Trailer suppliers?

[Disco Brian]

I'm going to need a trailer soon. At this stage I expect to used it for collecting firewood in the forest and general occasional use. I was thinking of a nice heavy duty 6' x 4'. Beyond that I don't know what I should be looking at. Can anyone reccomend a good supplier in Victoria?

[Hamish71]

you gets what you pays for :)

A simple, wellbuilt trailer, off road suspension, keen price....try carac.CARAC Trailers and Accessories, Caravan Parts and Camping Gear (http://www.carac.com.au)

A slightly better built trailer, fully galvanised that will last a lot longer, more $....try The Trailer Factory The Trailer Factory - Home Page (http://www.trailerfactory.com.au/)

I bought a carac about 6 yrs ago.....it proably needs a strip and repaint if I want to keep it another 10 yrs, or it will probably rust out in the next 3-5 yrs. A friend has a trailer factory fully galvanised trailer. I reckon if it got a clean, and had new tyres on it, it would look brand new. Both live outside. Both good trailers.

[Disco Brian]

you gets what you pays for :)

A simple, wellbuilt trailer, off road suspension, keen price....try carac.CARAC Trailers and Accessories, Caravan Parts and Camping Gear (http://www.carac.com.au)

A slightly better built trailer, fully galvanised that will last a lot longer, more $....try The Trailer Factory The Trailer Factory - Home Page (http://www.trailerfactory.com.au/)

I bought a carac about 6 yrs ago.....it proably needs a strip and repaint if I want to keep it another 10 yrs, or it will probably rust out in the next 3-5 yrs. A friend has a trailer factory fully galvanised trailer. I reckon if it got a clean, and had new tyres on it, it would look brand new. Both live outside. Both good trailers.

I liked the look of the Trailer Factory website. I'll be paying them a visit. Thankyou

[Mick_Marsh]

A mate had a really nice trailer made at a place in Somerleigh Rd in Laverton North near the ring road.
Super Tough Trailers
Super Tuff Trailers - Trailers & Trailer Equipment - Laverton North, VIC - Yellow Pages® (http://www.yellowpages.com.au/vic/laverton-north/super-tuff-trailers-12877011-listing.html)

[Mudnut]

I'm in the process of having a trailer made at Sunshine Trailers. 7 x 4 Offroad trailer with my Discovery rims, Mud tyres, and spare. Fully hot dipped galvanized, with a cage on top. Just went to look it over before it goes to be dipped. Looks the goods! Was supposed to be ready by now, so probably 2 - 3 weeks away. Good quality, and reasonable price. Worth a look at what they have. Will post some photo's once I have it in my hot little hands.
Good luck,

Ken

[Homestar]

I would also recommend 'The Trailer Faactory' as well. I work for a hire company who uses a lot of trailers, and these are the only trailers we get that stand up to the constant abuse of being hired. Just be aware that they are VERY busy at the moment - I have just had 3 trailers ordered for my section, and I am looking at 8 weeks BEFORE they can start the build, so delivery of all 3 in 12 to 14 weeks. But well worth the wait, they back what they build 100%.

Cheers - Gav.
_______________________________________
I'm not 40! I'm 18... with 22 years experience!

[Narangga]

I'm in the process of having a trailer made at Sunshine Trailers. 7 x 4 Offroad trailer with my Discovery rims, Mud tyres, and spare. Fully hot dipped galvanized, with a cage on top. Just went to look it over before it goes to be dipped. Looks the goods! Was supposed to be ready by now, so probably 2 - 3 weeks away. Good quality, and reasonable price. Worth a look at what they have. Will post some photo's once I have it in my hot little hands.
Good luck,

Ken

Looked at their production models in Darwin and they didn't seem all that strong but if it is being made to your specs that is obviously the better way to go.


I'm going to need a trailer soon. At this stage I expect to used it for collecting firewood in the forest and general occasional use. I was thinking of a nice heavy duty 6' x 4'. Beyond that I don't know what I should be looking at. Can anyone reccomend a good supplier in Victoria?

I went 7X4 when I had a mate help me make one in '97 and glad I did Brian. You will be amazed at how many times that extra foot means something sits inside the trailer rather than hanging over the edge.

Give it some thought if the budget will allow.

[Disco Brian]

I went 7X4 when I had a mate help me make one in '97 and glad I did Brian. You will be amazed at how many times that extra foot means something sits inside the trailer rather than hanging over the edge.

Give it some thought if the budget will allow.

I have thought about it and I don't know. I have very little experience with trailers. I hired an 8' x 5' once and didn't like it being wider than the disco, I suppose I'd get use to it after a while if I went that big. At 7 x 4 you have the extra foot but do you then start thinking if I had an 8 x 4 it would be even better?

So what specs do I go for?
size 7 x 4
depth? general use do I need the deeper sides?
Draw bar? I've read a longer bar is better
dolly wheel? must
Galvanised?
Folding ends on front and back?
Anything else to consider?

[NomadicD3]

Hi Brian,
I've built a few trailers over the years and actually have found that an 8x4 is an excellent general size and shouldn't cost much more than 7x4 as all standard sheet sizes are 8ft long ie for a 7 ft trailer they use the same sheet and waste the last foot. Also a factor that you may want to bear in mind as one day if you want to get some timber sheets from your local hardware store also 8ft and offroad motorbikes you need at least 7 ft.
Draw bar try to find one that anchors just forward of the suspension and not from the front of the trailer body, makes reversing easier as does a long draw bar. For a standard trailer measure about 1500 to 1800mm from the front of the body to the hitch perpendicular to the body centre, most trailers are.
300 mm sides would suffice for timber but if your budget allows it go for 500mm .
Draw bar: if your looking at heavy loads make sure you get 100 x 50 rhs draw bar with a minium 2.5 mm wall thickness , i know alot of 1500kg trailers that use 100x50x1.6mm wall and they just don't hack it in the long term.
The axle and suspension is something that is important, if it's just for heavy timber loads go with solid axle and leaf springs cheapest and lowest maintainence option and a basic electric brake system again the cheapest option, but get good quality brake drums. A friend of mine bought cheap ones and they shattered
Oh and remember to get some handy tie down points along the sides etc
Happy hunting

[Disco Brian]

Nomadic, thanks for the advice, very helpful.


Hi Brian,
I've built a few trailers over the years and actually have found that an 8x4 is an excellent general size and shouldn't cost much more than 7x4 as all standard sheet sizes are 8ft long ie for a 7 ft trailer they use the same sheet and waste the last foot. Also a factor that you may want to bear in mind as one day if you want to get some timber sheets from your local hardware store also 8ft and offroad motorbikes you need at least 7 ft.

I thought about getting the 8' x 4' sheet of MDF and being able to throw it in the trailer. I imagine it would be a tight fit. 8 x 4 going into 8 x 4. With the construcion methods generally used do you think the internal size of the trailer would be bang on 8' x 4', slightly less, slightly more, some metric equivalent (1200 x 2400mm) or it depends where you go? Of course I will need to confirm with supplier when I start looking in earnest but I like having a basic knowledge before I start kicking the tyres.

Is it a case of bigger will always be better or is there a down side to the bigger trailer. I should have enough room to store her and I expect bigger will cost more.





300 mm sides would suffice for timber but if your budget allows it go for 500mm .


Once again my basic instinct tells me bigger is better but I can't imagine what I would need the extra hieght for. I'm a city guy and have lived in flats and appartments for 20 years. Now I'm moving up to the bush on 5 acres I'm sure there will be things I have not even considered.

[NomadicD3]

Bloody hell Brian that really is a change lol. i went the other way 20 yrs on a farm and i moved to the city. You will love it so long as you are not a hyper socialite LOL.
I was going to add for your first trailer would you consider buying second hand?
Get alot of trailer for the same money as a new one? Just a thought mate.
The last trailer that i made was all stainless steel frame and aluminuim body, 8x4, solid as and i let it go for $1800 , needed cash and room for the next project. So there are bargains out there!
cya

[Disco Brian]

Bloody hell Brian that really is a change lol. i went the other way 20 yrs on a farm and i moved to the city. You will love it so long as you are not a hyper socialite LOL.
I was going to add for your first trailer would you consider buying second hand?
Get alot of trailer for the same money as a new one? Just a thought mate.
The last trailer that i made was all stainless steel frame and aluminuim body, 8x4, solid as and i let it go for $1800 , needed cash and room for the next project. So there are bargains out there!
cya

You sound like the old fella I bought my disco from. :D I arrived to buy a '92 disco in a 2 door Mercedes convertible, he found that quite amusing. I'm looking forward to the bush. Apart from the trailer I've got to get myself a lot of other new toys. Just need some cash to materialise.

[hook]

I had a 6x4 behind my D1.
I up graded to an 8x5 because I could not see the 6x4 behind the D1.
The 8x5's load space has never been to small unlike the 6x4 some times.
Next time I would still go 8x5 but with high sides and ford bearings and keep the front tail gate, even though I have never needed to used it.