Thread: trailer plans

You can provide your own VIN number, I did it a few years ago

I used my ute rego number with my initials added at the end.

I just ran beads of weld to form the numbers so I didn't have to go and buy a set of metal punches

SWMBO actually registered it and I gave her a receipt for the trailer as proof of ownership which vicroads accepted.

I didn't have to provide a compliance plate but I would have made one out of a bit of light ally if I had needed to.

Part of the inspection includes measuring the size of the trailer, so you would need to notify Vicroads if you widen or lengthen the trailer

My son is in the trailer building trade. It is certainly better to stay within the law as far as specifications are concerned. If you don't know, ask.

Hey guys,
I’m just about to start building a fire fighting trailer for my in-laws property. I’m using 75 X 50 X 3mm gal RHS for the chassis and drawbar, with a 1000 litre water tank (yes one of those plastic tanks in the metal cage) and a Honda fire pump mounted on the drawbar. I know 1000 litres won’t last long with the pump going at full tilt, but it means the pump is always set up and can be moved between the 3 dams on the property. I’m planning on using a complete diff set-up out of a Falcon Ute. springs, wheels, brakes, everything. Reason is I already have the diff, the springs are 1 tonne rated and a complete hub to hub hydraulic brake setup for a trailer costs around $600. Yes the trailer will need brakes, as the property is steep where the dams are.

My question. Can you register a trailer in Victoria that has a car diff? While it will mainly never leave the property, it would be handy to have the freedom of road reg. I asked someone at Vicroads a while ago but they told me to speak to an automotive engineer. Can anyone help us?

Originally Posted by Kyle

My question. Can you register a trailer in Victoria that has a car diff? While it will mainly never leave the property, it would be handy to have the freedom of road reg. I asked someone at Vicroads a while ago but they told me to speak to an automotive engineer. Can anyone help us?

This is my background and now hobby.

Short answer, Yes you can use the ute axle.

Get yourself a copy of the Vehicle Standards Bulletin #1 for building small trailers. They are a National Code for building any trailer up to 4500kg. It's then up to the person behind the registering authorities counter how they interpret those rules, but if it's built right, then you won't have a problem. As was said before, if it looks like rubbish, don't expect them to let it pass.

As for modifying an existing trailer, I don't know about other states, but Vicroads will usually tell you any modification requires an engineers certificate. They even wanted one for a trailer we replaced the 750kg lazy axle with a 1250kg braked one. The trailer was a factory built one that was no different from one that could have had the heavier axle to begin with. But Vicroads (well this particular officer) were insistant that I could not just have them adjust their records to state the trailer could now carry 1250kg. We eventually got around the problem, without the certificate, and the customer went away happy with his 1250kg registered trailer.

If you're going to change the size of the trailer, then it would be easier to use the existing trailer as "donor parts" and present a new trailer for rego in its larger size.

Originally Posted by echidna

You can provide your own VIN number, I did it a few years ago
I used my ute rego number with my initials added at the end.
I just ran beads of weld to form the numbers so I didn't have to go and buy a set of metal punches
SWMBO actually registered it and I gave her a receipt for the trailer as proof of ownership which vicroads accepted.
I didn't have to provide a compliance plate but I would have made one out of a bit of light ally if I had needed to.

Technically, all trailers built after 1986 (I think from memory) require an official 17 digit international V.I.N. number, stamped on a proper I.D. tag. If the trailer was built before then, you can basically pick your own number or the rego office will allocate you one, and you just stamp/weld it onto the frame. But in any case, you have to be prepared to put your name to the manufacture of the trailer. Even "H-MADE" on the tag, you still have to fill out the rego form.

HOWEVER, in general, if you're not confident in your own skills to fabricate or modify a trailer, please re-think it!! I would not like to meet your drawbar-less trailer full of firewood head-on at 100km/h, nor would you want that responsibility.


Hope this has helped.

Yonnee.

Originally Posted by zathras

No, this is NOT the case, well not in Victoria anyway.

I built my own trailer last year, and for the Compliance plate, all that is required for the manufacturer name is "H-MADE" for home made.

You do however need to provide proof of purchase of the raw materials used to construct the trailer. No invoices - no proof of ownership - no rego.

You need to get it weighed before getting the rego, and you also need to call Vicroads the day before to get a VIN number, which also must be stamped into the plate along with "H-MADE".

Not at any time was the name of the person who constructed the trailer requested.

It was all very stressful before the event, but all went well at inspection.
I suppose if it looks like a crap job it could be a different story though...

Get your self a copy of VSB-1 (vehicle standards bulletin) and read it well. (http://www.dotrs.gov.au/transreg/vsb/index.aspx)
This is pretty much the bible to ensure compliance.

Spot on chap, even easier in Vic is get your self a trailer pack, and go for it.

Whats a trailer pack??

if ya can afford ally plate go for it i remember years back you could go to the local auto parts place and get books on trailers all the time which had plans but ya dont see em any more.. shock horror i went to my local library the other day and they have building and auto books so ya might just jag a book at ya local library its worth a start!

yeah i know what ya saying i had the same thing bought a trailer years back 8x5 tandem axle didn't have rego paid $100 bucks it was a wreck practically rebuilt the skin and foor was completley rusted out then the bloody hoops the RTA put me through to get it regoed first it was a trip to the weigh station to get the weigh slip then had to take it to an authorised motor mehanic vehicle inspector he did the same went over it got the compliance plate HMADE and the rego first up cost me round $200 bucks for a trailer what a joke and everyyear after that is costs me $170 bucks and has to be inspected every year because it weighs over 700 kg I will be giving her a spray job soon and getting rid of it as it cost me too much money anyone want to buy a trailer

Originally Posted by patty

..............getting rid of it as it cost me too much money anyone want to buy a trailer

Will you deliver?

Mick

sorry mick not to north Queensalnd mate wouldnt mind going up their it would be warmer up that way than what it is here at the moment

Originally Posted by BrentonSpear

Whats a trailer pack??

Go to any vic roads office and ask for a trailer pack, fill it out, have the right paper work and your done, dont even need to take the trailer in to vicroads, I've done two like that

Originally Posted by patty

...the rego first up cost me round $200 bucks for a trailer what a joke and everyyear after that is costs me $170 bucks and has to be inspected every year because it weighs over 700 kg...

I wonder how many trailers stay registered in NSW because of thier ridiculous fee structure!! It's cheaper for New South Welsh people to register a motorbike they use 365 days a year than a trailer you'd use between once a month to hardly ever.

Down here we pay $35 a year for any trailer under 4500Kg GVM, and once it's registered, No inspections!! Gotta love Vicroads for some things!

Originally Posted by Yonnee

Down here we pay $35 a year for any trailer under 4500Kg GVM, and once it's registered, No inspections!! Gotta love Vicroads for some things!

In Qld the yearly rego for a box trailer is not much more, but I can go one better.

When the old boy took the trailer that I made him in to get registered the clerk asked if it complied with the VSB. Dad replied "Yes", and the clerk said good and finished off the paperwork. The only time that she saw the trailer is when she looked out the window to see the trailer parked 20 metres away.