Building a utility trailer

[tractorface]

My beat up old boat trailer conversion has seen its better days and since I dragged it home with one wheel and 4,000lbs of drywall on it the other week I have been thinking about retireing it. I would like to build my own trailer. Work at a place with full fabrication capabilities so tools and acess to steel is no problem. Just did a side job for a highly qualified certified welder and did the work as a trade for him welding my trailer together. Need information on trailer axles, parts etc. Searched the web and came up with low cost "kits" axles etc. but was unsure of quality or what really matters. The trailer will not be used a lot and when it is only to haul locally but I still want to build something nice looking that will travel well and last. I already did the whole register a homemade trailer on my last one so that is no big deal. Just looking from input from guys who tow and know.

Thanks



Trailer will be flatbed with removable sides for ease of loading and flexability. Probably go with steel and use diamond plate for flooring as I can minimize my purchases by using "scrap" from work. Will buy what I need but do have access to a lot of stuff that ends up in the scrap bin. Oh Yeah, looking in the 5200lb range but open to suggestions.

 

[McCRam]

I am working on putting brakes on my baot trailer. I found these websites



http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm

http://www.championtrailers.com/



These were given to me by other tdr members. I haven't ordered yet so I cannot comment on quality

 

[y-knot]

No matter how you look at it, there is no way you will be able to build your own trailer cheaper then you can buy one pre-made and ready to go. I know alot of people (like me) enjoy the thrill of building things them self, if this is you then enjoy the build, but don't hide behind the price. Trailer manufacturers buy axles but the hundred, same goes for the wheels, tires and everything else it takes to build a trailer. The steel is purchased but the ton. Large makers buy is such large quantities, and with so much regularity, that they pay less then 1/4 the price you would. We sell trailers, and I have made many of them myself, but I could never compete on standard run of the mill type trailers, like the small car haulers, utility trailers, and so forth.



If you do plan on building one yourself, look into getting a certified plan or blue print for the trailer type you need. Many places sell these, just do some searches. Also, you will need to get the trailer registered, so save all receipts. You may wont to check in with your auto insurance provider, many will not insure a home built trailer. Also recognize that you are putting yourself at risk for the liability of the trailer, should it become involved in any type of accident. Good Luck

 

[tractorface]

From what I have seen I will have well under $1,000 dollars in this thing. No problem registering or insuring a homebuilt trailer as I currently have one. We build trailers at work when we can't buy what we need so that part is no trouble. Granted we build large trailers and I am talking about a small utility trailer but the concept is the same. Will even get my "plans" stamped by a PE. This is not a case of your average handyman building this thing. My problem is with my knowledge of what parts are better than others. I can have our purchasing guy by whatever he would normally buy for an application like this but I am looking for input from guys that use them every day. A sort of wish list if you will. What would you do if you were having a custom built trailer made?

Thanks

 

[ndurbin]

I'd want torsion axles and electric brakes. I'm not sure how big of a trailer your going but I never liked the expanded metal flip down gate/ramps, they were always way to flimsy for me. I'd want a pair of ramps that I could adjust back and forth across the width of the trailer. Also I'd want a deck with two strips of diamond tread plating running the length of the trailer, if it was going to be used for hauling anything bigger than a lawn mower. Always build it heavier than what you'd ever need it for then you don't have to worry about overloading it.



Nathan

 

[NIsaacs]

Building your own trailer would be a fun project, built to suit your needs and wants. If it were me, I would want something in the 18' car hauler style, heavy and wide enough to haul a full sized pickup. The main frame would need to be about 6" channel iron or 2"x6" box tubing. Axles would be 5200lbs, they come with standard Chevy 6 hole hubs or 6000lbs axles with the 8 hole hubs. I like the spring type mounted independant of each other, they pull smoother than if you use the equalizer. The Bulldog 2 5/16 ball hitch with the 7000lbs Bulldog jack is good. Maybe a winch if you have the $$. The most important part about building a trailer is the alignment of the axles. Make sure they are exactly even on each side, measured from the ball hitch and that your frame is square. If not you will have one or more tires wear faster than others. Have fun and keep us posted if you build it!!





"NICK"

 

[DPhillips]

check out www.northerntool.com they have certified blue prints, axles, brakes, tires and wheels. Just about everything you need to build your own. I would get the blueprint that suits your needs then "Beef" it up to your specs from the blueprint.



How to Design and Build Trailers — Vol. 2

Item# 176222

Discount Price $27. 99



How to Design and Build Trailers — Vol. 1

Item# 17622

Discount Price $23. 99



Trailer Blueprints — Utility Axle

Item# 128532

Discount Price $24. 99

 

[WRStrong]

Sounds like good recommendations so far. I am toying with building a trailer myself. I currently have a 20+2 lowboy heavy duty gooseneck and a light duty 16 footer. On both trailers I have spent lots of time and some money coming up with ways to tie down various loads, be it lumber, hay, cars, Jeeps, etc. Spend some time during the design phase to incorporate versatile tie downs. Then build them heavier than you think you need.



good luck