6 replies to this topic

[Blanarik]

I have gutted a couple cars for parts and have found it difficult to move the shell around when I am done. The last one that I did I came up with the idea of the Miata Wheelbarrow.

 

I found a tiny trailer in the Harbor Freight catalog and compared the dimensions to the frame rails of my car and found it to fit neatly under the car. The tongue length appeared to be the only issue as it was too short. I picked up the trailer from Harbor Freight and while I was there I also found a nice solid mounted wheel to attach to the tongue of the trailer.  FYI, According to the HF website when I put this trailer in my cart shipping is only 6.99.

 

The trailer and instructions were better than I expected and assembly was easy. The trailer comes in two relatively small boxes, not even requiring the use of a truck to take home. With the trailer assembled I got a couple U bolts to attach the wheel to the tongue and as it worked out the trailer sits sturdy and level on three wheels.

 

The final step was to extend the tongue so that it will reach beyond the core support to be used as a handle to steer and move the body. I had a piece of 1x2 steel tubing that fit perfectly into the tongue, the overall length was about six feet. I drilled two holes through both tubes and bolted it in place solidly.

 

Mounting the body to the trailer, to give it some adjustability I laid two 2x4's  across the trailer and set the body down, with it positioned properly I used some ratchet straps to tie it down. Initially I found it to be tail heavy so I added one 80lb bag of sand to the front of the car and that balanced it out nicely. The car was easy for one person to maneuver by hand and with my winch I was able to load and unload from my enclosed  trailer for delivery.

 

Total cost for me was a little over $200 not including the cost of the 1x2 tubing and U bolts which I had.

Attached Files

•  IMG_1215 (1).JPG   37.42KB   4 downloads
•  IMG_1217 (1).JPG   37.66KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1218 (1).JPG   33.9KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_1216 (1).JPG   34.32KB   0 downloads

[Tom Scheifler]

Nice. Thanks for sharing

[Ron Alan]

If you had a front wheel that swiveled you could just push or pull the car around?

[Blanarik]

I am sure that it would work with the swiveling wheel, my concern was that it could change direction when I didn't want it to and if it turns sideways the leverage, weight or momentum could bend it over or break the caster bearing. Having used it the way it is I am happy with the solid mounted wheel.

[Diller]

Very nice. A lot more elaborate than my solution. I usually just get a bunch of Harbor Freight furniture dollies and that does the trick. Still haven't found a graceful way of getting the chassis up onto a trailer to take to the scrap yard. Right now it involves an engine hoist, winch, and a bunch of 2x4s.

[ChaseH]

Very nice. A lot more elaborate than my solution. I usually just get a bunch of Harbor Freight furniture dollies and that does the trick. Still haven't found a graceful way of getting the chassis up onto a trailer to take to the scrap yard. Right now it involves an engine hoist, winch, and a bunch of 2x4s.

To get a shell onto a trailer, go to Home Depot and get yourself 4 large diameter PVC pipes cut to the width of the car. Lower the car onto the pipes and roll/winch it up. It will be just like how the Egyptians moved stones to build the pyramids.

[Argus48]

Nice idea.