Hi All. I need a bit of help.

I intend to make a car trailer, well part make anyway.

I have found a chap who will sell me a trailer chassis, complete with axles, low profile 10" wheels,
hitch, winch, in fact ready to tow home, just fit a number plate.

I would then make and fit my own multi purpose top.

The chassis beams, the axles and cross members are available in different lengths so I can have anything
from a 5'x10' to a 6'x12' all professionally made and galvanized.

I have limited space to store it so the smaller the better, but it needs to big enough to carry sports cars.

I'm thinking maybe 6' x 10'. (flat bed) That would be OK for sevens.

The question is, what other kit cars would fit on it, or probably more important what cars wouldn't fit.


Your thoughts please.

Many thanks
Paul G

Well my Indy is:-

Width from outside of tyre to outside of tyre is 1650mm (65" . Bear in mind that is with normal Sierra offset wheels and 185/60R14 R888's fitted. Other wheels / tyre combo might be slightly different.

From fog light to nose cone is 3350mm or 11' in old money.

Wheelbase is 2340mm or 92"

Hope that helps

Mike

P.S. Are you making a trailer for yourself, or for sale?

Hi Paul

My own trailer is about 6ft x 10ft and whilst the width is okay there have been occasions when the car only just fitted on lengthwise. It depends on how much body there is in front of the front wheels(if you drive it on forwards). I think 11ft long would be a safer bet and give you the ability to transport a wider range of vehicles. Only my opinoin of course.

atb

John

You are welcome to measure mine (the car, that is! ).

Let me know if you want to - I'm always looking for an excuse to drive around...

If the trailer is going to be the size of a typical kit then you should think about adjustable suspension mountings.

Because my BEC is very light at the front the wheels sit far back on the trailer, if I shove something with a heavy engine up front the nose weight would be massive unless I move the axle forward.

You lose the option to shift the car about with a small deck so have to balance elsewhere.

Regards Mark

quote:

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Originally posted by Guinness
Well my Indy is:-

Width from outside of tyre to outside of tyre is 1650mm (65" . Bear in mind that is with normal Sierra offset wheels and 185/60R14 R888's fitted. Other wheels / tyre combo might be slightly different.

From fog light to nose cone is 3350mm or 11' in old money.

Wheelbase is 2340mm or 92"

Hope that helps

Mike

P.S. Are you making a trailer for yourself, or for sale?

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John. Wise words, as always.

Mark. A VERY good point.

David. Your more than welcome anytime.

Any dims of cars other than sevens?



Cheers
Paul G

Id go longer than 10 ft paul.

The dimensions of mine are the Bed is 10ft 9 x 5ft 3 infront of the wheels and 6ft 4 behind. The drawbar is 4ft 7 so the overall length is about 15 1/2 ft.

It was built to take my locost there is a couple of inches spare on length going by car length not wheel base. MIne is cortina back axle with 38 ofset wheels so the back is wider than escort axle.

I think most cars are of similar wheel bases etc. Like the stylus etc.

My box is 6*12*4 which with a narrowbody wesdfeild is very nice, leaves a foot at the back i can put a pushbike into which i find usfull, otherwise 11ft would work well too but i think 10ft would be pushing it.


Daniel

my brian james has 5ft 6in X 11ft bed, the ST went on perfectly and the fury just squeezes on (width wise).

[Edited on 9/4/09 by MK9R]

my 4 wheel trailer is 6ft x 13ft and that will fit pretty much anything on it, though it will only CARRY 1200kg so although a scorpio or jag XJ will fit, its too heavy.

quote:

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6ft x 13ft

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Cobra's are one of the bigger kitcars
Wheelbase 2286 mm 90 in
Track 1422 mm 56 in

Length 3962 mm 156 in
Width 1727 mm 68 in
Height 1245 mm 49 in

Thanks for the replies so far chaps.


OK, so I'm now thinking 11' x 6'.

There is one other thing to add to the equation.
My tin top (A3) has a max towing weight of 1500kgs for a braked trailer.


Cheers
Paul G

quote: My tin top (A3) has a max towing weight of 1500kgs for a braked trailer.

You'll have to drill the trailer for lightness

How much does a hole weigh John?

how long is a piece of string??

Hi All.

I phoned "Trailer Trev" today and discussed the points that all of you have raised.

We now have a plan based on a 10 foot chassis, but extendable if necessary.

By keeping the four low profile wheels mainly within the chassis I solve my limited
storage space problem and if necessary it would fit in the garage and I could work
on a car while it was still on the trailer.

Thanks muchly for all your help. I will post a pic in a couple of weeks and show
how it's progressing.


Cheers
Paul G

Hi All.

My set of cool wheels still haven't arrived.
It doesn't look it in the pic but the one on the front is 3" off the ground.
It's a five stud held on with one nut. The one's on order are four stud.

Just the middle sheet to fit and some ramps to fold up and it's done.
(note, no painting. I'm crap at painting. )

Cheers
Paul G
Rescued attachment 000_0749-s.jpg

I saw it yesterday, and it looks spiffin'

Stupid me didnt measure it up to see if it would accomodate a Viento.

Dont forget some tie down loops on the trailer so you can secure open loads.

Also invest in some 3" wide 5 ton ratchet straps. I had some which I used with my full length roofrack on my landy. I wouldnt be without them now. Excellent bits of kit and Soooo useful and simple.

Looks good that Paul. Just one Q. Will a low car clear them arches? They look quite high?

quote:

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Originally posted by Danozeman
Looks good that Paul. Just one Q. Will a low car clear them arches? They look quite high?

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I'm off to sort the ramps now.

Cheers
Paul G
Rescued attachment 0775-s.jpg