Thread: 2002 Toyota Hilux ute tub into a trailer

Originally Posted by Garry Edwards

I would like to convert a ute tub into a trailer any drawings or info would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Garr

Hi Garry, the tub that you are using is it full size, space cab or dual cab? As this will depend on the design, will it have a canopy and used for camping, will need to know these things as to help you with requirements. You will need a subframe to mount the springs, drawbar onto, I would go 50 X 50 X 2.5 RHS with 75 X 50 X 3 RHS for the drawbar. Also you'll need to come up with some brackets to mount the body onto the chassis, 75 X 50 RHS will do for this with 5 or 6 mm flat on top, if the side was cut out to form a channel it would be easier.

If you are looking at using it for camping, you could fit a water tank underneath, possibly at the front, with room for a spare tyre underneath at the rear. I would also incorporate a recovery point at the rear, should it ever need towing backwards or tow another vehicle. Keep the chassis up high as possible, so that the rear won't catch when/if 4WDing.
Regards
Kryn

Kryn,

it is off a space cab and will be used just as a trailer with no canopy. The Hilux has a tray on it and I thought that may as well make a trailer out of the tub, no 4 x 4 driving.

Man thanks
Garry

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Hi Garry, the tub that you are using is it full size, space cab or dual cab? As this will depend on the design, will it have a canopy and used for camping, will need to know these things as to help you with requirements. You will need a subframe to mount the springs, drawbar onto, I would go 50 X 50 X 2.5 RHS with 75 X 50 X 3 RHS for the drawbar. Also you'll need to come up with some brackets to mount the body onto the chassis, 75 X 50 RHS will do for this with 5 or 6 mm flat on top, if the side was cut out to form a channel it would be easier.

If you are looking at using it for camping, you could fit a water tank underneath, possibly at the front, with room for a spare tyre underneath at the rear. I would also incorporate a recovery point at the rear, should it ever need towing backwards or tow another vehicle. Keep the chassis up high as possible, so that the rear won't catch when/if 4WDing.
Regards
Kryn

Hi Garry, seeing as you are using a space cab tray, the material mentioned in my previous reply would be more than adequate. The only thing to check, is that the trailer won't be rear heavy,(and over balance), meaning that there is less tray to the front than the rear. If this is the case, it doesn't look right, to some people it may be a problem, if it is, could be rectified by making a tool box for the front for ropes etc.
Are you looking at using Hilux wheels on it, with/out brakes, capacity? If no brakes, 750Kg is the maximum, 11/2"round axle will be adequate for this, and Hilux stud pattern, can be had for this size axle.
Kryn

Kryn,

will use hilux wheels, no brakes and no more than a load of 500kg manly be carrying tools.

Thanks for your help

Garry

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Hi Garry, seeing as you are using a space cab tray, the material mentioned in my previous reply would be more than adequate. The only thing to check, is that the trailer won't be rear heavy,(and over balance), meaning that there is less tray to the front than the rear. If this is the case, it doesn't look right, to some people it may be a problem, if it is, could be rectified by making a tool box for the front for ropes etc.
Are you looking at using Hilux wheels on it, with/out brakes, capacity? If no brakes, 750Kg is the maximum, 11/2"round axle will be adequate for this, and Hilux stud pattern, can be had for this size axle.
Kryn

Hi Garry, unfortunately I don't have access to a space cab tray, otherwise I would have done a CAD drawing for you.
I hope the details I gave earlier will be of assistance. For suspension I would go to 750 Kg capacity, as you never know what you might want to load, soil etc., and for the axle, measure you Hilux rear axle brake drum face to brake drum face, and ask the supplier that you want the axle that size, that way you'll know that you won't be under or oversize on the axle, 1.5" round will be more than adequate for this.
Kryn

Kyrn,

Thank you or your help and advice it has given me plenty of guidance.

Best Wishes for the festive season to you and your family

Garry

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Hi Garry, unfortunately I don't have access to a space cab tray, otherwise I would have done a CAD drawing for you.
I hope the details I gave earlier will be of assistance. For suspension I would go to 750 Kg capacity, as you never know what you might want to load, soil etc., and for the axle, measure you Hilux rear axle brake drum face to brake drum face, and ask the supplier that you want the axle that size, that way you'll know that you won't be under or oversize on the axle, 1.5" round will be more than adequate for this.
Kryn

Glad to help. Best wishes to you and your family also.
Kryn

Gday Garry. A few years ago i built a trailer using a 5` x 5`6" Courier tub. I wished to heavens i`d taken photos of the actual build process.Needless to say i used 75 x 50 x 2.5 for the chassis.It was welded together on flat timber sheeting sitting on 4 x 44 gallon drums. Having worked out the spring placement,they were welded in place along with axle. Using the original tub mounting holes as a reference drilled corresponding holes through chassis & taking into account the variations in the tub bottom (floor) as it would`ve bolted to the Courier chassis i cut 4 mounting/fixing spacers from a tradies ladder rack.Hoisting the chassis up via forklift & removing the sheeting it was turned right way up & sat onto the 4 drums.Then the tub was lifted onto & squared to align with spacers then bolted down.For me as i had helping hands available it was easier to do it this way as i had no need to go crawling around under.The working height was perfect for me.Once secured the trailer was fitted with Falcon chasers & rear wind down supports.Lifted up via the fork then placed basically ready to use.
MyPix 916a.jpgMyPix 925.jpgMyPix 926.jpgMyPix 931.jpg
I added mudflaps,spare tyre,canopy frame,tool box,hoist,rear bar & tow bar later.Why a tow bar? Believe it or not that front hoist could & was used bolted onto it.That was why i originally welded on the wind downs.The other trailer you see is the 7`x 4 footer.Slightly over engineered (as was the Courier trailer capable of carrying 1 ton) it will carry 2 ton.But that`s another story. The tub trailer now sold but i will never sell the 7 x 4. I`m also building a L/Rover tub trailer & have an old 1935/17" wire wheeled timber buckboard to restore.Btw,the Twin cab you see in the first pic donored the tub.I would modify that as a shooting rig.I also note that you live not that far away from me & any time you wish to call in to spec the trailers send me a msg for address - three minutes from the M5/Hume Hwy intersect.

Many thanks for you photos and info, id you have any troubles getting the trailer registered?
Garry

Originally Posted by OldGrain

Gday Garry. A few years ago i built a trailer using a 5` x 5`6" Courier tub. I wished to heavens i`d taken photos of the actual build process.Needless to say i used 75 x 50 x 2.5 for the chassis.It was welded together on flat timber sheeting sitting on 4 x 44 gallon drums. Having worked out the spring placement,they were welded in place along with axle. Using the original tub mounting holes as a reference drilled corresponding holes through chassis & taking into account the variations in the tub bottom (floor) as it would`ve bolted to the Courier chassis i cut 4 mounting/fixing spacers from a tradies ladder rack.Hoisting the chassis up via forklift & removing the sheeting it was turned right way up & sat onto the 4 drums.Then the tub was lifted onto & squared to align with spacers then bolted down.For me as i had helping hands available it was easier to do it this way as i had no need to go crawling around under.The working height was perfect for me.Once secured the trailer was fitted with Falcon chasers & rear wind down supports.Lifted up via the fork then placed basically ready to use.
MyPix 916a.jpgMyPix 925.jpgMyPix 926.jpgMyPix 931.jpg
I added mudflaps,spare tyre,canopy frame,tool box,hoist,rear bar & tow bar later.Why a tow bar? Believe it or not that front hoist could & was used bolted onto it.That was why i originally welded on the wind downs.The other trailer you see is the 7`x 4 footer.Slightly over engineered (as was the Courier trailer capable of carrying 1 ton) it will carry 2 ton.But that`s another story. The tub trailer now sold but i will never sell the 7 x 4. I`m also building a L/Rover tub trailer & have an old 1935/17" wire wheeled timber buckboard to restore.Btw,the Twin cab you see in the first pic donored the tub.I would modify that as a shooting rig.I also note that you live not that far away from me & any time you wish to call in to spec the trailers send me a msg for address - three minutes from the M5/Hume Hwy intersect.

Hi Garry. It was regoed minus the hoist/canopy frame & tool box with the spare tyre just sitting inside the tub without any issues around 1997/8 brought home & those items secured where you see in pictures & only sold about two years ago basically because moving the damn thing around my backyard (so it didnt look like a cow munching grass) by hand became tedious having endured quad bypass in 2007. As Kryn has pointed out, 50 x 50 x 2.5 is a good size that will more than adequately serve your chassis requirements.
The 7 x 4 trailer uses 50 x 50 x 2.5 with a 75 x 50 A frame.There are 3 @ 50 x 50 bearers spaced within the actual frame which sits on a pair of Hillman 9 leaf springs & rolls on 14" Torana wheels & ali checker plate floor. The mudguards are AU Ford petrol tank supports - 4 each side configured as two side by side meeting a reversed two welded at that point (centre) then seam welded the entire length giving it the look as you see in picture.A 5mm plate is welded under the centre of them & to the frame.At the time of build i had a 20 stone bloke jump up & down on them.Didnt falter then & hasnt since.That was built in 1995 so i guess its pretty much bullet proof. As recent as a few weeks before christmas i aquired a big boofy 3m long bain marie from our works canteen.Six guys couldnt lift it up & into the trailer thus requiring use of a forklift. (got it for the stainless steel that the food body is sheeted in) Still sitting in it now awaiting stripdown & showing 110mm tyre to under guard clearance. I`ve also trailered 2 old combustion stoves from the sth coast to here (home) without any issues so your tub trailer using a 50 x 50 chassis for carting tools about wont be any problem at all.
BM a.JPGBM g.jpgBM k.JPG
Just uploaded tonight about 8:30 will give you an idea of the bain marie pics 1 & 2 at workshop and as it sits now partially stripped down exposing the s/s hidden under melamine over 14mm ply.

Thanks mate for all your help and photos

Garry

Originally Posted by OldGrain

Hi Garry. It was regoed minus the hoist/canopy frame & tool box with the spare tyre just sitting inside the tub without any issues around 1997/8 brought home & those items secured where you see in pictures & only sold about two years ago basically because moving the damn thing around my backyard (so it didnt look like a cow munching grass) by hand became tedious having endured quad bypass in 2007. As Kryn has pointed out, 50 x 50 x 2.5 is a good size that will more than adequately serve your chassis requirements.
The 7 x 4 trailer uses 50 x 50 x 2.5 with a 75 x 50 A frame.There are 3 @ 50 x 50 bearers spaced within the actual frame which sits on a pair of Hillman 9 leaf springs & rolls on 14" Torana wheels & ali checker plate floor. The mudguards are AU Ford petrol tank supports - 4 each side configured as two side by side meeting a reversed two welded at that point (centre) then seam welded the entire length giving it the look as you see in picture.A 5mm plate is welded under the centre of them & to the frame.At the time of build i had a 20 stone bloke jump up & down on them.Didnt falter then & hasnt since.That was built in 1995 so i guess its pretty much bullet proof. As recent as a few weeks before christmas i aquired a big boofy 3m long bain marie from our works canteen.Six guys couldnt lift it up & into the trailer thus requiring use of a forklift. (got it for the stainless steel that the food body is sheeted in) Still sitting in it now awaiting stripdown & showing 110mm tyre to under guard clearance. I`ve also trailered 2 old combustion stoves from the sth coast to here (home) without any issues so your tub trailer using a 50 x 50 chassis for carting tools about wont be any problem at all.
BM a.JPGBM g.jpgBM k.JPG
Just uploaded tonight about 8:30 will give you an idea of the bain marie pics 1 & 2 at workshop and as it sits now partially stripped down exposing the s/s hidden under melamine over 14mm ply.

Gday Garry. Any progress to report on your tub trailer?

Still arranging for all bits and piece at this stage

Garry

Originally Posted by OldGrain

Gday Garry. Any progress to report on your tub trailer?