ready to order some things need advice

[oscar the grouch]

I need to finish my trailer. final sheet of metal will be ready today so i need to get the rest of the stuff to complete the build.

1. Wiring harness. I have a 4 pin now but was thinking I should go to a 7pin now to avoid any rewires later when i add brakes and a battery.

2. Hinges. no idea what would work best for this.

3. Latches. got a couple of ideas but not sure what the best is. think m416 with a lid that hinges on the long side.

4. PAINT. this is a big one. I have primed the trailer already but am swiming in different brands and uv stabilizers and and and and. pretty sure I want to go with tan.

Thanks for any points in the right direction guys. :sombrero:

 

[oscar the grouch]

Scratch 2 and 3 found a set i like.

 

[goodtimes]

If you go with a 7-pin, plan on buying an adapter in case you ever need to pull someone else's trailer that uses a standard 4-flat. They're cheap, or you can use a harness that has both a 7-pin and a 4-flat on the truck.

For primer & paint, I usually end up with Rustoleum products. I've had good results from with the 7400 series. It's an alkyd base (basically oil base), and use powdered pigments. Avoid anything that is mixed locally - those paints use a liquid pigment & it doesn't cover nearly as well as the factory mixed paints.

I typically etch the steel with phosphoric acid (available at Home Depot, Lowes, etc), & follow the instructions on the paint cans (you'll be surprised how many people don't . . . ). I usually thin the paint as much as possible (per the instructions) & spray it - much nicer finish & much easier to get in all the tight spots, & much faster - even when you figure in the setup & clean up time.

**edit - it's the 7400 series that I use, not the 7100 series.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Paint

If you are thinking tan... Just look for a gallon if industrial enamel or tractor paint. It is cheap enough that you can respray every couple of years and not have to worry about dings and scratches and such...

If you want an automotive quality paint job... Well I would just worry every time I drove it. You could end up with a paint job that doubles the rig cost if you take it to body shop.

 

[oscar the grouch]

Grabbed some 7 line industrial enamel from ppg. They color matched my tan softop so well see how that turns out

 

[oscar the grouch]

Brushed some on to see what it looked like.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would use military desert tan, like this. https://www.armyjeepparts.net/p-2289-30277-lusterless-desert-sandust-1-gallon.aspx . here are your color codes so any paint shop can mix it up, http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?manuf=Military . here's a little explanation of desert tan colors http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_camo_desert.php . I use this color on my truck and trailer, it not only blends well in the desert but in the forest too. at 1/4 mile you can't see it, my buddies white vehicle is visible for miles parked right next to me. highdesrtranger