With the recent discussion on open trailers, I have begun to ponder the possibilities of building vs buying.

Has anyone on here built their own trailer?

For those that have the tools and the talent, There are a few places online that offer plans for diy open tandem trailers.

Here is a line drawing of some plans that Northern sells. Looks like a nice trailer.

http://www2.northerntool.com/trailers-trailer-parts/trailer-blueprints/item-128549.htm


Here are some plans up on ebay, also.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=390024314581

Might want to check into the regulations that go along with your state. I believe some states require any welding of a chassis component be done by a certified welder.

Just something to think about.

the big drawback to doing your own trailer is getting a title for it.every state is different but in pa. you have to have some sort of record of all materials used so they can hit you forsales tax like a new vehicle.you then have to get it inspected and send 4 pics into the dmv.i have done several in the past for me and my friends

I've built 14 or 15 trailers now, in Mich here you
dont have to be certificated and its easy to get
it titled... I've built open and enclosed. I've sold
off a few of them but most I still use for all sorts
of stuff.... if you can weld you can build a trailer

the 16' trailer i just sold was home made.all i had to do was go to a public scale,get weight slip and then title it acording to the weight.1300 lbs.call the title bureau.

I built mine, and I got my axles first, I got them from a enclosed trailer, there are the dextor torsion axles rated 5200lbs each with brakes at each wheel.
my friend has some leaf spring axles rated at 3500 each for sale.
they are hardley used. but im in so cal.
my trailer...

70blackfish, that is a very nice trailer.

Your own design?

Quote:

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I built mine, and I got my axles first, I got them from a enclosed trailer, there are the dextor torsion axles rated 5200lbs each with brakes at each wheel.
my friend has some leaf spring axles rated at 3500 each for sale.
they are hardley used. but im in so cal.
my trailer...

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Plans might be a good idea. When I grew up in OK, my buddies and I built quite a few...but because we were Vo-Ag trained FFA farmboys we always ended up using more material than we needed!!! Our "car trailers" ended up being nice heavyweight backhoe trailers!!!

I have built MANY MANY open, and enclosed trailers. I worked for a local fab shop, and I was 18 years old. I built a lot of them from 18 footers, to 16 footers, to a 32 foot tandem axle goose neck with 2 25000 lb dualed up axles. Its not hard, just make it square. Measure 3x, then measure again.

Kasey

They might weigh more but you knew what was under it too! Have you looked under a "brand" built trailer? They were built as lite and with the least amount of metal as can be for the most profit. By people that call themselves welders! I'll keep building my own too. Thanks!

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The problem with this is, if you add more weight to
the top side of the axle you are just taking away from
the weight you can carry.... building trailers is a
balance.... big enough axles to carry the weight
you want to carry but not too big that the weight
doesnt even move the spring... also the other way
of building one that has too light of axles and you
make the platform heavy so you end up only with
a small amount of weight you can carry

Raced with an open trailer for many, many years. Conditions required we go with an open trailer.

There are several good suggestions already posted----but there is more to consider(or dream about). For example, we built our trailer from square tubing---which we welded air tight---and used the trailer frame as an air tank.
Another, we built our trailer to the max width(102") and by building our fenders---allowed us to build a very low trailer---to ease loading.
Another, our ramps telescoped up into the floor of the trailer.

My point is, use existing designs as a guide---but custom build it to fit your needs!

I built mine starting with a salvage RV camper frame. It already had 5000lb axles with brakes. All that was required was the removal of the wooden floor and the addition of some additional stringers on 2' centers. I dovetailed the last 4 feet used diamond plate for the floor and purchased fenders at tractor supply. It is 24' and has room for a box on the front or a golf cart/4 wheeler. I have about $1100 in it. Jim

I like the idea of using the tubes for an air tank !

I have built a few myself. I would like to see the tilt trailers if anybody has any pics underneath.

The first one I built was using a 18 ft. camper frame, cut down two mobile home axles, welded on two strips of 1/8" x 2' x 16' wide diamond plate and some fenders. Light weight, I think 1100 lbs. Paid $150. for the frame, $35.00 ea. for the axels with tires and springs. Can't remember what the steel was. Still use it today to haul lumber as i use my enclosed for my cars garage.

This is the second one I've built. I used axles with the greatest drop (of 3 choices) because I had a low riding Duster at the time. The medium drop axles would be better to avoid tail dragging on the steep driveways. Cost for materials was $1600 back in the mid-'90s. I drew my own plans so I could haul any car from a Dodge Colt to a Chrysler Newport.

Features;
2'x16' runners
torsion tube axles with accu-lube hubs
4 wheel brakes
slide in ramps
removeable fenders
winch mounted in 2.5'x3'x6' tool box



On my first trailer, I used mobile home axles because they were cheap, forget them, I recommend buying a new axle that has replacement parts available when needed.