Building help for a 16' 2 axle trailer for hauling my tractor or vehicles

[singleken45]

I'd like to fabricate a nice double axle trailer for hauling my tractors or a vehicle .I don't think I want it any longer than 16'. I want to design it with a dovetail with (2) hidden ramps . I really don't want a steep dovetail due to it sitting so close to the ground & causing problems such as breaking lights & possible digging into high spots in the ground areas . Another issue with a dovetail being extremely low is that the entrance into my the back of my property is a shared alley that is extremely deeply rutted due to a neighbor carelessly bringing his dual wheeled tow trucks & tilt bed home . Its at the point that the ruts are so deep that it has an extremely high center . He could care less & I won't continue to keep filling in the ruts with the center dirt to have him just tear it up again .So , my trailers dovetail needs to be built just high enough so it's not getting hung-up on the alleys high center . I have a nice set of HD 8 bolt axles with brakes from a deteriated & badly cared for equipment trailer that I had originally bought to restore . But the steel is so far gone , its impossible to restore it or use as a pattern . I'm not sure if I want a solid flat floor or just the (2) runners for the tractor wheels to run on . So if anyone has built one similar , I'd appreciate ideas , material specs & maybe pics or plan drawings . Another thing I question is whether I want a Deck Over or standard style . Thanks & God bless , Ken

 

[mikehaugen]

well, first I would never want an open center trailer. It really limits it to only being useful for a vehicle. Once you have a trailer you want to haul everything on it. I have moved, and helped people move with trailers as well as hauling gravel. I actually use my trailers more than I ever would have thought and many times an open center just wouldn't work. Depending on what the axles came off of, may limit your type of trailer. I am currently planning a deckover trailer, and found that the axles are usually narrower than a fender style trailer. Also not sure if you want hidden ramps, flip down ramps with a leg help support the weight of the vehicle as you drive on- instead of it all being at the rear of the trailer. I currently have a trailer that I bought from a guy that has a real heavy duty gate ramp on the back, but he must have been loading some of his heavy paving equipment on it because the trailer has a bow to it which causes the beavertail to be even closer to the ground. I have drug it on many driveways- even ones that aren't that steep. Ramps with legs are high on my priority list. Good luck, hopefully your will get off the ground faster than mine. If you are interested I have a thread started in the "build it yourself" section called "the trailer saga begins." Not a lot of replies, but I think people are waiting for me to get started and show some pictures.

 

[mikehaugen]

Another thought is that you probably want to have a wood deck. I have always preferred it, but thought that I was in the minority, but reading a lot of these threads it seems that a lot of people prefer wood to steel.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not build it open center.

Now here is the rub. I am in thr trailer business and when I wanted to build my 18' trailer just the steel and wood for the deck cost nearly what it would cost to buy a new one. I still did not have paint, wire, lights, brakes, welding supplies, axles, and running gear.

Do your home work and remember all the little items like the tongue jack, wiring plug, ect. Its usually one of them items that you can buy cheaper than build.

Chris

 

[allen in texas]

I would buy a trailer, (easier and cheaper in the long run from my own experience) and I would get at least a 20 footer. My $0.03 (adjusted for inflation)