Box Trailer makeover

[Fallenleopard]

I got given a trailer a couple of days ago, its registered and works fine. But its not up to my standard of awesomeness so i have decided to give it a makeover.

Thanks to fabromans build which has inspired me to give it a go.

Got it home and i was trying to reverse it down my narrow drive, it was swinging round like a dog.

So i have decided to lengthen the draw bar which is currently 3ft to about 4.5-5ft. It is made from round tube which is annoying, but i am going to work with it and try and build an A frame around it with it being in the middle.

My question is how would i lengthen the current piece of tube? I don't want to replace it because its very strong. I'm just looking for the longest was to strengthen it.

 

[supermanotorious]

I'll be watching this thread, I just scored this trailer for free, it's a 4' x 7', any plans or recommendations out there on how to fully enclose it? I already have a flat bed utility trailer

 

[Fallenleopard]

I'll be watching this thread, I just scored this trailer for free, it's a 4' x 7', any plans or recommendations out there on how to fully enclose it? I already have a flat bed utility trailer

Hey mate that's a nice score,
i would just build a box frame from some rhs and then sheet metal down the sides. then the rear door will just need some hinges and locking mechanism. If you want to enclose it with a lid then i would use hydraulics and maybe a pointy roof haha



So far i have stripped all the wiring off and used the air chisel to cut away some of the rust on the floor. I'm still not sure how to lengthen the draw bar at this stage maybe a smaller pipe in then a piece the same size as the original over that, do a weld round the join and drill some holes for some plug welds along the tube??


Today i will be hoping to cut the rear door off, the hinges are seized and one is broken they look like the hinges you would find on a door


Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[OzFab]

I got given a trailer a couple of days ago, its registered and works fine. But its not up to my standard of awesomeness so i have decided to give it a makeover.

Thanks to fabromans build which has inspired me to give it a go.

Got it home and i was trying to reverse it down my narrow drive, it was swinging round like a dog.

So i have decided to lengthen the draw bar which is currently 3ft to about 4.5-5ft. It is made from round tube which is annoying, but i am going to work with it and try and build an A frame around it with it being in the middle.

My question is how would i lengthen the current piece of tube? I don't want to replace it because its very strong. I'm just looking for the longest was to strengthen it.

First off, you're welcome Nice score

The easiest way to extend the tube is to find a piece with the same dimensions & another piece that fits snugly inside it; if you're not too worried about looks, just go for the latter.

How long is the frame? There's a formula for working out the correct length for the A frame, which I don't remember... Needless to say, longer is better.

Have a look at this if you want some specialised ideas.

Can you get some pics of under the front? The sheetmetal concerns me as it V's down around the draw bar.

Let me know if you want/need any more tips/advise

 

[OzFab]

I'll be watching this thread, I just scored this trailer for free, it's a 4' x 7', any plans or recommendations out there on how to fully enclose it? I already have a flat bed utility trailer

Can you say hijack?

I'm confused, do you want to enclose the pictured trailer or another one?

There are so many different options it may get confusing; maybe start a separate thread...

 

[fowler]

nice score

just watch the weight and size

if u get to a certain point u will requre brakes

over here its 500kg > doesnt requre brakes
but that 500 incudes the trailer weight

also watch the lenght of the draw bar
the more u lenghten it the more weight is on the car not the trailer

iv always been told the axle placement is 60 40 but dont take my word for it

 

[supermanotorious]

no high-jack, exact same header, he even suggested something for me and if I can think of anything to benefit him I'll list it

Can you say hijack?

I'm confused, do you want to enclose the pictured trailer or another one?

There are so many different options it may get confusing; maybe start a separate thread...

 

[OzFab]

if u get to a certain point u will requre brakes

over here its 500kg > doesnt requre brakes
but that 500 incudes the trailer weight

Same over here but, I don't think that'll be a problem. As it sits, that thing probably weighs around 200 kgs. FYI, that's what my 7 x 4 weighs...

also watch the lenght of the draw bar
the more u lenghten it the more weight is on the car not the trailer

True, you need to work out the "sweet spot" between having too much weight on the front & having a good length for reversing.

Mine pulls like it's not there & reverses like a dream, I still can't get over how easy it is. I'll get some measurements & see if we can factor them in...

 

[OzFab]

no high-jack, exact same header, he even suggested something for me and if I can think of anything to benefit him I'll list it

However, you're asking separate questions so, it could get confusing. Nothing stopping you from adding to this thread but, having a separate thread for your issues may be easier.

Oh, BTW, him is a her

 

[Fallenleopard]

Oh, BTW, him is a her

That is correct haha

Well here is some photos of the V i personally don't like the look of it but it works so i think it will stay there.
Yeah i don't think the weight will be a problem i can say it did take a bit of effort to get it up on those stands though.

As it will only be carrying my go kart or motorbike i don't think it will need brakes, we have a 7x4 for all of our heavy lifting.

the trailer is 6x3...forgot to mention that.

Okay is have scraped the idea of the A frame,I would have to cut into the V at the front and I think it will look tacky. So instead I will just be making a tool box mount front tie down rail and maybe some sort of jerry can holder

I probably wont have to reverse it much, but i would just like to know that if i do i wont make a fool of myself and run it into something

 

[OzFab]

If you reeeally want to make it work & look sort of ok, you could always cut the draw bar away from the frame, slide it forward, weld an extension to the inside end (undreneath the floor where it won't be seen) & weld it all back together

 

[Fallenleopard]

If you reeeally want to make it work & look sort of ok, you could always cut the draw bar away from the frame, slide it forward, weld an extension to the inside end (undreneath the floor where it won't be seen) & weld it all back together

Yeah but the time it would take to cut the welds just isnt worth it I will try and extend it out the front, my welds are okay I have a MIG from gasweld but I'm not to sure if I'm getting good penetration.
Got any tips on welding the draw bar

It would be embarrassing to go over a speed hump and have the trailer fall off haha

 

[Fallenleopard]

Okay so most of my projects are father and daughter. Dad volunteered to try and cut off the rear door, it took a while but we got the door and the hinges off.

Any suggestions on hinges? I like the ones Fabroman has used so he can take the door off. but in order to do that i will need to cut into my door as there is no room on the back of the trailer.

The old lights were on the door which is just a pain especially if i want to remove the door. So in the photos you can see a black piece of RHS, i am going to weld that underneath and use it to hold up my lights on the sides (see normal trailer).

I went down to bunnings and got some flap wheels 40grit 5 for $11
started on the floor and it made my garage look like a sand storm, so i will wait for non rainy day take it up onto the front lawn and cover the neighborhood in dust

I had a practice at welding some round tube, dad went at it with a sledge hammer for a few minutes and it held up. starting to feel more confident that my welds on the draw bar will hold up.

I have also chosen my paint which will be hammer tone Gun metal gray with a matching tool box

 

[OzFab]

It would be embarrassing to go over a speed hump and have the trailer fall off haha

Not to mention illegal

Any suggestions on hinges? I like the ones Fabroman has used so he can take the door off. but in order to do that i will need to cut into my door as there is no room on the back of the trailer.

Ok, you'll need to explain that one, I see a 40mm section you can attach hinges to

I went down to bunnings and got some flap wheels 40grit 5 for $11
started on the floor and it made my garage look like a sand storm, so i will wait for non rainy day take it up onto the front lawn and cover the neighborhood in dust

I hope you wore a mask... :toetap05:

I have also chosen my paint which will be hammer tone Gun metal gray with a matching tool box

Get your own ideas

 

[Fallenleopard]

Not to mention illegal

Ok, you'll need to explain that one, I see a 40mm section you can attach hinges to

I hope you wore a mask... :toetap05:

Get your own ideas

yeah that bit at the bottom was covered by the door so if i lift to door up the latches at the top wont line up so i make have to take some off the door.

Yes masks were worn as well as, ear protection, glasses, apron, gloves and leather boots

Haha i didn't even see your paint I figures hammer tone cos there is a lot of bumps from the rust so it would blend in haha. i wanted blue but they don't make blue tool boxes..

you never know by the end of this we could have identical trailers

 

[OzFab]

yeah that bit at the bottom was covered by the door so if i lift to door up the latches at the top wont line up so i make have to take some off the door.

I thought as much. Can you post a pic of the inside of the tailgate please?

Yes masks were worn as well as, ear protection, glasses, apron, gloves and leather boots

Good girl Safety first

Haha i didn't even see your paint I figures hammer tone cos there is a lot of bumps from the rust so it would blend in haha. i wanted blue but they don't make blue tool boxes..

It's a great colour, great texture & hard as nails. Don't expect it to hide too much though; it's forgiving but not that forgiving. If you look closely, you can see the welds along my side panels.

Charcoal looks better than blue anyway. Why not paint the box too

you never know by the end of this we could have identical trailers

Now that would be scary

 

[OzFab]

Where did that come from?

 

[Fallenleopard]

I'm Back

So i spent a little bit of time in Vanuatu and now I am back and getting stuck into my pile of projects.

Today I sanded out the floor on the trailer ready for some primer. I also sanded the mudguards so i can fill up some rust holes with metal mend.

Went down to BCF and bought some trailer lights, didn't have the money to go LED so 12v globes it is.

Found some old lights that were on my tinny trailer and i have decided to copy the design to carry my lights on the sides. For this i need to cut up some angle. I hope someone understands from the photo what i am trying to do. i just can't work out how to cut the other angle on my drop saw.

Will i have to use the hacksaw and do it by hand?

I am trying to finish this before Christmas so i can tow it to my shed (on another property) because my mum hates the look of it so we shall see how i go.

Any advice that will speed up finishing the trailer is greatly appreciated.

site wont let me upload images so i will try later

 

[landuse]

So i spent a little bit of time in Vanuatu .......

I wish that were me

 

[Fallenleopard]

I wish that were me

haha it was great, i even got to check out some of their buggys and go karts I even saw a mini bike getting around the streets

Some more photos of the caged part of the trailer and also the springs. should i just give them a coat of primer and replace the bolts? what about the large U bolts should i replace those as well?