long trailer build

[123rover50]

I want to build a Tandem trailer with bolt on series stubs and a seven metre load bed.
I was looking at an old caravan and also my small trailer and they both have some sort of drop axle arrangement. The caravan less than this trailer.
Reading through the Building Small Trailer Regs there is nothing said about this only that no part will be closer than 100mm from the ground.
One does not see this setup much so I was wondering why?

Didiman

[weeds]

i assume this will be a brake trailer?
four wheel or two?
how are you operating the hydraulics? overide?

i have never seen them drop by that amount, i have seen where the stubs are welded to either the top or bottom of the axle......

[pop058]

Kieth,

drop axles (typically 100mm max) are common as muck and can be obtained from most trailer places.

not sure about using LR stubs in that way, but brakes maybe an issue. Over 2000kg (GVM) you will require ALL wheels to have brakes and a breakaway system fitted as well. This does not have to be electric although that is by far the simplest/cheapest IMHO.

IIRC, the overall max length is limited to 19mts including the tow vehicle so a 7 mt bed should be OK. (2 S1's ?? :D) .

[Slunnie]

That execution isn't very good, but as said they are common enough axles. Horse floats use them. I've just done an 8100x2400 enclosed and they are massive and require truck like care. At 7m you might consider the value of drop axles in case the rear of the trailer starts dragging with changes of incline.

[goingbush]

why not just put a straight axle on top of the springs ??

my 2005 Jayco outback van had drop axles , as did my 6x4 trailer - it is indeed very common

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/03/261.jpg
2005 Jayco Outback penguin axle

[123rover50]

It was just to get the load bed down a bit and yes the caravan has the stub welded on top of the axle. Only 40mm so does not drop much.
I built a semi back in the 80,s pulled with a turntable on the 2B Forward Control with my skidsteer on it. I had 4 wheel brakes on landy stubs using vacuum over hydraulic two hose breakaway coupling so had a vac tank on the trailer. But thinking now electric may be easier with a battery on the trailer. I can spend more I suppose and buy the electric hubs with landy PCD.

pop058 Are you a mind reader:D?

[123rover50]

why not just put a straight axle on top of the springs ??

my 2005 Jayco outback van had drop axles , as did my 6x4 trailer - it is indeed very common

Probably do that too as I want to use at least 750 - 16,s perhaps 900 -16,s so it will be high. Most use holden/ford wheels.

[goingbush]

It was just to get the load bed down a bit and yes the caravan has the stub welded on top of the axle. Only 40mm so does not drop much.
I built a semi back in the 80,s pulled with a turntable on the 2B Forward Control with my skidsteer on it. I had 4 wheel brakes on landy stubs using vacuum over hydraulic two hose breakaway coupling so had a vac tank on the trailer. But thinking now electric may be easier with a battery on the trailer. I can spend more I suppose and buy the electric hubs with landy PCD.

pop058 Are you a mind reader:D?

if its under 2000kg you wont need a breakaway system so wont need a trailer mounted battery, Electric brakes work via the 7 pin plug, but in any case take little current to operate and a motorbike sized SLA is all you will need if you going over 2000kg.

On my new Trakmaster van I have Defender PCD on Electric hubs with plant trailer bearings. Its the way to go.


the last trailer I made for my tractor was under 2000kg and I used mechanical override (cable) disc brakes, worked well but electric is so much better.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/03/260.jpg

[pop058]

Probably do that too as I want to use at least 750 - 16,s perhaps 900 -16,s so it will be high. Most use holden/ford wheels.

Not LR hubs, but the standard 6 stud (tojo/nissan/mitsu/etc.) is a good option. early/mid Ford courier/Mazda 2WD and narvara all use this pattern. This gives you the option of 14, 15 or 16 inch rims and in the overall scheme of things, 195/14 LT tyres are correctly load rated and as cheap as anything else.

[weeds]

I'm currently fitting electric over hydraulic using defender stubs/hubs/discs/bearings......don't bother with ford or Holden or Toyota

[123rover50]

Been reading up on EOH, sounds good as can use the hubs I have and save there.
Thinking again such a long trailer is not much use except when carting the two cars. Why not make a 5 metre bed as say a normal carrier then have a 1 metre extension either clip on/slide out at the back and another 1 metre extension over the draw bar. Probably does not need the full metre as its only for the wheel tracks.