Charlie390
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Excellent thanks
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Charlie390
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Ordered up steel on the way home from work, went for 60x60x3mm box for the chassis and 50x50x5mm angle for the upper frame. Probably be a bit heavy but I'd rather it was overbuilt than underbuilt. I've worked out it will probably weigh 220ish kg all together, so it will still leave a decent payload.
Also it'll tow much better when empty if it has some weight to it.
Charlie390
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I was hoping that the 60mm box would be enough for the job but I might plate the mounting points top and bottom with some the 5mm angle to act as a stiffener. It'll have no more than 700kg on it at the very most (and probably not even that)
Charlie390
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Yep it was pogo-ing about a bit on the drive back! managed to shake the jockey wheel loose, which got quite warm by the time I got home
massive over engineering for the size of trailer he is planning on. An ifor williams trailer with mgw 2700kg only has a 50 x 75 x6mm angle chassis and it's more than heavy enough at that.
He would easily get away with using 50x50x5mm angle for the frame and that would still be a bit overkill for the load rating of the axle he is using.
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
The markings on there are not what the trailer is rated for.
They are just what the hitch section can be used on IE a trailer no lighter than 500kg & no heavier than 1000kg.
With a maximum 100kg nose weight.
You should find an actual weight plate on the trailer too.
KemppiFrog
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100x50?? Is that an artic trailer? My box trailer that I carry 700kg of firewood in has a frame of 60x30 and that is well strong enough. Verticals of 30x30mm and top frame of 30x30. Leave the verticals open at the top on the corners, then you can drop in an 'H' frame to carry planks or other long bits
normspanners
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SAG !! he is talking a ton max, I dont think I would use 100 x 50 on edge, to even make a plant trailer carrying 3 ton ! for his aplication 50x50 is ample IMO
but what does make excellent trailer framing is unistrut it is galved all round, comes in various section, has bolt holes already in and is light BUT VERY strong and doesnt hold water to rot from inside.
and most important it is relatively cheap !
I used it for x braces when I fully decked my car trailer and it has had 5 ton of road planings and mini diggers sitting on it, in the middle of the trailer and it has not moved at all.
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normspanners
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Charlie390
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Haha, seems like this may be slightly overbuilt then! Oh well, I might take up a new career in stealing lead so it might come in handy! 
Just out of interest though, If I was to build a flatbed above the wheel, what would have been the best way to get the height necessary above the axle, without adding too much weight or being unstable? To leave 4 inches of wheel travel, the bed would have to be approx 250mm above the axle (With 13'' wheels, obviously it would be less with 10.'') I'm assuming factory built flat beds have axles which sit higher initially which would help.
Just out of interest though, If I was to build a flatbed above the wheel, what would have been the best way to get the height necessary above the axle, without adding too much weight or being unstable? To leave 4 inches of wheel travel, the bed would have to be approx 250mm above the axle (With 13'' wheels, obviously it would be less with 10.'') I'm assuming factory built flat beds have axles which sit higher initially which would help.
normspanners
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I think it may have been a cable drum carrier of some sort so it could be adjustable for vans or trucks because then are not usually very wide but carry a fair weight.
in fact look what i;ve found
in fact look what i;ve found
my FWD 3.5t tilt slide recovery truck rear chassis is only made from 3mm thick 100x50 C section.
on my old truck the beds frame was constructed from 40x40 unistrut with 3mm chequer plate over the top.
does the trailer have any suspension? like those rubber bushed semi-trailing arm things?
on my old truck the beds frame was constructed from 40x40 unistrut with 3mm chequer plate over the top.
does the trailer have any suspension? like those rubber bushed semi-trailing arm things?
Johnseat
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It's just becoming boring in here recently with the same negativity when people share an opinion and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon to pull said opinion apart.
I've seen a friend build a twin motorbike trailer on a single axle from 50x50 box section and then watch it bend and twist and deform under his weight alone.
For the few extra pounds in money and weight, two lengths of 100x50 for chassis rails makes all the difference...
Just my two penith tho.
I've seen a friend build a twin motorbike trailer on a single axle from 50x50 box section and then watch it bend and twist and deform under his weight alone.
For the few extra pounds in money and weight, two lengths of 100x50 for chassis rails makes all the difference...
Just my two penith tho.
KemppiFrog
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John, no need to be upset. Of course 100x50 would be strong enough. But for a trailer like that it is a bit over engineered. While I like belt and braces engineering, I started my career in trailer design and building, in the days when there were virtually no regs, and tube like that is really not needed. There is a need for longditudinal stiffness, because of the point load of the axle mounts, but that can be achieved with lighter methods, or even just lighter tube.
This is all about discussion, and opinions. Bound to vary a bit...
Charlie390
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Yes it has a proper alko axle with the rubber bushes
Charlie390
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Tacked together some of the box tonight for the frame: (excuse the mess)
I think i'll christen it the SS Great Eastern
I think i'll christen it the SS Great Eastern
