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 1303Steve
A.k.a.: Steve Carter
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| posted on August 7th, 2012 at 08:02 PM |
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Dual axle car trailer advice
Hi
I'm thinking of building a car trailer. I could get away with a single axle trailer for a Beetle but my son is getting more serous with his Skyline
drift car and its a bit heavy for a single axle.
The trailer I borrowed for Valla is a single axle but it also tilts which is really handy for low cars.
I think rocker springs would be the best rather than slippers.
So any thoughts, dos & donts would be helpful.
Steve
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colin
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| posted on August 7th, 2012 at 08:50 PM |
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Would definatly advise you to build a twin axle trailer. Many people on this forum tow long distance with a single axle but i think in a blow out or
puncture situation a twin is allways safer.
As far as spring choice, i personally use twin slipper springs, but rocker or load share is better, especially when going up and down gutters.
Also make it long enough so that when your car is on the trailer it doesn,t stick out the back, nice insurance in case some fool rear ends you.
When designing my trailer we tack welded the axles in place then loaded the car on to check and adjust for spot on balance and ball weight.
A well balanced trailer is a pleasure to tow even at high speed after a long day racing.
Cheers Col
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colin
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| posted on August 7th, 2012 at 08:52 PM |
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My trailer with my best pit crew.
Col
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sander288
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 10:33 AM |
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Probs an obvious point, but make sure you get ramps and the approach angle shallow enough; nothing worse than having to scrape to put it on
trailer,
I had this problem with hire trailers; therefore I bought mine.
Wish I had a custom trailer made but time and $ were too good, http://giccampertrailers.com.au/car-trailers/
I got the 14ft beaver tail.
It tows really well, the car goes on without having to back it on, only complaints are it's a bit too wide and also heavier.
If I get another I'd go with an aluminium dual axle that was the same width as the tiguan.
Cheers
Shaun
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Sides
A.k.a.: Dave Sidery
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 12:22 PM |
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My advice also is to go for the dual, and agree with pretty much all the points above.
Definitely echo the points about approach angles - I had to redo the ramps on mine cos I got sick of always scraping.
Also I think MUCH better to be able to drive on forwards.
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donn
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 06:18 PM |
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I was with H at Valla at the weekend, his tilts like a boat trailer and so the car dosn't scrape going on or off
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
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whathaveidone
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 06:43 PM |
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I used to think duel axel was the way to go. Last trailer was duel axel with rocker springs. Now ive got a single and I wont go back. So muck better
to tow and to move around when not in use. Mine is 3m long (not including the drawbar) and my ramps are 3m making loading low cars easy. I use good
light truck tyres so blowouts are not so much of a problem, towed a few thousand ks with no dramas. Not to mention fuel aconomy
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Adsman
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 06:46 PM |
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As stated above rocker springs last longer and tow better over bumps than slippers. As one wheel goes up it pushed the other one down and vice versa
keeping the trailer more level.
What my garage isn't messy........Well chaos is a form of order isn't it?
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sander288
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 06:59 PM |
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I've used both types as I borrowed Greg Mackie's trailer on 2 occasions and it was lighter, smaller and easier to tow and move around when not in
use.
Single axle should be ok, those Nevco trailers are single, but have a HUGE ball weight spec for the tow vehicle of 300kg
http://www.nevco.com.au/nevco/index.php
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h
A.k.a.: Towely BuMpEr KING! ILLegal ALIEN on a roadtrip
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 07:37 PM |
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hey
mine is a tandem, with slippers that tilts
make sure your drawbar is nice n long as to all but eliminate fish tailing = quick speed on the freeways 
I made some long ramps for really low vw's n works sweet as, they also slide on the rear of trailer sideways to accomodate different with vehicles
my ramps long and short make up the deck of the trailer thru the guts do I can carry many varied different freight (bit crazy only having it
exclusively for cars)
I set my trailer up to carry vw's on facing forward as they are more areodynamic n my trailer sits nice n level which means do much easier to tow
as u know I've carried many vw's on the east coast n I'm super happy with it
put a winch up front as cars don't always run n an Ali box for jack, straps n raincoat etc
good luck with your endeavors
cheers pauly
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1303Steve
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| posted on August 8th, 2012 at 10:51 PM |
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Hi
Thanks for the input guys. I agree that single axle trailer are much easier to move around and are light weight, but if I want to tow my sons Skyline
legally I musty go dual axle.
I've borrowed a dual axle trailer that Vintage use for their drag car, I think it has no springs so if you have the trailer not connected to the tow
car and you want to move it around the draw bar digs into then ground when go over a dip in the ground, I think this would be the case with slipper
springs like Col uses on his trailer.
Steve
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BiX
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| posted on August 9th, 2012 at 09:59 AM |
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I trailer I used to use was a little different. It was like a box trailer, so th deck went over the trailer wheels, with small humps (7cm) in the
deck. This made it very narrow, but the car sat higher on the trailer. Found it was pretty good to tow with and being narrower was good at reversing
down drive ways.
As the deck was higher, it had a full tilt mechanisim and long ramps (design for landcruiser offroad race car), though wasnt as good as a beaver tail,
but saying that we had no problems getting a evo 8 on it, with about 2cm to spare down each side.
it also had cage's/sides so it became a huge box trailer.....
How I miss that trailer
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!
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type3vw
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| posted on August 9th, 2012 at 05:17 PM |
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hi i build caravan chassis for caravans i would definately go dual axle. we made my trailer with the beaver tail and it is fantastic. we also
have electric brakes and they to are also fantastic. if you go electric
brakes and need a controller i have 2 brand new ones ill sell you on
cheap.
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modulus
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| posted on August 9th, 2012 at 05:27 PM |
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The tilting trailers look great for loading cars with low ground clearance, unless they have a very extended front splitter. Most of them are
hydraulically operated, but it doesn't need to be that fancy; with careful design they could be completely manual.
hth
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1303Steve
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| posted on August 9th, 2012 at 07:49 PM |
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Hi
The tilting trailer that I borrowed for Valla in the top picture relies on the weight of the car to do the tilting, its hard to see in the photos but
the ramps have a stand on them that prevents the trailer tipping too far.
Thanks for the offer type3vw but I bought a Voyager controller on eBay very cheep. I don't I will go without electric brakes when again.
Steve
I found some better photos of the trailer with my bug on it
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Menangler
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| posted on August 9th, 2012 at 08:28 PM |
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Steve,
I have a single axle trailer, it tows great, its light and easy to move around, It has Kombi front disc brakes with an overide master cylinder.
It is only good for a bug as I set up the balance for a Beetle. I've done a lot of miles with it, I had it doing over 130 k's down a long hill, no
wobbles at all.
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FAHRVERGNUGEN;
Description of a pleasurable sensation,
Experienced when a car and it's driver are in mutual harmony, A unique driving experience, Pleasure, Satisfaction,
A feeling experienced by Volkswagen Drivers.
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HappyDaze
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 07:24 AM |
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Steve, there is one 'golden rule' for a trailer - whether single or dual axle......make sure the draw-bar is long enough. If you draw a line from
the centre of the tyre contact patch [front tyre, in the case of dual-axles], pass it through the centre of the tow ball, it should end up in FRONT of
the rear wheel of the tow car. I've built a few trailers, and found this helps to keep 'swaying' to a minimum, providing the trailer is loaded
properly. Electric brakes are good.
Edit.....And ALWAYS carry a spare wheel!
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
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donn
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 08:29 AM |
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| Quote: | If you draw a
line from the centre of the tyre contact patch [front tyre, in the case of dual-axles], pass it through the centre of the tow ball, it should end up
in FRONT of the rear wheel of the tow car. !
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Just to clarify this point.
From the centre of the trailer wheel through the centre of tow ball takes the line across to the other side of the tow car, so I assume the final
point is in front of the rear wheel of the tow car but IN LINE with the rear wheel when a line is drawn between the front and rear wheel of the tow
car. Have I got that right?
Thanks
Don
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
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whathaveidone
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 08:40 AM |
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yep you got it. but in a really confusing way  had to read it 3 times
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1303Steve
A.k.a.: Steve Carter
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 09:09 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by whathaveidone
yep you got it. but in a really confusing way had to read it 3 times
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Hi
I've got, its hard to get your head around at 1st.
I'm going to copy my friends single axle trailer that I've posted photos of above but it will to be longer and wider to fit my sons Skyline on and
make it dual axle of course.
I have a friend who teaches welding at Tafe and lives on few acres not far from where I live and is willing to store it for me, I live on the edge of
a cliff.
Steve
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HappyDaze
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 10:04 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by donn
| Quote: | If you draw a
line from the centre of the tyre contact patch [front tyre, in the case of dual-axles], pass it through the centre of the tow ball, it should end up
in FRONT of the rear wheel of the tow car. !
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Just to clarify this point.
From the centre of the trailer wheel through the centre of tow ball takes the line across to the other side of the tow car, so I assume the final
point is in front of the rear wheel of the tow car but IN LINE with the rear wheel when a line is drawn between the front and rear wheel of the tow
car. Have I got that right?
Thanks
Don
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That explains it better, Don.
If you draw 2 lines, starting from the centre of the contact patch of the [front] trailer wheels and crossing at the centre of the tow ball, then
those 2 lines should pass in front of the rear wheels of the tow car. The trailer must be in line with the tow car, of course. Hope that is a bit
clearer.
Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
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modulus
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 11:20 AM |
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I was going to contribute 1000 words, but...
hth
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HappyDaze
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 11:27 AM |
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SPOT ON!!!!
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
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PAZZAN
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| posted on August 10th, 2012 at 10:53 PM |
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don't forget the extra toll on toll roads for the extra axle
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1303Steve
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| posted on August 11th, 2012 at 09:38 AM |
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Hi
I thought that it was the height of the load that cost extra, maybe its both.
Steve
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PAZZAN
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| posted on August 12th, 2012 at 08:04 PM |
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http://www.m5motorway.com.au/tolls/
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1303Steve
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| posted on August 12th, 2012 at 08:44 PM |
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Hi
Mongrels so even with a two axle trailer you still pay a toll if over 2 metres in height and I bet I don't get cash back either.
Steve
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1916baja
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| posted on August 13th, 2012 at 04:19 PM |
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If you are after ideas this is my trailer...Essentially its a huge box trailer. The sides are 400 deep, the front and the tailgate both fold down to
give a total length of 3.8m, and 1.8 wide. It fits a beetle on it but you cant open the doors, you have to climb out the window. My drag car has a
removable drivers door anyway so its not an issue. Its good because its not as big as a car trailer and you can close it up and carry tons of stuff in
it.... Its rated at 2 tonne but it can take alot more.
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1303Steve
A.k.a.: Steve Carter
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| posted on August 13th, 2012 at 07:29 PM |
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Hi
That's a nice useful trailer.
I often thought it would be a good idea to make up module that you winch onto a car trailer that was like a normal box trailer but with wheel barrow
sized wheels.
I found some tilt trailers made by Elf in Sydney that look to be well priced, need to do some sums on the cost of steel & running gear etc needed
to build my own.
Steve
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1916baja
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| posted on August 13th, 2012 at 07:39 PM |
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They look nice and light.... Oh yeah mine tilts too, but brad (buggy brad) who built it, loaned it to someone who lost the pins to lock it down, brad
then got the shits and welded it shut. 
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