Modifying trailer to 4.5 X 8

[fseider]

I'm getting close to how I want my trailer to be. It will be a 4.5 X 8 (4.5 = 4' 6") I've contemplated on building my own trailer (another post) but have decided just go and buy a trailer and modify it. (I'm in PA and getting a trailer titled and registered is unbeleivably frustrating! Just not worth it to me.)

I have a welder - as long as he wants to sleep and eat here, he will do as I say.

Questions - Based on an anticipated TD weight of 1100 lbs:

1 - Should I buy a 4X8 and widen it, or buy a 5X8 and make it narrower? Either way seems fine to me, but there must be a pro/con.

2 - I'll be using a torsion axle - should the side rails be beefed up a bit?

3 - And last, but not least, and I'm sure this will get a war going (my apologies) - If you were to do this, what trailer would you buy and modify. I'm only asking as I suspect some of the trailers are better to work with in this regard than others due to whatever reason. I'd rather this NOT be a brand preference discussion if possible, but rather this to be an OBJECTIVE set of points.

Thanks in advance for your response! Everyone here has been giving me great advice so far!

Fred

[tinksdad]

My 2 1/2 cents worth (inflation before the inauguration, 5 1/2 cents after!!); if your buying an existing trailer and modifying to fit your design, it may not be worth the effort and expense to re-build something that you could make from scratch to start. Case in point.... I have two boat trailers in my back yard that I obtained that I was looking to modify to build tears on. I ended up going to Northern Tool yesterday and buying a torsion axle that I will build a frame around to meet the dimensions for my next tear. Like I said, that's just my humble opinion.


Anybody need a lite weight boat trailer??? I have two I need to get rid of before the town says I'm running a scrap yard!!

[angib]

1) I would say buy a 4ft wide and don't widen it - the frame does not have to be as wide as the body.

If you plan to replace the leaf spring axle on the trailer with a torsion axle then you can, just, get an axle to suit a 4.5 wide body, but with the mounting brackets to suit a 4 wide frame. (In case anyone thinks of doing that for a 5 wide body, don't - it won't work.)

2) A torsion axle does not require the side rails to be beefed up - indeed with a well-constructed teardrop body, you could nearly throw the side rails away.

3) No experience - no comment.

Andrew

[tinksdad]

3) No experience - no comment.
Andrew

Dangg!!!! I was basing my next build on your accumulated comments!!!

No Problem!!! I'm still going ahead with your input and if it don't work; it's my fault!!!