How to go about building a trailer, or getting plans?

[everlastsupport]

I also buy old trailers (that are not boat trailers) as well. A lot of the boat trailers I do end up hauling quad bikes and light things. The axle is back further as well on many of them, things you have to check, like the 60/40 rule. I am moving the axle on the 18' one.

[DaveO]

How tough is it to move the axle? I guess a lot depends on the original design, but that might be a cost-effective solution. In some places old boats and trailers are plentiful- a relative bought a beach property here in VA got a boat in the deal. I think he might have used it once, decided it was too much to fuss with and tried to sell it- no dice. Tried to give it away, no takers- that's when he got the sharp lesson in over-supply and under-demand. Wound up having to pay a junk yard to scrap it.

[everlastsupport]

On the trailer, with wheels a scrap man will take it (today). With no wheels a scrap dealer will take it as well. They pay almost nothing for steel.

The axles is easy to move on the leaf spring types, 4 tabs and 2 bolts per side of each axle.

The boat trailers you can add metal to make it stronger, bad part is narrow ones where the wheels poke through the deck, same for the pop-campers. And the wheels poking through are more work to cover or can be dangerous or damage things.

[dennis]

Most of the time I just rob the axle and springs and start from there. I have about 5 axles laying around. Some of the narrow ones can be cut and a chunk of DOM or pipe welded over it to make it the right width. I have never used the frame unless I used the subframe to build from. I did get a 3 axle for $150 and used 99% of it to build a car trailer. But it was very strong and the frame was 4x8 I beam.

[hooda]

Even though I like the ideas posted here about repurposing old trailers and customizing to suit, (plus the added bonus of using you're EVERLAST machine that much more) If you have a Northern Tool nearby, they usually have a good assortment of complete trailer plans. Ranging from little 4 x 6 open utility models, to tandem axle, 10 ton rated gooseneck models. Might even be able to get the plans off their website. I happened across a closeout sale there a year ago or so, and they had plans that were priced up to $39.99 marked down to 99 cents!! I ended up with 12 sets of plans for 12 different trailers that would have cost me about $240. for $12.00. If you need plans and are unable to find any, I could send you a set for the cost of copying, just keep in mind that these are FULL SIZE prints, so I'll need to find a spot that will copy them. Just let me know.

[zoama]

Even though I like the ideas posted here about repurposing old trailers and customizing to suit, (plus the added bonus of using you're EVERLAST machine that much more) If you have a Northern Tool nearby, they usually have a good assortment of complete trailer plans. Ranging from little 4 x 6 open utility models, to tandem axle, 10 ton rated gooseneck models. Might even be able to get the plans off their website. I happened across a closeout sale there a year ago or so, and they had plans that were priced up to $39.99 marked down to 99 cents!! I ended up with 12 sets of plans for 12 different trailers that would have cost me about $240. for $12.00. If you need plans and are unable to find any, I could send you a set for the cost of copying, just keep in mind that these are FULL SIZE prints, so I'll need to find a spot that will copy them. Just let me know.

No one will copy them if they're copyrighted.

[everlastsupport]

Most of the time I just rob the axle and springs and start from there. I have about 5 axles laying around. Some of the narrow ones can be cut and a chunk of DOM or pipe welded over it to make it the right width. I have never used the frame unless I used the subframe to build from. I did get a 3 axle for $150 and used 99% of it to build a car trailer. But it was very strong and the frame was 4x8 I beam.

I bought a trailer last month for $40, just for the springs and axle/rims. My son just shorten an axle for a guy. Sounds like we work a like. Lots of fun and some money to be made in there too.

[hooda]

Even though I like the ideas posted here about repurposing old trailers and customizing to suit, (plus the added bonus of using you're EVERLAST machine that much more) If you have a Northern Tool nearby, they usually have a good assortment of complete trailer plans. Ranging from little 4 x 6 open utility models, to tandem axle, 10 ton rated gooseneck models. Might even be able to get the plans off their website. I happened across a closeout sale there a year ago or so, and they had plans that were priced up to $39.99 marked down to 99 cents!! I ended up with 12 sets of plans for 12 different trailers that would have cost me about $240. for $12.00. If you need plans and are unable to find any, I could send you a set for the cost of copying, just keep in mind that these are FULL SIZE prints, so I'll need to find a spot that will copy them. Just let me know.