Building your own trailer????????

[JimR]

Has anyone done this? Where did you find the plans. I can get 2 trailer axles 5K for $200.00 with brakes. Is it worth it to make my own 18 foot trailer? I really can't afford to buy one right now. How about converting a boat trailer to a flatbed? Has anyone done this?
TIA.

 

[chucko]

If you build one and something breaks then they come for you..... But people do it all the time

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I haven't done it but I really want to. I'm intrigued by the idea of a tilt bed gooseneck trailer. If you're going to build (or buy) yourself a trailer I have a couple suggestions for you. Go at least two feet longer than you think you'll need and make sure you have a TILT BED!

You don't need to give up two or four feet of level bed for a beaver tail and you don't have to mess with ramps EVER. I have a an electric hydraulic tilt bed with a 22' floor and an 8,000 lb. Warn winch with a brake. From the time I have my tractor (or car, truck, whatever) at the rear of my tilted bed I can be loaded, tied down and secured on a level bed and pulling away in ten minutes!

Now, I know that doesn't sound like much, but when it's snowing, raining or sleeting in subzero temps with 30 mph winds it means a lot. Another plus with this system is that I don't have to climb up onto a wet, muddy, snowy, icy bed. Just some things to keep in mind.

As to plans and where to go for some good advice on building one yourself from people who've done it and may well be doing it right now, try this site provided by Hobart. They have some great info and people there just like here. In fact, you'll probably see some familiar faces and even some of the same screen names. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JimR]

Thanks for the link to Hobart. I think your idea on the tilt trailer is a very good one. I have posted over at the Hobart site. I do need to keep the weight down on this also. The trailer rig with my 7275 has to be under 6500. I can't afford a new truck and really do not want or need a pickup. I plan on repowering my 4dr 4wd S-10 with a suped up motor in the next year and probably a 4:11 gear change if neccessary. The truck is presently rated at 6500 max towing capacity. I believe the tractor, fel and mmm weight in at around 4000 pounds. I don't plan on moving it with the mmm attached ever. So it would probably weight in around 3200 and another 400+- with the box blade or rear blade.

 

[MadReferee]

One of the best places for trailer plans is www.trailerplans.com. I have their plans for a 10' dump trailer and they are very detailed. Plans usually run about $25-$40 per set. The have plans for 14', 16' and 18' trailers, tandem axle and gooseneck.

They also sell parts kits which include axles, brakes, fenders, etc, eveything except the steel. Kits range from $500 to $1400 depending on # of axles other options.

I estimated I could save around $1000 by building a 2-axle 10K lb trailer myself, maybe less now that the cost of steel has gone out of sight.

 

[bobodu]

I rebuilt a trailer that I got out of one of the local papers for free.The wood was rotten and I went to Lowe's and bought 300 feet of bent and twisted 2x4 and 2x6 for $38!!! Clamps and enough screws fixed the wood.The best feature of this trailer is that the side boards come off and are used as loading ramps for my Gravely's.The sideboards are all held together with angle iron and 1/2 inch pipe welded brackets and 3/8 inch T pins.A couple more brackets in the rear holds the ramps.They work fine for 400 pound Gravely's,but would need beefed up for anything heavier.I find it strange that I've never seen this done.

 

[mathteacher]

JimR, Go to Champion Trailers and request a catalog. They actually have some very general plans in the book. They also sell kits. I was in the market to build a 16 foot tandem but I only need the axles and wheels because I picked up an old trailer that was already built but didn't have springs on it and the hubs and axles were worn out. Hope that this helps.

Donald B.

 

[daedong]

jim

I get the impression that our trailers are very different to the US. The link shows our tradional style, may be worth thinking about
http://www.modern-trailers.com.au/trailers.htm

many of our trailers use slipper springs are these used in the US

 

[JimR]

Thanks for all the links guys. I may have found a 24 foot boat trailer for next to nothing. I am taking a look at it tomorrow.

 

[JimR]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( JimR, Go to Champion Trailers and request a catalog. They actually have some very general plans in the book. They also sell kits. I was in the market to build a 16 foot tandem but I only need the axles and wheels because I picked up an old trailer that was already built but didn't have springs on it and the hubs and axles were worn out. Hope that this helps.

Donald B. )</font>

Don,

Great link to the trailer company. Those are the cheapest prices for parts that I have seen so far. I also found 3 5k axles locally with fenders for cheap money. First I need to check out the 24 foot boat trailer to see what condition it is in.