My Trailer Design...

[skippidydooda]

K so here my design for my potential bolt together trailer.

It will be made of 2x2 angle iron, 2x2 square for the axle mounts, and a 2x3 tongue and is 4'x8'. The tongue is 3' 6" long from the front of the first cross member.

Any recommendations on whether i should use 1/16 or 1/8" angle?

Does this design look safe? Any ideas to make it better? My plan is to bolt it together and get it welded later if it needs it.

Again any input is greatly appreciated.

Edit: Thanks starleen2! I stole the wheels, and axle from her sketchup design from the 3D warehouse feature.

[starleen2]

Any recommendations on whether i should use 1/16 or 1/8" angle?

I would go with the 1/8 over the 1/16 - At this point you do not know exactly how much your tear will weigh and it is much eaiser to build a beefier frame now than to later realize that's what you needed - especially after and frame failure! Remember that when you drill into the angle - no matter what thickness you choose, you weaken the metal just a little in that spot - so I would go a little thicker just to insure that the bolts don't pull trough. design looks good

[Juneaudave]

Matt...I think your design is well thought out and should work fine...but you may be looking a "false" economy here. If your willing to order an axle and cut the steel...it shouldn't cost that much (maybe free with a friend) to plan on a welded trailer that would set your mind at ease.

Also..a 4x8 trailer is common as hen's teeth...if you scrounge the local want ads and or the box stores, you might find something suitable and ready to go for a bargain price.

If your set on building a trailer, I would also suggest you maybe take your design and budget to a couple welding shops and get some feedback on what it would cost!!!

[skippidydooda]

Ya good call. I can oreder the steel from Metal Supermarkets ( www.metalsupermarkets.com ) and they can cut everything to what i need. I would really like to build my own trailer but I really should phone around to see if i can get a deal at a fabrication shop. At least i can send them my design now!

[Esteban]

A local welder or fabrication shop may be able to buy steel for much less than you can, largely offsetting their labor cost. That was my experience 1-1/2 years ago when a local welding shop built a 5x10 trailer frame. Nor did I need to buy, borrow, or rent specialty tools for building it.

[Senior Ninja]

Hi,
For what it's worth, here's my experience. We (my friend and I) used the HF Trailer, that we bought w/ a website coupon. In the assembly we found that we had two of the same side hdw. No problem, nothing a good sharp metal drill wouldn't cure. Of course, we also arranged or rather assembled it so that it wound no longer fold up. We began the build with a 3/4 piece of plywood that I triple coated with varnish and bolted to the frame.
I might have a thousand miles on it and have had no problems with the trailer under it all. I added two extra taillights on the beam across the back. I just thought it needed more than the lights mounted on the side, even though I plan little or no night time towing. Hopefully, I'll be at the campsite or gathering before it turns dark.
Steve