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« Go backGemini Trailer
This was the beginning of the trailer. It was a 60 or 70′ long frame for a mobile home that was taken off the frame and then cut into three sections. We bought the frame for scrap and paid $50. This was the beginning of the trailer. It was a 60 or 70′ long frame for a mobile home that was taken off the frame and then cut into three sections. We bought the frame for scrap and paid $50.	This is the rear section which has the three axles on it. Of the three axles only one was salvageable. The other two braking axles were rusted out from years in the dirt. This is the rear section which has the three axles on it. Of the three axles only one was salvageable. The other two braking axles were rusted out from years in the dirt.	We cleared the junk away from the frame and started jacking it up. We cleared the junk away from the frame and started jacking it up.
We unbolted the two junk axles and got the rear section free. We unbolted the two junk axles and got the rear section free.	We planned on jacking the tongue section (24′) up high enough that we could slip the axle section (10′) UNDER the tongue section and clamp it together to drive it my cousin Hughs house to rebuild. We planned on jacking the tongue section (24′) up high enough that we could slip the axle section (10′) UNDER the tongue section and clamp it together to drive it my cousin Hughs house to rebuild.	Here’s the two pieces strapped together almost ready to roll. Here’s the two pieces strapped together almost ready to roll.
Another view strapped together. We have to travel about 5 miles along residential streets in Tucson, Arizona to get the trailer back to my cousin Hugh’s house. Another view strapped together. We have to travel about 5 miles along residential streets in Tucson, Arizona to get the trailer back to my cousin Hugh’s house.	We hitched it up to my Dads truck and are ready to go. We hitched it up to my Dads truck and are ready to go.	Ready to roll. Ready to roll.
Back at my cousin Hughs house, I used the mobile home jacks to level out the two sections to square and cut the sections in preparation to be welded. Back at my cousin Hughs house, I used the mobile home jacks to level out the two sections to square and cut the sections in preparation to be welded.	Here the two sections are ready to be welded. Here the two sections are ready to be welded.	Hugh, a master welder and Hot Rod builder, is welding the two "I" beams together and welding a gusset plate for additional strength. Hugh, a master welder and Hot Rod builder, is welding the two "I" beams together and welding a gusset plate for additional strength.
The final result of the welded joint. The final result of the welded joint.	Both sides welded together. Both sides welded together.	With the new length of the trailer finalized (34′ bed), we had to weld on new axle mounts based on the trailer length. The suggested formula from the mobile home haulers was 1/2 of the bed length (34′/2=17′)and then add 1" per foot of bed past the centerline towards the rear (34" back from the centerline). This will give the trailer enough tongue weight but keep sit close to the center of gravity. With the new length of the trailer finalized (34′ bed), we had to weld on new axle mounts based on the trailer length. The suggested formula from the mobile home haulers was 1/2 of the bed length (34′/2=17′)and then add 1" per foot of bed past the centerline towards the rear (34" back from the centerline). This will give the trailer enough tongue weight but keep sit close to the center of gravity.
The axle mounts are almost welded. The axle mounts are almost welded.	For a 3 axle setup, you use TWO taller "C" sections and TWO shorter "C sections. The free spinning axle goes in the middle and the electric brake axles go on either side. That way the third axle only is only working with a load. For a 3 axle setup, you use TWO taller "C" sections and TWO shorter "C sections. The free spinning axle goes in the middle and the electric brake axles go on either side. That way the third axle only is only working with a load.	The three axles bolted onto the frame. The three axles bolted onto the frame.
Installing the trailer wheels. These mobile home tires are 14 ply tires and can take 3,000 lbs per tire. They typically only last about 10,000 miles, but they shouldn’t blow out, they’ll throw rubber and go flat. The are ‘rimless’ tires with bolts that hold the rim onto the axle. Installing the trailer wheels. These mobile home tires are 14 ply tires and can take 3,000 lbs per tire. They typically only last about 10,000 miles, but they shouldn’t blow out, they’ll throw rubber and go flat. The are ‘rimless’ tires with bolts that hold the rim onto the axle.	I’m using a plasma cutter to clean up all the sharp edges on the trailer. I’m using a plasma cutter to clean up all the sharp edges on the trailer.	We cut off the old hitch and installed a new one just to be safe. We cut off the old hitch and installed a new one just to be safe.
The new 10,000 lb hitch. The new 10,000 lb hitch.	The completed hitch welded on the trailer. The completed hitch welded on the trailer.	We added diagonal supports with scrap angle iron all through the trailer. We started centered on the axles and worked forward and then back. We added diagonal supports with scrap angle iron all through the trailer. We started centered on the axles and worked forward and then back.
The diagonals being cut and clamped in place. The diagonals being cut and clamped in place.	Almost done with the supports. These supports help keep the trailer from racking on the road. They made a HUGE difference in stability. Almost done with the supports. These supports help keep the trailer from racking on the road. They made a HUGE difference in stability.	A new (old) jack is installed. A new (old) jack is installed.
Taking the trailer to the storage yard until I return. Taking the trailer to the storage yard until I return.	The trailer is 34′ long along the bed, and the hitch is about 4′ for a total of 38′ long. The trailer is 34′ long along the bed, and the hitch is about 4′ for a total of 38′ long.