We left off in 2005 when Dave took apart the old Ford Mustang. A whopping 5 years later he picked up where he left off. It was April of 2010 when he continued his work on the car.
Dave brought in the ‘Stang to be sand blasted, with no idea what shape the car would be in when he got it back. He didn’t know if he would have to deal with a bunch of hidden rust holes before continuing. When he got the car back from Kremers Painting and Graphics, he was very pleasantly surprised! The car was in remarkable shape, especially after decades of sitting in storage.
After further inspection, he did find there was some rust on the corners of the doors, fenders and quarter panels. The floor boards needed to be replaced because of several pin holes, but that was the extent of the damage and better than he expected.
Once he got the car back, he borrowed a rotisserie from a fellow classic car enthusiast. He was able to place the old Ford Mustang on the rotisserie and turn the whole thing over with just one hand. This made it much easier to continue his work. What an awesome invention!
While the car was on the rotisserie, he was able to do all the sheet metal and body work. Continue reading with Part 4 to see those awesome changes!
We love talking about old cars, but our main business here is selling trailers! Sign up here to receive exclusive offers and save money on your next trailer purchase! Plus you’ll be the first to see what’s new and relevant.
Did you miss Part 1? No problem, catch up right here!
After Dave got the pole barn built, he was ready to start the Mustang 1967 restoration project.
The summer of 2005, he began the process of taking the car apart. Being the family man that he is, he tried and failed to get the kids involved. (Sorry, Dad! If I could go back in time I would choose to be of much more help!)
Despite the decades of sitting in storage, the car was overall in good condition. It had plenty of mouse droppings, but not a whole lot of rust. After the summer, though, Dave got busy again with Tosh’s Tops (the counter top business he had at the time. Now called Rush Creek Surfaces) He lost time and interest and left the old pony to sit in the barn.
Dave labeled all the parts and hardware and put them aside. He still frequented his barn on nights and weekends. Putzing around on his truck, fixing the go-carts that we continued breaking, and cleaning out a deer or two every year. Meanwhile, Andrea began to wonder if she would ever get to cruise into town for ice cream in her shiny pale yellow Mustang. There was still a lot of work ahead of him and- spoiler alert: he finished it and it’s absolutely stunning! You’ll love the finished product!
Some of you are soaking up the last few weeks of summer and hot afternoons. Some of you are in the middle of back to school shopping and preparations. But it’s already a new season here for us: Pre-ordering snowmobile trailers.
I was lucky enough to grow up in a house with Dave. His passion for snowmobiling provided many thrill rides in the fresh powder and learning to drive them ourselves. He has taken several long trips through Michigan on his snowmobiles- I’m sure he’d love to tell you about them next time you’re at GT. Being a snowmobile rider himself, he knows a good snowmobile trailer when he sees one. We’re proud to have this option at our store and our customers are so happy with these year after year!
NEO NAS All Sport
Features of the Aluminum Snowmobile Trailer
Being over 24 feet in length, this snowmobile trailer is able to hold 3 sleds and all your gear. Not to mention all your other toys throughout the rest of the year. Like all NEO trailers, it is made with aluminum and comes with LED lights. Aluminum is the perfect material because it is lightweight and doesn’t rust. LED lights are a must because they can withstand extreme temperatures, last a REALLY long time, and hey- they’re good for the environment too. The drop leg tongue jack is easy to use and the flush lock curbside door allows a third and easy entrance.
This snowmobile trailer is incredibly designed and one of the best looking products on the market. And the best part? Like all NEO trailers, it is very affordable. We are convinced that this is the best choice for any snowmobile owner. Feel free to see what NEO trailers we have in stock, but keep in mind that we often custom order these for our customers too!
Pre-order Yours Today!
Head over to NEO Trailer’s website and design your own snowmobile trailer, they have so many styles to choose from! Stop by or give us a call at 538-2290 and we’ll get started on ordering yours!
FYI: Order before August 16th and we’ll hook you up with FREE upgrades! A $500 Value!
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At Grandville Trailer, we’re pullin’ for ya!
-Ally Mollenkamp
It was 1985. They were in college and it didn’t take them long to fall in love. She needed a car and he found one for her. And she drove it throughout college, mostly on the weekends to go back home.
(I’m not even going to comment on the shorts)
(In the background, you’ll notice Dave’s ’67 Mustang Coupe)
But the car wasn’t ideal. The engine ticked and knocked and overheated all the time. The manual drum brakes had a mind of their own. The car tended to swerve when she pressed on the brakes but she kept driving it anyways. Soon they were married and trying to make ends meet. So they sold the car to her dad, and he parked it in his barn. And for 16 years, there it sat, that 1967 Mustang.
It was 2003 and Dave and Andrea had an itch to get that old car back out. She dreamed of driving a restored mustang and the project sounded like a fun challenge to him. He asked her dad if he could buy it back. Her dad insisted that they just take it, he felt bad for letting it sit there for all of those years. So Dave hauled it back home!
But before he could begin the project, he needed the space. So he did what any logical man would do and built a barn in the backyard! A barn that has held many cars, trucks, snowmobiles, go-carts, quads, and hunting trophies over the years. It has served him well! Once the barn was up, he was ready to begin the long and dedicated process of restoring his honey’s dream car.
The project took over 10 years to complete and the 1967 Mustang now looks like an entirely different car. Read through this 8 part series and see the transformation!
At Grandville Trailer, we love and recommend Curt hitches to our customers. Their products are top of the line and made to last! Because Curt is confident in them as well, most products come with a pretty great warranty. We carry a lot of Curt’s products right here in our store. Here are a few of our favorites!
5th Wheel Curt Hitch
This is the Curt 5th Wheel Hitch; model Q20. When talking about 5th wheel hitches, it’s pretty much the best of the best. It has a 20,000lb maximum towing weight and 5,000lb maximum pin weight. It’s built strong and solid and will give you a smooth, quiet towing experience. Its spherical axle bearing allows a full 360 degree head movement and the Carbide Black Powder Coat finish gives it extra durability. But what really makes this hitch stand out is the full 10 year warranty that comes with it. So if you’re in need of a 5th wheel hitch, save yourself some time and headache and come see us at GT. We’ll hook you up with this Curt hitch. Check out this video if you want to know more about it.
T-Connector Wiring Kits
The best thing about these kits is how easy they are to install. Make sure you have the right model for your vehicle and you won’t have to do any cutting, splicing or soldering. These kits are also cool because they come with a dust cover and a 1 year warranty. Oh, and did I mention that they’re made in the USA?
Brake Controls
It’s pretty clear to us that Curt likes to offer products that will create a smooth, easy towing experience. Their brake controls do just that, especially the Triflex brake control. Its triple-axis motion sensing allows for a smooth, controlled, precise stop. Like other Curt products, the Triflex is so easy to use and it comes ready with all the mounting hardware. It also has a limited lifetime warranty! See what Curt has to say about their new product in this video.
Curt Hitches and Ball Mounts
We like to keep Curt hitches and ball mounts on our shelves because we believe they are top of the line. After the hitches are welded, they go through several different stages to get them smooth and strong. They are finished with a liquid A-coat and a powder coat finish before setting in the oven. Curt also makes a wide variety of ball mounts so that you can get the perfect fit. We carry many models in our trailer supply store but if you ever need something different, we are happy to order it for you.
Here is a great video by Curt on how to select your trailer hitch.
And here is their video on how to choose your ball mount and trailer ball.
Browse Curt Hitches
Get the right model by looking up your vehicle here to find a hitch that will fit. Call or email us with any questions. We would be happy to help you find the right model!
Want pro tips and exclusive offers from Grandville Trailer? Sign up below for our weekly newsletter! At Grandville Trailer, we’re pullin’ for ya!
-Ally Mollenkamp
“What’s the difference between a leaf spring and torsion axle?”
This is a very common question that our customers have when purchasing a trailer. Leaf spring vs. torsion axle; which one is better? We’d like to take a moment to educate YOU, the buyer on each of the two suspension types. Consider it a quick crash course in trailer suspension. We want to save you from getting ‘wrapped around the axle’, and give you the confidence to make the right decision when buying a trailer.
Leaf Spring vs. Torsion
Leaf Spring Axle
Leaf Spring Axles are the most commonly used suspension systems in the trailer industry and come standard on almost every type of trailer. They are made up of a series of curved stacked springs (leaves) that are attached under or over the trailer’s axle. This is commonly called over-slung or under-slung.
Over-slung
Under-slung
Leaf Spring Pro’s:
Even weight distribution due to the built-in weight equalizer
Even tire wear for multi axle trailers
More affordable (up front)
Durable
Cheap and easy to repair
Leaf Spring Con’s:
Repairs are needed more frequently
Bouncy ride on uneven or rough roads
Metal on metal design typically leads to faster wear
TORSION AXLE:
The stiff competitor of the Leaf Spring Axle, is known as the Torsion Axle. Torsion axles mount directly to the trailer’s frame and are made up of thick rubber cords concealed inside the axle’s tubing. These cords are created to resist torsion and create suspension. Trailers don’t generally come stock with the torsion axle, but it is an available upgrade in many models.
Torsion Axle Pro’s:
Dependable
Quiet/Smoother ride
No metal on metal contact
Offers trailer rigidity as axle is bolted to the trailer
Increases handling control in crosswinds/rough roads
No impact distribution (ie: hitting a curb) full impact on one wheel or set of wheels
Rubber cords become stiffer in colder weather
Not everyone agrees on which axle type is better and it really depends on your preferences. Where you live, how often you use your trailer and what you’re carrying will play a big role in deciding which axle is right for you. If you have any more questions, please give us a call at 616-538-2290 or stop by. Also, keep in mind that we do have a full service garage and we are happy to assist you with any upgrades or maintenance that you need!
Want more pro tips and exclusive offers from Grandville Trailer? Sign up below for our weekly newsletter! We’re pullin’ for ya!
“We are getting a new arrival here today. It’s new and cutting edge. It’s smart, strong and stylish. And it’s about time someone came up with this. It’s the FlOE Cargo Max utility trailer.”
↑↑ This was written in 2014. Now we’re pleased share that this trailer was everything we hoped for and more! Customers are always pleased with the versatility and durability of this small utility trailer. Here’s a few reasons why they have become so popular.
A Little Aluminum
In the trailer world, when we hear “aluminum” our attention is grabbed. It’s no secret that we love aluminum trailers. So that’s why we are such big fans of Aluma and Neo. Aluminum is a perfect base material for any trailer because it is both lightweight and strong. Being rust free and extremely resistant to climate changes, it’s the best material for outdoor equipment in the Midwest. So when we first heard of this FLOE trailer and all it’s aluminum-ness, of course we wanted to know more.
A Little Polymer
One of the things that makes this trailer stand out; its not JUST aluminum. This small utility trailer has a rugged polymer bed. The UV-resistant material is ideal because it does not rust, rot, or dent. Nor will it ever need a paint job. And have you seen it? It looks awesome!
Unbeatable Design
But seriously, the bed. The engineers of this trailer obviously knew what they were doing. You’ll notice in the picture below that the 8-foot frame is grooved to help hold down your belongings. And here is something extra cool: there are collapsing tie-downs that connect to the aluminum frame! Is anyone else asking “why didn’t I think of that?” Also, this small utility trailer is also built with a full rubber torsion independent suspension. It is really made to be easily pulled behind any vehicle and by (almost) anyone.
This Small Utility Trailer Has Remarkable Strength
Between the lightweight aluminum and polymer bed, the smallest model weighs in at a modest 290lbs. But don’t let that fool you. This trailer is a David with the strength of a Goliath. It has the ability of carrying 1800lbs- that’s over 6 times it’s weight! It will have no problem hauling your ATV’s, snowmobiles, or hunting equipment (and hopefully trophies too!)
Need a bigger payload capacity? Check out our other three models able to carry up to 2,230lbs.
If you’re looking for a small utility trailer that will last for years to come, take a minute to look over the details of this trailer and consider the different sizes. We think you’ll like it just as much as we do!
“Thanks to all of you for selling me the Cargo Max trailer. We live in Wisconsin. Older trailer had issues and we needed something to move 4-wheeler, ice house and family out to go ice fishing. New trailer works great. Light weight, tows great on the ice and off. Back in Wisconsin now and can’t wait to haul wood chips. Thanks again to Cargo Max and Grandville Trailer for great sales and service.” – Sandi
Here at Grandville Trailer, we have been selling Aluma Trailers faster than any others. They never sit on our lot for very long. We love how durable and dependable they are and so do our customers! If you are unfamiliar with Aluma trailers, this post is for you. Here’s why you should consider an aluminum trailer in Michigan.
Aluminum Trailers Don’t Rust
I’m going to take a second to state the obvious here. Aluma trailers are made from aluminum and aluminum doesn’t rust. Boom. It’s really a pretty miraculous thing for all us Michiganders and mid-west people. The four seasons take a toll on our cars, boats, campers and toys. Having aluminum trailers in Michigan just makes sense.
LED Lights
A lot of trailer owners like to update their trailers by putting LED lights on them. Their energy efficiency and long life makes them very appealing. And because they are mercury free, they have a much smaller environmental impact than traditional light bulbs. LED lights come standard on all Aluma Trailers. We’re glad that Aluma puts such quality into their trailers.
Aluminum Trailers are Light Weight
The average aluminum trailer weighs 25% less than its steel-framed equivalent. That frees up a considerable amount of your towing capacity so you can use your space on what you’d like. Not to mention that less weight means a higher MPG. If you’re going to buy a trailer, why not purchase one that will be easier on your wallet?
5 Year Warranty
Aluma trailers come with this 5 year warranty. This covers any defects in the material and workmanship of the unit. In those 5 years after purchase, if there is a problem, you can send your aluminum trailer directly to Aluma in Bancroft, Iowa. They will determine if the problem falls under the warranty, in which case, they will repair it free of charge.
Endless Models of Aluminum Trailers
Though their most popular is the open utility aluminum trailer, Aluma makes trailers for everyone. The options are extensive with motorcycle, car and snowmobile trailers, aluminum ATV trailers, car haulers, enclosed trailers and more. When it’s time for you to buy a new trailer, there is no doubt that Aluma can provide what you’re looking for.
Aluma is Widely Trusted and Well Respected
NATM Certified- (National Association of Trailer Manufactures) All trailers are built under the NATM guidelines.
NATDA Members- (North American Trailer Dealers Association) Here is more about them.
“Just got a 8112 utility trailer, it’s a great trailer. Easy to load and light. It pulls awesome. The tie downs are easy to get to, ramp goes down easy and doesn’t squeak at all. This is my 3 Aluma and will continue to to buy more. Thank you Aluma.” -Nate
Head on over to our Aluma page to see what aluminum trailers we have in stock and on order. Keep in mind that we are happy to order your specific model if we don’t have it on the lot!
Want to see another option for enclosed aluminum trailers in Michigan? You’ll love our selection from Neo!
Trailers are fun to buy and most of us have money to buy as many as we want, right? So it doesn’t really matter how well we take care of them. In fact, the quicker they need a replacement, the better. That means that you can just go buy another one. So let me help you out and tell you the 6 most common (and accidental) ways to destroy a trailer.
6 Ways to Wreck A Utility Trailer
1. Overload Your Utility Trailer
This is by far the quickest way to ruin a trailer. Every trailer has a weight capacity and it often gets overlooked. More importantly, your tow vehicle has a limit to be considerate of. Exceeding your vehicle’s weight limits can result in dangerous consequences like tire blowouts, busted suspensions and even brake and transmission failure. For those of you who do want to keep your vehicle and trailer in tact, you can learn how to find your vehicle’s weight ratings here.
Overloading your trailer can be a double whammy. You’ll be back at Grandville Trailer to purchase a trailer and we will send you over to D&L Auto Sales for your new tow vehicle! And while we’re on the subject of overloads, check out our rental trailer video which displays several overloaded vehicles. Enjoy!
2. Don’t Repack Your Bearings
It’s not important anyways, right? Rusty trailer wheel bearings aren’t a big deal. And if they do fail while you’re on the highway, it will just be a fun experience for everyone! There’s lots of nice people that will be happy to pull over and help. Let’s be honest, skipping this little step will definitely help you to achieve that “roadside experience.” But if you would rather be one of those people who don’t break down, you can read 5 Steps to Repacking Your Trailer Bearings. Better yet, bring it in and have us do it for you. Our service guys are the best bearing re-packers in West Michigan!
3. Don’t Check Tire Pressure
Here’s another opportunity to break down on the highway! All you have to do to blowout your tires is make sure they are a bit under-inflated. It also helps if they are worn out and if you drive fast. It’s really just that simple. However I have heard that some people do like to take care of their trailer tires. If that’s you, you can read 10 Tactical Tips for Trailer Tires in Grand Rapids.
4. Load Unevenly
They say to load your cargo evenly throughout your trailer with about 60 percent of the weight in front on the axle. Weight in the front keeps pressure on the hitch, helping the tow vehicle and trailer to stay connected and maneuvering smoothly. So theoretically, for rough and dangerous towing, all you have to do is put a bunch of really heavy stuff in the back. Easy enough.
5. Ignoring Those Rust Spots
It just adds character, right? To step it up a notch, you can avoid washing your trailer all together, especially in the winter. After driving through the slushy roads, the salt will eat your trailer right up. Not rinsing it off will cause it to corrode faster. It’s really pretty easy to take care of rust spots, but it’s even easier to just leave them alone and let them spread!
6. Drive Recklessly
This is the most obvious way to ruin your trailer. And this is where I’ll stop joking around. Everybody knows that driving fast with a big, heavy trailer attached to your truck is just not good common sense. Yet somehow, it still happens all the time. It baffles my mind when I see a truck and trailer flying by, weaving in and out of lanes. I know we all have important places to be, but putting other’s safety in jeopardy will never be worth any extra time you may make up for on the highway.
I certainly hope that none of our readers fall under these categories. And if so, I hope you will reconsider and take better care of your trailer and tow vehicle. Taking proper care of your truck and trailer will aid in keeping yourself and others safe on the road.
Besides driving off a cliff or using a sledge hammer, can you think of any other ways to ruin your utility trailer? What did I miss? You can comment on this link on our Facebook Page. Thank you and have a great week!
If you have been keeping up with us at all, then you probably know we have a whole stockpile of snowmobile trailers for sale on our lot. We are loving all the trailers we got from NEO and I wanted to share a bit more with you about the inlines that we have. Specifically, how to load them.
But first, here are some of the major advantages of purchasing a 7′ wide trailer vs. a 8.5′ wide trailer.
Inline trailers are built more narrow with a lower overall height, resulting in easier towing and less wind resistance.
The deck does not sit over the tires so they have a lower loading ramp angle.
Because snowmobiles are loaded in a staggering fashion, you are able to carry more sleds in less square footage.
When you’re heading up north or out west with the guys for a snowmobile trip, it’s nice to have a trailer that can comfortably fit all your sleds. And having an easy trailer to pull is great for your peace of mind and your wallet. There have been a lot of questions as to how to load these trailers though. A common myth is that sleds are loaded in a diagonal manor. This is not true, and we are here to tell you how it’s properly done.
1. The Front Spring Assist Ramp Door
This is the door that you will use to load your snowmobiles. (Notice that super low ramp angle!) This is the curbside of the trailer. Simply bring your sled in and place it all the way in the back on the roadside of the trailer with the front skis touching the back ramp door.
2. Start The Stagger
Sled number two will go in front first as well, but on the curbside of the trailer. The front of its skis should be just touching the back of the first sled’s skis.
3. Fill It Up
Keep going with staggering sleds and switching sides. Depending on the size of your snowmobiles, these trailers can hold 3, 4 or 5 sleds. Here is what a loaded inline trailer will look like.
4. Drive Out
One of the best things about these trailers is the “Drive in, Drive out” feature. It makes it so easy to load and unload when you don’t need to back up the snowmobiles. And if you want to make your trailer even more awesome, you can deck yours out in some of our accessories from Caliber. (Accessories that, by the way, will make incredible Christmas gifts for someone who already has a snowmobile trailer.)
Hopefully those pictures clear up any confusion on how to load these trailers. We are stocking NEO inlines and we also have NEO deck-overs available to order. Once again, here is our full listing of snowmobile trailers for sale, including some from Sport Haven too.
Is anyone planning a snowmobile trip before Christmas or in January? Don’t forget to check your tires to avoid problems on the road. Take a moment to read Ten Tactical Tips for Trailer Tires in Grand Rapids.
Aluminum Trailers are Light Weight
Though their most popular is the open utility aluminum trailer, Aluma makes trailers for everyone. The options are extensive with motorcycle, car and snowmobile trailers, aluminum ATV trailers, car haulers, enclosed trailers and more. When it’s time for you to buy a new trailer, there is no doubt that Aluma can provide what you’re looking for.
