What is the law on building a trailer?

the_pen_turner

i want to build an unusual trailer that would have to be a custom build.


can i buy a trailer and cut everything off execpt the axle and draw bar .

Jimmy.

You might want to consider leaving the chassis or part of it as the axle would not be connected to the draw bar.

the_pen_turner

Jimmy. wrote: »

You might want to consider leaving the chassis or part of it as the axle would not be connected to the draw bar.

sorry. thats what i meant. cut everything off thats not needed and start building from there.

am i allowed to do that

aaakev

What size trailer?

Jimmy.

Are you competent in establishing what’s needed and not needed without compromising the basic structure?

the_pen_turner

aaakev wrote: »

What size trailer?

8 x4

the_pen_turner

Jimmy. wrote: »

Are you competent in establishing what’s needed and not needed without compromising the basic structure?

a bit of common sence is all that needed

V8 Interceptor

It'll be grand as long as its welded correctly.

the_pen_turner

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

It'll be grand as long as its welded correctly.

no problem that way. friend is a pro welder

im more concerned about the law than the actual building

Nekarsulm

As long as the design weight of your homemade trailer is under 750kg, you are not required to have brakes on it.
It should however have a safety chain.
Over 750kg, you need a normal over-run braking system, complete with handbrake and breakaway cable.
Number plate not required if your cars one can be seen (under 750kg)
Lights and reflectors should be fitted.
Hydraulic braking systems not permitted.

CJhaughey

Trailers need to be type approved since 2012 I think, SSTA or EC type approval.
Here is the briefing document.
Homemade trailers have to be assessed by NSAI.

conor2469

CJhaughey wrote: »

Trailers need to be type approved since 2012 I think, SSTA or EC type approval.
Here is the briefing document.
Homemade trailers have to be assessed by NSAI.

So to get around that you can just say that the trailer was built in 2011.
OP make the trailer look 7 years old when you build it

Nekarsulm

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

It'll be grand as long as its welded correctly.

CJhaughey wrote: »

Trailers need to be type approved since 2012 I think, SSTA or EC type approval.
Here is the briefing document.
Homemade trailers have to be assessed by NSAI.

That only applies to trailers manufactured by a company for sale.
The RSA guidelines state that "all new light trailers manufactured and sold since 28th October 2012 must be plated"
Have a look for the RSA page entitled "FAQ's on towing light trailers. "

_Brian

Home made trailers are an enormous grey area.

I wonder in the event of an accident how would an insurance company behave.

We have a twin axle trailer here at home, bought probably 30 years ago and it was second hand at that stage and home made, so it’s probably 40 years old.

Not plated for any weight that you could match to your licence.

Has lights and safety chain but no breaks ever.

If I were OP i think I’d get an engineers report on the completed work.

Nekarsulm

_Brian wrote: »

Home made trailers are an enormous grey area.

I wonder in the event of an accident how would an insurance company behave.

We have a twin axle trailer here at home, bought probably 30 years ago and it was second hand at that stage and home made, so it’s probably 40 years old.

Not plated for any weight that you could match to your licence.

Has lights and safety chain but no breaks ever.

If I were OP i think I’d get an engineers report on the completed work.

I'd say that in the near future trailers like yours (and mine, build by my dad in 1984) will come in for attention from the RSA.
The likelyhood is that they will be banned from use by cars and jeeps, and end up having a ring hitch fitted so that they can only be pulled by a tractor.

the_pen_turner

Thanks. I think I will try to get a boat trailer or esb real trailer or similar and bolt to that. At least then the trailer part is plated

martyc5674

Curious as to what your building?
Built a camping/Leisure trailer a few years back off an existing trailer. Purely for camping surfing and biking... very hard to get a good leisure trailer in Ireland, at least it was 6/7 years ago.
Marty.

the_pen_turner

martyc5674 wrote: »

Curious as to what your building?
Built a camping/Leisure trailer a few years back off an existing trailer. Purely for camping surfing and biking... very hard to get a good leisure trailer in Ireland, at least it was 6/7 years ago.
Marty.

its going to be a box trailer that the side hindges up to create a roof , there will be shelves and a bench to work out of. the middle will the sheets of ply up on their edge slid in. other side will have material storage/

its hard to discribe

kind of like this but sheets slide in on edge from the end

the_pen_turner

or this

Nekarsulm

the_pen_turner wrote: »

its going to be a box trailer that the side hindges up to create a roof , there will be shelves and a bench to work out of. the middle will the sheets of ply up on their edge slid in. other side will have material storage/

its hard to discribe

kind of like this but sheets slide in on edge from the end

I dont know where the ESB and Eircom sell their surplus trucks and vans, it used to be in Cavan Car Auctions untill they closed.
But where ever they send them now would be worth checking out, because they used to dispose of some seriously handy work vehicles with great parts lockers etc.

mgbgt1978

Nekarsulm wrote: »

I'd say that in the near future trailers like yours (and mine, build by my dad in 1984) will come in for attention from the RSA.
The likelyhood is that they will be banned from use by cars and jeeps, and end up having a ring hitch fitted so that they can only be pulled by a tractor.

http://www.trailerspares.ie/mp82b.html


...thousands more Ball & Pin Hitches available from Irish and UK Suppliers. In fairness, the RSA will usually only work from whatever the EU Regulations state

Nekarsulm

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

http://www.trailerspares.ie/mp82b.html


...thousands more Ball & Pin Hitches available from Irish and UK Suppliers. In fairness, the RSA will usually only work from whatever the EU Regulations state

Yeah, but the "ring hitch & tractor" idea is that the towing speed of home made trailers without braks or with hydraulic brakes is kept to 20 or 25 mph.

Towing with the pin in those hitches you linked to is horrible, trailer shunting back and forward an inch or two all the time, then the pin is damaged and you cant get it out.

hi5

Here's a pair of caravan chassis for €200 each..

https://www.donedeal.ie/trailers-for-sale/caravan-chassis/19451246

the_pen_turner

i think i would buy something a bit better than that. i would be better off building it from scratch to the right size than adjust something like that.