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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Qld. Australia
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    Default Drawbar extension

    Want to extend the drawbar on my 7 X 4 trailer by about 300 to 350mm. Can I simply do this? Cut drawbar, weld a plate between the two and then weld a piece of 75 X 75 X 3 to this and the front of drawbar to attach the coupling?

    Nev

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  3. #2
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    Nov 2008
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    Qld. Australia
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    Default

    Change of plans. Make that a 200mm extension using a 65 X 65 X 3 section with a new plate on top of 80 x 8mm flat for the coupling.

    Nev

  4. #3
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    Aug 2009
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    East Warburton, Vic
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    Default

    I did a couple of trailers like that 5 or 6yrs ago and both owners still happy.
    Cheers

    DJ

  5. #4
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    Default

    I wonder how main dept of transport would react to that sort of alteration? I would have to think that the alteration would have to be signed off with a mod plate for the insurance and rego. Queensland requires that all trailors are measured and registered, unlike Victoria as far as I know.

    Any deviation from the logged measurements will viod any insurance and rego.

    These are my thoughts.

    Robert
    Check my facebook:rhbtimber

  6. #5
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    Following on from specialist's post above, both trailers went through Vic Roads after the mods and were signed off, so no probs in regards to points raised.
    Cheers

    DJ

  7. #6
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    That's nice to know. Thanks

    Robert
    Check my facebook:rhbtimber

  8. #7
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    Might have to ask Queensland Transport before I do it. It's just that it has such a short drawbar and is a pain to reverse.

    Nev

  9. #8
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    Default

    Same vein, but slightly different application.
    The truck yard accross the road, the first tandem dolly they ever had, after approx 20 years of use, determined the drawbar was too short, and yeah it was.
    The drawbar was cut, new 600mm long pieces welded in. Where the joins were, they had fishplates welded accross the joins as well. That dolly is still used in triples, without any caveats, so can still be the 1st dolly in a triples configuration.

    Lengthening trailer drawbars, whats the difference between DIY and DIY kit trailers or trailers built from scratch? So far as registration goes.

    Cheers,
    Wahoon.
    Cheers,
    Dion.

  10. #9
    Yonnee's Avatar
    Yonnee is offline Trailer Bloke & Mild Mannered Moderator
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    This is exactly the problem with the Australian registering authorities when it comes to trailers. Anybody can slap together a piece of rubbish made from balsa wood and chewing gum, and get it registered as a trailer, but modify it, and it requires an engineers report.
    99 times out of 100 you'd just do the extension, you'd have a trailer that's easier to reverse, the authorities wouldn't be any the wiser, and everybody's happy. However... if the workmanship was poor, and the drawbar became separated from the rest of the trailer at speed, causing a fatality, then records would be checked as to who the manufacturer was (recorded against the V.I.N.), and if the manufacturer stated that they didn't make their drawbars that long, then it would come down to who modified it.
    Too many projects, so little time, even less money!
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  11. #10
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    Sep 2010
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    Default

    Just to throw one out there,
    How do the likes of a major Camper trailer manufacturer get around this. I bought a Kimberley Camper, 2 months later required a drawbar extension (this is a factory after sales item) which simply bolts on. They extend the safety chain by using hammerlocks (i think thats what they are called 3T rated). I didnt have to fill out any paper work or change Vic roads details, simply drive in (morning) drive out that arvo

  12. #11
    Yonnee's Avatar
    Yonnee is offline Trailer Bloke & Mild Mannered Moderator
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    You will either find that the overall dimension details have not been changed with Vicroads, or, Kimberley Campers have a standard letter of authorisation that, as the manufacturer, entitles them to change the structure of the vehicle without an engineers report.
    Interestingly though, to start a business building trailers, you don't have to be an engineer, or employ the services of an engineer, or even show any sort of engineer's drawings. You just present one trailer to Vicroads as an example of what you're building, then they'll give you a stack of number plates and forms, and allow you to register your own from then on.
    Too many projects, so little time, even less money!
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  13. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    ACT
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    Hi Nev,

    Will increasing the drawbar by only 200mm make it much easier to reverse? I wouldn't have thought such a small change would make it much easier (but of course I could be wrong)
    So many ideas........so little skill........

  14. #13
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    Take 200mm off it and and then see how much harder it would be reversing it. On my 6x4 trailer i added an adjustable extension bar on it that would extend from 200mm to roughly 350mm and the 200mm made a big difference on my trailer.

  15. #14
    Yonnee's Avatar
    Yonnee is offline Trailer Bloke & Mild Mannered Moderator
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    As Dobre stated, 200mm will be easier than the original length, and the OP states "300 - 350mm", which will be easier again.

    The two factors in determining how easy a trailer is to reverse is the turning circle of the tow vehicle, and the distance from the towball to axle on the trailer (which in effect is the turning circle of the trailer). The smaller the circle of the tow vehicle and the larger the circle of the trailer, the easier is it.
    Too many projects, so little time, even less money!
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