Trailer Project

Av8r3400 · Apr 11, 2005

( My 8 lug from my F250, 01, don't fit or it may have been my '97 that wouldn't fit. )

Enough said. Only Ford could come up with a seven (7) lug 3/4 ton. LOL Why do truck manufacturers have to change things like standardized wheel lug patterns? Oh yeah, so you have to buy a "Ford" brand spare wheel: $$$$$.

johnday · Apr 11, 2005

Av8r; All 3 of my 250's had the 8 lug wheels. The 7 lug were on the lighter 250's, the 7700GVW ones. When I sold my '97, I kept the spare for use on the '98 Super Dude. When I went use it, guess what, Ford had changed the bolt pattern on the Super Dudes. Why? I haven't the foggiest idea. Maybe they knew I kept the spare from the older model? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JWD1312 · Apr 11, 2005

BIG TEX trailer web site has drawings of all their trailers with some dimension Check it out it help me when I was building a trailer. HAVE A GOOD DAY!

kennyd · Apr 11, 2005

( When I sold my '97, I kept the spare for use on the '98 Super Dude. When I went use it, guess what, Ford had changed the bolt pattern on the Super Dudes. Why? )

Ford changed to a Metric lug pattern in '98. Dunno why, but they did.

bluecarpenter · Apr 12, 2005

I've looked at 18 ft flatbeds and they run about $2600. 8 Lugs wheels.

I'm in the process of building mine. 18 footer. So far I have about $20.00 in mine, plus welding rod and gas for welder. I've just had to buy the spring hangers.

The axel on this one is not going to stay. I'm just using it to keep it in the air for know. I'm either going to use the axels off of my horse trailer that I don't use any more. ( just use for storage) or spend the money and get a couple axels. The only thing with the horse trailer axels is that I would have to lengthen them. Not big deal though as I've done that several times on other trailers.

I forgot to add that the formula for placing the axels is the front axel is placed 3inchs back of dead center. You can move it accordingly if you want more or less tongue weight . some even say 1 ft back of center but I liked it there.

that is my 2cents worth. mark

tomh · Apr 12, 2005

Thanks everyone. This is all good stuff.

I am well aware of the cost factor relative to purchasing, I just thought I might make a project out of it. I should have mentioned; I have most of the steel laying around, a degree in mecahnical design, a strong backround in steel fabrication and welding and have build smaller custom trailers in the past. I know how we all enjoy sharing in each others work so I will keep you posted on my progress, if I continue. I will probably create a whole set of working drawings that I will also share with anyone interested. At your own risk, of course.

MadReferee · Apr 12, 2005

If you go to the site below they have excellent single and tandem axle trailer plans for sale at a reasonable price. These are the same ones offered for sale by Northern Tool. I have purchased the #10HD and the #T1110 and am very pleased with the details in the plans.

Master Plans Trailer Parts Store

tomrscott · Apr 15, 2005

Av8r2230,

So if you don't mind my asking, could you tell us what sort of trailer you got and what you paid for it?

I'm looking at the same sort of project eventually.

I've got some of the big pieces of steel I would need in scrap, and did a quick swaq pricing of most of the specialized pieces (axles, springs, fenders, hitch, lights, brakes, etc.) at my local steel supply / trailer parts store, and quickly came up to about $1000 for a tandem axle 7000 lb GVW lowboy. I had the impression that I would probably pay at least $3500 for one like that new, but haven't really priced them much yet.