Square tubing sliders

[CompoSimmonite]

Further to my thread in the Brew Room about making a trailer for a mobility scooter that reduces in length for when parked I need a way of telescoping the draw bar.
The draw bar is 50mm x 50mm (x 2mm) and I'm after something that will fit over the outside. 60mm x 60mm x 3mm with some 1mm shim inside would do the job unless somebody can think of a better idea.
These look perfect but I can't find anything similar in the UK -
http://hubproducts.com/

Obviously the telescoping tubes will be locked together with pin through them.
Any suggestions for other ways of telescoping ?

Paul h

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I tend to just weld squares of steel to the outside of one end of the the inner box and similarly weld squares to the inside of one end of the outer box (usually by plug welding from the outside.)

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I tend to just weld squares of steel to the outside of one end of the the inner box and similarly weld squares to the inside of one end of the outer box (usually by plug welding from the outside.)

That is sort of what I was planning on doing.

I've found this -
http://www.unistrutohio.com/telespar-telescoping-square-tubing.html
which would be perfect but can't find a UK source

Paul H

 

[wristpin]

Trailer construction

Don't wish to throw a dampener on your project but am under the impression that diy trailers are no longer legal unless subjected to individual type approval or will yours fall into the "special purpose" catagory?

Quote

ALL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED AFTER OCTOBER 28, 2012.

New laws that apply to almost every trailer completed after 28-10-12 mean that very few new trailers can be sold or used in the UK unless they have an approval certifcate. This change has been brought about by a vehicle quality standardisation programme instituted by the United Nations, requiring whole vehicle type approval on new trailers made or sold in the UK. These rules have been in place in mainland Europe for many years.

What it means to us in the UK is the end of cowboy trailer building. Every part of the manufacturing process and every bought-in part used to assemble a trailer now has to pass stringent quality controls.

There are two main ways of achieving this approval.

The larger manufacturers are expected to have sought and gained whole vehicle type approval certifcation for their trailers in much the same way as Jaguar, BMW or Ford have been granted type approval certificates for the cars they make.

Smaller and specialist manufacturers, like ourselves, who do not have huge production runs of identical trailers, are more likely to go down the individual vehicle approval route. We, and companies like us, will submit every trailer we make for inspection by the UK Government's Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. VOSA's inspectors will go through every trailer with a fine-tooth comb, checking the quality of construction and of the materials used. They must also check that every bought-in component, such as brakes, axles, lights and hitches, has proper EC approval.

The only trailers that do not need to be submitted for approval are stock trailers that were completed before October 29, 2012 or special purpose trailers. One-off trailers that are designated "special purpose" fall under the testing regime from the end of October 2014.

As we understand the law, the approval rules also apply to trailers built by a person for his or her own use.

UnQuote
Towing in the United Kingdom

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I would also suggest that 2/3mm wall box is not really heavy enough, although I suppose your not going to have a lot of weight on it, you'd be surprised the stresses a drawbar has put on it in use!

Dan

 

[madkayaker]

I would thin 2/3mm would be plenty for 150kg load. Trip to halfords with vernier and measure those rubbish elda trailers will tell you

 

[CompoSimmonite]

The existing draw bar on my Erde 102 that I want to adapt is 50mm x 50mm x 2mm.

Paul H

 

[KemppiFrog]

I am trying to get to grips with the sizes quoted and the fact that it is for a mobility scooter. Max speed of what? 5/6 mph? Do pushbike trailers come under the new regs? Plenty around here, used to tow a couple of ankle biters. The tube sizes are tiny and usually ally.

For a 150kg load behind the MS, I would be thinking 25mm. tube.
Why not use a folding draw bar? with a locking pin. Hinge above and couple of plates under to hold the lock pin. Or does it need to remain attached to the MS?
Plus: If it looks decent and well painted.. When are you going to get a look from the trailer police? Only risk is multi car pile up on an M-way. I assume you drive the MS with reponsibilty

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I am trying to get to grips with the sizes quoted and the fact that it is for a mobility scooter. Max speed of what? 5/6 mph? Do pushbike trailers come under the new regs? Plenty around here, used to tow a couple of ankle biters. The tube sizes are tiny and usually ally.

For a 150kg load behind the MS, I would be thinking 25mm.

The trailer is for carrying the scooter - not to be towed by it

Paul H

 

[KemppiFrog]

Oops.. But still.. I use 50x2 for the odd trailer and expect it to be well able to carry 500kg or more. (My GP box is mostly 60x30 and carries up to 700kg*) These are well over the sizes used by the mainstream producers and they use carp suspension systems which increase the loads.

* I lent it to a local Rumanian builder who ignored my advice and carried over a ton of sand in it. My only worry was the tyres.

 

[Shox Dr]

I built a Tilt Ramp for a Motocross bike[/URL], to go on the back my Navara. The ramp was constructed out of 50x50x3mm Sq tube.

To test it I nipped down the local Builders Merchants and borrowed 30 bags of cement and 4 builders.

We reckoned there was at least 1100kg hanging off the endof 450mm. I think if built correctly there'll be no problems at all with weight

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Maybe i just over engineer everything then!!

Dan