is becoming a great channel to watch and enjoy!
Thank you! I'm really glad to hear that!
You should add a truck bed toolbox between the frame rails on the tongue of the trailer. Gives you a spot to keep dunnage, chains, ratchet straps, and tools so you always have them ready when you need them.
A few years ago I sold these kind of kits. It fun to finally see one going together
I gotta say both builds turned out great! Truck and trailer make a nice set together! Nice job.
Thank you! 🤠
Awesome job, and you are exactly right. I just finished a 20 foot 14,000 gvw bumper pull trailer, much better quality, i got exactly what i need and it was less than half the price of a manufactured trailer.
Thank you! Yep, no regrets on building my own, that's for sure 👍
Excited to see what you do with the duramax. Cheers bud!
It was a long video, but I enjoyed every minute of it. You went into so many details that are very important, I'm glad you did. This is exactly what I've been looking for, but in a smaller scale. I want to see your truck build, and hopefully I can do as half decent job. Thank you, I'm a new subscriber as of now.
Saw that live free or die plate, and maine oxy tank. From NH myself, loving the series.
Its amazing the uses that you can get out of ratchet straps. I use them in framing.
Quite a major task there ! GoOd to see Dino working again , thanks for sharing this Waldo I keep learning !
Thanks Steve, good to hear from you!
Notice how he actually puts thought into in unlike every other manufacturer
Great video! your project turned out great :) inregards to the grease zerks for the wheel bearings. They are a great idea and do indeed stop the need to disassemble the hub every time. but keep in mind, the grease needs to go some where and eventually will blow the seal and coat your brake assembly if not careful. only a pump is needed perodically, overgreaseing due to ease of access is common. but I am sure you know this already!
Hello Waldo, awesome build video. Thanks for the long format video, much appreciated. It is going to be one heck of a trailer when you are finished I'm really looking forward to the next video. Pups are super cute.
Thank you so much! I think this was my longest video ever 👍
*LOVE* this guys channel. Enjoyed absolutely every second of this vid. Great job. Amazing skill.
Much appreciated! 🤠
I built a 38' dovetail gooseneck flatbed in high school metal shop in a single year back in the 90's. Then the owner brought it back the next school year so I could make it a convertible stock trailer with tack room, all of it removable. They aren't hard to build.
I had one of those "never doubt yourself" moments at 13:38, because I was looking at him lower that canister and thinking, "that doesn't fit... Is it going to fit?... Doesn't look like it's going to fit, but it's his rig so I'm sure he knows if it fits... HA! I knew it wouldn't fit! Never doubt your builder's eye again!"
Very awesome trailer that looks better than one you can buy! I can't wait to see how you finish it up. I built an ATV hauler out of an old camper frame that isn't nearly as impressive or heavy duty as yours. It's a 5th wheel with a 23ft lower and 9ft upper deck. It works great for 3 side by sides.
Very nice!
It would be interesting when completed to get it on a scale somewhere and weigh it. Superb build!!
Thank you! Yep, I'll have to bring it to the local truck stop and weigh it 👍
@@WaldosWorld or a junk yard so you don’t have to pay.
@@yzrider3101 Cat scale much more accurate.
@@j.walker3498 the junk yard scales have to be legal-for-trade, thus they need to be certified due to it being use to charge a fee per pound of scrap.
@@j.walker3498 Junk yard scales are extremely accurate. Just as accurate as highway scales.
I’ve already built my own custom trailer for my water tank and it turned out great! Your video really makes me want to build another trailer. I want to build a gooseneck just like you did! I have subscribe because you have some really cool stuff Waldo!!!
One suggestion I strongly recommend for any future trailer builds is to change to Torflex spring-less axles. Eliminating the leafe springs, shackles and all the associated hardware. You can also get them with 4 wheel hydraulic/electric disc brakes.
Great design!! I can’t wait to get my own place, I miss doing projects around the house
Great content, like the way you detail the steps and explain things. You appear to be a good welder, I mean they are really neat. 🇦🇺
Worlds strongest trailer. Absolutely superb work, your skills are really impressive sir. That’ll last two lifetimes.
You are going to have a BLAST in Utah with Matt's off road recovery!
That is one of the best looking dog's I have ever seen.
Thank you! She's a vizsla 👍
Watched the whole thing! This is one of my dreams and on my 5 yr goal list. I'm very inspired /enlightened / jealous. Nice job, fab work and nice cinematography. 100% subbed! This was better than extreme trucks or gears! 👏
Thank you for the sub!
Looks pretty good so far. I'll watch the 2nd vid soon. You might want to consider a mini wide gusset at the gn angle down, of the neck, toward the coupler. Also, noticed you welded the coupler sleeve super high. If the sleeve was down ever so slight, you could add a gusset there as well, and attach your safety chains them them later on. Not sure anyone that uses a torque tube on a 14k gvwr gnfb.
To me the funniest part was that whole I will never run out of gas line. I burn through ten of those a week pretty easy at my shop. lol. great video. keep on creating.
“Look at that, those welds are mint.” (the voice of happiness)
When making a bunch of small part for a project, use a stop (c-clamp, or extended fence with a stop) will provide more consistent results than measuring each piece
Well if you take a piece of wood or a piece of metal you might have laying around and use that as a stop block Your cuts would be much more consistent and concise with less measuring required
This man is a great fabricator! As a sprinkler fitter I feel your pain of schedule 40 pipe
Not to brag but I built my own ramps for my trailer once......lol. This is next level and doing it alone. Kudos you my guy, job well done.
Waldo this was an awesome video!! I’ve been thinking about building a goose neck myself and this really got the ball rolling for me.
Thanks, that's great to hear!
Great work! I have the same welder it’s an amazing machine!
Weird seeing the old C-25 bottle. Spent ten years rolling them around. It's nice to watch someone local growing a decent YT channel.
We did this w/the owner of a Rock or quarry trailer Co I worked at. Winging the goosneck with no measured blueprint it took 2-3 times cutting & refitting but he still pulls his dozer on it everywhere.
Just came across your channel this is the first video I've seen from you n loved it now I've subscribed to your channel time to binge watch all the rest of your videos lol God bless you and your family can't wait to see what color you choose.... take care Waldo
Thank you so much! 🤠
as always, a very well don video with a well thought out and built project. nicely done waldo.
Thanks JC, glad to hear from you!
Bro started this build one year ago and haven’t posted about this trailer no more waldo honestly I was a big fan of yours i ve been watching you since you had 2k subs and am pretty sure you bite more than you can chew👍
When I get to the point where I am doing this. I’ve always wanted to add a platform over the neck. Small rail around it. Definitely added storage or even a raised platform to just chill on if you are pulling toys.
This takes the term “homemade trailer” to a whole new level. Nice work👍
Thank you! 👍
Hi, you sure inspired a lot of auto mechanics in general and I am happy for your successful youtube channel. It is the first time that I come across your channel, and you sure know what makes you happy. As I peruse all your videos I come across where you started putting the rear lights of your flatbed truck where you start from scratch, and you sure make wonder. I just thought of toying with the idea that since money is not an object when you challenge yourself to create your flatbed why not make the rear lights different instead of the traditional lights. I thought of putting 2 sided heptagon and if you put two of them together for the left lights and right lights it will look W which will stand out for Waldo and you decide to your liking to differentiate the brake lights and on the edge of the right side and left side for back up lights. It is just a thought of mine good luck and more power to you whether you agree or not I just thought putting W would be cool. Oh, I really got a kick every time you interject your politics remarks it says a lot about our country's condition without offending anyone. I appreciate that. More power to your channel.
Superb video, how you don't have millions of subs is beyond me. Production/video quality is amazing. I can only imagine how long it takes to make a video with having to set up a tri-pod for each shot.
Wonderful wonderful content. Beautifully shot, edited, and narrated. No annoying wind noise, and a beautiful background. Keep this up and you'll have a million subs in no time!
You should install side marker lights and work light where you plan on putting winch and battery box.
That's a great idea!
@Waldo's World Some rear side backup lights
The law requires (in most States) to have side marker lights, and also DOT reflective striping down both sides of the trailer and across the back.
Hey Waldo, I’m building my own gooseneck/5th wheel to tote around with my 4 cylinder Tacoma… I’m going aluminum & I’m going tiny! Thanks for the inspiring video!!
Very good trailer build video. That Milwaukee saw also did a great job, especially cutting the thick plate.
Great video waldo! That trailer looks strong being home made and that is a heavy trailer.
Thank you! That's the goal 👍
Amazing work! I'm still trying to convince myself to work more with metal. It seems rough, I love to work with wood but metal is different world! All best from Europe! :)
Very nice!! I was a welder/fitter for Ranch King back when I was young.....oh the flashbacks😂 dang I cld build one from measurements in my head years ago. Looking very good!!
Just found your channel and I throughly enjoyed this video. Looking forward to catching up on all your videos. Great job. God bless from Missouri
Absolutely awesome!!! Great build!!
Thank you! 🤠
That's a nice build! Adding that torque tube, while a little over kill, should give the trailer a long service life 👍 With your diamond doubler plates, you are spot on and for your application it should be fine, as you finished center of the web. But instead of cutting into a fine point at the long tapered ends it can beneficial to radius the ends. It just gives a little more surface area and avoids making a stress point, the same can be said for gussets. From someone who designs, configures and QA's road trains, large commercial trailers and Antarctic equipment. You've doing a top job, I can't wait to see how it all turns out! Maybe a couple work lights near your winch and hydraulics could be a good addition too? One of those things you don't need... until you do 😂👍
Thank you so much, it's great to hear that from a pro! 🤠
What a fine job,can''t wait to see more.
in my experience its not about the money safed or anything but the experience that you look outside your window and looking at your trailer and saying in your head i made that that is priceless
Great job, I was thinking about converting a F450 frame into a flat trailer. There's still the DMV inspection, lic, taxes, etc... The tail looks like it might have trouble because it's a bit low, I wonder what other trailers have for clearance.