I have decided to build a new trailer to transport my drag car to and from events . I will endeavour to explain what I do and why I do it . I am not
an engineer , but I have built several trailers over the past 15 years .
I have purchased some 50 x 50 box section for the main frame that is 2 mm thick . I have some 50 x 25 for bracing also 2 mm thick . The sides and
roof will be mostly 20 x 20 x 1.6 that will be covered with a 3 mm thick aluminium composite panelling on the outside . The draw bar is 100 x 50 in 3
mm wall .
I have not yet decided on a dual or triple axle set up , however it will have 4 wheel electric brakes . The frame will be 7.4 m long and 2.4 m wide
and around 2 m high . I have always used slipper springs , but I will now change to the rocker spring set up as I can spread the wheels wider apart
for more stability .
I am aiming to have this finished for the VW meeting in February , ROD.
Today I have been cutting and welding all day . Here is the outer frame in the 50 x 50 box section . The 2 centre runners are 1.4 m apart as this is
where the wheels will run . I will use a 3 mm thick aluminium propeller plate as the flooring and as these sheets are 1.22 wide I have welded a 50 x
50 at where they join every 1.22 m .
In between I have a 50 x 25 as bracing in the centre of each sheet and tomorrow I will run another 50 x 25 directly down the centre , giving me a
maximum span of 600 x 600 mm on the entire floor .
I have decided to taper the front of the trailer and the front of the roof section so it is a little narrower and lower than the tow car to make it a
bit more aero dynamic , ROD.
I will struggle to change my trailer rego label by February and I still think you will beat me...
Why a new trailer Rod
Thanks Rod a good read
Have you sold your old trailer?
Rod, when you're done (and by the way thanks for the trailer-building refresher! :tu
could you please let us know what the total weight is?
Stanley , My enclosed trailer is about 12 years old and is not quite big enough for the new car . Every scratch and mark on the car is from getting it
in and out of the trailer , so I will build the trailer to suit the car .
Brendan , I have several people interested in the old trailer .
Modnrod , My open trailer that is 4.8 x 2.0 / dual axle electric brakes / full aluminium floor is 420 kg's . The enclosed trailer is 6.0 x 2.3 x 1.8
/ triple axle / electric brakes , from memory is about 870 kg's .
I need to be able to transport the tow buggy , tool boxes , pit shade and spares along with the car to each meeting . I will have the generator and
compressor permanently mounted in the new trailer along with benches and necessary gear need to make each meeting more comfortable , ROD.
Yesterday I started on the roof section . This is all 20 x 20 x 1.6 with a 50 x 25 outer frame .
I have a 25 mm pitch in the centre so the water will run off easier . I have raised this roof section to the level I want it so I can start on the
sides today .
I will also turn the bed over to weld the underneath side so I don't have to weld up side down . I will also add the draw bar at this time . ROD.
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Finished that trailer yet, Rod ? 
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Originally
posted by modnrod
Should come in handy in Sydney then........ |
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Originally
posted by humpty
Please god, not another washout! |
Well folks the build for the trailer has come to a sudden....and painful halt. Rodney was working on his new trailer and has done something dramatic
to his knee. He apparently cant see his knee cause its now ten times bigger than his head! We all know how big that can be. So the poor bugger is
in bed awaiting an appointment to have an MRI scan. He needs support now guys. I for one am prepared to go to his bedside and ask him what I can do
to help him finish this trailer. Then I am prepared to sacrifice some of my life by actually laying hands on the project. If he trusts my poor
workmanship that is!
regards
Old Hutcho
That's no good, get well soon Rodney
Bugger!
All the best for a quick escape from "hostipal" Rod.
Get well soon.
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That no good to hear, about Rod.
Although I am looking after my daughter on school holidays, let me know what day you plan and I will do my best to get there.
My daughter can always play with Rods son as they are close in age. As long as it isn't Doctors and Nurses, as Rod is in need of those
Cheers, Kev
Its his clutch knee Greg. I tried to ask if we could modify a broomstick just for the day and make it a hand or shoulder clutch. His reply cant be
printed here
regards
Old Hutcho
Torque converter time!!!
Oh crap... Good thing his liquid refreshment elbow wasnt damaged.
Get well soon Rodney!
Hi guy's , I am back on deck , sort of . I am hobbling around with a left knee that just doesn't want to work . The MRI scan today revealed some
not so good bits inside . I will have to wait until the Doc is back on Monday to make an appointment to try to get it fixed .
I have been able to do some light work on the trailer to get the final shape today . A big thanks to Morgan for his time to get me out of the shit
with the welding . I have the rear of the trailer finished as well as most of the front . I will try to do some more of the small bracing tomorrow so
I can order all of the axles/springs/hubs etc. on Monday .
I have a 50 x 25 at the rear to match up with the 50 x 25 that runs along the outer edge of the roof . I also have another 50 x 25 vertical 2/3 the
way from the back so I can mount the access door hinges from . The rest is all 20 x 20 light weight steel for the front . Hopefully I will be able to
finish off the frame this weekend with all of the gussets required .
The draw bar adds an extra 1100 mm to the overall length of 7400 , making it 8.5 m long . All of the cross bracing is there to keep it all square
until it is all welded .
This will be removed once the frame is welded , ROD.
Good luck with this Rod, some things just cant be planned, well done Morgan,
cheers Barry
Tough break rod, cheers for the update. All the best with recovery
Good to see you're back on deck Rodney; we'll sort off at least!
Take care of yourself and get that knee fixed once and for all.
All the best for 2014 mate.
Cheers, Paul
I am still hobbling round like an old fart , but am keen to keep working on this . I have the outer frame all finished , welded and braced .
I have ordered all of the hardware and have ended up with a triple roller rocker suspension set up . I am hoping all of this may be here by the
weekend so I can get it sorted and rolling . I will now concentrate on the mounting brackets and slides for the toolbox and the generator . These will
be mounted one on each side just in front of the wheels .
I will have a small access door on each side and I have ordered some funky little drawer slides so the toolbox will always stay in the trailer and can
be accessed from the outside . I will now move the front access door a little forward to accommodate the box and generator .
I have yet to decide if I will use the back door as a ramp , or if I will make 2 lightweight barn doors that open from the centre , ROD.
So what the hell is going to tow this moving house? I imagine fully loaded you are really adding up the KGs quickly.
Towing with that blue Kombi I think.
It has an 1835, that should be enough no, Rod?