Robert's First Build

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Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:49 am

Got started on my first build, initially was going to have the chassis built by a local trailer builder but they did not use torsion axles and I ran across a deal on a welder when buying a generator from someone so I decided to do it myself. My steel order got mixed up, was going to be a 1/8" 2x2 tube frame, some of my tubes were 3/16ths instead of 1/8 so I used them for the perimeter of the 5' x 10' frame and the 1/8 for the cross members. Went with a 2.5 x 2.5 tongue which went back to the first cross member and extended 60" past the front of the frame, 3/16 angle supports for the tongue. Flexride 2K torsion alxe, I did not order off the internet but called SouthWest Wheel in Texas. They have two locations there, I called the main number to ask questions and they gave me the number for the office where the axles are actually put together. If you order one you need to know not just the outside frame to frame measurement but have to consider what hubface to hubface measurement will allow the pivot arms to clear your trailer body should your body extend past the frame as mine will.
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Just have to add the trailer Jacks and tongue jack and the chassis is done.

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Last edited by irhutch on Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby RJ Howell » Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:52 am

Nicely one!
Have two questions; First how long is that tongue, looks about 6ft in the picture..
Secondly; is that a rear receiver I see there? Would you extend that back to the next cross brace if you wish to use that point for recovery?
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:55 am

Here are three questions I had when attaching and ordering my torsion axle should it help someone.

Spindle clearance viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71917
Axle placement formulas viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71989
Axle mount viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71940
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:01 am

RJ Howell wrote:Nicely one!
Have two questions; First how long is that tongue, looks about 6ft in the picture..
Secondly; is that a rear receiver I see there? Would you extend that back to the next cross brace if you wish to use that point for recovery?


The tongue is 5 feet, short tongue trailers are a pain to back and that is the same tongue length as my motorcycle trailer and I liked it. Without a tongue box it does make it look longer than it actually is.
Yes that is a receiver, it is only there should I want to carry a bicycle rack, the outer tubing is 3/16ths 2x2 and the receiver is welded on the sides and in the rear which I believe should offer necessary support considering my intended use.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby tony.latham » Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:26 am

What did the axle cost?

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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Wed Sep 11, 2019 1:46 pm

tony.latham wrote:What did the axle cost?

Tony
$363 with hangars and $71 shipping.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby tony.latham » Wed Sep 11, 2019 2:22 pm

$363 with hangars and $71 shipping.


That's about $100 cheaper than my Dexter but I got the brakes to boot. So perhaps comparable.

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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:18 pm

The axle I did get has the necessary backing plate for brakes and they have small 7 in electric brakes for this axle which I might add later. So far my weight is more than I originally planned should be about 560 lbs as it sits now.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby pchast » Wed Sep 11, 2019 8:30 pm

I agree. :thinking:
I would extend that rear hitch to at least the next cross bar.

Its amazing how much torque a couple of bikes weight on a
carrier can make from the rear of the trailer pitching up
and down.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:17 am

pchast wrote:I agree. :thinking:
I would extend that rear hitch to at least the next cross bar.

Its amazing how much torque a couple of bikes weight on a
carrier can make from the rear of the trailer pitching up
and down.


It would be nice to hear from someone who tried this, using the short 6" receiver. I am not an engineer but I did insert a piece of tubing and jump up and down on it with my 250 lbs. All I could do is get the suspension to move a little, I don't know what kind of forces would be needed to twist a piece of 2x2 that thickness but maybe I should ask on one of the engineering sites those guys love to mathematically figure things out.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby tony.latham » Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:50 am

It would be nice to hear from someone who tried this, using the short 6" receiver.


Been there.

Image

It is an awful lot of weight hanging out there and no matter what bike rack, there's lots of swinging back and forth. I tied the receiver in this trailer back to the next cross member --I don't use it anymore because of the sway issue and it looks like one of the welds may have cracked. Too much stress.

Here's what I have done with this new build:

Image

I'm planning on modifying a platform bike rack that will fit above the tongue box similar to this one:

Image

:thinking:

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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Fri Oct 11, 2019 5:27 pm

Starting the floor now, glue and peg 1/2 plywood, used a nice grade plywood even though I won't see it, mattress will cover the top and the bottom will be insulated and covered. Will use a frame of 1x4 s on the floor with framing everywhere the cross brace supports are. fill the voids with Styrofoam insulation then cover.
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby irhutch » Tue Oct 22, 2019 6:47 am

Coated bottom with spar urethane
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Re: Robert's First Build

Postby Az Pete » Mon Oct 28, 2019 5:50 pm

lookin' good!
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