Building a 8 x 4 car trailer....

cjpm

Hi folks,

Advice needed. Thinking of building a car trailer myself instead of forking out about 2K for a new one. Twin axle, suitable for 2 tonnes.

Plan is to use all steel, welded frame and get it dipped afterwards. Chequered plate for the floor and sides. What type steel section would you advise for the frame and drawbar??

Going to buy an axle with brakes fitted. Choice of suspension, springs or the newer torsion type system. Which is a better job and safer on the road?? I'd imagine the newer system would allow me to put the double axles closer together.

Any opinions greatly appreciated, particularly if you've attempted the same job.

Sound,

JP

Avns1s

Looked into something similar about 3 years ago. By the time I would have bought all the PROPER parts, steel etc., there wasn't enough to be saved to justifiy my time and the fact that I still wouldn't have had a trailer that has been manufactured to a standard and tested design. I was getting that stuff at trade prices too by the way. In the end, I ended up buying a new Ifor Williams. It's stored indoors and for light use, so I should have it for life!

My advice would be to look on donedeal etc for a good second hand factory built trailer.

Think about the legal requirements current and future too.

Chiorino

Also bear in mind you will also have to get the trailer tested by the NSAI at a cost of (I think) around €400.

zetecescort

Chiorino wrote: »

Also bear in mind you will also have to get the trailer tested by the NSAI at a cost of (I think) around €400.

testing trailers? next you'll be saying we need a licence for it too:)

Chiorino

zetecescort wrote: »

testing trailers? next you'll be saying we need a licence for it too:)

Just watch the chaos when the registration and annual roadworthiness test comes onto the scene!!:eek:

poor farmer

Avns1s wrote: »

Looked into something similar about 3 years ago. By the time I would have bought all the PROPER parts, steel etc., there wasn't enough to be saved to justifiy my time and the fact that I still wouldn't have had a trailer that has been manufactured to a standard and tested design. I was getting that stuff at trade prices too by the way. In the end, I ended up buying a new Ifor Williams. It's stored indoors and for light use, so I should have it for life!

My advice would be to look on donedeal etc for a good second hand factory built trailer.

Think about the legal requirements current and future too.

I would definitely agree with this .I have built a few trailers like what you are talking about ,the usually end up costing more than the factory built option.

caseman

Have to agree with above. If you could get a second hand ivor williams instead ,nearly unbreakable apart from the brakes

blue5000

OP have to agree with all the other posters loads of ex builder trailers out there for less than 2k. If you want to build your own you are still going to buy a lot of parts off the shelf, ball hitch axles hubs etc.

You can buy indespesion axle units for about 115 sterling
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150592933029?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

You still have to put on a wheel and tyre at 100 a corner. Chequered plate is 105 e for 8 x 4 sheet.
Really all you'll have is the satisfaction of building your own trailer.

adrianshanahan

Not to mention you are not allowed to tow a trailer carrying that weight in a car or without a trailer endorsement on your licence.

I work of an engineering / fabrication company and there is no chance of you building a trailer as near as good quality wise for the same price as you would buy off the shelf.

Buy a used trailer off done deal or the like, and I'd suggest a flat bed trailer with sides as opposed a regular builders trailer.


Adrian

kingstown

I agree with everyone, by the time you have everything bought and put together and 'dipped' you wont have saved much if anything and you still only have a ''homemade'' job.

If you ever had to sell it you wont get back half what you put into it.

My advice for what ist worth, is buy a proper trailer such as an Ifor Williams drop side (tipper if possible) they are unbeatable for versatility and you wont realise how much you will use it.

I bought a s/h Ifor Williams 12x 6 tipper c/w ramps a couple of years ago and wouldn't be without it now.

Ford4000

Much better option
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/trailers/4090931

cjpm

Thanks for all the replies lads, I'm probably a bit mad to be even considering it!!

The reason I was is that I've a pretty good Bradley hitch lying around at home, would be nice to find a job for it... I priced it today new - €320 + vat I was quoted!!! :eek::eek:

I also have four 14" tyres on good wheels (100mm Pitch Circle Diameter) which are in good condition, . If I was able to get an axle unit to suit them I'd be laughing.....

If I was to buy an axle unit in the morning, i'd be able to get one with the auto reverse brakes. If I bought a second hand trailer, chances are the brakes would be the older type, and could be half wrecked too.

I really don't want to get stung with a trailer that was dogged by a previous owner if I bought second hand, you can check only so much looking at a trailer in the sellers yard...

Chiorino

cjpm wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies lads, I'm probably a bit mad to be even considering it!!

The reason I was is that I've a pretty good Bradley hitch lying around at home, would be nice to find a job for it... I priced it today new - €320 + vat I was quoted!!! :eek::eek:

I also have four 14" tyres on good wheels (100mm Pitch Circle Diameter) which are in good condition, . If I was able to get an axle unit to suit them I'd be laughing.....

If I was to buy an axle unit in the morning, i'd be able to get one with the auto reverse brakes. If I bought a second hand trailer, chances are the brakes would be the older type, and could be half wrecked too.

I really don't want to get stung with a trailer that was dogged by a previous owner if I bought second hand, you can check only so much looking at a trailer in the sellers yard...

Pretty much any factory built trailer made in the last 15 years will have auto reverse brakes. You seem to have some idea what you need to look at but if it helps I can PM a small checklist for buying used trailers. There is some good stuff out there at reasonable prices, wading through the scrap first is the hard part.

JohnBoy

I recently bought an ifor 8x5 2.7t from westwood. they have a list of second hand trailers on their website, and to be honest I didnt think the value was terrible.

They're fully gone through from top to bottom getting anything they need. Our one had come in on fairly decent tyres, so they didnt replace them, but they would if needed, our one had the following parts list:

Stickers
Rivits
Hitch handle (jockey wheel clamp)
safety cable
lights cable
grease nipples
wheel bearing for jockey wheel
r clip and chain for jockey wheel
hitch head
hitch bellows
hitch damper
reflectors
bulbs
light lens
brake cables
brake shoes
hub caps
floor paint


Basically it had been gone through and anything it needed, it got.

We paid a hundred less than a new tuffmac 8x4 2t with the wheels outside, but with a mesh kit.

Kinda swings and roundabouts really, but the eventual conclusion was the slightly bigger size and removable sides made for a more flexible trailer. I can always add a mesh kit to the ifor, but I could never remove the sides of the tuffmac.


There's a 8x5 2 tonne one on the website for €2,050 inc vat.

CAtocork

Also, think about the resale value of a factory trailer