Beavertail Transit

[Hitch]

Midway through this one, been working on it this week few hours an evening...doing it with a mate.

Built primarily for an autograss car to go on.

Most of the frame is folded 3mm sheet. Ally chequer going on top after its painted.

Got frame built, tow bar built, winch mounts sorted, tool boxes, mud guards on, step done.
Just the floor, lights, number plate, ramps and tyre rack to sort now, then off for paint.
27 hours work so far total between us.

 

[ian of fev]

nice work there hitch looks a lot of over hang

 

[Justme]

Just one question.

Are you still allowed to make your own tow bar? I thought they had brought type approval in for commercials too now?

Oh & tow bars are now part of the MOT too.
Edit to add

With all that extra steel will you still have enough pay load left to carry a car?

I think they only had about 1500kg pay load ish less the conversion.

Justme

 

[Hitch]

If the ministry want to measure it, you would need to take the towball off

its about 59.5% of the maximum 60% of the wheelbase

 

[Shox Dr]

Very nice I like how you have used 3mm folded sheet instead of channel to keep the weight down, did you buy it in or fold it yourself

 

[Shox Dr]

Just one question.

Are you still allowed to make your own tow bar? I thought they had brought type approval in for commercials too now?

it's been on there for yrs mate

 

[Hitch]

Not applicable to commercials

If the vehicle was registered on or after August 1st 1998 the towbar must be type approved unless the towbar is to be fitted to the following :
Van or any other similiar goods vehicles
Chassis cabs and tippers
Pick-up trucks (inc double cabs which have 4 doors, 4/5 seats)
Motorhomes or motor caravan conversions
Any vehicle classed as a motorcycle
Vehicles not for use on public roads

 

[Hitch]

Very nice I like how you have used 3mm folded sheet instead of channel to keep the weight down, did you buy it in or fold it yourself

Folded ourself, about 2.5 sheets of 3mm, about 2 hours to cut and fold the lot.

 

[Welderpaul]

What did you bend the 30mm? box section with?

 

[Hitch]

Pipe bender

Works a treat in a 32mm tube former Get upto about 45degs before it looks nasty.

 

[simon718]

very nice hitch...

but, with the weight of a car over on that overhang, will the handling not be a bit iffy? although i suppose an autograss car isn't going to weigh much

 

[Hitch]

Back of an autograss car weighs next to nothing, some you can even pick the back end up.
Most of the weight will be about midway between the axles.

 

[Hitch]

Done a bit more now, ramps and tyre rack sorted. Lights, and flooring, and its done for now.

 

[general--lee]

the 3 mm sheet you folded , how did you do that have you got a folder as weide or did you join it?

 

[Hitch]

We have a 4metre machine, so could have folded the full length (4m) of the body, but the most economical way to buy the sheet was in 2x1m sheets, just a join in the side rails, joined at the kink anyway, so not a problem, nicely matched and flushed off, youd have a job to tell once its painted.

 

[Welderpaul]

Just the dreaded painting left then?

 

[Rick]

Very nice work. How long is the back? Normally you don't get a lot on crew cabs.

 

[Hitch]

Its fractionaly under 4m Rick. 59.95% of the 60% allowed

We are not painting it paul, its being done at a proper commecial spray shop, the owner happens to be mates with the owner of the truck. What a result!!!!

 

[TAITSIE]

Hi
It might be a daft question but how are you going to get the spare wheel out?

 

[Hitch]

Its on a wire, if you undo it a few turns, then it can slide forward and drop down, been tested