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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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building a trailer
I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be
cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks |
#2
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building a trailer
news.btinternet.com wrote:
I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks The back axle of a small car(a mini) and a welded angline framework welded to the axle is basically the basis for the trailer. Frame work can be covered in quater inch plywood. oblong letter shape for the framework as the serves for where the towbar mechanics will go. Backlights could be from a scrap car and cut outs at the back of the trailer plywood to house the lights. -- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite |
#3
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building a trailer
The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote:
The back axle of a small car(a mini) (cough) |
#4
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building a trailer
Chris Bacon wrote:
The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote: The back axle of a small car(a mini) (cough) "Wishbone" I forgot the mini didn't have an axle. :-P -- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite |
#5
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building a trailer
In article
The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote: Chris Bacon wrote: The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote: The back axle of a small car(a mini) (cough) "Wishbone" I forgot the mini didn't have an axle. :-P It doesn't have wishbones either. |
#6
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building a trailer
Rob Morley wrote:
In article The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote: Chris Bacon wrote: The3rd Earl Of Derby wrote: The back axle of a small car(a mini) (cough) "Wishbone" I forgot the mini didn't have an axle. :-P It doesn't have wishbones either. Damn! it must have been the Hillman Imp then? I am getting on you know. -- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite |
#7
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building a trailer
news.btinternet.com wrote:
I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? http://www.towsure.com/default.asp?t=6396 |
#8
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building a trailer
news.btinternet.com wrote:
I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks IIRC from a number of years ago Indespension used to supply traier parts. I built a luggage traiter using their suspension units - you could specify the stub axel required, depending on the hub/wheel you could find in a scrapyard. I have no current experience. Malcolm |
#9
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building a trailer
On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 17:29:56 GMT, Malcolm Race wrote:
|IIRC from a number of years ago Indespension used to supply traier |parts. Still do http://www.indespension.co.uk/ -- Dave Fawthrop dave hyphenologist co uk Please quote, with quote character, previous post sniped to only the bit you are replying to. Threads often contain 100s of posts dozens layers deep. Other people use different newsreaders, they do not see or do what you see and do. |
#10
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building a trailer
On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 17:29:56 GMT, Malcolm Race
wrote: news.btinternet.com wrote: I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks IIRC from a number of years ago Indespension used to supply traier parts. I built a luggage traiter using their suspension units - you could specify the stub axel required, depending on the hub/wheel you could find in a scrapyard. I have no current experience. I'm not sure you can do that any more Malcolm (if you were doing the brakes bit). I built my 1/2 tonne braked trailer using Morris Minor stub axles / brake drums (and it still running fine some 20 years later) but I think now you can only use 'purpose built' trailer brake / stub axle assemblies? Maybe if you go for a car conversion (where you retain the donor brake system) you can get round it (probably because it's not 'new' but a conversion)?? Also my trailer has the simple sprung 'overrun' brake actuator and I think new-builds must be damped ..? All the best .. T i m |
#11
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building a trailer
T i m wrote:
On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 17:29:56 GMT, Malcolm Race wrote: news.btinternet.com wrote: I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks IIRC from a number of years ago Indespension used to supply traier parts. I built a luggage traiter using their suspension units - you could specify the stub axel required, depending on the hub/wheel you could find in a scrapyard. I have no current experience. I'm not sure you can do that any more Malcolm (if you were doing the brakes bit). I built my 1/2 tonne braked trailer using Morris Minor stub axles / brake drums (and it still running fine some 20 years later) but I think now you can only use 'purpose built' trailer brake / stub axle assemblies? Maybe if you go for a car conversion (where you retain the donor brake system) you can get round it (probably because it's not 'new' but a conversion)?? Also my trailer has the simple sprung 'overrun' brake actuator and I think new-builds must be damped ..? All the best .. T i m The trailer was a lightweight luggage trailer and unbraked Malcolm |
#12
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building a trailer
On Fri, 10 Feb 2006 21:56:06 GMT, Malcolm Race
wrote: The trailer was a lightweight luggage trailer and unbraked That's ok then (and why I added the "if you were doing the brakes bit") ;-) I don't think I *had* to have brakes (even then) but as I had the means and interest I though it might be a good idea (and I still believe it was). ;-) There are times when I 'lock out' the overrun brakes (like when it's empty) as because they are undamped it can sometimes get a bit 'choppy' if you have to brake quickly (rather than firmly) etc. All the best .. T i m |
#13
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building a trailer
HI
On Thu, 9 Feb 2006 16:56:24 +0000 (UTC), "news.btinternet.com" wrote: I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks Depends on how small / light you're after.... I obtained the chassis from a scrapped caravan (£20) and had it cut down (thought 19ft long was a bit excessive !). Local garage did some welding, I added plywood sides, hinges, lighting board and there you go..... trailer takes 8ft x 4ft sheets flat between the wheelarches... Resulting trailer carries between 1/2 - 1 tonne of firewood - looks ugly but works well g. Not the lightest of things to lug around though - original chassis is (thick) box section steel tube.... Maybe you were thinking of something smaller ? Adrian ======return email munged================= take out the papers and the trash to reply |
#15
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building a trailer
"news.btinternet.com" wrote in message ... I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks Do you mean a car transporter trailer? Been there done that. By law any trailer over 750kg gross weight *MUST* be braked. For transporting cars you'll need a twin-axle trailer, with running gear big enough to carry the weight of the trailer itself and the heavyest car you're likely to carry. Factor in a winch and ramps to your design. I find it preferable to keep the centre of gravity low by having the road wheels either side of the bed the carried car sits on. I had a nasty experience once of a hired "beavertail" one with wheels under the bed and the car high up rolling over on a motorway - not pleasant. Towcar, carried car and trailer all written off :-(. Buying parts off the shelf is easy enough, but braked suspension units are not cheap, nor is the coupling. I've found www.trailerpartswarehouse.co.uk to be very good. I'm currently in the process of upgrading my home-built (large) box trailer to fully braked using 4x braked indespension units from the above company. If you mean a small box-trailer for general use, as long as you're under 750kg loaded you can get away without braking, which makes things far cheaper. Alan. |
#16
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building a trailer
Alan wrote: "news.btinternet.com" wrote in message ... I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Before you part with any money, add it all up and compare it with the cost of.... The Conway Carrier (if they're still available (bit basic, but mine was £400 new complete with 10" wheels (inc a spare & bracket) jockey wheel, tarpaulin type cover, err I think that was it.)) Also Tony Maris at www.towitall.co.uk (I think that's the right url) sells some pretty cheap ready built. Also try google groups and search for uk.d-i-y +trailer +build etc for previous threads and recommendations. Come back and let us know how you get on. |
#17
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building a trailer
On Thu, 9 Feb 2006 16:56:24 +0000 (UTC), "news.btinternet.com"
wrote: I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Stick with the "light" part and it's OK. Over the weight limit though and it gets complicated - you can't re-use car brakes, you need trailer brakes to get adequate efficiency. Read the regs (or the precis of them in the trailer seller's catalogues) before you start. As it's hard to find suitable donor cars anyway these days, the easiest route is to buy a ready-assembled axle, with rubber trailer suspension units on it. These are also a better match to typical light trailer weight. 2" steel angle iron will weld with a cheap stick welder, you don't even need a MIG. Indespension, Towsure or any of the others sell plans and kits. Definitely get tehir cataogues first. OTOH, Halfords et al. will sell you a cheap trailer that has low-maintenance aluminium bodywork and for not much more than the cost and hassle of building one. -- Cats have nine lives, which is why they rarely post to Usenet. |
#18
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building a trailer
On Thu, 9 Feb 2006 16:56:24 +0000 (UTC), "news.btinternet.com"
wrote: I would like to build a light car trailer. It seems that this would be cheaper than buying one. Can anyone point to appropriate websites for plans and parts etc.? Or is this simply a daft idea? Thanks Check out eBay, then see. Small trailers sell for penuts on eBay. Rick |
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