Would you trust me to weld a trailer up?

[Agent Blue]

Shield Arc;
Have you priced a decent built 14k 12' dump trailer lately ? Price I saw for the one I picked was $7300.00
My build is 85% done and I have 2k in materials / paint. I would say a good cost savings.

 

[Shield Arc]

No I haven't, but I just checked one of the local trailer sales website $6,299.00.
I paid around $5,000.00 for my dump trailer.

 

[chad22]

I'd trust that weld. But now I'm thinking I'd trust my welds better than the ones on the cargo trailers from home depot.

A few months ago. My dad bought a new riding mower from home depot. He was planning on buying an enclosed trailer but they were sold out. So he decided on the mower instead. And good thing he did too. Because about a month after his engine started seizing up on his other one.

Anyway he bought one of those cargo trailers with the mesh floor to bring it home on. Last week when we were lowering the gate on the trailer. We noticed that welds to the hinges were about to break and fall off.

So I'm gonna have to get my welder out and fix those welds before my dad decides to drive the mower up the ramp and drops hard on the ground.

Upon looking at the other welds on the trailer some of the others look like they were run on the cold side. So far there holding up but plan to redo those bad cold welds.

Chad

 

[ultrarunner]

I own 6 trailers and only 1 is made by a national mfg.

Of the other 5, including the two I use weekly, they are all home made with one being made to order at a weld shop back in 1964... it's the one I use to haul my BX23.

The problem I've seen with many home made trailers is they tend to be very heavy... but, not necessarily where it counts, if you know what I mean. Many are made from whatever was available.

I've made a few repairs to trailers owned by friends... years ago I got my certification at the local vocational school.

The repairs where mostly adding gussets to strengthen areas that were weak or showing fatigue...

If you have the material and time/skill... why not do it?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Man I wish I had AgentBlues steel supplier close by. I priced new steel needed to build a 4wide x 6 long x 6 high box(storm shelter) and it was going to cost me almost $3,000 using just 2x2 angle and 1/4" plate for the walls and top, no bottom. If I could get axles, steel and paint for less than 2 grand to build about an 18 foot tandem axle with 5200 # axles, I would built it myself for sure rather than buy one for the same price because I know it would be built stronger and welding would be so much better.

 

[Shield Arc]

When I built my gooseneck adapter, I got a screaming deal on the beams from Craig's list. I was quoted $2,000.00 to powder coat, but $1,100.00 to Line X. When completed, and I added everything up, not counting my labor, and consumables. I saved a whopping $600.00 over buying a new gooseneck trailer!

 

[Haywire]

That's nuts. Tells you what kind of markup the retail metal dealers are getting.

Ian

 

[Shield Arc]

The part that pizzed me off to no end, I built one for my buddy a couple years before, he took it to the same powder coater. Cost him $500.00 to have his powder coated! Paint always makes me mad, I bought a 1966 red face welding machine for $200.00, cost me $150.00 for paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Wave D]

It seems the original poster has a very definite idea of what size trailer that he wants, 6 x 12.

I don't know about where he lives, but I have several manufacturers of trailers near me. I would call and ask for a quote on a trailer built to my specs. See what they come back with for a total price, then he'd know how trying to do the build himself would compare to just buying.

I might also ask if I could buy everything from the manufacturer, just not welded together, like a kit. Buying this way might allow one to get there volume pricing on one's materials. I have no idea if they would even entertain anything like that. Liability might show its ugly head.

Last, buy something used, slightly oversized, that is close to desired dimensions, and cut it down to make what O.P. wants.

Thinking out load, take it for what you want.

Good luck on your project.

 

[Haywire]

Yep, 12x6 or 12x6'4" is about the limit of what I want. Ideally, not much wider than my truck is.... I did want a bed-over to further limit the overall width, but have about written that off.. it would be really oddball and the extra steel would be expensive and also heavy. Then again, it would fit my character better. LOL

Out of curiosity, I stopped by the line-x dealer today and he quoted me $300 to do the trailer frame to .080 thick.

Gator trailers are made about 90 minutes south of me but have their jigs set for standard models and they won't deviate. I already called them to ask about that. I didn't ask about a steel kit to weld my own up. It's a thought.

I stopped by a local trailer and trailer parts dealer and he quoted me $489 for 2 braked 3500lb axles and another $115 for a 7k Bulldog A-frame coupler. That didn't include tires, rims, springs, etc. I figured as much.

Ian