Adding onto a trailer lenth

[jack707]

I am thinking of adding 4 feet total to a 16 foot car trailer. I have been looking on line about the 60 40 rule now everybody had their own way of doing it so how would you do it?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am thinking of adding 4 feet total to a 16 foot car trailer. I have been looking on line about the 60 40 rule now everybody had their own way of doing it so how would you do it?

Sell the trailer and buy another.

I'm not being a smart azz. It's tougher than it looks and the reality is it will end up being heavier than it needs to be, pull awful, and be something no one else wants at a later date.

Chris

 

[jack707]

It's easy say sell but if there no buyers then what do you do?

 

[lostcause]

It's easy say sell but if there no buyers then what do you do?

Start out by providing a lot more information. If you want good answers you'll need to supply your design and fabrication capabilities along with a bunch of pictures and material specs of the trailer.

 

[2458n]

Got to be a buyer for a 16 ft. car trailer. Tires are bad? Tongue bent ? See if someone wants to trade for your trailer on a longer one or for something else you could use. Chris is correct in his reply.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It's easy say sell but if there no buyers then what do you do?

There is a rear end for every saddle.

I have been in the boat and trailer business for over 25 years. It just doesn't work out doing that much modifying. Weight and balance are always a issue.

The side rails and axles are sized accordingly. To do it your will have to add structure. That's going to raise the trailer making it tougher to load, less stable, less fuel efficient, ect. It also will add significantly to the empty weight. About 500 to 700#. This will make the trailer easily overloaded.

Lastly, the cost. You will need new decking, the steel, the welding supplies, new wiring for lights and brakes, ect.

Chris

 

[Sodo]

In my area good used trailers sell for about 75% of new ones, it's crazy. With a new one you will get new tires, new lights, new deck, wiring and brakes, for 25%.

If it's an old trailer, and not attractive enough to sell well, I'd lengthen it to make it work for you. I'd do the 60/40, that's 20" longer in the back - not much. Make sure you use the same materials it was built with, same channel etc and put doublers on the inside. The outside you can grind it to be invisible. Longer trailer holds more "stuff", so be careful not to overload it. Someone else may be unaware it's a smaller trailer with a big deck, assume the axles are bigger etc, and overload it, that's the downside.

 

[4570Man]

If you do it you will need to move the axels back. I agree that it's a bad idea.

 

[CCWKen]

Save the cost of the plasma cutter and new compressor and put it toward a new trailer. There's no law that says you can't own two trailers then sell one.

But, I have no dog in the fight. I could never justify the cost of a trailer. The number of times I've used a rental in the past still wouldn't pay for the axles and wheels of a new one.

 

[roadhunter]

Great opportunity to go buy a 110v mig and slap another 4 ft on that trailer. While you are at it throw another axle under there.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Good advice so far. Probably better to get what you need. Trailers are pretty cheap all things considered.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Not saying it can't be done, just suggesting that maybe it shouldn't be done.

If you are a good enough welder and fabricator, you likely wouldn't be asking the question in the first place. You would already know the factors involved regarding the proper materials.

That's not to say you can't learn, or that you can't do it... just kindly suggesting you think things thru very well. Once you make these kind of modifications, you take on alot of liability should something happen while you own it, or even after you sell it, should that happen.

To answer your original question, I can't, without more information, and better yet, pictures. Lots more info needed for a reasonable answer to be given.

 

[Sodo]

I am thinking of adding 4 feet total to a 16 foot car trailer. I have been looking on line about the 60 40 rule now everybody had their own way of doing it so how would you do it?

Is the trailer 60/40 now? If it's a pro-built trailer maybe extend it the same ratio as the mfr did.

I agree about giving it a hard thought. Set a 4x8 sheet of plywood on blocks, or on the ramps behind the trailer, and look it over. 4 feet is a lot bigger. Can you get what you need by adding 2 or 3 feet?

 

[jack707]

Well I can get the tractor on and the bucket to on the trailer but the tractor is so far back!!!!.I'll post a pic.later. After thinking about it more you guys are right it looks easy but I don't know trailers. I have the add on CL and no calls and the price is good but one wants to buy now.

 

[jack707]

Just to weld on 4 ' would be a lot of work!. That black band is right at 14 feet that where my tractor wheels land so this way I could have the few on the trailer also.

 

[Sodo]

I suppose you have tried backing the tractor on, that doesn't work? Is there too much tongue weight?

When you extend it... consider deleting that bend. Maybe it won't need to extend a whole 4 feet. How close are you to the "MFR's weight limit"?

And are you confident of your weld/fabrication ability? This is kinda serious business, you want a bit of experience behind this kind of fabrication (to put it lightly).

 

[jack707]

I think I am close if you go by the numbers on the web. If I do it that way I won't have to move the axles at all!.

 

[bspeedy]

It's easy say sell but if there no buyers then what do you do?

At the proper price, there will be a buyer. Priced reasonably, anything will sell. Don't do some half-azzed modification. You'll end up worse off. Throwing good money at something to sort-of make it work... doesn't work.

Sell for what it's worth, buy a good one. New is often the best value when you consider that a used trailer may have old tires, rotting deck, dry bearings...

 

[jack707]

At the proper price, there will be a buyer. Priced reasonably, anything will sell. Don't do some half-azzed modification. You'll end up worse off. Throwing good money at something to sort-of make it work... doesn't work.

Sell for what it's worth, buy a good one. New is often the best value when you consider that a used trailer may have old tires, rotting deck, dry bearings...

I have it posted at 2600 cash.

 

[Sodo]

That's a nice trailer. If you do a mod, do a good job! Steel mods are easy for me, almost easier than the whole craigslist thing which could include a fiasco or two, so I'm a little biased. Plus I enjoy it. Good luck with the decision. As said I'd find the minimum extension that makes it work for your needs. If you truly need ,,,,,4 feet,,,, that makes this job kinda iffy, looking towards a bigger trailer makes a lot of sense. Eqpt that works ----for your needs----- (and is safe) is a beautiful thing, sometimes you have to force the issue....

 

[jack707]

That's a nice trailer. If you do a mod, do a good job! Steel mods are easy for me, almost easier than the whole craigslist thing which could include a fiasco or two, so I'm a little biased. Plus I enjoy it. Good luck with the decision. As said I'd find the minimum extension that makes it work for your needs. If you truly need ,,,,,4 feet,,,, that makes this job kinda iffy, looking towards a bigger trailer makes a lot of sense. Eqpt that works ----for your needs----- (and is safe) is a beautiful thing, sometimes you have to force the issue....

Thanks! If I have the time and the money to buy the iron I will do it just don't know when? When I backed it out yesterday the anti freeze broke thru! Owell it's just money!.