Trailer build from dropside ute tray

Well I have had no projects on the go for a while so I decided I needed a decent trailer to cart stuff around and also my race quad.

My current trailer for race days is ok, but doesn't fit much stuff:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...singlequad.jpg

So I wanted a trailer made from a dropside ute tray . Looking around it turns out there is a lot of very ordinary ones for the money....and some quite exxy ones

What I wanted:

dropside ute tray
low profile to keep height down
tool box on front
jerry can holders
under body water storage
ramps
storage thingy for all my spare atv tyres/rims
750kg ATM

Ideally I wanted one 2400 long x 1800 wide, but they were out of my budget for a decent one. I eventually found one about 2000 long x 1800 wide for $300 that was more straight than bent...so I got that.

Got it home in 1 piece and laid it flat so I could start work on it:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0001.jpg

Quick check to see if the wheels will fit somewhere:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0003.jpg

I figured using 50x50x2.5 RHS for the main chassis would be strong enough, and I went for 75x50x3 RHS for the drawbar, as I have made it quite long for the toolbox and jerry can holders

So after getting the steel it was time to lay it out:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0004.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0005.jpg

Stay tuned for more pics soon

Craig

Interesting. I am looking forward to progress.

:2tsup: Nice to see the drawbar reaching back to the hangers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yonnee

:2tsup: Nice to see the drawbar reaching back to the hangers.

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Yeah I tried to put into practise all the bits and pieces I read here over the last few months. I didn't do the whole 1/2" for every foot axle offset down the the nearest mm, as there will be a fair bit of weight at the front in the fuel containers, toolbox and water container to offset any imbalance. But nevertheless the axle is still rearward of the centre of the tray

While it's a guide as to the placement of the axle when building a box trailer, it's by no means a binding requirement. The only critical measurement with regard to axle placement is that it cannot be in the front half of the load space.

Another shot of the chassis:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0006.jpg

I just went with slipper springs as I had a set laying around and for what I will use it for they will be fine. I just added an extra leaf to firm them up more

A shot showing the rack where the tool box and jerry can holders will sit. I prefer to make these removable (as in bolt on rather than permanently fixed) just in case I decide to change the function of the trailer down the track.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0008.jpg

A shot showing the 4 bits of RHS attached that will actually bolt to the underside of the tray

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0018.jpg

Doing a quick alignment check to make sure all is in the right spot. My poor girlfriend found muscles she never knew existed helping me move the chassis about

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0007.jpg

ok seeing as it was all aligned, went and fitted the axle and the wheel to see how it sat

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0019.jpg

And seeing the kids were bored I got them to help lift the tray onto it. Starting to look good now

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0020.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0021.jpg

With sides on and checking the positioning of the toolbox

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0022.jpg

With mudguards on:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0032.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0033.jpg

Spare wheel is held on by two long bolts welded on, and using nyloc nuts to ensure they don't come loose

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0065.jpg

Lining up the tool box and jerry can holders

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0064.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0073.jpg

Going to use the space behind the toolbox for the ramps

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0074.jpg

And the pretty much finished product:

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0088.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/IMG_0091.jpg

The trailer had its first outing the other day, being towed to the race meeting I went to...went a good 350km's and its all working well without any problems

Still need to do the under tray water tank. I think I will just use stormwater pipe for that

So any comments, or things that I could have done different/better?

Awesome trailer! Are you going to worry about a few 'minor' details such as lights and rego?

Slap a bit of Silver 'Hammertone' paint on it and it will come up a treat.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers