Thread: Trailer Build

Agree with Yonee the orange lights at the front maybe a knock back as they should be white.

The only other thing I see is the implement (this could be the angle of photo) sharp edges protruding/exposed past the side


Otherwise top job Dazzlers

As for securing devices for guades why not a toggle pull down heavy duty rubber type try at Supertools or caravan suppliers boating accessories

Originally Posted by Yonnee

Please tell me you didn't weld across the top of the drawbar where it meets the chassis... *cringe*

Yonnee is referring to a probable fracture point.It is at this point flexing and fracture can occur.Welding should be parallel to the draw bar.

Otherwise a really fine effort.One that I shall be filing away. The ramps come mudguards are out of the box thinking -great stuff!

Grahame

Originally Posted by Yonnee

Top effort fella.

Not wanting to burst any bubbles, but just a couple of quick things so you don't knocked back at the RTA... depending on the officer you get, how well they know the trailer reg's, and how picky they want to be.

- Provision for number plate & light.

- Your front facing clearance lamps must be white. They can only be amber if they're mounted on the side and have 1/2 amber & 1/2 red.

****************************************************

Please tell me you didn't weld across the top of the drawbar where it meets the chassis... *cringe*

Of course I didnt weld across the drawbar , a burglar did it during the night. Actually it didnt even spark a thought not to as I thought seeing as it is under compression that it's fine.

I know not to weld across axles but lengthwise if needed. I take it I am wrong . What should I watch for - cracking on the top near the weld?

Any preventative ideas - reverse weld spray perhaps.

The amber lights were actually indicators as the Hino only has small ones at the front and the overall length is pretty long. I have the little white reflectors above them. Do you think I should change the lenses/wires and run them as clearance lights? The right stop/tail/indicator has the clear lense under the tail light for number plate provision. Hope it gets passed otherwise will add another one in the middle.

Cheers and thanks for comments/suggestions/critiquies

Dazzler

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

Yonnee is referring to a probable fracture point.It is at this point flexing and fracture can occur.Welding should be parallel to the draw bar.

Otherwise a really fine effort.One that I shall be filing away. The ramps come mudguards are out of the box thinking -great stuff!

Grahame

thanks Grahame,

Will need to keep an eye on it

Originally Posted by dazzler

Of course I didnt weld across the drawbar , a burglar did it during the night. Actually it didnt even spark a thought not to as I thought seeing as it is under compression that it's fine.

I know not to weld across axles but lengthwise if needed. I take it I am wrong . What should I watch for - cracking on the top near the weld?

Yes... As the weld should be stronger than the steel around it, it will start to fatigue the steel around it, particularly the drawbar as this has the most stress.

Any preventative ideas - reverse weld spray perhaps.

If only there was such a product...

If you want to go to the trouble, I would carefully grind away as much of the weld as possible without cutting into the steel, that way it might fracture what little weld is left. I put a triangular gusset on all my heavier trailers, a flat piece of steel that I weld flat against the front crossbar and extends down to the bottom of the drawbar...
Attachment 63916

The amber lights were actually indicators as the Hino only has small ones at the front and the overall length is pretty long. I have the little white reflectors above them. Do you think I should change the lenses/wires and run them as clearance lights? The right stop/tail/indicator has the clear lense under the tail light for number plate provision. Hope it gets passed otherwise will add another one in the middle.

Cheers and thanks for comments/suggestions/critiquies

Dazzler

I would leave the indicators, not a bad idea to have. But any trailer over 1600mm wide is required to have white front lamps, however, they can be amber if they perform the job of a red/amber side marker lamp as well. Rather than convert/rewire those one you've got, I would add the clearance lights/wiring. Not much good people seeing you're turning if they can't see the trailer when you're not.

You'll be OK with that number plate set-up.

thanks mate

No worries...

If you don't like the look of the gusset, you can put it on the back of the front crossbar. Does the same job, just out of sight.
Attachment 63923

That's a good idea Yonnee.

After reading your comments I had a look at my off road trailer that I mentioned earlier in the thread. I have loaded it up with over a pallet of dry press commons, which weighs around 1600kg and the draw bar isn't effected at the weld. Yes.... I welded it up across the top the same as Daz. I will keep an eye on it from now on though.


Once again.... great job on the trailer Daz.

How quickly it will start cracking, if at all, depends on several factors. How much load is forward of the axle, how heavy this load is, what size material your drawbar is made from, how often the trailer is used, the type of terrain the trailer travels along...
...it won't happen overnight, but it can happen over a long period of time.

Simple rule is, if you're going to build a trailer, don't weld across the top of the drawbar.
If you've already done it, keep an eye on it.

If it becomes a problem, fix it.

This is a top thread and very timely I must say.

I'm hoping to do the same thing this year if I can.

What sort of trailer boban?

I'm at the planning/designing/drawing stages of two trailers I'm going build for myself. Firstly a domestic garden/box trailer (Dad keeps pinching his back), and then a car carrier to transport my HT Brougham Wagon project car.
I'll start a thread shortly and take heaps of progress pics as I've got quite a few little custom extras in mind for both trailers.

Just a big box trailer. 3000 x 1300 mm. I've really got no idea when it comes to the design other than what I have seen elsewhere. I would also have welded the top of the drawbar but for this thread.

I would certainly be interested in the theory behind any design as well. Looking forward to your thread.

C'mon Daz, is it finished yet??

Originally Posted by boban

I would certainly be interested in the theory behind any design as well.

As for the design, the bare chassis is pretty much a "no-brainer". Mainly it comes down to what the trailer is to be used for, how much weight you want it to carry, and what sort of suspension you want to run.

It's from the chassis up that you can have a play with different ideas on where things go, how things open and shut, what accessories you want to attach and what little extras you want to add to make the trailer more user friendly.

Me thinks it might be time to start my own thread, instead of hi-jacking Daz's.

Booked in for rego on friday .

I wonder if we should get the mods to change the thread to trailer builds and just keep it going so there is a bit of a library thats easy to find.

Thoughts?