3 Practical Steps for Restoring an Old Toy Hauler
If you are interested in acquiring a toy hauler for personal use, you should think about ordering a custom trailer from a specialist metal fabricator. In general, a custom hauler will be designed and built according to your unique specifications. Therefore, it will match your exact requirements, ensuring that your transportation needs are met. Unfortunately, the cost of fabricating a toy hauler can be high.
If you have a limited budget, you can purchase and restore an old trailer. Here are practical steps to help you purchase and restore an old toy hauler.
Find a Suitable Trailer
You should look for a suitable trailer to match your intended applications. When choosing a hauler, you should not focus only on the price. If you choose a super cheap trailer, it will need a lot of work. As a result, you will need to put in more time and money into the restoration. Instead, you should look for a structure in good condition so that you will be able to handle most of the work without professional assistance. Simple defects such as rusted panels, some broken welds and loose bolts can be repaired without complications.
Replace Old Fasteners
You should plan on replacing the old bolts and screws in your old trailer structure. Newer fasteners will make your trailer more secure for handling heavy loads. Also, you might need to remove the bolts to replace other components in the hauler. Often, old and rusty bolts are difficult to detach from their position. Therefore, you should have a good socket set to facilitate quick removal. If the connectors are still stubborn, you should use a grinder to cut them off.
You should also check your trailer for tears and broken welds. If possible, the welding work should be handled by a professional. However, if you have the right welding equipment and some skill, you might be able to restore the damaged areas.
Paint the Trailer
You should paint your trailer after dealing with structural or functional problems. In most cases, simple paintwork will improve the appearance of old toy haulers, making them perfect for transporting recreational equipment. When painting, you should begin by cleaning the old paint and rust from the panels of the structure. For this task, you can utilise an orbital sander with appropriate sandpaper. If you want to smooth out sharp edges and weld spots, you should acquire a flap disk. After cleaning the surfaces, you should use a suitable primer. Then, you can proceed with painting.
To learn more about toy haulers, contact services such as Absolute Metal Fabrications.