trailer building 101?

[jeepdreamer]

Anyone here ever build thier own trailer?? I could use some pointers... and some money!!:D

[lasinvegas]

What kind of trailer are you looking to build? I have a few links saved for offroad trailer builds. I have built several trailers along the way, but mostly for other people.

[bigun]

Over on Pirate there is a section on tow vehicles and trailers. There are several builds, and remodels including the use of Mobile home frames and axles.

[gsmikie]

what kind a trailer ????? http://image52.webshots.com/652/7/73/13/2042773130065748613JtjqvU_ph.jpg

[RubiconMike]

I built a trailer using one of the heavy-duty kits from Harbor Freight. Went together very well, although the toungue area was fairly flimsy. I cut some redwood 2X4s to fit inside the toungue frame rails to reinforce them, then added a plywood sheet on the top to stiffen it and give me a place to mount an inflator fan. I built a 4'X4'X8' enclosed box and used it to haul around a hot air balloon for 5 years before I finally sold it and bought a Haulmark trailer.

[jeepdreamer]

Sorry...
I started this thread and forgot to hit the subscribe button! AND.. i was kinda vague (ok, REAL vague!!) about tje kind of trailer im thinking of.
Im shooting for a tandem axle flatbed long enough to haul a FSJ. For now though it will be the mobile home for my '67 Jeepster Commando project that has come to a screeching halt!! What length and width are best for fsjs? Drop axle or striaght? My FS Cherokee has a 4" rustys lift and 33x10.50s... And a factory class III (?) reciever hitch... drop down slide in ball ok?? Any advice would be great... Thanks all!!

[dlowrance]

Sorry...
I started this thread and forgot to hit the subscribe button! AND.. i was kinda vague (ok, REAL vague!!) about tje kind of trailer im thinking of.
Im shooting for a tandem axle flatbed long enough to haul a FSJ. For now though it will be the mobile home for my '67 Jeepster Commando project that has come to a screeching halt!! What length and width are best for fsjs? Drop axle or striaght? My FS Cherokee has a 4" rustys lift and 33x10.50s... And a factory class III (?) reciever hitch... drop down slide in ball ok?? Any advice would be great... Thanks all!!


You're biting off a pretty significant project in what you're describing...I hope you're good with metal fab work.

You're going to want minimum 16 foot bed with 6' 6" width between the fenderwells. IMHO 18 foot with 6' 9" is just right...I wouldn't go with anything but drop axles if I was building one, for road manners. You throw one of our rigs on a trailer with straight axles you're getting a lot of height. Brakes are a requirement.

If I was you I'd hunt classifieds/craigslist/dabay for one already built that needs work...you'll probably be money ahead and have a better rig. I picked one up on dabay several years ago and with a few days of fab work I turned it into a dandy hauler.

[jeepdreamer]

hey Dale,
Thanks for the good advice! Given the circumstances i think i will be forced to buy a used one for now if i can find one i can afford. Being in the Army, and more importantly, living in my small barraks room... i have only one place i can work on my rig. The on-post autocraft shop. Lately ive been having issues with the folks managing it so i find myself without a way to store my project there. I will have to trailer it there and back whenever i wish to work on it:( . I allready have enough steel to build most of the frame,tongue, and maybe fab some fenders... what i dont have is axles, tires, and the tongue lock thingy, lights... etc. I know it will be more expensive to build my own (and take longer!) so i will continue searching like a fiend for a decent used one for the time being. Funny, when you are Looking for something on postings or craigslist... thay are never there!?! Once you get what you need or quit looking... theyre EVERYWHERE!!:D

[tgreese]

...
If I was you I'd hunt classifieds/craigslist/dabay for one already built that needs work...you'll probably be money ahead and have a better rig. I picked one up on dabay several years ago and with a few days of fab work I turned it into a dandy hauler.

I think that's good advice - a car trailer is one of those "nice to have" items unless you need one for a business. I'd expect quite a few of them to be available, considering.

[bockslanding]

you could try looking for junk boats on dual axle trailers, most have surge brakes and could be had for a couple hundred bucks. then you get to watch the dozer at the dump smash a boat too!

[dlowrance]

you could try looking for junk boats on dual axle trailers, most have surge brakes and could be had for a couple hundred bucks. then you get to watch the dozer at the dump smash a boat too!

That's not a bad idea...we built a dandy flatbed out of a dual axle built for hauling a 28 foot cuddy. It was a lot of work but when we were done it would haul a Case loader-hoe and not even flinch...10k axles...dang...

[gotmike]

if you do end up building your own it isn't that hard to add a bit more steel and build a tilt bed trailer... i used to work at a small shop that built trailers to customers spec... it can be done... relatively easily but there's quite a bit to it in the long run depending on how much you want to spend... and to keep it low you can use torsion axles they either bolt or weld directly to the trailer frame and keep the ride height and trailer profile low and simple... and they can be had in a 6000# ratings so in tandem they can be made plenty strong... and if you re-inforce the fender wells you can make a truck like that crawl right over the fenders and keep the trailer much more narrow

[jeepdreamer]

Ok,
So not being one to be defeated (my ex would say that means i like doing things in whatever way is most difficult and expensive!!) i have decided to buy (ACK!!) a good used tandem trailer. There are several here between 1000-1500 bucks. The cheapest is also the ratty-est looking but who cares about looks? The best one is the furthest away... go figgure! I have found one that is here on post but its almost new. That means,of coarse, the most expensive! It will also need tires soon.. Maybe i can talk 'em down a lil bit? I think with cost of gas, wear and tear, and generally my lack of time right now that thats the one im gonna shoot for. Being a lowely Specialist, it should be quite entertaining to ask a Sgt Major to lower his price!?! Anyhoo... Once i get a better grip on my storage problem and can get the "project" mobile, i will then begin to build the trailer i WANT! Looks like i will be starting with some metal that i was given... Anyone see any problems using 2 1/2X2 1/2 Sq tubing (3/8s WALL!!!:o:eek: ) for the main part of the frame?? I like the idea of fenders that can be driven over... why use flimsy ones that fall off!?! Im not real keen on the idea of "mobile home" axles. Everything i've read says thay can be hard to get replacement parts for and they use that strange wheel mounting dealEo?? I will either try the Northern tool route or maybe the boat trailer idea..?