Trailer construction

Post by **kevtherev** » 05 Jul 2006, 22:12

What sort of legal requirements does a trailer need If you make your own.

Post by **lone gunman** » 05 Jul 2006, 23:16

From memory,

Suspension
lights (obviously)(needs to include fog light)
brakes if over 750 kg gross
mudguards
safety chain (or breakaway cable if braked)
Max width 7'6''

All I can think of at the moment, done a bit of research a few years ago when I built one but probably best to check up in case things have changed

Post by **ROBS T25** » 06 Jul 2006, 05:46

is there a minimum width u have to go by (ie bike trailer)? and what about th3e length? cheers rob!!

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 06 Jul 2006, 09:18

as long as is isnt wider than the tow vehicle, dont worry about it. my bike trailer is about 4` x 7` its got indespension and a set of lights. thats it !! if you want to build a goods trailer over 750kg, thats when you can wave goodbye to your licence at the slightest little mistake, have a look a car transporter and copy it. twin wheels, handbrake,hydraulic brakes etc etc, a lot of people used to use mini hubs !

Post by **jed the spread** » 06 Jul 2006, 10:00

kevtherev wrote:What sort of legal requirements does a trailer need If you make your own.

why does this image spring into mind kev

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

jed

Post by **lone gunman** » 06 Jul 2006, 10:22

is there a minimum width u have to go by (ie bike trailer)? and what about th3e length? cheers rob!!

I'm not aware of any min size restrictions, some of the trailers made for towing behind motorbikes are very narrow (and as far as I'm aware covered by the same rules) the only thing to be aware of length wise is the shorter it is the harder it is to reverse, I use one of the little halfords box trailers for my dive gear and it's impossiable to reverse the van with it on, where as reversing a large trailer is relativly easy.

Post by **Horza** » 06 Jul 2006, 10:27

What about using Caravan chassis for larger trailers? They are mainly over 750kg when the carvan body was still there, they have all the brakes, hubs and autobacking thingers in place already and the loom can be retrieved from the caravan if your lucky for the lights and stuff.

Post by **banana** » 06 Jul 2006, 12:35

glad im not the only one who cant reverse an erde trailer!

Post by **kevtherev** » 06 Jul 2006, 13:19

Thanks everyone for the posts.

Hmmmm, caravan chassis, never thought of that, thanks Euan.
as it's mainly the axle , hubs and wheels...(with a brake) I'm after.

I have some steel for the chassis...unless I come across a small wrecked caravan......

er,Mr Clarkson....you remember caravan conkers....?

Hey jed, I'd forgotten about that attempt to reverse...It went rather well er, didn't it

Post by **oldiguana** » 06 Jul 2006, 13:22

eyup duck,ive always used caravan chassis and cut the a-frame down a bit to reduce the length,saves having to devise a braking method and the wiring is virtually done for you,infact ive got to start knocking one up this week,more fool me for me father,cup of tea and a smile for me troubles and wont even bother paying for me mig wire!!!!!!!!!!!!,if you dont fancy messin about making one just get a cheap one off e-bay or similar and tart it up...regards.......jase

Post by **kevtherev** » 06 Jul 2006, 13:50

Jase,
I do want to make one as I have a cunning plan!

Dead busy at the moment old mucker but will be in touch later

Kev

Post by **T'Onion** » 06 Jul 2006, 18:46

Kev
www.towsure.com do everything for building trailers

Post by **toomanytoys** » 06 Jul 2006, 20:12

How big do you want it and what do you want to carry?

Post by **kevtherev** » 06 Jul 2006, 21:49

toomanytoys wrote:How big do you want it and what do you want to carry?

Firstly thanks Mark....The bleedin' obvious well.....

I want to carry about 500kg.,..not wider than the van but long enough to reverse in style

Post by **DiscoDave** » 06 Jul 2006, 22:30

about 10ft long is the length of mine and it's easily reversable (with practise) but you still haven't said what you want to cary??

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Trailer construction

Trailer construction

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