Rusty car trailer.

Terrill

Hi,

This is a light trailer that is being used occasionally for hauling light to moderately heavy loads, for example anything from moving a lawnmower or bringing junk to the local dump, to bringing home a full load of stones or gravel.

As you may notice from the pictures, it is not exactly in new condition. I'm curious if people think this trailer is safe, appropriate and legal to use on Irish roads.

https://ibb.co/sJhqMCV
https://ibb.co/mbv2hrX
https://ibb.co/37pCXD8
https://ibb.co/fFM43BR
https://ibb.co/2810ddc
https://ibb.co/T2Xk2Gf
https://ibb.co/bvZyP9z
https://ibb.co/sC1hWD5
https://ibb.co/1qXPsm8

Try another angle.

Terrill

Ah well - got this message when trying to submit photos - "You cannot post with images, URLs or attachments because you are a new user."..... makes this thread a bit redundant doesn't it!

Ken.

Mod- Thread locked for a move to the motors forum.

Terrill

So is there any way I can share photos in this thread? It doesn't seem I can even post links out to Google drive.

Ken.

You can post a picture when you've made 5 posts and been a member for 24 hours. Explore the site and make a few posts(don't troll) and come back to this in 24 or so hours.

kyote00

The waiting is the worst ....

Terrill

Ok cool, that isn't so bad, I read elsewhere on an older thread when searching about this that I may have to make 50 posts! I'll post the pics tomorrow hopefully.

ToddyDoody

The after hours reply is.. throw a few kids in the trailer for a spin to test whether its safe or not.

Toyotafanboi

If you want to host your image on a hosting site and PM me the link I will put it on the thread for you.

Toyotafanboi

Links to images now in OP.

It's a bit shook looking IMO, plenty of it like the wheels is surface rust but there looks like holes in the chassis ladder. Dont know how I'd feel with it full or gravel.

Terrill

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

If you want to host your image on a hosting site and PM me the link I will put it on the thread for you.

Thanks a mil, just sent you the links!

Some notes on the images:

The tyres don't have a manufacture date on them, but they are at least 20 years old. They can't be changed because the studs and wheel nuts are completely rusted (so much so, you'll notice one wheel nut has rusted off - the remaining ones are probably not far behind).

Wheels themselves are very badly corroded.

The drop links attaching the leaf springs to the frame are bent and corroded. On one side, you'll see that the link piece is jammed against the underside of the trailer chassis and body. On the other side, it hangs lower, but still not vertical as it should be.

On the side it is jammed up, it has wedged the bolt against the chassis rail. So, when this thing goes over bumps, that bolt is taking an impact each time.

Every bushing is gone, so there are big gaps between bolts, plates and washers everywhere, leading to lots of movement in the suspension where there should be none. Everything is metal resting on rusty bolts rather than bushings taking impact.

Long story short, the trailer is not mine, but the owner thinks it is grand...

Melodeon

Worth its weight in scrap!
That's utterly unroadworthy in my opinion, especially with the broken wheel stud and spring shackles at full extension with badly worn eyes & bolts.

An accident waiting to happen IMO....thing could fall apart anyday.

punisher5112

Op DO NOT USE this....

Seriously for your safety and others don't use it on a road or off road....

Destroy it.

Nuts. I thought it was a trailer for a rusty car!

Odelay

Scarp it. Buy another, these things are not expensive.

elperello

Not suitable for loads of stones or gravel.
Will do to move a lawnmower or small loads to dump while looking for a replacement.
Something safer and more serviceable can be got for €300 - €400.

punisher5112

elperello wrote: »

Not suitable for loads of stones or gravel.
Will do to move a lawnmower or small loads to dump while looking for a replacement.
Something safer and more serviceable can be got for €300 - €400.

No it won't.... It's that badly rusted the nuts have sheered off....

Death trap on wheels.....

I hope you are prosecuted op if you think this is fine...

Terrill

Just to clarify, not my trailer and I’ve no intention of using it. The owner thinks it is grand and that I am just exaggerating and over reacting when I pointed out the safety concerns with this trailer.

I don’t want to see it on the road and am very concerned it’ll cause an accident and hurt someone. The owner doesn’t listen to me, but may be swayed by these comments when I show him.

Even legally I’m sure this shouldn’t be on the road - I think if it was the cause of an accident, the insurance company may take a dim view of using this thing to tow stuff around. Any insurance folk here?

Are there any laws about trailers? What would a guard say if he saw it? Any guards on here?

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

punisher5112

Terrill wrote: »

Just to clarify, not my trailer and I’ve no intention of using it. The owner thinks it is grand and that I am just exaggerating and over reacting when I pointed out the safety concerns with this trailer.

I don’t want to see it on the road and am very concerned it’ll cause an accident and hurt someone. The owner doesn’t listen to me, but may be swayed by these comments when I show him.

Even legally I’m sure this shouldn’t be on the road - I think if it was the cause of an accident, the insurance company may take a dim view of using this thing to tow stuff around. Any insurance folk here?

Are there any laws about trailers? What would a guard say if he saw it? Any guards on here?

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

Ask them how they feel if they were responsible for killing another human.....

I would slash the tyres to be honest but obviously not allowed do things like that.


Anything brought on a public road must be safe and legal and that is far from it.

drunkmonkey

It's fine just take it handy with it. Nothing a wire brush and some paint couldn't make look ok.

pablo128

Ask the lad who uses it to imagine a loose wheel coming through his windscreen at 60 or 80 kmh.

The trailer would probably be grand with some remedial work done. Im not well up on the price of parts for them though, so it might be more cost effective to replace it with a good trailer.

Still waters

give it to your local scrap man, cut the axle in case he might use it or sell it on

jmreire

Terrill wrote: »

Hi,

This is a light trailer that is being used occasionally for hauling light to moderately heavy loads, for example anything from moving a lawnmower or bringing junk to the local dump, to bringing home a full load of stones or gravel.

As you may notice from the pictures, it is not exactly in new condition. I'm curious if people think this trailer is safe, appropriate and legal to use on Irish roads.

https://ibb.co/sJhqMCV
https://ibb.co/mbv2hrX
https://ibb.co/37pCXD8
https://ibb.co/fFM43BR
https://ibb.co/2810ddc
https://ibb.co/T2Xk2Gf
https://ibb.co/bvZyP9z
https://ibb.co/sC1hWD5
https://ibb.co/1qXPsm8

That's one sick trailer....if there was an NCT for two wheel car trailers, that one would fail big time.

TrailerBob

Sadly there's plenty of people who'll use a ball of scrap like that... Bin it..

drunkmonkey

TrailerBob wrote: »

Sadly there's plenty of people who'll use a ball of scrap like that... Bin it..

It's not his to bin he's posted the neighbours trailer.

kyote00

The chassis rails are badly holed with rust and the shackle bolts seem bend or loose.

The least bad option is - a bounce over a pothole or bump could easily cause the axle to break free --- the trailer then jack knifes into whatever is doing the towing.... causing 1000s of euros of damage to the towing vehicle.

The worst bad option is it breaks free and kills someone.

Advise owner to get that POS off the road.

TrailerBob

drunkmonkey wrote: »

It's not his to bin he's posted the neighbours trailer.

Bin the neighbour too

CJhaughey

I have always said there is a strong case for testing and licensing trailers individually.
It would take some effort and determination but would ensure that trailers are at least roadworthy once a year and would result in scrap trailers like the one pictured being taken off the road.

TrailerBob

I would be happy to see that too, but like all things, it would be decreed a 'money making racket' and I can already hear Gombeen Healy-Rae on the radio saying 'good honest lads trying to do a days work' would be taken off the road...

It need not be that rigorous either... Tyres, axle, lights, hitch coupling and brakes if fitted. In France and Germany trailers even have their own registration

gozunda

CJhaughey wrote: »

I have always said there is a strong case for testing and licensing trailers individually.
It would take some effort and determination but would ensure that trailers are at least roadworthy once a year and would result in scrap trailers like the one pictured being taken off the road.

In the UK

trailers with a maximum mass exceeding, 3,500kg must be tested one year after they were first sold or supplied and every year after. A trailer test certificate will be issued if it passes the test.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/trailers

The above comes with the warning that

This however, does not guarantee a trailer’s condition.

The trailer which does not belong to the OP would however not fall into the above weight category. Afaik the police in the UK and the Gardai here can stop motorists towing defective or dangerous trailers..

CrankyHaus

I had a trailer with similar amounts of rust restricted to the wheels and axles only. I got new wheels and went at the axle rust with acid, a wire brush and paint.

Didn't prevent the axle from giving up the ghost while it was laid up in the garden under load. I just felt lucky that it failed while static, I'd never taken it on the road.
My lesson was don't chance it and cut your losses on a rusty trailer.

jmreire

drunkmonkey wrote: »

It's fine just take it handy with it. Nothing a wire brush and some paint couldn't make look ok.

Looking OK with a coat of fresh paint and being OK physically... are two different things.Personally, I would not take it on the road even empty.

Tin Lizzy

Spring shackles are in very bad order and would want to be sorted prior to use.
Incorrect sized bolts through the shackles that appear to be hitting the frame and 2 wheel nuts on backwards is a sign of a not very mechanically inclined individual working on the trailer (not ideal..) .
One wheel nut has sheared off which would want to be fixed.
U bolt sandwich plates look like they were fired together from the nearest piece of scrap metal they could find.
I cannot see any signs of wheel nuts having almost rusted away that some in this thread claim to see.
I cannot see any signs of rust holes in the trailer chassis that some in this thread also claim to see. If anyone would like to point them out that would be appreciated.
Tires do not appear to be perished but cannot properly judge their condition from the photos.

Imo the trailer is not currently roadworthy but should be a easy repair. There is no rust of concern on the trailer (plenty of surface rust but there is a large difference between surface rust and structural rust). Sort out the suspension related issues and broken wheel stud and I would not have any issues using this trailer.

jmreire

TrailerBob wrote: »

I would be happy to see that too, but like all things, it would be decreed a 'money making racket' and I can already hear Gombeen Healy-Rae on the radio saying 'good honest lads trying to do a days work' would be taken off the road...

It need not be that rigorous either... Tyres, axle, lights, hitch coupling and brakes if fitted. In France and Germany trailers even have their own registration

As thing's go, small single axle car trailers are not rocket science,easy to work and carry out repairs on. From Dec 2013, all new trailers must comply with the regulations ( presently, older trailer's are exempt) On Donedeal at the moment there are brand new fully complient trailer's for sale. The base one, 6' x 4' starts at €985.00,I would hate to see the day when for insurance purposes, you can only use a fully certified and plated trailer. Scrapping my own fully functional trailer, and having to pay €1000.00 to replace it, is not something I would be looking forward to. And while I agree with you in principle,this is what introducing an small Trailer NCT might lead to, down the road.

Odelay

It’s the like of the owner of that trailer that will led to trailer testing being brought in. If an owner thinks that’s fine to use, then there is clearly an issue and some will need their hand held.

pablo128

Odelay wrote: »

It’s the like of the owner of that trailer that will led to trailer testing being brought in. If an owner thinks that’s fine to use, then there is clearly an issue and some will need their hand held.

Very good point.

CiniO

TrailerBob wrote: »

I would be happy to see that too, but like all things, it would be decreed a 'money making racket' and I can already hear Gombeen Healy-Rae on the radio saying 'good honest lads trying to do a days work' would be taken off the road...

It need not be that rigorous either... Tyres, axle, lights, hitch coupling and brakes if fitted. In France and Germany trailers even have their own registration

Own registration, own insurance, own roadworthiness test.

jmreire

CiniO wrote: »

Own registration, own insurance, own roadworthiness test.

Yes they have..and also reasonable priced Insurance, cheaper parts etc Plus good 2nd markets. It's not a level playing field ( unfortunately :mad: )

CiniO

CiniO wrote: »

Own registration, own insurance, own roadworthiness test.

Indeed. And rightly so. Writing as a trailer owner.

CiniO

JayZeus wrote: »

Indeed. And rightly so. Writing as a trailer owner.

I imported my Ifor williams BV84 from Ireland to Poland.
Unfortunately they made a total mess during registration process, as firstly they couldn't believe that trailer wasn't issued registration cert in Ireland with reg number, and secondly during roadworthiness test they had issued with fact that VIN number is only stamped on a plate, not on actual trailer body (that's how Ifor Williams do it).

Anyway after I menaged to get it registered, trailer got its own reg numer, own registration cert. Roadworthiness test needs to be conducted once a year, and costs about €18 and annual insurance policy for the trailer cost me about €11 per annum.

Nothing I would go mad about.

jmreire

JayZeus wrote: »

Indeed. And rightly so. Writing as a trailer owner.

What kind of trailer is it? single or double axle? Size? I have towed quite a lot of trailers too. And curently have two. 1 x 6' x 4', and the 2nd one is 5' x 3.5'. I only usem them for light work...heaviest would be a ride on lawnmower, or a load of firewood blocks. But the bigger one would be more than capable of carrying a heavier load, if I ever needed it to. But that's bot something that I would seldom do in any case.

jmreire

jmreire wrote: »

What kind of trailer is it? single or double axle? Size?

Why?

V8 Interceptor

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would slash the tyres.

:eek:

V8 Interceptor

TrailerBob wrote: »

I would be happy to see that too, but like all things, it would be decreed a 'money making racket'

Given that insurers won't insure older cars doesn't it make a mockery of the NCT?

jmreire

JayZeus wrote: »

Why?

Just curious really... kind of trailer, make etc. How do you find it for towing? If it's a factory manufactured one, would you recommend it? Nothing special, just trailer talk. No worrie's about it.

jmreire

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

Given that insurers won't insure older cars doesn't it make a mockery of the NCT?

While strictly speaking, that's true for most insurer's, or at least they have a limit, and will not insure cars older than 10,15, year's etc. But if you have an older car for years and years ( quite a few people do) then you will continue to get insurance. Friend of mine is driving a 1995 Toyota Corolla, passed it's NCT a few weeks ago, and never has had any problems with the insurance. But there are plenty of drivers out there who have mega problems with getting insurance for their older cars. In part, at least some of this situation was caused by people buying older cars, then crashing them...compo job. But generally, car insurer's in Ireland seem to be able to write the rules as they go along...deapite calls for insurance reform,,,,no sign of any change in the near future. The (NON) acceptance of the NCT, is another isue that the Govt need's to tackle.

Terrill

thanks a mil all - he's buying a new trailer