Chassis driving me mad

[donal94]

I've been lurking on this forum and drooling over pictures of the original Benroy for well over a year now and have decided I'm going to bite the bullet and try start my own build, I actually managed to track down a guy who has built one of the only teardrops in Ireland and went to take. Look at it. I've researched most of the parts and feel its all reasonable but I can't get anyone to build me a chassis for a decent price. People want up to €500 which seems like a lot to me so I want to know do people think its crazy to tackle building a the chassis as my first ever venture into welding? The metal will only cost me €70 for the whole build so it seems worthwile if its realistic. Thanks for any Input.

[Techguy]

How difficult is it to get a home made trailer licensed as a caravan or utility trailer? I have heard it can be difficult in some of the UK. I have heard it's easier to buy a wrecked caravan and tear off the top. Maybe Top Gear has one they sell you? LOL

Can you buy a used utility trailer that is already licensed?

I could be very wrong. I just wanted to make sure you had considered it before investing in a custom frame.

[S. Heisley]

Welcome from across the pond, Donal. You'll like this website and the people are friendly.

If you have to buy welding equipment, it would add to the cost of the build. Also, I have heard the same as techguy, that it is difficult to get a home-built chassis licensed in your country. Could you get an old used trailer that you can tear down to the frame or Is there anywhere that you could buy a legal bolt-together kit and do it that way?

If not, there are a couple tutorials on the forum. Here is the location of one of them:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=13246

Please note that our USA tutorials may not give you enough to pass a UK or European inspection....

[donal94]

Currently in Ireland we don't have to have our trailers registered but it will be brought into law next year. Yeah I've found a caravan chassis that's 15" by 5 and a half an the guy wants €180 but I'd like my first build I be 8x4 to save money on materials.

[S. Heisley]

The 15' is a bit long but the 5' wide is much better than 4'. Maybe you could just cut a little off the back and move the rear lights, etc. That might also keep you from having to move the axle? It could help speed up the building process, too. If you want to grandfather/establish your build before new regulations go into effect, that would be an advantage.

I can't find where I read it, as it's been a few years now, but I read that one should not plan on building a chassis as ones first welding project..... The way it had been written was enough to scare me into buying a bolt-together kit instead.

[donal94]

Yeah maybe the caravan chassis would be a better idea.

[Techguy]

Could you purchase the Caravan, trim off the bits you don't need, move the lights, place a deck on it and register it as a Utility Trailer, before the the more complex plating requirements are in force?

As for the 5 wide, I know it is more complex doing the skinning with a 5 wide but I hear they are much more comfortable for two to sleep in.

[donal94]

Ok so here is a photo of the chassis I'm thinking of buying its 15 ft from the jockey wheel. 9 ft to the axle and 6 behind. So what I'm thinking is leaving 3 ft tongue then chopping off 2 ft behind axle which would leave me an 8 ft bed? Sound ok?? Thanks for all the replies.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347473338.216039.jpg (56.4 KiB) Viewed 1215 times

[S. Heisley]

It may be difficult for people to offer advice on your latest ideas, Donal. It depends on what and how you are planning to build (size, weight, layout, etc.)
However, if you go to the Design Resources and click on the design library, you'll find some help there.
Or, click on this: http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear00.htm
Scroll down about half way and you'll see help on trailer balance and even some tongue information that, I believe, is based on the new IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) British trailer rules. You can thank Andrew for that.

Best Wishes on your build and don't forget to post pictures!

[Techguy]

I wasn't going to say anything as I am not the best resource but the trailer frame there doesn't have any suspension or cross bracing. It is very different than any frame I have ever seen.

[donal94]

I'm planning on roughly following the plans for the generic benroy. Here is a picture of the hub with what I think is torsion suspension ?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1347518314.646237.jpg (33.57 KiB) Viewed 1174 times

[Techguy]

It does look like a torsion. The other photo looked to me like the wheels were on a shaft rigid in the frame.

I hope to see a build thread for this.

[eamarquardt]

The trailer you posted pics of looks similar to the one Grizz used. He's in the UK. Here's a link to his posts. Poke around and there are pics of his build.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[donal94]

Ok the guy is going to cut down the chassis for me and I think I'll get him to weld in a crossmember at the end. I'm gettin the chassis, a small door window and a 30x30 roof light for €200. I think that's not a bad price and a good start. Thanks a lot for all of the input so far. It's a galvanised braked caravan chassis so I think it will be plenty stong for my build. What are the problems in likely to encounter due to it being 5ft wide? In going to stick with 8 ft long I think as I really like the idea of it being small.

[donal94]

Ok so I'm just back from looking at the chassis, I should have really taken a picture of the place I will on Monday, it was absolutely crammed full of caravan parts of every description. The deal has gotten better the guy is going to cut the chassis and and weld in some crossmembers for me and also throw in so corner steadies to level it whilst parked. The chassis is an Al-Ko which is used on virtually all caravans in Europe and built in Germany, far too strong really for what I'm going to put on it but no harm as its better value than anything else I can find.