Building a car trailer

G'Day,
 
Has anyone on here built a twin axle car trailer before?
Would you do it again based on time/effort/cost vs buying new or second hand?
 
Thanks,
Rhys

I have built mine, more than happy with it, cost around $2000 to build 5 years or so ago. the advantage of building your own is that it's built specifically for your purpose, where as a bought one may still require modification to suit your needs (on top of original cost). I built mine with an open floor, which cut down weight immensly. It took me around a month to build after hours at work (20 or so hours), so didn't really take that long. I would build another before buying.

Yep only just finished building one for myself with my old mans help. $1800 all up on the road. built to the size i wanted etc really reccommend it.
 
Make sure you keep "ALL" of your recipts.
 
Thats the forst thing they asked for when i went to get a blue slip. with so many re-birthings happening now there tight on that stuff but ours passed very easily. Also the lighter the better/cheaper rego is. My dads trailer is 60kg lighter than mine and pays better rego.
 
 

Did you design your own or buy plans off the internob?  I have considered building one but don't have any plans - got any recommendations?  I wouldn't have a clue what steel thicknesses to use.
 
I also am unsure how easy it is in SA to get a new one plated - SA seems to be quite a difficult state in terms of rego and car mods!!!

Plenty of plans on eBay, search on "car trailer plans"

Thanks for the replies Tanz and Matt, I think something only to carry my Escort would be great size wise but I'd like to be able to take a family size car legally too. What GVM did you build and get yours rated to?
What springs are you using? Slipper or Rocker? and are you happy with how it tows?
 
The receipts part is a good tip I have read that a few times now.
 
What weights did they come in at and did you bother with a beaver tail?
 
Thanks,
Rhys

robertverhey
Plenty of plans on eBay, search on "car trailer plans"

That is true but how many of them actually meet the relevant ADR's?  I could easily design my own but I want to know it's safe and meets the standards!!
 
Rhys, have you read http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_b.aspx .  It is a government document summarising the ADRs should you decide to design your own.  All sounds straightforward other than working out the draw bar loading capability.

Hi Mk1-Oz yes I've had a look over that. None of it seems too daunting. I've had a few quotes and they all pretty expensive compared to what seems to be offered similar interstate.
 
Time is my biggest issue, I'm going to try and finish off my track car first and if a good second handy doesn't come up for a decent price in mean time then I might embark on the project after that.
 
Thanks all.
 
Rhys
 
 

2lt_Scort
Thanks for the replies Tanz and Matt, I think something only to carry my Escort would be great size wise but I'd like to be able to take a family size car legally too. What GVM did you build and get yours rated to?
What springs are you using? Slipper or Rocker? and are you happy with how it tows?
 
What weights did they come in at and did you bother with a beaver tail?
 

Hi mate
 
ill measure mine but it will easily fit a EA falcon or the similar size no worries. Ill get my paperwork our to check the GVM and what not and take a few pics for ya. I use a different suspension its Duratorque
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.trojanparts.com.au/images/STRAIGHT%2520BEAM.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.trojanparts.com.au/index.asp?PageID%3D2145829328&h=895&w=550&sz=40&tbnid=yDj-68ecugRKSM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=55&zoom=1&usg=__oFYXJsdpEgSgBzi4BItEtvoYi0A=&docid=ADP3gGFsBl2RgM&sa=X&ei=nw9KUvuxKqmpiAfexoCwDw&sqi=2&ved=0CE8Q9QEwAQ
 
it worked great from the few tows ive done now. sat on 120kmh no worries.
 
cheers matty

That Duratorque looks good, will help get the bed low, will help stability at speed and ramp length. My inherited one uses similar suspension, Car site about level with center of 13 inch road wheel about 300mm above road level. Only Problem I have is I cant get in and out of the car as the door hits the inside of the trailers wheel arches..
 
Justin

Hi Matt,
 
I'll be interested in some pics for reference but I have just bought one. I decided I have too many projects on the go at the moment to take it on.
 
Rhys

I have costed the metal for a www.trailerplans.com.au 2500 Flatbed (I bought the plans) and once I add the suspension and electricals it adds up to around $2000.  Add paint and it doesn't really work out all that cheap.  Was worth a look though....

Hi Mk1_Oz yeh I had costed closer to $2500 mark but that was for a well speced trailer. But then that doesn't count the time to build it. 
 
I originally started this thread after I got snaked by a dodgy eBayer and Trailer business in Country Victoria. I wont name them here but they took my deposit and never made the trailer. I was considering building one when I won an auction for a new trailer at quite a cheap price. Obviously too cheap for them to make - didn't stop them taking my money though  
 
Rhys