wildsmith
SILVER Star
I've built things like sliders for my truck but this is my first trailer build so I'm expecting to have made some mistakes 
I wanted a medium sized utility trailer for moving sets of tyres, engines, gearboxs etc but also wanted it to be able to double as a camping / adventure trailer at some future date even though at the moment I'm happy with just having my RT on the truck. I also needed to be able to build it in about 2 weeks to meet a deadline and to be mostly built from materials I already have to keep costs down.
I thought about leaf spring or independent suspension but settled on a rubber torsion axle for simplicity and speed. It has overrun and auto reverse brakes which are a legal requirement in the UK and a stud pattern to match my 100 which will tow it. I can always revisit the axle / suspension as another project when I have more time.
Lack of space was a bit of a challenge for building the frame.
Once outside with the axle and wheels mounted I realised it was a bit too high and cut the box section out of the axle mounts and reduced them to 12mm thick plate. I can always add spacers if I was wrong about the height (I wasn't
).
I'm hoping the frame will be used long term even if the axle and body changes so used up all the 100x50x5mm box I had left and won't ever worry it isn't strong enough to carry stuff
The sides were made in 4 main pieces that I then welded on and put box section along the top.
I kept the mud guards simple with some tubing and continue the idea of giving it bumper tubes all round.
Some thin steel from some old shelving bent and welded on made up the ends of the mud guards and then I riveted some aluminium plate on the tops to make a step. Took it for a test run to collect some ply for the base and sides.
Fitted the base sides which are just varnished 18mm ply.
Then very quickly knocked up a front and tailgate from scraps so I could use it to meet that deadline I mentioned.
Been very pleased with it so far but still have some finishing off to do before what I'm calling phase 1 is done.
I wanted a medium sized utility trailer for moving sets of tyres, engines, gearboxs etc but also wanted it to be able to double as a camping / adventure trailer at some future date even though at the moment I'm happy with just having my RT on the truck. I also needed to be able to build it in about 2 weeks to meet a deadline and to be mostly built from materials I already have to keep costs down.I thought about leaf spring or independent suspension but settled on a rubber torsion axle for simplicity and speed. It has overrun and auto reverse brakes which are a legal requirement in the UK and a stud pattern to match my 100 which will tow it. I can always revisit the axle / suspension as another project when I have more time.
Lack of space was a bit of a challenge for building the frame.
Once outside with the axle and wheels mounted I realised it was a bit too high and cut the box section out of the axle mounts and reduced them to 12mm thick plate. I can always add spacers if I was wrong about the height (I wasn't
).
I'm hoping the frame will be used long term even if the axle and body changes so used up all the 100x50x5mm box I had left and won't ever worry it isn't strong enough to carry stuff
The sides were made in 4 main pieces that I then welded on and put box section along the top.
I kept the mud guards simple with some tubing and continue the idea of giving it bumper tubes all round.
Some thin steel from some old shelving bent and welded on made up the ends of the mud guards and then I riveted some aluminium plate on the tops to make a step. Took it for a test run to collect some ply for the base and sides.
Fitted the base sides which are just varnished 18mm ply.
Then very quickly knocked up a front and tailgate from scraps so I could use it to meet that deadline I mentioned.
Been very pleased with it so far but still have some finishing off to do before what I'm calling phase 1 is done.
