This really all started when the Joke Squad took a day trip to Fargo back in late May or early June so Dakota Bones could pick up the bike he was having worked on. Also along for the ride were Not Blake Shelton (NBS), FC, and me. It was one of those day trips where everything was funny (to us), and we did some exploring, some shopping, and some day drinking. ‘Cuz, yanno….it’s Fargo….
At some point, I mentioned that I was looking for a 3- or 4-wheeler for getting around out at the hunting camp, and that I just couldn’t find one I liked. That’s when NBS said “Really? My in-laws have one they’re trying to sell.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a Honda Big Red.”
“……..what year?”
“’84.”
“200?”
“250.” (It actually IS a 200, but, NBS made an honest mistake.)
“…………………………..”
“He’s speechless. “
“How much are they asking?”
“I have to ask.”
Jump ahead a few weeks, and I get a text with pictures. “They’re asking $*&!* monies for it.” Much like with Mona, I took a few days to mull it over. The main issue I had was no way to haul it around. So — I went in search of a trailer.
And did I ever find one. Heavy duty, homemade, and the size I was looking for, and best of all — in the price range. I contacted the guy, went and looked it over, and bought it.
Here’s the first problem. It’s a 6 ft by 8 ft trailer and the bed was enclosed with steel plate. Not only was it heavy as all hell, but it caught even the lightest breezes like a sail.
I live in North Dakota — we don’t get ‘light breezes.’
When I got home, I decided to strip the extra steel and take the cap off of it. That’s when I found out just how heavy those sheets were. Holy mother of God … I almost ruptured myself when I took the front panel off. The hardest part, though, was getting the cap off. The support posts were rusted in and I had figure out how to break them free. So, I packed a pipe, sat down on a folding chair, and thought … “What would Dad do?” I accessed the tools I had on hand and built my plan.
- Pull the trailer under the big tree in my front yard and get it under the biggest branch I could find.
- Get my heaviest ratchet strap and toss it over the branch (easier said then done).
- Attach the strap to the cap and get the slack out.
- Then…a set of Pony bar clamps reset to be spreaders instead of clamps to work like a jack.
I put the jacks at each corner and opened them as much as possible, then worked the ratchet. Lather, rinse, repeat. But, little by little, the cap started to rise up. Of the eight supports, three popped loose, four stayed with the trailer, and one stayed with the cap. Thankfully, I just picked up a Sawzall and cut the offending posts out (after trying a whole bunch of methods to get them out that just didn’t work).
After that — I cleaned her up and was amazed at the amount of surface rust. Since the plan is to take her to some pretty nasty spots, I decided a painting was in order. I also ran new wiring and installed new lights, and got around to painting with rattle can spray paint. I added d-ring tie downs to the deck, and new safety chains.
Now, this is going to be used for hunting, and it’s a utility cart, and as such, I decided on using flat paints — or as I like to say, it’s cammie-oh-flaged (or will be when all is said and done). As of right now, the exterior has a base coat and once I get the interior done, I’ll start the shadow coat.
This past weekend, I got the end gates built and installed, and until I get get to the salvage yard to get rid of the scrap steel, I’m kinda at a stand still. It’s just too heavy for Abigail to pull. After that’s done, I’m building two gear chests that will be mountable in the bed — and if I do it right, I’ll be able to easily pull them when I need the extra space. After that — really — the only thing left besides the painting will be figuring out a set of ramps to get Wendi up and down.
So, here’s the transformation of Trixie in picture form.
Adventures with Mona 