Alko trailer chassis advice

[Charlie390]

I'm still on the lookout for a smallish trailer that could be pulled behind a small 4x4. I've spotted this for sale locally for a decent price:

Unfortunately there is only about 3' between the wheels I think, but a small 6'x3' trailer that is braked would be pretty close to what I'm after anyway. The adjustable height hitch seems to be a bit unusual.

The seller advertises it as 'new old stock' He hasn't got back to met yet when I asked him just how old it is, but there is this photo included also:

Do my eyes deceive me or does that say "1975" next to the LE(?) section. Surely it's not that old? I know we've a few caravan/trailer experts on here who know their stuff, and might be able to tell me a bit more about it. Looking at the Alko website I think they are around the 500-1000kg range which would be perfect.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

http://www.al-ko.co.uk/

If no one here can help with details, give them a shout.

On a old, so old tyres were imperial, trailer I had to fix, they were very help full.

I got from them the details, plans and parts list (including metric replacements) for it.

 

[octo0072000]

Nothing to stop you having wheel arches in the trailer body to make it wider

 

[Migmac]

I think it says 1979. What would a trailer like that be used for?

 

[colnerov]

I think it says 1979. What would a trailer like that be used for?

Hi, I would think for moving small heavy loads like a diesel roller or cement mixer behind a truck doing tarmac or building work.

Colin

 

[Charlie390]

Nothing to stop you having wheel arches in the trailer body to make it wider

But do you really gain much more utility if there are two wheel arches in the way? I suppose another option would be to copy this style and have the whole bed above the wheel arches:

 

[Charlie390]

I think it says 1979. What would a trailer like that be used for?

I've seen something similar in the past with a lighting tower attached to it, although it didn't have the adjustable drawbar.

 

[gav0994]

I'm still on the lookout for a smallish trailer that could be pulled behind a small 4x4. I've spotted this for sale locally for a decent price:

Unfortunately there is only about 3' between the wheels I think, but a small 6'x3' trailer that is braked would be pretty close to what I'm after anyway. The adjustable height hitch seems to be a bit unusual.

The seller advertises it as 'new old stock' He hasn't got back to met yet when I asked him just how old it is, but there is this photo included also:

Do my eyes deceive me or does that say "1975" next to the LE(?) section. Surely it's not that old? I know we've a few caravan/trailer experts on here who know their stuff, and might be able to tell me a bit more about it. Looking at the Alko website I think they are around the 500-1000kg range which would be perfect.

It is a chassis designed for either a water/fuel bowser or generator.

The braking system is a gas damper hitch and auto reverse brakes. These were introduced and required by C&U regs in 1982.
The hitch fitted is still a current model in Alko's product range.

Looking at it I'd safely say it's no more than 10 years old.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

If it does say 1979 be careful. The fixings may be imperial or metric. It was a odd time or Alco as the couldn't make up their minds.

But, the brakes and hitch will be stamped with, either metric or a part number.
Alco still do a lot of parts for imperial fixings, but will advise if a metric one can be used.

 

[winchman]

I saw one the other day with a large winch on it, the height adjustment caught me eye.

 

[Johnseat]

What kind of weight could the trailer in the OP Handle.
Just thinking of downsizing my kart trailer.

 

[Ton-up]

Dont think it will be 1979, much younger, 10 - 15 years old. I have one of those adjustable hight hitches made by Knott and they weigh a ton! As Gav said, they are usually used for fuel or water bowsers. I also made another trailer from a similar chassis for a mate witch had a smaller type adjustable hitch. They are lovely bits of kit!

 

[Charlie390]

Pulled the trigger on this and I'm just back from picking it up. It seems to be a lovely bit of kit, tyres are barely scrubbed in and not cracked so I'd say it's no more than 5 years old at the most. Seems like it will hold a ton so it will be perfect for a small utility trailer. I got it for less than the price of a new braked coupling so I'm happy. He even threw in a set of mudguards

 

[gav0994]

Pulled the trigger on this and I'm just back from picking it up. It seems to be a lovely bit of kit, tyres are barely scrubbed in and not cracked so I'd say it's no more than 5 years old at the most. Seems like it will hold a ton so it will be perfect for a small utility trailer. I got it for less than the price of a new braked coupling so I'm happy. He even threw in a set of mudguards

Nice score! These sort of trailer chassis always seem to be about 800 quid or thereabouts on eBay.

 

[Wedg1e]

I'd stick my neck out and say that the "07 02" is the date code (Feb 2007, or alternatively July 2002 ).

 

[colnerov]

Check the date code on the tyres to confirm -

https://www.kwik-fit.com/tyres/information/tyre-age

Colin

 

[Charlie390]

Check the date code on the tyres to confirm -

https://www.kwik-fit.com/tyres/information/tyre-age

Colin

Had a quick check this morning, tyres show it was made in 06 so it's 10 years old.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@pdg
Your series 3 was originally started to be put together in 1972.

The simple fact is you are still building it.
It will be finished one day.

 

[Charlie390]

Thinking about this today whilst skiving from work, current plan is to build a 6'x3' chassis from 50x50x3mm box and then 50x50x3mm angle for the upper frame parts and line with ply or planks.

I'm going to use the attachment points that are on the axle already as I figure they'll be strong enough for anything I'm carting about. I'd like to avoid welding to the galvinised axle so I'll just bolt it on. I not sure how I'd go about bolting on box without crushing it though.

 

[gaz_moose]

you put 'crush tubes' inside the box section.
so if you want to use 10mm bolts you buy some tube with10mm ID and say 3mm wall thickness.
then drill your 10mm hole through both side of the box section, then drill one side out to 16mm slide a length of the tube in and weld it on/grind flush. or you can just put the larger hole side facing towards the mating surface.