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Building a light car hauler, main material?

Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I want to build a light-weight car hauler trailer, for hauling my Willys. I want it smaller, thinking a 12' bed with a 2' dovetail. Tandem 3,500# axles, Maxxis 8008 tires. I found a DIY build 'kit' that comes with axles, springs, shackles and hardware for $560. Thinking about a Bulldog coupler, too.

My question is, what size and type of material would you use for the main structure? C channel or rectangular tubing? What size? I really don't want to overbuild the trailer... that's easy. :D I want something that weighs just enough to last and be safe, but not overkill. My Willys will weigh under 4,000#'s.
 
BlueWolfFab

BlueWolfFab

Running Behind
Location
Eagle Mountain
If you're sticking to steel, as in can't/don't want to mess with aluminum, I'd go with 2"x4"x.120" or even .090" full rectangle. You know already, but good geometry and build design will allow you to keep it lightweight, while not relying on the mass of material to be your strength.
 
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Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Yeah, I don't want to mess with aluminum. I was thinking about 2 x 4 .120 rectangular... wasn't sure if it would be enough or not. The next step up is 3/16" or .166, but IMO that's too much for a lightweight trailer.

And I agree about design and geometry! I'd build it smart with enough cross-members and supports, plus additional angle iron to strengthen up the sides.
 
BlueWolfFab

BlueWolfFab

Running Behind
Location
Eagle Mountain
Yeah 3/16" would definitely be overkill for trying to keep the weight down and for your intended cargo. Angle kinda sucks too as far as ridgity-weight ratio. A flat bar placed vertically like a rib (like an I-beam) gets you way more strength for its weight than angle.
 
Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
BlueWolfFab said:
Yeah 3/16" would definitely be overkill for trying to keep the weight down and for your intended cargo. Angle kinda sucks too as far as ridgity-weight ratio. A flat bar placed vertically like a rib (like an I-beam) gets you way more strength for its weight than angle.
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Makes sense! I need to figure out what material to make the deck portion from as well. Angle seems easy to work with, 2 x 2 x 1/8" should be just high enough for 2 x 6 lumber for the deck.
 
Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
I researched this for quite a while not too long ago. I would look at the angle iron utility trailers with a rail. Those seem to be the lightest design. Delete some or all of the wood decking to save even more weight.

Or go single axle... OMG! Check etrailer for wheels and tires in the 17.5" size. They will haul serious weight on a single 7k axle.
 
N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
My 16’ angle-built has been champ. If you don’t like your trailer to flex when you stand on a corner of it- it’s not for you. But... if you realize that doesn’t matter and want it light and cheap- it’s for you.
 
Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
xj_nate said:
My 16’ angle-built has been champ. If you don’t like your trailer to flex when you stand on a corner of it- it’s not for you. But... if you realize that doesn’t matter and want it light and cheap- it’s for you.
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Light and Cheap sounds good to me! Do you know what size angle they used for the build?

I have a cheap Tractor Supply 5 x 8 angle iron trailer I've used to haul dirtbikes. It's very light, but the amount of flex it has is quite disconcerting! :eek:
 
sawtooth4x4

sawtooth4x4

Totally Awesome
Location
Land of East Laytonshire
I bought this a few months ago. Its an old skid steer trailer. It works fairly well hauling my 5500# Range Rover. Its short and fits where I have limited space right now. It has two 3500# axles and 10 ply tires.

Its under 900 lbs, I'm fairly sure, I can move it around myself really easily.


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N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
There’s a variety for sure. The only part that’s not angle is the tongue and where it V’s out from the tongue to the side. The side “rails” are even angle. I bet that is 3”x1/4” and there is some more of that at the back where the ramps mount. Other than that the crossmembers and other pieces are much smaller.

Greg said:
Light and Cheap sounds good to me! Do you know what size angle they used for the build?

I have a cheap Tractor Supply 5 x 8 angle iron trailer I've used to haul dirtbikes. It's very light, but the amount of flex it has is quite disconcerting! :eek:
Click to expand...
 
Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
xj_nate said:
There’s a variety for sure. The only part that’s not angle is the tongue and where it V’s out from the tongue to the side. The side “rails” are even angle. I bet that is 3”x1/4” and there is some more of that at the back where the ramps mount. Other than that the crossmembers and other pieces are much smaller.
Click to expand...

Thanks Nate! That makes sense, box tube for the coupler and angle for the rest of the trailer. Is yours a Big Tex? Sounds like one of their builds.
 
N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
Yes, Big Tex 60CH but mine is special I guess cause it has brakes on both axles.

Greg said:
Thanks Nate! That makes sense, box tube for the coupler and angle for the rest of the trailer. Is yours a Big Tex? Sounds like one of their builds.
Click to expand...
 
C

carsonc1974

Active Member
I personally would avoid tube construction here in utah. All of our work trailers are rusting from the inside out...

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
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