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Author: Subject: building a trailer.
paulf

posted on 5/1/04 at 02:09 PM Reply With Quote
building a trailer.

Has anyone built a trailer from a caravan chassis?.
I am thinking of building a trailer for my car and can get a chassis for £20 which is towable so would just need ramps lights and mudguards adding Is a single axle ok ? .I havent looked at the chassis yet but assume i would just need to add spome angle iron and chequer plate for the car to drive onto.

Paul

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theconrodkid

posted on 5/1/04 at 02:24 PM Reply With Quote
bin there,have to be a pretty big trailer ,4 wheels are better,end of the day its worth getting/building a real trailer





who cares who wins
pass the pork pies

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ChrisW

posted on 5/1/04 at 03:39 PM Reply With Quote
I've got a caravan chassis getting in the way. Was going to convert it in a similar way to how you describe but have not got around to it.

Come and take it away if it's any use to you!

Chris





My gaff my rules

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paulf

posted on 5/1/04 at 03:48 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks for the offer Chris but havent got a towbar yet. Just been scrapyard and looked at caravans. The newer ones have no proper chassis but did find one older one that is big enough to use complete with tow hitch and brakes etc.
However I am not sure if the suspension is up to the job as the stub axles look rather weak.The good bit is if I buy it I get to be let loose on a caravan with a sledgehammer and crowbar, as i told them i only want the chassis and it is a complete van.Worth £20 just for the fun as I Hate caravans.
Paul.

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW

I've got a caravan chassis getting in the way. Was going to convert it in a similar way to how you describe but have not got around to it.

Come and take it away if it's any use to you!

Chris

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jonti

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:08 PM Reply With Quote
Be a lot cheaper than bulding using indispension type stuff anyway

Wouldnt worry about the suspension being up to it either.I used to tow a Ford Zodiac (even when stripped for racing that was a very heavy 1960's Motor Car in case you were wonderin' on a self converted Caravan chassis. Never had any problems.

Tip
Heavy duty electrical cable tray is better than checkerplate for the runners. Its gavlanised and full of holes so it's lighter





OFROK

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liam.mccaffrey

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:14 PM Reply With Quote
is there any sort of test which self built trailers are subject to, SVA/MOT like.

does any one know if plans are available for self built trailers, for free or little money?

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paulf

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:21 PM Reply With Quote
Was that a twin axle trailer? i know how heavy zodiacs were a mate of none has had many hes running a mk 2 at the moment.
I can easily get cable tray and might even have some off cuts at work to do the job , hadnt thought of that.
Just spoke to indidpension and reckon on £500 for a single axle with 1300kg capacity plus the towing hitch etc.
my other option was to use a back axle from a transit size FWD van but would then need hydraulic brakes and hydraulic type hitch wich is more expense.
Paul.
quote:
Originally posted by jonti
Be a lot cheaper than bulding using indispension type stuff anyway

Wouldnt worry about the suspension being up to it either.I used to tow a Ford Zodiac (even when stripped for racing that was a very heavy 1960's Motor Car in case you were wonderin' on a self converted Caravan chassis. Never had any problems.

Tip
Heavy duty electrical cable tray is better than checkerplate for the runners. Its gavlanised and full of holes so it's lighter

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paulf

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:24 PM Reply With Quote
I think there are regs but was just going to use commonsense and hope for best.
I have been searching for plans but not found anything yet apart from the fact that indispension do a catalog with some basic details in it.

quote:
Originally posted by liam.mccaffrey
is there any sort of test which self built trailers are subject to, SVA/MOT like.

does any one know if plans are available for self built trailers, for free or little money?

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locoboy

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:31 PM Reply With Quote
I am sure a mate of mine has plans for building a trailor, i will ask him tonite and see if i imagined it in a drunken Xmas stupor.

If he has i can probably post you a copy.





ATB
Locoboy

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theconrodkid

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:32 PM Reply With Quote
indespension used to do plans and a kit of parts for various trailers,there are rules n regs about trailers,probly changed since i last built one so go n check them first





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pass the pork pies

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Mark H

posted on 5/1/04 at 04:39 PM Reply With Quote
IIRC, chrisg posted a warning last time this conversation came up (a few months ago). Very police unfriendly. Cant remember why...

If we can get around that, I would do this (its on my long list of things I've got to get round to!). Any thoughts?





Mark Harrison and
Q986 KCP back from the dead...

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paulf

posted on 5/1/04 at 05:20 PM Reply With Quote
I searched for trailer but couldnt find the relevant thread, i remeber something about rules and regs.
Loking on E bay there are some very rough looking car trailers fetching a good price .I am sure i could build something better than many of them and any new regs must surely only apply to new trailers, do they have a vin type plate on them? if i use an old caravan chassis or just the plate from one then that may help with regs.
Paul.
quote:
Originally posted by Mark H
IIRC, chrisg posted a warning last time this conversation came up (a few months ago). Very police unfriendly. Cant remember why...

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Spyderman

posted on 5/1/04 at 06:03 PM Reply With Quote
I have some plans that include trailers.
They came from the NET somewhere, can't remember!

U2U me and I will email them!

Terry





Spyderman

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Ben_Copeland

posted on 5/1/04 at 06:25 PM Reply With Quote
It was my thread about trailors, so i know its there somewhere

U2U sent to spyderman too





Ben

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chrisg

posted on 5/1/04 at 08:05 PM Reply With Quote
Was it something like this ?



Trailers are legally required to be fitted with a plate showing the manufacturer, gross weight, max load, and so on.

Incidentally, the towbar is also required to have a plate showing max load, etc.

I haven't got my indespension catalogue to hand (it's at home) but their website may have details. The cat cetainly goes into a lot of detail.

http://www.indespension.com/home.htm

Also Towsure

http://www.towsure.co.uk/



It was posted by David Jenkins not me!!, I did however have a very large accident while towing a Humber Snipe, long story, very scary!

If there are any trailer plans knocking about I'd love some, please.

Cheers

Chris





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JoelP

posted on 5/1/04 at 11:33 PM Reply With Quote
great thread, i bought some 50x50x2.5mm tube today to make the gubbins for the polo im converting at the mo, should be good fun. gonna bust it in half with the plasma cutter...

how do you go about getting the thing stamped or tested?!






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timf

posted on 6/1/04 at 08:48 AM Reply With Quote
i found this Rescued attachment Car Trailer drawing.jpg
Rescued attachment Car Trailer drawing.jpg

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paulf

posted on 6/1/04 at 09:19 AM Reply With Quote
That looks a good starting point, at least i have got some idea of materials and balance point. Maybe a van axle would be able to be used.
Paul.
quote:
Originally posted by timf
i found this

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timf

posted on 6/1/04 at 10:44 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by paulf
Maybe a van axle would be able to be used.
Paul.


escort mk3 rear beam axles were alway good for this type of thing

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locoboy

posted on 6/1/04 at 10:54 AM Reply With Quote
agreed as are pug 205 beam axles.





ATB
Locoboy

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timf

posted on 6/1/04 at 11:13 AM Reply With Quote
pug 205 use torsion beams iirc whereas the escort uses leaf springs allowing the beam to be cut and widened if necessary
just a thought

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chris280

posted on 6/1/04 at 07:27 PM Reply With Quote
TRAILER PLANS

just seen this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2452683066&category=9882

may be of interest.

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MikeR

posted on 7/1/04 at 07:00 PM Reply With Quote
give me a week or two and i'll be the proud owner of the trailer plans on ebay!
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paulf

posted on 7/1/04 at 08:07 PM Reply With Quote
The only problem with building from scratch is the price.
I have drew up a simple chassis plan for a 3m x1.7m trailer using 50mm box and 3mm sheet steel . I then got a quote for the steel and it is in the region of £250 which seems a familiar figure. On top of this is the cost of the tow hitch which is in the region of £100 plus axle mudguards lights etc, which makes the idea of a converted caravan chassis for £20 sound atractive.
Therefore i am going to persue this option further next week when I am next of work to go hunting the local scrapyards.
Paul.
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
give me a week or two and i'll be the proud owner of the trailer plans on ebay!

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Ben_Copeland

posted on 7/1/04 at 08:44 PM Reply With Quote
But for others who get their metal free... like I did and can (entire car chassis for free ) it's very doable to make your own





Ben

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