Anyone here remeber the car trailer project I started about a year ago?

Well, it's just about done...90% completed with just a few items to finish up.

Here's a list of pics from the beginning to current with the most recent at the bottom of the list named trailer_box and trailer_done.jpg.

http://www.qis.net/~geislert

Man, towed today in some nasty 20-30 mph wind gusts and it towed extremely well. I'm quite pleased with how well it towes and also the tool storage box is long overdue. No more piling the back of the Suburban full of tools/parts.

WOW......That is a job well done graemlins/thumbsup.gif .....Great looking pair being towed by the big ole CHEVY......

That's just plain kick a$$. Period.

Beautiful job as always Todd. How much invested in materials?

Jim

Originally posted by 77 cruiser:
Beautiful job as always Todd. How much invested in materials?

Jim Way, way too much...project got way out of hand and had to bail or finish it...obviously, it got finished.

I believe there's between $4-5k in the whole deal...steel, axles, wheels, radial tires, electrical system, fasteners & hardware, blasting, painting, winch, etc.

Cost wise, it's isn't far off of an entry level enclosed trailer, but this just is so much more menuverable and tows so much nicer.

Thanks for the compliments guys. I always try to make my work look as good or better than what is commercially available. I have a fellow at the gas station the other day ask me what I paid for this trailer...he was shocked when I said "I built it". That put a little smile on my face :D .

slick and cool. if you build it yourself you get what want instead of what somebody else wants to sell you. job well done.

Tom

Man, I'm impressed. That is a nice rig. I'd gladly trade you my 25 year old Ez-Tow for it.

Outstanding as usual Todd graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Todd,

Job well done. You should be proud. Great looking combo. graemlins/beers.gif

Originally posted by 10secBu:

No more piling the back of the Suburban full of tools/parts. That will be nice!!
I am heading out to the track in a few minutes and have the Chevelle piled full of tools, tires, jack..... :(

Beautiful work Todd. graemlins/thumbsup.gif I'd be proud of that.

Todd,

Well done, great attention to detail on everything including wiring. I like the way you did the removable fender, even a grab handle, very clean.

I am in the process of building one right now, so the pictures (ideas) help.

I looked for pictures of how you fastened your tie down brackets, but I couldn't find any from underneath. Did you just tie them to the plate or catch a cross member? I was thinking the plate would be strong enough.

Bill

Great job Todd, your attention to detail is amazing...its lookin good....is that Ed's Christmas gift :confused: :D

Todd, did you draw your own plans or use pre-drawn plans?

Glad you posted the pictures of the completed box and trailer. You did a really nice job on it, very nice fabrication work!!! graemlins/beers.gif

At this point, I'm just glad the project is nearing the end...dragged on way too long.

Bill, pics & 12 & 21 show the tie downs and their reinforcing plates which were welded to the frame members on two sides...1/4" thick plate. The diamond plate was sandwiched between the reinforcing plate and the tie down.

Robert...gift? I_don't_think_so. lol

Pat, I drew the plans up myself doing the needed load calculations for correct axle placement to achieve approx 10% tongue weight.

10 Sec bu, A friend and I have been talking about building also. Your work looks really good.

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Todd, where did you get the Bracket for the rear brake lines that bolt to the housing cover? Thanks Dave

Originally posted by sheetmetal:
Todd, where did you get the Bracket for the rear brake lines that bolt to the housing cover? Thanks Dave I'm not sure what bracket your refering to. Can you tell me whic picture you saw it on?

its the 12 bolt pic. the 2 brake lines come togeter at the splitter over the rear axil. theres a Bracket that holds the splitter on the rear axil housing with 2 bolts.

Oh, Ok. Thought you meant on the trailer...confused me for a minute.

The bracket your refering to I made from scratch.

Todd,

I checked out the pictures on the hold downs, I will do the same, it looks strong and safe.

Any chance you can tell me how you calculated tongue weight? I have 3500# Dexter torflex axles set a 22 degrees. Hope to get the top of the bed no higher than 17 inches off the ground with no load.

I figure the trailer will come in near 1000#, add 4000# of car and gear, thats about 5000#. I'm thinking about 500#s tongue weight, yes/no?

The big question is where to place the front axle, I will not have a box on mine and it is a lot shorter(14foot bed) than yours. I was going to place it dead center. Other trailers I have looked at have it centered or anywhere to the rear of center about 10 inches.

Thanks Bill

Bill,

I used two books by M.M. Smith called "Trailers How to design & build" volume 1 & 2. These were invaluable for reference and formulas on proper axle placement.

Dexter is also a good resource to call on axles & deck height. They sent me some tech sheets telling me the deck height with a given axle start angle, frame rail height, and tire size.

I'm using the 3500 lb torflex with the 10 degree down start angle and a 205/75-15 radial tire. With the 5" high frame rail, my deck height is 19" with no load on it. I forgot to mearure it with the car loaded...but was designed to sit at 18" loaded.

Keep in mind that Dexter wants a minimum of 3" from the top of the tire to the inside of the fender with the trailer fully loaded. This allows for harsh bump loads without having the tire rub the fender up top. This clearance made my fenders sit up higher which caused the clearance issue with my car door. I then had to make the drivers side fender removable (fenders are 11" above deck). I agree in trying to keep the deck low for a lower center of gravity.

Yes, if your gross is 5000 lbs, then shoot for 500 lbs of tongue weight with the vehicle loaded where you want it to sit. Mine is approx 6000 lbs loaded and should have about 600 lbs of tongue weight.

I would not center the axle, rather do some calculations or possibly copy dimensions of a trailer design you KNOW tows and handles well.

This trailer is a tad heavy due to the box and the solid diamond plate deck. DP sheet is very heavy, so open center trailers are considerably lighter. My old open center econo-trailer was approx. 1250 lbs. and it had "C" channel frame and minimal crossmembers. I'd have to check my notes, but I believe this trailer is approx 2000-2200 lbs empty...deck is 17 1/2 foot long plus another 30" where the box resides, plus tongue length (4" if memory serves).

Awesome, a thing of beauty graemlins/thumbsup.gif . You should post this on the Hobart Welding Talk Board - I know those guys would love it.

Originally posted by Hobart:
Awesome, a thing of beauty graemlins/thumbsup.gif . You should post this on the Hobart Welding Talk Board - I know those guys would love it. I already have...been posting there on this project since day one...the folks there were quite interested in seeing the progress.

Can someone give me the Hobart welding site...Thanks....

Hobart boards:
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/index.php?s=
Todd, I've seen a few of your posts, but not on the trailer. But I've been hanging around the "Welding Products" board more than the other two... bet those guys love it... you do very nice work!

Hey Hobart, got any deals on GTAW machines. I want to use it for roll bars and cages. High Freq start would be nice, with a roller decay switch. Anything other than that I don't need. Thanks

Aaron, I have no association with Hobart Welders. The only reason Hobart is my TC name is because at some point after buying my first Hobart welder, one of my friends began comparing me with Bart Simpson and making fun of how much time I was spending welding, so he started calling me Hobart ;) . On the Hobart board, I use LynchMobRacing for my "handle" so as not to create any confusion over there. Check out the link I posted above, and root around awhile and you'll find various posts come up with internet sources to buy discounted welders. Also, the board moderators work for Hobart/Miller (same company nowdays), and they sometimes have info on factory reconditioned welders. At the least, there is a lot of good info there to be found.

You are my hero. When I grow up, I wanna be just like you smile.gif I am so envious of people who can weld and fabricate. Guess I should get off my lazy butt and start learning.

Awe, you blew it. graemlins/sad.gif

You should've painted it to match your car. tongue.gif

Just kidding, I'll bet when other racers see it, they will ask you to make more for them too. graemlins/beers.gif

Really an outstanding job. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Real nice Todd..I gotta get a trailer.

Todd

Man you out did yourself. I don't think you could compete with other manufacturers for the following reasons.

1. You took way too much pride in your work.
2. It looks too good.
3. WAY and I mean WAY too much common sense in some of the features.
4. You actually used good materials
5. It looks like a quality piece.

Just joking todd you did a fantastic job.

I am a project design engineer for a consumer products company and I have to say you did a great job. alot of great features. If you were to go into production and were able to buy materials in bulk the trailer would have been cheaper. But you know what they say you get what you paid for and you paid extra and got awhole lot more.

Todd

Daaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnn, Thats a SWEET trailer ! Hats off !
Kick Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Jesse James right into the street. I think I see the Discovery Channel cameras coming you way.

One official "Atta Boy" coming your way !

Thanks Guys...no more trailer projects of this scale for a while...too time consuming and too expensive.

Couple more pics uploaded. These are of the redesigned winch access door and the beginning stages of the .090" sheet aluminum cover for the winch. This cover will be my first aluminum Tig project.

Images trailer_box 34 through 41.

Kick Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Jesse James right into the street.
[/QB]:D And I bet there was a ton more work and a lot less arguing and cursing going on in Todd's garage. :D

Looks awsome! graemlins/thumbsup.gif
I have been thinking of building one myself. I
will have to get the two books you mentioned.
Fantastic looking trailer! The car does not look
bad either. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

A couple more images posted...trailer_box 42 through 46.

Todd really too nice to hall a car on it should be on display somewhere. One word of advice do not ever loan it to anyone. I learned the hard way.

Originally posted by Mike Feudo:
Todd really too nice to hall a car on it should be on display somewhere. One word of advice do not ever loan it to anyone. I learned the hard way. Thats the truth, I normally use my uncles trailer
and just about every time I wind up fixing something
that someone else tore up when they borrowed it
from him.