Car Trailer / Transporter Ideas

[neo]

Seeing people are generally wanting 4-5k 2nd hand for the sort of trailer I want, I'm currently spec'ing up requirements to get a trailer built to tow around the corolla on

Currently my spec sheet is as follows

Single drop axle
Braked (hydraulic disk)
Bed size (inside 1800 wide x2900min/3400max long)
swing away guards (extra clearance to open doors)
non-tilting / must have ramps that hide away
provision to add on sides to turn it in a jumbo 'dump run trailer'
Hubs to suit 4x100 pcd 15" wheels (whats run on the corolla)
Hot galv dipped.

Any suggestions on where the axle should be positioned? I've been warned away from durotorque suspension.

Also taking suggestions changes / experiences and for engineers to build it.

Thanks

[Mr Revhead]

Any suggestions on where the axle should be positioned?

in the middleish


thats some trailer!
whats wrong with a normal one?

[blitza]

double axle for durability- especially if you want to use poxy 400kg rated wheels!!!
Tilt deck, 'cause you're pulling yourself if you think you don't need it,
low, solid side rails for multiple tie off points,
wheel ramps that stow between main deck.
carry a spare tire.
you'll be doing well to make it for less than $4k, especially if you're not fab'ing it yourself.

[MAGN1T]

Twin axle is better than single then you can carry more weight.
Brakes on the front axle.
An electric winch is handy too along with self contained battery.
Stowing the ramps in the middle at the back, as mentioned is OK so long as the car isn't too low. Otherwise major problems.

Steve

[Malcolm]

getting the axle(s) in the right place is a little tricky, I'd suggest you measure up an existing one that works well and copy that. If you get it too far rearward you'll put heaps of load on the draw bar, which will take weight off the front wheels of your tow car and make your braking/steering a bit dodgy, if the axle is too far forward you will have stability issues.

[neo]

getting the axle(s) in the right place is a little tricky, I'd suggest you measure up an existing one that works well and copy that. If you get it too far rearward you'll put heaps of load on the draw bar, which will take weight off the front wheels of your tow car and make your braking/steering a bit dodgy, if the axle is too far forward you will have stability issues.

I wont be building the trailer myself (I dont trust my welds to hold that much weight), just probing to see if there is sweet spot people have found by mistake.

Soo, 4x100 might be out of the question for a single axle due to the weight issues.. drat, gotta carry another spare wheel.

.. When I had the mini I used to use a bob-cat trailer. Threw on the brakes, jocked the wheels and allowed the whole trailer to tip as the car went on.. Might be a bigger issue now with a larger car lolz.

[mjrstar]

sounds like you need what i have recently had stolen.. gurr..

[DexGT]

you need what Dave Wilce has , your welcome to come look at it for measurements , ideas etc .
It would be a good one to copy as it tows beautifully , I'm sure you can borrow it if you want to try it out

[fxgt race]

I had this made to fit my car, the deck is 1760 by 3600. mine has 4x114 stud pattern,I put the wheels on, Had the guards put on at a height that i could still open my doors, my car is 800kg, tows mint.

I didn't want double axle,to heavy, a pain to turn around off the car, this is lite,I can pull it around by myself and good to tow.It came wired , braked, but only painted for $2600 a year ago, $700 to get galved,I know he doesn't do them for this price anymore.

[jakesae101]

braked tandems are alot nicer to tow a car with from my personal experiance tipping trailers save alot of hassle if i was to get a car trailer id get a tipping tandem

[Mr Revhead]

you have to take into account the towing vehicle when thinking about braked or non braked.

[fj40cruzapete]

Seeing people are generally wanting 4-5k 2nd hand for the sort of trailer I want, I'm currently spec'ing up requirements to get a trailer built to tow around the corolla on

Currently my spec sheet is as follows

Single drop axle
Braked (hydraulic disk)
Bed size (inside 1800 wide x2900min/3400max long)
swing away guards (extra clearance to open doors)
non-tilting / must have ramps that hide away
provision to add on sides to turn it in a jumbo 'dump run trailer'
Hubs to suit 4x100 pcd 15" wheels (whats run on the corolla)
Hot galv dipped.

Any suggestions on where the axle should be positioned? I've been warned away from durotorque suspension.

Also taking suggestions changes / experiences and for engineers to build it.

Thanks

where are you located??

[Dell'Orto]

He's in welly. Build me one like his but charge it to Neil

[evil_si]

i priced up the components for a tandem trailer about 6 months ago,
hub sets, led lights, tandem spring set, hydraulic brakes + coupling, jockey wheel, galv guards and that was just over 1200,
taking into account staff rates thru the company i priced it up at,

that wasnt including materials, steel / alloy, wiring,
plus the fact i want to run dura torques to keep it nice and low puts it out of my current budget.

the last trailer i built was a large single axle, un-lined non braked and it cost me just on $900 for materials and parts, lights etc

[Bling]

you have to take into account the towing vehicle when thinking about braked or non braked.

How much can you actually tow unbraked? I know most cars are rated to certain weights unbraked. A car + trailor would blow that weight out of the water.

[Mr Revhead]

it depends on the tow vehicle, i can't remember how it works myself, but a lot of ppl are surprised at finding out they are exceeding them!

all i know is an enginless ae82 is quite heavy for an ae101 levin

[Loudtoy]

you have to take into account the towing vehicle when thinking about braked or non braked.

How much can you actually tow unbraked? I know most cars are rated to certain weights unbraked. A car + trailor would blow that weight out of the water.

2000kg is the max you can tow unbraked but you really want to have the right kind of wagon to do that. Most race car trailer setups would weigh in around the 1400 mark i'd imagine. By the time you get some spares and you put all the gas in the car so it doens't fume you out it could even be slightly more. Why don't you do what i'm in the process of doing, buy a big ass tandom non car trailer and conver it. You can probably pick up something erasonably cheap and convert it easy enough - the hardest part is keeping the deck heigh down.

[Boost_4_Life]

i went thru all this shit recently trying to find a trailer/build a trailer. i could get a complete tandem kit through workmate discounts etc for $1000. but in the end i decided it was too much hassle/time/would cost more than budgeted and picked up a wicked tandem braked for $3k.

just shop around and have patience. dont go near places like kea etc. if u have space to store it make it big enough for a decent sized car. otherwise you'll kick yourself when u upgrade or just need it for that 1 off. for the cost just do it once do it right.

[MAGN1T]

you have to take into account the towing vehicle when thinking about braked or non braked.

How much can you actually tow unbraked? I know most cars are rated to certain weights unbraked. A car + trailor would blow that weight out of the water.

I got rid of a trailer load of scrap today. My weighbridge ticket says
Gross 2820, tare, 2200, net 620 (trailer weighs about 450Kgs).

So my scrap weighed 620Kg but I've regularly had 1750 on there so that would make 3950Kg all up. Hmmm might need an HT. Definately need brakes, I have.

Steve

[jakesae101]

you have to take into account the towing vehicle when thinking about braked or non braked.

How much can you actually tow unbraked? I know most cars are rated to certain weights unbraked. A car + trailor would blow that weight out of the water.

I got rid of a trailer load of scrap today. My weighbridge ticket says
Gross 2820, tare, 2200, net 620 (trailer weighs about 450Kgs).

So my scrap weighed 620Kg but I've regularly had 1750 on there so that would make 3950Kg all up. Hmmm might need an HT. Definately need brakes, I have.

Steve

you can tow another 550 on a car licence