Anybody here ever make there own car trailer? I have been using a 18' dovetailed trailer from work for years to haul my car around on weekends. But it is setup to haul around a large skid steer and the trailer itself is overly heavy. With gas prices the way they are and my car being tiny and around 1800# I would like something a bit smaller that I could also use for a few other things.
I'm thinking of making a 12' long by 6' wide single axle #3500 rated trailer. I've seen cars hauled on similar or smaller.

Getting it road legal in Indiana is easy, just need to figure out how much steel to toss at it.

Here is my plan, tell me what I need to improve on.

Using a 2" A-frame tongue with 2"x3" 1/8 box running from it back to under the trailers outer frame. Going to run it back on both sides as far as a 20' stick will make it.
The outside frame of the trailer will be 2"x3" 3/16 angle.
For the stringers in the middle I was going to use 1.5"x1/5" 3/16 angle every 2'

Once I get that far I will see how the budget is and either put wood 2x8's for the floor, or if money allows wood in the center with metal where my wheels will set.

I already have the tongue, a-frame jack, light kit, safety chains, spring hanger kit, and am getting ready to order up the axle. Will be brake less for a bit till I get more funds. Will add brakes asap, but for now it is being pulled my an expedition so it should cause any problems.

This is not my car, but mine is about the same size...maybe smaller.
But the trailer they are using is about what I want. But with maybe another foot or so of dovetail.

Any tips?

 

I noticed no one has answered your question. I can't really help much, but I have seen many plans online. I also purchased a welding booking from Barnes and Noble, which included a materials list and instruction of how to build a trailer. They sourced their rear axle from a bronco at their local junkyard.

Welder's Handbook
By Richard Finch

ISBN 1-55788-264-9

I would by the book and photocopy the trailer section then return it

 

sounds like you have the right idea. My dad had one built with a the axle off of an old ford truck when I was a kid.

I would use doubler plates over the areas of the tubing where the axle is welded on. If something does crack or rip there it should help save the structural integrity of the trailer frame. If you use a slightly thicker doubler plate it will help save the frame if you (god forbid) hit a nasty pothole or tag a curb.

I build huge(like the size of a 2 bd house) dump truck bodies for coal mines and quite a few designs use this idea on the cylinder brackets since they almost always crack away from the stiffener ribs and floor.

 

make it out of aluminum so it is easier to pull.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by weiRtech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">make it out of aluminum so it is easier to pull.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The funny thing is I have seen two bike/utility trailers that were home built out of aluminum.They both weighted a ton.People seem to get scared and overbuilt the **** out of it.The older Featherlite trailers were steel covered with aluminum.It took them a while to get comfortable working with aluminum only.

 

Just an update, finally got most the part here and started melting some metal. Just kinda winging it as I go. lol
Still debating on if I'm just going to lay 2x8's on it or go with diamond plate. Going to call on a price for the diamond plate tomorrow and then probably head to Home Depot for wood after I here how much it is.

 

that looks like a fun project man. looks like some good work

 

looks good. what did you use for the axle? did you order a trailer axle or pirate one from a truck?

 

How did you determine axle position?

 

Please consider a dual axle. A single axle trailer with a car on it is VERY scary with a blow out. I have seen quite a few cars end up as scrap when this happens. I know an 1800lb car doesnt sound like a lot, but when its flopping around behind a tow vehicle its splenty heavy.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I though about making one before but then I though how much money could be saved by making it yourself? Especially when they are so relatively cheap nowadays. And that diamond plate aint cheap. I'd go with the wood.

 

anyone know where i can find information on how to get a home-made trailor legal in pennsylvania?
thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hatchtegman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anyone know where i can find information on how to get a home-made trailor legal in pennsylvania?
thanks
</TD></TR></TABLE>

How about the PennDOT website??

 

ive checked on there but havent gotten anywhere. links take me to more links takes me back home ectect.. runaround maybe im not looking in the correct spot.

thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jeff@chaotic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Please consider a dual axle. A single axle trailer with a car on it is VERY scary with a blow out. I have seen quite a few cars end up as scrap when this happens. I know an 1800lb car doesnt sound like a lot, but when its flopping around behind a tow vehicle its splenty heavy.

Just my 2 cents.</TD></TR></TABLE>


x2

 

Good work but i would think about going tandom axle.

Also one set of tires check there max weight capacity

 

are car trailers made from angle? I thought they were box tube or is that just overkill

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jeff@chaotic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Please consider a dual axle.</TD></TR></TABLE>

x3.

I used to pull cars around a lot and blow-outs happen more often than you would think (far more often than with car tires). With two axles, its irritating; with one axle it can get really ugly really fast.

 

I have a tandem axle trailer, just want something smaller. Farthest I will ever travel with the car is about 60 miles, pulling it behind a Expedition and I will get brakes for the trailer very soon. Also before the car gets on it the rims will get a set of 8ply trailer tires.

On a side note, I did shorten the trailer a bit. I move the axle forward about 8 inches and then removed 2 feet from the rear. It was just too big for the single axle before. Total length now included the drop tail is 11 feet. got the fenders mounts and tail light brackets done.
Will post some new pics tomorrow.

Going to get some rattle cans and give it hell tomorrow My daughter wants it hot pink
I think I will stick with black though.

 

Pics PIcs lol

 

Got it finished up, cop inspected it and going to get tags today

Car fits on it nicely, just about perfect for my starlet. Will get some pictures of the trailer by itself later. But just had to load the car up and pull it around town, still on old tires so went very slow. Pulls great, backs up great, and making sharp turns in the grass does chew up the ground. Wife already bought some stuff for me to haul home on it to boot. It is going to be real nice to have a light trailer, I lifted the tongue and rolled it to the truck to hitch it up

Picture of truck and trailer across the street form home



and my tandem in the background
http://www.eville140.com/trailer/tandem.jpg

Was a fun project, my boy helped me cut most the metal and have less than $400 in it.so far.

 

good job getting it done!

 

What type of axle did you end up using?

Looks great

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by essex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What type of axle did you end up using?

Looks great</TD></TR></TABLE>

I got a 3500# axle and spring setup off ebay, was cheaper than I could do anywhere local even with shipping
It was item number 300215075284 if the link does not work.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...h=020

 

what did you do about the ramps? did you tuck them under somewhere? i like the finished product! its sweet, and that is a killer car!