paulf
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 02:09 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 02:24 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 03:39 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 03:48 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:08 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:14 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:21 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:24 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:31 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:32 PM |
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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
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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Mark H
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 04:39 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 05:20 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 06:03 PM |
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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
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 06:25 PM |
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It was my thread about trailors, so i know its there somewhere 
U2U sent to spyderman too
Ben
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Z20LET Astra Turbo, into a Haynes
Roadster
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chrisg
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 08:05 PM |
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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
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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JoelP
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| posted on 5/1/04 at 11:33 PM |
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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
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| posted on 6/1/04 at 08:48 AM |
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i found this
 
Rescued attachment Car Trailer drawing.jpg
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paulf
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| posted on 6/1/04 at 09:19 AM |
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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
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| posted on 6/1/04 at 10:44 AM |
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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
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| posted on 6/1/04 at 10:54 AM |
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agreed as are pug 205 beam axles.
ATB
Locoboy
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timf
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| posted on 6/1/04 at 11:13 AM |
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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
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| posted on 6/1/04 at 07:27 PM |
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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
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| posted on 7/1/04 at 07:00 PM |
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give me a week or two and i'll be the proud owner of the trailer plans on ebay!
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paulf
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| posted on 7/1/04 at 08:07 PM |
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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
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| posted on 7/1/04 at 08:44 PM |
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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
Locost Map on Google Maps
Z20LET Astra Turbo, into a Haynes
Roadster
Enter Your Details Here
http://www.facebook.com/EquinoxProducts for all your bodywork needs!
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