Trailer time! Here we go!

[Scotty-1978]

Hey Everyone,

Well i've been looking at everyone's posts for a little while now and always planned on a trailer!! So here goes nothing!! I've made a start!

I'm planning on being complete by the start of March! 2012 before you start!! The plan is all Stainless Steel with the exception of the axle of course!

I think that 6x4 seems to look good with a slightly longer draw bar than normal here in the UK.

Top opening with Gas struts with the main body divided internally with Stainless mesh to accept storage cases. Gas Bottle holder on the front and water storage. RTT/basket for Oztent on the top.

I've just ordered an axle from a specialist as I wanted new and reliable!! I did look at ex-Military but wanted to be different!!!

Your comments would be helpful!!! Let's see if us Brits can mix it with you Yanks!!!

Game on!!!

All the best,

Scotty.

 

[Scotty-1978]

Picture!!!

First picture of the chassis!!!!!

 

[Scotty-1978]

Larger Pic I hope!!!

I Hope this is bigger!!! If not I will learn!!!

 

['05TJLWBRUBY]

Whoa all stainless!? Wow-looking forward to this one!!! Looks like a good start so far.

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

[Scotty-1978]

Ordered the Axle!!

Next update!!!

Ordered the axle today!!! Seemed to be a little harder in the UK than the States!! Googled Axle's and lots of companies over the pond!!!

I eventually found a good company that as luck would have it is fairly local! I've opted for a Fixed Beam Axle rated at 1800Kg. PCD to match my L/R Defender 5 x 165.

Also decided to go simple with Leaf Sprung set-up so these are ordered as well, the only problem is these should be about 4 weeks so I'm going to try and complete a few other bits ready!

One question I have is using Angle for the 6x4 box do you put the alumni/stainless sheet metal on the inside or the outside? If the outside as I've seen in some pics here how do I get the great finsh on the corners?

Input would be great guys!!!!!!

Thanks
Scotty.

 

[UK4X4]

To get bigger pictures post them to facebook or photobucket then just link the photo into the post

On my trailer I did outside on the tops- glued and rivited- then ground down the edges

the sides were glued and rivited to the inside giving it a sort of military look

Aluminum panels and standard steel frame

If your doing all stainless and are good at TIG then outside and a nice seam weld would be possible then a light gring if required.

I was trying to keep the weight down hence the mixing of materials

theres a whole thread on my build somewhere on here search for consolidated

 

[EWS]

Hi.

There are quite few UK guys here quietly making their build, and as we do have the range of suppliers here, that are available in the US or Australia, things take longer to source. Virtually all trailer beam axles and leaf springs in the UK come via one wholesale supplier, then on to the resellers and the trailer manufacturers.

I would be most interested in what you have planed for the hitch set up. Are you using a 50mm ball or planning a Nato ring hitch set up

Have you a copy of the VOSA regs for trailers, as from 29th October 2012 all new self build trailers have to tested. Insurers are looking already for compliance and will use this to refuse claims..

Quote from email from VOSA.

“Thank you for your enquiry which has been passed to me due to its technical
nature.

I am sending you some information regarding the IVA scheme and in
particular, the inspection of trailers. Currently, trailers are not
required to be approved before entering into service. However, IVA will
become mandatory on all light & heavy trailers (category O1 - O4) that are
built in a single stage from 29th October 2012 (unless it can be
demonstrated that the trailer was built more than 3 months before this
date).”

Link to my build-


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/64134-First-Trailer-Build

 

[UK4X4]

I used a multi-way coupler from Adventure trailers in the US

the springs the supplier will probably supply will be very short and stiff for a real offroad trailer

In the UK you'd be better off getting some Suzuki jeep springs or even some 90 series and take a few leaves out.

the average 24" trailer springs will only give you about 2" of travel

Longer standard vehicle springs will give you a softer ride and better movement

My airbag system has 9" a side max travel...but is more complex and expencive

Mind you I do get eggs sunny side up rather than scrambled on the way to the campsite !

 

[RandomAbstract]

I Hope this is bigger!!! If not I will learn!!!

Couldn't resist the urge to make a (hopefully) friendly jab. Is that big by Brit standards? :Wow1:

In all fairness, I have a teenee trailer!

 

[EWS]

Quote- “I used a multi-way coupler from Adventure trailers in the US
the springs the supplier will probably supply will be very short and stiff for a real offroad trailer”


Unfortunately, the multi way couplers used in the US and Australia are not legal here in the UK according to VOSA, as they are not EU compliant. It seems we are limited to a standard 50mm ball hitch, with its limited rotation, a 40 mm fixed eye and jaw/clevis again with a limited rotation or the Nato ring and jaw set up., the only one offering offroad capability. ( a bit of a bugger if you only have 750 kg’s total to play with and the Nato ring/eye hitch setup alone weighs aprox 20 kg’s)

This really pees me off, as the Australian testing of hitches exceeds the EU’s requirements, but they are not legal here because they have not been tested in the EU.

As seen from my post- http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/64134-First-Trailer-Build I am building a “01 class light trailer”, that is a max weight of 750 KG’s( UK build) with 30 x 2 inch x 3 leaves, leaf springs and was very surprised at how stiff they are. May yet remove a leaf!!! These were the longest available from the UK’s largest dedicated trailer parts wholesaler, to suit a Land Rover 16 inch wheel..

Trailer specific leaf springs seem to need weight to work and running light; most, if not all suspension flex seems to come from the tyres. If I was starting my build again I would look into using ex car/van /pickup leaf springs with a shock absorber set up.

The major drawback in the UK is that this type of trailer (offroad/expedition) is in the minority, the small number of builders of offroad trailers tend to us ex MOD/Sankey trailers as the base, along with the push for the use of rubber bushed / bonded /independent type of suspension for general use trailers, many of which seem to made from rolled out bean cans. And don’t mention the the draconian EU regs that are possibly soon to come into play re new home/self build trailers., plus the testing by VOSA of all new self build trailers, this bit, the testing I think is okay, re safety as the insurance companies are looking for compliance.

Sorry if I have bored you all, but needed a rant !!!!!!!

Edward.

 

[Scotty-1978]

Plans

Well I have been thinking about the design of my trailer and I have decided that I not going to have any opening lockers etc in the main body of the trailer only the lid using gas struts! This will give me the option of water crossings without the worry of wet gear.

I am going to add as a module design lockers above both the wheel arches. I'm going to use side locker doors designed for replacing the rear windows in a 110. These will be water tight with lucky and offer drop down front to use as a shelf etc.


What's everyone think of the idea?

Scotty.

 

[Scotty-1978]

UK4x4! Love your Suspension set-up! I'm going to share this set-up if that's okay?

Does anybody know if Adventure Trailer ship their Home build bits to the UK? I'm after the Air Bags first I guess!

Can you advise anything UK4x4??

I'm going to cut the axle I have ordered as soon as it arrives!

Scott.

 

[RandomAbstract]

Well I have been thinking about the design of my trailer and I have decided that I not going to have any opening lockers etc in the main body of the trailer only the lid using gas struts! This will give me the option of water crossings without the worry of wet gear.

I always wondered why top lids were so popular with some groups. Water crossing! Makes perfect sense. I only cross water when on a bridge, so its not as much of a concern for me.