I've decided its about time I built myself a decent trailer to cope with the jobs that are too large/heavy for the ute.

So far I've mostly managed to get away with borrowing a mate's 10x6 box trailer (2T override brakes), or for moving vehicles I've hired car trailers.
Problem with most hire car trailers is they only have a payload of around 1200kg, so nowhere near legal to carry your average dead Landrover which is my usual requirement.
For the record they are typically ones that I've bought or been given already dead - they haven't died on me
The tow vehicle is always one of my Landies, and whenever possible its my old 1985 Isuzu powered 110 "County".
They are all rated to tow 3500kg.

So....some basic requirements:

  • 3.5T ATM tandem - so electric brakes on both axles + breakaway coupling.
  • Strong, but not overbuilt as I want to keep the load capacity as high as practical (2700kg seems reasonably achievable)
  • Around 4.5m long load space
  • Minimum 2m width load space



I then tossed up as to whether to go for a traditional style car trailer with the deck lower than the mudguards, or a full width flat deck with wheels underneath.
Lower deck is much easier to load for vehicles or if you were winching up ramps etc, but the mudguards above the deck make it a pain to load anything else from the side unless you're slinging it.
Flat deck is much easier for loading from the side with a forklift, but higher CofG.
At this point I'm thinking flat deck, but not set in concrete.

Found this design online: https://www.trailerplans.com.au/prod...t-top-trailer/
And then found this build to the same basic design, but with a beavertail section at the back.
4.8m (including the beavertail) x 2.4m load space which is about perfect for what I want. I could go shorter, but then the beavertail gets shorter/steeper or the flat load area gets smaller. It seems to be a pretty good compromise as-is.
I wouldn't bother with permanently attached ramps or headboard/toolbox etc.

I forked out the $55 and bought a set of plans. They are quite comprehensive, and a good summary including all the wiring and light requirements etc as well as good construction techniques etc. Even if I don't end up building that design having all that info in one place is worth the $50 IMO.
Main chassis rails and drawbar are 150x50x3 RHS, and the deck structure is 50x50x3 with 2mm black sheet for the deck itself.
The structure is pretty simple - I guess aimed at the non-professional builder so isn't full of triangulated gussets etc.

Time for some constructive criticism or suggestions from you guys

Steve


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