Posted: 9/15/2012 2:26:28 PM EDT
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Has anyone ever purchased a set of trailer build plans before? I want to build my own trailer, and I figured I would maybe try a set of plans I have seen out on the net. I dont want to have to engineer a whole trailer if I don't have to. Most of the plans available seem to be very complete, with dimensions, drawings, cut list, ect. Has anyone ever use a set of plans or built their own?
Looking to build a tandem axel 6'x16' with ramps. an all around haul anything and everything type of trailer. |
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honestly flame, it probably be cheaper to just buy one. steel prices up, time to build, registration issues (if applicable). I looked at building my own 7X14 enclosed and it would had been about the same price as one from Pace. Yeah I was thinking it might be like that. I wanted to at least price out the materials. I have a couple of contacts I might be able to get steel at a better price than over the counter, but it might be a wash still, and less work. |
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I've purchased plans for a 5x10 (or 8?) trailer from ebay a few years ago.
It is cheaper to buy than build. Caveat is available trailer sizes and their capacity. Cost is the main reason I didn't build. IIRC, the trailer plans had a gross weight cap. of 3500#, single axle. 12" wheel also I think. Most of the manufactured trailers I've seen at places like F&F don't have that much capacity, sometimes 8" wheels, and seem to be geared towards garden equipment, with long tailgates to act as ramps. Not a big deal for someone handy with a welder. You'd probably also need a stick welder, or a heavy duty TIG machine. |
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I've purchased plans for a 5x10 (or 8?) trailer from ebay a few years ago. It is cheaper to buy than build. Caveat is available trailer sizes and their capacity. Cost is the main reason I didn't build. IIRC, the trailer plans had a gross weight cap. of 3500#, single axle. 12" wheel also I think. Most of the manufactured trailers I've seen at places like F&F don't have that much capacity, sometimes 8" wheels, and seem to be geared towards garden equipment, with long tailgates to act as ramps. Not a big deal for someone handy with a welder. You'd probably also need a stick welder, or a heavy duty TIG machine. That is another reason I was looking at building my own. Heavier capacity mainly and a better design. I can also modify the plans as I desire. To an extent anyway. My welder will easily do single pass 1/4" or multi-pass for 3/8" Ebay is where I was lloking for plans. I figured $10 for complete plans doesnt seem like a bad buy. Even if I don't build I am only out $10, but I did at least learn something. I do like building things myself. Make it how I want and the pride that comes with the finished product. |
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Quoted: Thats why you go to a trailer DEALER for heavy duty trailers. Also I wouldnt trust 3500lbs on 12" tires anyways. 14" at min. Also brakes are required on trailers with over 3000# GVWR. Most of the manufactured trailers I've seen at places like F&F don't have that much capacity, sometimes 8" wheels, and seem to be geared towards garden equipment, with long tailgates to Flame, yeah building it yourself is more rewarding though. Want to build my own bike one of these days. May cost more than a comparable HD, but its all mine. |
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Quoted:
Has anyone ever purchased a set of trailer build plans before? I want to build my own trailer, and I figured I would maybe try a set of plans I have seen out on the net. I dont want to have to engineer a whole trailer if I don't have to. Most of the plans available seem to be very complete, with dimensions, drawings, cut list, ect. Has anyone ever use a set of plans or built their own? Looking to build a tandem axel 6'x16' with ramps. an all around haul anything and everything type of trailer. I've got a "project" trailer you can have for free... all you need to do is buy 4 tires for it (existing tires hold air, but they're all rotted and cracked) and haul it home from Eagle River. It's bed is 18' long, 6' 8" wide, and was built from plans back in the late 70's. It was built to be a 4 place snowmobile trailer, so the back half of the bed tilts for loading. It has a 2" ball hitch that's adjustable for height of tow vehicle to keep it level. It was my dad's, and it's been parked behind my pole barn, and hasn't moved for 15 years (thus the rotten tires). I replaced the plywood deck with treated 1/2" in about 1991, so it's not too great either. The back half that tilts needs some work on the tilting hinge... but it's a good place to start a trailer build. The wife just wants it gone.  Come and get it, and it's yours.
Edit to add: don't know the weight capacity, but we routinely hauled 5 snowmobiles on it (sideways) with no problems, pulled behind my dad's Ford E-350. They were older sleds... 2 1980 Yamaha 440s (400lbs ea), 2 Yamaha 250 Enticers (300lbs ea), and 1 Yamaha 300 Enticer (325lbs)... and a 100 lb Kitty Kat too. Tires are 13" mobile home tires (axles too) but no brakes. It's not heavy enough for stuff like cars or skidsteers, but is great for stuff like snowmobiles, lawn tractors, ATVs, etc. 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Has anyone ever purchased a set of trailer build plans before? I want to build my own trailer, and I figured I would maybe try a set of plans I have seen out on the net. I dont want to have to engineer a whole trailer if I don't have to. Most of the plans available seem to be very complete, with dimensions, drawings, cut list, ect. Has anyone ever use a set of plans or built their own? Looking to build a tandem axel 6'x16' with ramps. an all around haul anything and everything type of trailer. I've got a "project" trailer you can have for free... all you need to do is buy 4 tires for it (existing tires hold air, but they're all rotted and cracked) and haul it home from Eagle River. It's bed is 18' long, 6' 8" wide, and was built from plans back in the late 70's. It was built to be a 4 place snowmobile trailer, so the back half of the bed tilts for loading. It has a 2" ball hitch that's adjustable for height of tow vehicle to keep it level. It was my dad's, and it's been parked behind my pole barn, and hasn't moved for 15 years (thus the rotten tires). I replaced the plywood deck with treated 1/2" in about 1991, so it's not too great either. The back half that tilts needs some work on the tilting hinge... but it's a good place to start a trailer build. The wife just wants it gone. Come and get it, and it's yours.
Edit to add: don't know the weight capacity, but we routinely hauled 5 snowmobiles on it (sideways) with no problems, pulled behind my dad's Ford E-350. They were older sleds... 2 1980 Yamaha 440s (400lbs ea), 2 Yamaha 250 Enticers (300lbs ea), and 1 Yamaha 300 Enticer (325lbs)... and a 100 lb Kitty Kat too. Tires are 13" mobile home tires (axles too) but no brakes. It's not heavy enough for stuff like cars or skidsteers, but is great for stuff like snowmobiles, lawn tractors, ATVs, etc. http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/safcrkr/salt%20and%20pepper%201/101_1122.jpg I really appreciate your offer. I was told no by my better half. I have to respect her wishes as well. I have been doing a bit more research on the trailer thing and cost is certainly an issue, I am going to have to slowly buy materials over time. Hopefully by spring I will have what I need to actually do the build. |
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Check on what they require for axles in the plans. I don't recall what they recommended for the plans I had, but I think it >might< have been some parts out of northern tool. With the 3500# gross, I'm not sure about that.
I'm pretty sure I have the plans somewhere. Problem is that they were downloadable plans, and they may or may not exist on a old hard drive sitting on the shelf. |
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Quoted:
Check on what they require for axles in the plans. I don't recall what they recommended for the plans I had, but I think it >might< have been some parts out of northern tool. With the 3500# gross, I'm not sure about that. I'm pretty sure I have the plans somewhere. Problem is that they were downloadable plans, and they may or may not exist on a old hard drive sitting on the shelf. Well i ordered a set of plans off ebay. I hope to have them before the weekend. I did go looking on Northerns site for axels and parts. I saw a few options for both surge and electric brakes. For some reason i thought surge brakes were outlawed. I have used treailers with surge brakes but never electric. Surge brakes always seemed to work pretty well. I am not sure what the cost difference is or if one type is more effective than another. Certainly seems that most of the cost will be in axels and brakes |
I always build myself when I can. Pride in doing the work yourself  But sometimes, it just isn't feasible. I'm almost done with my first chopper build and as frustrating as it's been, I've loved every minute of it. Saved a ton of $$$ on fab costs doing it myself too. I enjoy knowing where every nut, bolt and wire came from and how it worked itself into the creation.
Best of luck with the plans Flame. |
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I looked at trailers for a long while. Buying new, buying used, and building.
In the end buying new is the answer. Even in this economy a name-branded used trailer holds it's value very well for about six years. Buy it new, run it for four years, then sell it and get another new one. Four years is right about when it's time to put money into it. The maintenance cost will put you into a new one. If you build your own you service your ego, but you spend just as much money and end up with something that doesn't hold it's value at all. Very few people will appreciate a really nice home-built trailer when they could choose a name-branded unit for the same money. Most won't even look at an ad for a self-built. Electric brakes are the way to go. You need a brake controller to adjust how much they actuate. You have to be able to dial it on the fly. Heavy loads require firmer braking. Highway speeds require heavier braking. Leaving it dialed up when you slow to street speeds will make it feel grabby; like the trailer is driving the truck. |