car transporter

[davidmad2]

ive been a member for a while now and find it quite imformative my question is i intend to build what is a 16x6 foot twin axle flat bed trailer as ifor williams/indespension with 3500kg load i was wondering what the best size box would be for the side rails i have plans for checker plate floor all information will be greatfully recived i should say it will be as low as possible with wheels outside not under

 

[zzr1200]

I built a 15 x 6 car trailer years ago using the following rough measurements and materials.

Light Blue Crossmembers for bed> 100 x 100 x 4....6ft long

Orange Main Rails for Bed> 100 x 40 x 3.2............15ft long..spaced at 18 inches 36 inches 18 inches

Green Axle Beams evenly spaced from centre of bed (my axle beams were 40 inches apart)...60 x 60 x 6.......6ft 2inches long.

The yellow corner web plates were 6mm plate placed about 10mm from the out side edge of the main frame and were roughly 150mm x 200mm 90 deg triangles.

The drawing at the bottom is a side on view of the frame, the blue gusset plate covered the end of the 100 x 100 box and extended along the side tube again fully welded 6mm plate.

Note. I extended my rear gusset plates beyond the rear edge of the main frame and used a 1 inch dia rod with 2 middle support plates for a ramp support/tie down bar.

The 'A' Frame was 4 x 2 inch U channel from just in front of the first axle on the outer chassis rails, the 'A' frame joined at 36 inches from the front of the bed, this gives a tow ball distance of about 42/46 inches to the bed.

With a complete 1 inch wood board floor it weighed about 12.5 cwt.

I used 2 pairs of indespension 1500kg units, so could carry at least 2.35 tons (and that be farmer tons at that)...............:..

hth

zzr

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

double check the maximum trailer width before you build it...6' 8" I think, which would be between the outside edges of the wheels each side. Other wise it's a 'wide load' and different regs apply each time you take it out.

Regards
Peter

 

[zzr1200]

Hi,

double check the maximum trailer width before you build it...6' 8" I think, which would be between the outside edges of the wheels each side. Other wise it's a 'wide load' and different regs apply each time you take it out.

Regards
Peter

Maximum Trailer width is 7 ft 6 ins for a vehicle up to 3500kg

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/dimensions.htm

 

[Justme]

3500kg load

You cant have 3500kg LOAD if towing behind a car / van.

You can have a GVW or max permitted mass of 3500kg


That includes the trailer & load. The stronger the trailer (so heavier) the less load you can carry.

Justme

 

[zzr1200]

:-(

 

[Woody.v8]

You cant have 3500kg LOAD if towing behind a car / van.

You can have a GVW or max permitted mass of 3500kg


That includes the trailer & load. The stronger the trailer (so heavier) the less load you can carry.

Justme

Has it not got something to do with the max train weight of the vehicle also?
For example, My pickup has a GVW of 3500 kgs but has a train weight of 5500kgs, So if the pickup and load is 3500kgs that leaves 2000kgs for the trailer and load.
Now that I understand, But, what if the vehicle is empty (2000kgs) does this now mean that i can now tow 3500kgs (trailer and load) or is there something in the law the says the trailer cant be heavier than the tractor?

Pete..

 

[zzr1200]

Has it not got something to do with the max train weight of the vehicle also?
For example, My pickup has a GVW of 3500 kgs but has a train weight of 5500kgs, So if the pickup and load is 3500kgs that leaves 2000kgs for the trailer and load.
Now that I understand, But, what if the vehicle is empty (2000kgs) does this now mean that i can now tow 3500kgs (trailer and load) or is there something in the law the says the trailer cant be heavier than the tractor?

Pete..

The towing vehicle can be lighter than the trailer.

The vehicle manufacture states a recommended max tow weight for a trailer (Land Rover state 3500kg for overrun brakes, they used to state and I believe its still current that if the trailer is fitted with close coupled brakes the trailers gross weight can be 4000kg max).

I understand that its the MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) which is the weight that must not be exceeded, you could tranfer some or all of the vehicles load on to the trailer provided the GW of the trailer is not exceeded or the MAM of the combined units.

 

[TheJoker]

Has it not got something to do with the max train weight of the vehicle also?
For example, My pickup has a GVW of 3500 kgs but has a train weight of 5500kgs, So if the pickup and load is 3500kgs that leaves 2000kgs for the trailer and load.

Don't know specifically about UK legislation, but doesn't this situation warrant a "vehicle combination" license? I've got a Finnish ABEC entitlement which means;
A - Motorcyles
B - Cars up to 3,500kg
C - HGVs
E - Vehicle combinations
But as the E is placed after the B it means I can drive heavy trailers behind cars, not HGVS (such as articulated lorries) if I'd have an ABCE entitlement...

... Just my knowledge.. I'd love to know what UK legislation is... I might ask my chicadee as she's usually clued up on stuff like this.

 

[novaweld]

Similar here joker, B+E is vehicles upto 3500kgs mgw with a trailer, but most people who passed their test after 1997 will find that they're restricted on the weight of the trailer (<750kgs or mcgw <3500kgs iirc) unless they take a specific trailer test (usually in a medium sized van with a twin axle box trailer, mcgw over 3500kgs). C is rigid commercial vehicles, C+E is artics, having this by-passes the restrictions on B+E.

 

[davidmad2]

my wording of the weight was my fault im just building it to max allowed so if its ever sold it can be used by anyone ie hobby or contractor the size is because i seem to end up working at 4x4s and bigger cars mostly taxis ie mondeo estates.

 

[Justme]

my wording of the weight was my fault im just building it to max allowed so if its ever sold it can be used by anyone ie hobby or contractor the size is because i seem to end up working at 4x4s and bigger cars mostly taxis ie mondeo estates.

Again sadly not true.

If you make it & plate it (which you have to) to be a 3500kg trailer then some one with a lower towing limit car can not tow it even if its empty. Lots of new cars 4x4 & vans cant tow 3500kg any more.

Justme