Trailer build, drawbar attachment.

[loanrangie]

Will have some time this weekend so will see if i can get the drawbar attached, what is the best way to get it lined up correctly ?
I was thinking of clamping a long section of RHS along the center line and then lining up the draw bar to meet in the center ?

[DoubleChevron]

I'd probably run string lines ..... down the middle and both sides... then measure the distance between them at all points. I bet you find the trailer itself isn't perfectly square :wasntme:

seeya,
shane L.

[loanrangie]

I'd probably run string lines ..... down the middle and both sides... then measure the distance between them at all points. I bet you find the trailer itself isn't perfectly square :wasntme:

seeya,
shane L.

Thats what i want to take into account so yes a string line is a good idea, might use both idea's to make sure.
I didnt build the full trailer, just beefing it up and raising the side height.

[pop058]

Make sure both your draw-bar pieces are the SAME length.

Tac weld the tail end of draw-bar rails to the trailer frame in the same relative (to the axle) position on either side. If the inside tips of the hitch end of the draw-bar are touching, it should be centered. No string lines involved.

If not, your frame is not square.

[DoubleChevron]

Make sure both your draw-bar pieces are the SAME length.

Tac weld the tail end of draw-bar rails to the trailer frame in the same relative (to the axle) position on either side. If the inside tips of the hitch end of the draw-bar are touching, it should be centered. No string lines involved.

If not, your frame is not square.

That would work best, that way even if the axle isn't centered perfect .... the drawbar/axle then *would* be.... so how square the actual frame/trailer is wouldn't matter.

[loanrangie]

I was thinking about that after your string idea, as long as its centered in relation to the axle it wont try and dart off like a shopping trolley.

[Slunnie]

We do string lines also.

Even if your out with the centreline, the trailer won't dart around etc, it'll just tow offset.

[loanrangie]

Since buying a camper trailer this one has been on hold, got the school holidays off so i thought i'd get back into it.
This 6x4 will just be used for usual home carting duties gardening etc , was going to have a long drawbar but i'm thinking 1200mm will be long enough or should i go longer ?

[pop058]

If you go abit longer (1800 ?), it will definately be easier to reverse the thing

[loanrangie]

If you go abit longer (1800 ?), it will definately be easier to reverse the thing

I had planned on 1800 but that will exceed the length for a non registered trailer (3m total inc drawbar) , i know reg is cheap but didint want the hassle.

[pop058]

I had planned on 1800 but that will exceed the length for a non registered trailer (3m total inc drawbar) , i know reg is cheap but didint want the hassle.

Forgot about "cheap" box trailer rego in Vic. 1200 it is :p

[Homestar]

I had planned on 1800 but that will exceed the length for a non registered trailer (3m total inc drawbar) , i know reg is cheap but didint want the hassle.

To qualify as an exempt trailer in Vic, it has to meet a few criteria.

- not be over 3 metres in length.
- not have a gross weight over 750Kg.
- not be wider than the towing vehicle
- not be used for commercial purposes
- not be used to tow a boat

My tiny little Sankey has to be registered because it has a gross weight of 1200Kg. If your trailer is going to be over 750Kg, then it needs brakes as well as reg.

[loanrangie]

To qualify as an exempt trailer in Vic, it has to meet a few criteria.

- not be over 3 metres in length.
- not have a gross weight over 750Kg.
- not be wider than the towing vehicle
- not be used for commercial purposes
- not be used to tow a boat

My tiny little Sankey has to be registered because it has a gross weight of 1200Kg. If your trailer is going to be over 750Kg, then it needs brakes as well as reg.

Yeah its just a general 6x4 so well under weight/ size if i keep the drawbar 1200mm which i only just checked after my initial post so i sorta answered my own Q ;).

[DoubleChevron]

I had planned on 1800 but that will exceed the length for a non registered trailer (3m total inc drawbar) , i know reg is cheap but didint want the hassle.

Forget about the length bit ... no-one knows this stuff and it's highly unlikely it'll ever be checked. Everyone knows a 6x4 doesn't need to be registered though .... My father has owned a box trailer that was outside all of the measurements by several inches in every direction... so required registration... It looked like a 6 x 4.... we would have used it for 25years with not a single problem from police/anyone without registering it.

I have 3 trailers at my place, a car trailer, 9 x 5 box trailer with high sides... and a 6 x 4 that's not registered. The unregistered trailer is an absolute PITA. I have 4 club permit cars and 1 fully registered one.... That's 5 numberplates I need for it ..... Then we have family and mates that borrow the trailers .......... It's worth the $50bux a year for registration not to have the hassle of tyring to make a numberplate to match the cars everytime it leave the yard.

Everyone tends to just use the 9x5, it's not easy to move around liek the 6 x 4, but it's just less hassle 'cos you can just hook it on and go.

seeya,
Shane L.

[Sitec]

IMO 1200 should be fine. Your Land Rover is around 1800/1850 wide... So when its at 90deg to the trailer (ie jackknifed) you want to know the body will clear the trailer body... Working on that approx 1000mm demo front board to ball center would be you're min... Assuming you have a 50 x 50 RHS chassis under the trailer, you then have two options as to where to weld the drawbar on. Option 1 is welding it to the front spring hangers, r option two is to make the drawbar lengths longer and weld them above where the axle u bolts sit... The drawbar ends then act as bump stops, and because the drawbar is longer overall, the 'triangle' formed out front is narrower... Better for jack knifing etc... All up to personal preference really.. :)

[loanrangie]

I thought about just making it 1600mm thinking that no one would even question it but in the end i made it about 1250mm as this worked well with the pickup points for attachment.
Maybe a number plate painted with blackboard paint and a piece of chalk on a string for a DIY number :).

[cactus]

something to keep in mind. if its over dimension and you don't have it registered, in the unlikely event of a car accident, your insurance company will be the first to measure the trailer. if they can get out of paying a claim, they sure will.


for 50 odd bucks, I even register my small trailers. small price to pay for peace of mind.


cheers

[Mick_Marsh]

I eventually registered my little 5x3 trailer as I sometimes take it interstate. Remember, as soon as you take it over the border, it becomes an unregistered trailer.

[Homestar]

I eventually registered my little 5x3 trailer as I sometimes take it interstate. Remember, as soon as you take it over the border, it becomes an unregistered trailer.

Good point Mick - my little Sankey has been interstate a few times now, and that is another reason it is registered. The NSW Police have zero tolerance for Vics with unregistered trailers.

[DoubleChevron]

Good point Mick - my little Sankey has been interstate a few times now, and that is another reason it is registered. The NSW Police have zero tolerance for Vics with unregistered trailers.

I towed a home-made trailer made out of half of a car all over NSW without a single query .... It just wore the cars numberplate :confused: I must have been pretty lucky, 'cos I saw and was breatho'd by countless police (this was about 5years ago, when you could go years without seeing a single marked police car in Victoria, so it was quite a surprise to see them everywhere .... by the bloody dozens in NSW).

If it's attached to a Victorian car, it should be considered a part of the victorian vehicle towing it.

These different laws for each state are ridiculous. As for having a crash towing a 6 x 4..... Has anyone ever heard of an insurance company measuring a weeny little 6 x 4 trailer. Now if it was a masssive caravan that is obviously waaayyy to big for the tow capacity of the car ... yeah... but c'mon... a weeny little 6 x 4 ... there not much better than a slightly larger wheel barrow.

edit:

5 second google search:

ROAD TRANSPORT (VEHICLE REGISTRATION) REGULATION 2007 - SCHEDULE 1 (http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtrr2007478/sch1.html)



11 Trailers towed by motor vehicles registered in Victoria

The registration provisions do not apply to any trailer (other than a trailer used to carry a boat) that:

(a) is being towed by a motor vehicle that is registered in Victoria, and
(b) is exempt from registration in Victoria, and
(c) is not used in the course of trade, and
(d) weighs less than 200 kilograms unladen, and
(e) has a manufactured width that does not exceed the width of the vehicle towing the trailer, and
(f) is of a length (including the draw bar and any load) that does not exceed 3 metres, and
(g) if it obscures the number-plate of that motor vehicle-displays (whether by painting or otherwise) on its rear the registration number of the vehicle so that the number is clearly distinguishable at a distance of 20 metres from the rear.
12 Vehicles used to fight rural fires


You guys are worrying about nothing. ie: if your unregistered trailer is towed by a victorian registered car .... Your fine in NSW.

seeya,
Shane L.

[Lionelgee]

Hello LoneRangie,

A boilermaker mate of mine used to build trailers for a living before he retired. He told me not to weld draw bars across the width of channel along the front edge of the trailer's box.

Over a period of time it forms a stress line and my mate frequently had RACQ drop of trailers that needed to be repaired after they snapped their draw bar off level with the front of the trailer box. All that is left is a draw bar on the safety chain and the box with its wheels rolling along unfettered. :o

I also saw a similar thing happen to a builder's trailer that was fully loaded on a two lane country road. Luckily the driver had the road to himself at the time :eek:. I just came along behind after he had pulled up and got out of the ute and the dust had settled.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[loanrangie]

I had heard something like that Lionel, i have tacked in on ready for final welding.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1100.jpg

[Lionelgee]

I had heard something like that Lionel, i have tacked in on ready for final welding.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1100.jpg

G'day LR,

Looks like a great foundation for the trailer. Have you considered a drop down front gate - so longer lengths of things like timber can be place down flat? Are you putting on a spare tyre holder somewhere?

Kind Regards
Lionel

[loanrangie]

Just going the standard fixed front and drop down rear, if i need length i'd just use racks on the disco or sit them on top.
Original plan was for a box on the front hence the fixed section.

[warren9981]

For the spare tyre, get a Hilux or Holden 1 tonne ute winch which fits under the trailer. Spare tyre then winches up underneath and keeps the centre of gravity low. Also the tyre is then out if the way.

[digger]

I had heard something like that Lionel, i have tacked in on ready for final welding.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1100.jpg

I think fitting a BBQ like that at the rear limits what you can carry.... just sayin' :angel:

[Slunnie]

Lionel is absolutely correct re welding the drawbar. It doens't take much to snap them when welded across the top.

You got the draw bar through the spring! Nicely done!

[loanrangie]

I need to move the garden ornament so I could trim the weeds growing around it so test fit my hubs to the axle and slung it under the springs , height and wheel to tub spacing came up just right.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/10/643.jpg
115052

[loanrangie]

A while between updates but got some time to start on fitting the sides.

135230

[Homestar]

That's a long time between posts here Nick! Guess this has been on the backburner? 😁

[loanrangie]

That's a long time between posts here Nick! Guess this has been on the backburner? 😁
Yes pretty much since we bought the camper trailer, will be handy to have once its done.

[loanrangie]

Crap, over 2 years and nothing had changed although had some time on the weekend to get more done. Side sheet metal all trimmed to size and ready to weld and paint, a couple of flap discs later and most of the surface rust is gone.
Going to flip the axle back on top of the spring as i don't really need it that high, will be 40cm from ground to the underside of the chassis where as its currently 50cm.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200318/4189d99808449ef1a5f9eff1f405d26e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200318/c235c41dc5466ee55cf1d45a39a17696.jpg

[loanrangie]

More progress, braced the back and mounted my old D1 spare wheel holder.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200321/a828d977e4d96ea4147cb794d3b17363.jpg

[loanrangie]

Almost a year since the last update, had intended to finish it last year but not much happened.
My dad was fixing his car trailer and while getting parts he bought me a pair a guards , that spurred me to back to it.
Made some new locating pads and welded them onto the axle, found suitable bolts for the spring packs as the others were rusted away. Cleaned up the hubs and painted them and tapped the new M16 studs in.
Packed the bearings and refitted to the axle, guards test fitted and will be welding the sides in then ready for paint and new wiring and lights.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210314/248caf143bfdcb14ac7cdd2973a956af.jpg

[loanrangie]

I think I might get this finished by winter.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210508/e83d4186446776968ddefd35c26e211c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210508/986f5ed7dbafb14a6e3b86f83a47852f.jpg

[Narangga]

I think I might get this finished by winter.

A suitably broad statement to allow time, creative flair and other things to intervene as much as necessary! [wink11]