Split-dovetail car hauler trailer

[buggyman1]

Really nice work. But your helper is stealing the show....

Any idea of the cost savings by building it yourself?

Thanks...she's worth it. I don't think there is any cost savings at all, but there's prob. not another trailer like it either.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Looking good, do you have any idea of over all curb weight yet? I have a all steel 20 foot that is 2900 lbs but I really like the all steel. I have two flip up side wind jacks, one on each side at the rear, these have worked great for stabilizers when loading anything that is going to take weight off the front as it's loaded.

 

[buggyman1]

Looking good, do you have any idea of over all curb weight yet? I have a all steel 20 foot that is 2900 lbs but I really like the all steel. I have two flip up side wind jacks, one on each side at the rear, these have worked great for stabilizers when loading anything that is going to take weight off the front as it's loaded.

Thanks. No I don't know the weight yet. I'll be pulling mine with a one ton supercab truck with a nine and 1/2 foot flatbed. I'm gonna test it out with a car before I decide if I go with some type of stabilizers.

 

[buggyman1]

Have you seen these? Biker Bar

View attachment 404777

View attachment 404778

Thanks for the link, i'll def. look into these.

 

[Renze]

Yeah, I've thought about this as I've had the same problem in the past, at this point i'm not sure how i'm going to address this yet. Thanks for your input.

Foldable rear stands, that fold up to the front, and hit the rear C channel when hinging to the back, are the standard answer. If a loaded trailer is sitting on these because the terrain is uneven, you can allways fold them up by reversing. (driving forward will push them firm against the rear C channel and prevent the truck taking off with a trailer lifting its rear wheels off the ground)

A manual switch on your electric trailer brakes (parking brake) perhaps is also sufficient.

 

[Leylands]

Nice job so far, your design and attention to detail is great! I like your lighting approach on the front bar/winch mount.. That will come in handy.
I have been eying up car haulers for a few years and yet to pull the trigger for the same reasons. I have built a handful of smaller trailers, but nothing of this size. Seeing your build has my gears turning...

Have you considered having it galvanized?

 

[buggyman1]

Nice job so far, your design and attention to detail is great! I like your lighting approach on the front bar/winch mount.. That will come in handy.
I have been eying up car haulers for a few years and yet to pull the trigger for the same reasons. I have built a handful of smaller trailers, but nothing of this size. Seeing your build has my gears turning...

Have you considered having it galvanized?

Thanks. Never thought (or knew you could) galvanize something this big, not sure of the process.

 

[alphaMale]

Is there a reason for keeping the leaf springs supported by u bolt rather than placed on the axle and the u bolt will hold it in place.

With such heavy structure I am just woried about the rating of the u bolt.

 

[buggyman1]

Is there a reason for keeping the leaf springs supported by u bolt rather than placed on the axle and the u bolt will hold it in place.

With such heavy structure I am just woried about the rating of the u bolt.

I'm not sure, that's the hanger kit that came with the axles so i'm thinking it will be fine.

 

[alphaMale]

You propably right if it came as a match set.

I have to select the parts for my trailer from a junk yard and I have to be more carefull.

I will post my trailer photos when I am done.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks. Never thought (or knew you could) galvanize something this big, not sure of the process.

I have seen several galvanized trailers for sale.

Here is some info: How Much Does HDG Cost? | American Galvanizers Association

And a 20 year warranty: Hot Dip Galvanizing Get Effective Protective Coatings For Galvanized Steel Black Steel Aluminum Metal Substrates

Locations for one company: United States

 

[mikehaugen]

The trailer manufacturer that I used to work for galvanized probably 75% of the trailers they manufactured... they were built to order and the customer could choose galv or paint. IIRC they were sent to a place near St. Louis.

 

[George2615]

I didn't even notice her boots until I went to post it to this thread.

When my daughter was small she put her winter boots on to go outside. I told her that her boots were on the wrong feet. She looked at me and said " But Dad, they can't be on the wrong feet, they're the only feet I have".

Great job by the way. Very professional.

 

[Kenneth S]

Very nice work!

 

[Leylands]

Should consider looking into it. Around here there are two places locally we can take projects to for hot dip galvanizing. Perhaps it more popular due to harsher winter conditions up here in Canada with salt/sand used all winter, but pretty easy and surprisingly not much more expensive than paint considering the longevity and consideration for fully sealed material (being dipped in a tank of liquid, all exposed metal, even inside of tubing if holes are drilled..) Extra work involved though, disassemble the entire trailer after completing it, and haul it to factory... Pick up few weeks later when it's done and re-assemble. For something this nice, I wouldn't think twice. Will last a lifetime.

 

[Renze]

Thanks. Never thought (or knew you could) galvanize something this big, not sure of the process.

At the trailer builder i worked from 2005-2008 galvanising was the standard process. You just had to drill lots of holes for the molten zinc to run out, when its dipped no air pockets may occur or the zinc wont flow up into recesses, or if the C channels are dipped with the open end upwards, zinc will collect.

Also, you need to weld one or two crossmembers at a time left, then two right, or the shrink stress from welding will come out in the 450 degree zinc bath and the frame will warp. But its the best corrosion protection there is, and due to reduced labour cost it is usually cheaper than blasting and painting.

 

[buggyman1]

When my daughter was small she put her winter boots on to go outside. I told her that her boots were on the wrong feet. She looked at me and said " But Dad, they can't be on the wrong feet, they're the only feet I have".

Great job by the way. Very professional.

Thanks

 

[buggyman1]

Very nice work!

Thanks

 

[buggyman1]

I have to say, this galvanizing is something new to me. I thought about powder coating but the cost (and finding an oven that big) will probably keep me from going that way. A buddy of mine owns a body shop and has agreed to paint it but at this point i'm not sure what i'll do. I even thought about getting the top Rhino-Lined. I have a ways to go yet before I make up my mine.

 

[Attono]

Heck with the trailer... I want to see some more pictures of the shop! Wish I had that much space and equipment!