Build your own trailers

[Pops15]

They inspect them in CT, too. But, I don't believe that they have the appropriate training and tools to do so correctly. For example: Do they x-ray the welds on trailers built for 10k pounds (just an example) to be sure that they will hold the weight?

Do the state inspectors X-ray the welds on factory built trailers? I highly doubt it.
A buddy of mine picks up stacks of the cheap utility trailers at the factory for a local dealer. He didn't like the way the factory guys tied them down so he added more ratchet straps. The factory guys said the way he was tying them down would break the welds!

 

[meburdick]

The commercial manufacturers have to have their trailer building processes approved, and state inspectors do not inspect any newly manufactured trailers from commercial entities.

 

[joshuabardwell]

They inspect them in CT, too. But, I don't believe that they have the appropriate training and tools to do so correctly. For example: Do they x-ray the welds on trailers built for 10k pounds (just an example) to be sure that they will hold the weight?

Exactly. Even if you're in a state where they do more than check a box, the DMV are not qualified weld inspectors. And remember: if you built it, and it comes apart on the highway and kills somebody, you are the one who is going to be charged with a crime, if charges are filed. Not the DMV inspector.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Do the state inspectors X-ray the welds on factory built trailers? I highly doubt it.

Nope. But if a commercial trailer breaks, it is the manufacturer who will be on the hook, not the owner. And commercial manufacturers are expected to have qualified weldors (or machines) working according to adequate welding procedure specifications. The point is not that the DMV inspects manufacturers better than an individual; it's that a DMV inspection is irrelevant when it comes to the quality of the welds. What is relevant is the skill of the weldor or the operator of the machine that is making the welds. And if you can't make excellent welds, in every position, every time, then you have no business building a vehicle that is going to go down the highway at 70 mph carrying 5,000 to 10,000 lbs or more of cargo.

 

[kenmac]

And if you can't make excellent welds, in every position, every time, then you have no business building a vehicle that is going to go down the highway at 70 mph carrying 5,000 to 10,000 lbs or more of cargo.

I can't tell you that I make excellent welds every time,but I've built several trailers that haven't come apart as of yet. My 20 footer is 15 yrs old and has been way over loaded several times. Just added 7k axles under it. I,m no expert axle installer & didn't have the axles checked so, I hope they stay under it.. What about trailers that you purchase , do you think they use certified welders at these plants ?? I hightly doubt it. What about those factory built trailers when they sit outside for years and the weld seems start to rust and become weak ? I'm not an expert welder, but I can weld good enough to build a trailer and other things

 

[joshuabardwell]

What about trailers that you purchase , do you think they use certified welders at these plants ?? I hightly doubt it.

Just because a weldor isn't certified doesn't mean he or she isn't qualified. Lots of very proficient weldors out there haven't bothered to get certified because they aren't doing code work. You may be one of them

What about those factory built trailers when they sit outside for years and the weld seems start to rust and become weak ? I'm not an expert welder, but I can weld good enough to build a trailer and other things

More power to you!

 

[meburdick]

Just because a weldor isn't certified doesn't mean he or she isn't qualified. Lots of very proficient weldors out there haven't bothered to get certified because they aren't doing code work. You may be one of them

Yep. I said this earlier... CERTAIN kinds of welding require certification. If DOT requires the plant to have certified welders to do the work, then you can bet that the plants will have them (or risk losing DOT approval for their trailers).

 

[kenmac]

They inspect homemade trailers in IL.

My local sheriff's dept. inspected mine. Said yep. it's a 20' dual axle trailer. signed the paper & that was the inspection. when I built my 14 footed (single axle)I got the same inspection. different deputy . Building a trailer isn't rocket science . if you can half way weld.

 

[meburdick]

"Yup, it's a trailer."

 

[Pops15]

My local sheriff's dept. inspected mine. Said yep. it's a 20' dual axle trailer. signed the paper & that was the inspection. when I built my 14 footed (single axle)I got the same inspection. different deputy . Building a trailer isn't rocket science . if you can half way weld.

Our inspection was a little more thorough. I don't remember what all he checked but he did crawl under and check the axles where I narrowed them. He had a checklist of things he looked at. When he was done he said something to the affect of you guys do nice work. You're right. It's not rocket science and I can more than half way weld.