Trailer is a type of wagon that attaches to the back of a vehicle and is used to carry large items such as cars, furniture, gardening equipment, and more. There are different types, from closed ones for transporting animals to "V" shaped ones for transporting boats, but the basic design is the same for any type of trailer. They can be purchased for a few thousand dollars, but if you prefer, you can save a lot of money by building one on your own. Read this article to find out how.
Steps
Step 1. Find the axes
You can use one or two, but it is recommended to use two, in order to increase the flow rate thus decreasing the absorption on the suspensions. There are several options when it comes to looking for the ideal axles to build a custom trailer; So here are some things to always keep in mind:
- A car wrecker is an excellent place to find cheap ones.
- You can make a trailer out of the axles of an old van (or truck) or caravan.
- The axles you choose should have suspension and brakes.
- When you buy the axles it will be to build a trailer that is about 254cm wide. If they are wider, you will need to cut off the middle section and weld the ends together to get a more suitable size.
Step 2. Buy wheels if your axles do not have them
Use trailer-specific tires - they should be diagonal in texture, with an approximate width of 38cm.
Step 3. Build the frame using 10 x 10 cm metal bars
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Weld the sections of the bars to form a rectangle of the size you prefer.
Build Trailers Step 3Bullet1 - Check that it is a perfect rectangle by checking the edges of the corners, and that the diagonals have the same length from one vertex to the opposite one.
- Cut five bars as long as the width of the frame, using a miter saw with a specific blade suitable for cutting metal.
- Arrange the planks under the frame as a reference point. They should be 40.6 cm from the center of the rectangle, towards the ends of the trailer.
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Weld the bars crosswise to the frame to provide stability: start with the central one (which must also be in the center of the two axes), and then weld two more, each to one side of the central one. The two remaining bars, on the other hand, must be welded to the mounting points of the suspension brackets.
Build Trailers Step 3Bullet5
Step 4. Build the drawbar of the trailer, using 10 x 10 cm metal rods
- Use the miter saw to cut two 104 cm long bars.
- Position them so that one half is under the frame and the other half extends outward.
- Saldale to the attachment of the front of the trailer, one on each side, rotating them so that they meet in a triangle.
- Use the miter saw to trim the edges where the bars meet in front of the trailer, and then weld them.
Step 5. Weld a hook where the tips of the two bars meet; make sure it is compatible with the vehicle you will use to tow the trailer
Step 6. Add the axes
- Turn the frame over so that the bottom is in place of the top.
- Arrange the two boards on the underside, aligning them parallel to the sides of the center bar of the frame.
- Weld the axle suspension mounts to the frame.
- Flip the frame over again and finish welding the boards on the top side.
Step 7. Cover the frame with heavy, thick metal plates cut to size, and weld them in place
Advice
- Make sure it's legal to use used truck or trailer axles to build a custom trailer. You can contact the local DMV office.
- Always wear a mask when welding materials.
- Brake light is mandatory for custom trailers to be legal as well. You can purchase a light kit at any store that sells auto parts.
- While you can build reliable and sturdy custom trailers from second hand material, it is advisable to buy new tires to avoid unpleasant road hazards.
