Who's built their own trailer?

[cougardan]

I really like my 5' wide twin axle utility trailer but I'm tired of borrowing trailers for moving cars. Just got a good deal on a pair of axles ( I think ) and would like to build a light but strong car hauler. I'd like to hear pro's, con's and "don't do's". Thanks.
Dan

[Gr8ballsofir]

JC whitney sells plans Here! (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-374/c-10101)

[cougardan]

You got me thinkin'. Screw lightweight, I want one like this for dragging stuff up on. Maybe with a roller end on it. Got some 4" dropped 3500lb axles and springs for $75.
That's a good start.
Dan

[buffaloracer]

I built my own and have a bunch of miles on it. My next one will be a goose neck. I used a 2 5/8" ball whick means you can't loan it to just everybody. I was told to keep about 8 to 10% of the total weight on the tounge and not to make the tounge too short. Pull like a dream. I put brakes on only one axle but the next one will have them on both.

[willowbilly3]

3500# axles are ok but a bit light. Mine has them and I haven't had much problem but I haven't had to haul any land yachts either.
The best towing trailer I ever had was an 18 foot car hauler I built. It had no springs. I made walking beams that pivoted on the center and had hubs bolted to each end. No matter what the tongue height it always had equal weight on the tires. If you had the car loaded right you could hadly tell it was back there.
I like the tongue around 4 1/2 feet long or a bit longer even. Then from the front of the tongue to the back of the trailer divide into thirds, place the center of the axles 2/3s back from the hitch. And make it an 18 if you can. 16 footers are a bit short sometimes.

[Verbal Kint]

By "built" does that mean it has to be done, hell nothing I own is "done". Montana is one of the last states that still lets losers like me use mobile home axles. The frame is an international truck frame from the 50's (I was told a water truck). The trailer is 17' long has brakes on both axles and cost a whopping $100, its yet to be decked but has ramps and I'm using the shit out of it. It sits a little tall for my taste - but hell my budget and taste are always miles apart. This year only Montana licenses trailers, bikes, boats permanently (no tabs) for about 3 times the yearly rate. I think the state figured out how much the state coffers were losing and they discontinued it after only this year.

swdobbs....

swdobbs...

[Roothawg]

3500# axles are standard on all car haulers.

[manyolcars]

whats a walking beam and why aint you gone? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif