Design and Fabricating A Small Welding Trailer

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My first build project here. Im planning to build a small welding trailer till I save enough to buy a Miller Bobcat or Trailblazer to put on it. I do welding projects for friends and family often (sled/quad/hunting trailers etc) and want to be more easily portable. I work in a busy steel shop and have access to anything I need. The trailer is going to be small enough to hold a oxygen bottle, welding mixed gas bottle, propane tank and maybe my argon bottle. Also a Job Box for my welder and gear. I have been thinking of building a rack to hold steel. My welder is a Air Liquide 220 volt that has no problem welding 1/4" which is all I do for now. I have a trailer that is in desperate need of rebuild but the axle is in good condition from a truck rear end with no gears in the pumpkin. It can hold a lot of weight.I am going to design it in AutoCAD 2010 and Google Sketchup (3D). Just wondering if anyone had some input/ideas to add and trailer pictures? ThxLast edited by oxygen454; 12-24-2010 at 01:57 AM.
Reply:Drawings are coming soon, maybe what will spice this thread up a bit.
Reply:Here's a picture of mine, (my old one first two pics) I wanted to build mine from scratch,(6X10 tandem axle) but after getting prices for the material, it was cheaper to buy one. After searching the classifieds I found a 6X12 tandem axle for $500.00, and after I put in a new floor, lights, spare tire and paint, $925.00.My first one was a 5X8 single axle 3500lbs.Good luck on your project and post pics, please. We like pictures.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Attached Images
Reply:CajunThanks for posting those pics. Im going to build a larger trailer for my welder and realy dont have a clue what I need or want. I like how you have the vise on the back. I wanna make a place to put my gas on the trailer. As far as I know Im one of 3 guys that have a portable welder in the area. Putting it on a batter trailer may come in handy for farm equipment repairs out in the field. It will save someone from bringing the equipment  to a shop. How much dose that welder weigh? Im guess alot more than my ranger 8
Reply:Sa200 is about 1300lbs. The trailer, like you see it, weighs 3940lbs, thats why I had to get a tandem axle. I was using the single axle and thought I was around 3500lbs, then I went on job for a farmer that had a scale, and after weighing it, I was 440lbs over. I'm glad I went with the 6X12, because I have room for my jack stands, saw horses, and another tool box. I'm putting in another oxygen and acetylene bottle rack.
Reply:Not sure your location, but quite a few trailer builders can put together a nice tandem axle 7000# trailer for  about 1500.00.  I like building too, but it is tough to beat their price.
Reply:Im in the top left corner of Sc.
Reply:cajun welder, thanks for the picks. I think I saw your trailer on another thread. I like the idea of the swing out cutting table and the vice. Something I'm defiantly thinking of using. The umbrella is pretty cool too if its raining out which living on the coast, that's all it does here is rain. lolI was contemplating steel or wood deck floor. Tongue and groove wood can be lighter and cheaper. The sides might be expanded metal. Does the touch lines get brittle from the sun? A hitch lock is a must and chains maybe for the tires. I can build it for next to nothing as a lot of steel gets scrapped at my work that I can have for free or really cheap.
Reply:I was thinking something like these photos... not sure where I found them, might have been on this forum...This one is very close but with out the wood sides... mesh insteadThis one is similar as well, but I dont have the portable welder generator yet. (and with out the outrigger style legs)
Reply:OxyI like that little trailer! I never thought of putting the jack on it to level it up. Chalk up another thing about on line forums, lots of eyes looking at a post gives great ideas!
Reply:Thanks Vice, Im doing my research and design before going ahead. I like to plan ahead. Here is my welder. Its small but does a nice job and gets me buy for now. I have had it for about 12 years and has seen a lot of welding time. Everyone likes pictures Last edited by oxygen454; 12-27-2010 at 04:46 PM.Reason: typo
Reply:How small? I have repeatedly told this trailer NOT to leave the property without permission.  These R fun, keep going we love to see li'l trailers with welders on 'em.  I like the one with the built in  swing out steak grill on the rear. Attached ImagesLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:PapaLion, I seen your trailer in the past, its awesome haha. I am thinking a bit bigger as I am going to put a job box on it, a vice and probably the grill (thanks cajun for the idea LOL) I want to put my welder and accessories in a dry secure lock box.Product Depth (in.) : 28.0Product Height (in.) : 29.0Product Weight (lb.) : 159.0Product Width (in.) : 48.0 inAlso a must for the trailer hitch...Last edited by oxygen454; 12-27-2010 at 06:48 PM.
Reply:Heres mine before I rebuilt the eng. Its just on on a bolt togeather trailer with some, maybe VW wheels on it. The deck is plywood. It pulls great, as I pulled it home some 2.5 hours and the guy I bought it from had a few on trailers lie this. But like he said they mostly stayed on a hook on a crain. This one they used mostly for just power. I normaly dont buy something that has a welder on the other end, but I had a good idea that it was running and making power when the rod let loose. Or as I call it, positive crank shaft ventalation  Attached Images
Reply:And what I like is he gave me 50 ft of ground and almost 100ft of lead. So i can leave it out in line with the junk that needs repaired and not have to listen to it run in my little shop. Attached Images
Reply:I took the original axle off this sa-200 and built a solid frame for it, put the axle back on the frame and bolted the machine down. Which is far cry from how it was when I pulled it off a farm. The machine was just welded to the axle and the tongue yellow hammer style. Attached Images
Reply:Here is my work in progress... and working on my Sketchup skills lolStill needs a fold down tailgate. The half rings hold my cylinders and the round ring will hold the propane cylinder.There is enough room that I can move the job box over and put the Bobcat or Trailblazer beside it. .Last edited by oxygen454; 12-27-2010 at 11:41 PM.
Reply:OxyIf I can add my .02 worth of 20 plus yrs of driving a truck. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion, espicaly when that lil old lady pulls out in front of you and your stuff on the trailer slides!   YIKES!
Reply:Thanks for the comment Vince. I plan on bolting everything through the deck to the cross-members for that reason. The tanks will be secured and possibly locked and defiantly capped. The mesh is to keep anything from sliding out that may be small. Everything will be secured very well. Good point non the less.Hopefully I wont need trailer brakes. I am going to add all the building materials, tanks, job box with gear and see what the overall weight will be. Should be fine. Im only using it short haul around the area of which it will be stored.
Reply:I like this one:Link to eBay listingBut I have a feeling it will cost a fortune to make it road worthy. And once completed, the extra weight will waste a ton of fuel.I like where they placed the gas cylinders and how there is a long compartment between the wheels that is close to the ground. It would be a good place to store a ladder, bar stock, a disassembled gantry crane or engine hoist, etc.
Reply:After someone pulled out in front of me and I t boned them, I relized that even though I had everything chained corectly, the chains still streached, but didnt break. The bottles are what Im woried about. From that day I look at stuff with a differnt set of eyes. I never really worrie when pulling a detach, but when I have stuff loaded on the top or on a roll back, well your the first one to get it! Attached Images
Reply:Those are fair sized loads. LOLI was planning on making a scissor like plate system that closes and locks the cylinders in where the upper portion of the tank tapers smaller. This way there is less likely of them to be stolen because they can be locked and secured.
Reply:Throw a D-8 Cat on there, that would look sweet.
Reply:Originally Posted by AaaLI like this one:Link to eBay listingBut I have a feeling it will cost a fortune to make it road worthy. And once completed, the extra weight will waste a ton of fuel.I like where they placed the gas cylinders and how there is a long compartment between the wheels that is close to the ground. It would be a good place to store a ladder, bar stock, a disassembled gantry crane or engine hoist, etc.
Reply:Well I got my dad to send me some pictures of my trailer from his place. I bit smaller than I remember and a bit more rust lol. So it looks like I'm in for quite the rebuild. I might lift the trailer and build over the wheels.I bought the trailer off an older retired man. Its going to need work lol. The reach and hitch looks brutal and the hubs are going to have to be wire wheeled on the outside and repacked with grease on the inside. The up side is the angle is in good condition and can be reused. I also have newer tires for it. Was thinking about extending the axle by doing a cut and splice in, not sure if that can be done as the axle is made with a camber in the middle? Next step is to design the trailer to how I want it to look like and do a cost sheet.Last edited by oxygen454; 12-29-2010 at 06:25 PM.OxyWhat life with out a chalenge? LOL And where would one find rust in the land up north! LOL
Reply:haha true damn rain 80 percent of the year lol. My cost sheet is up to about $250 for paint, consumables, trailer jack and wood (2x4's) Might go tongue and groove.... lesbians like it
Reply:Ive been following this thread for a while and would like to share a design ive been working on.  ive been looking at making a weld trailer for off road. here is my progress hope you like Attached ImagesIf you like my stuff you can find me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/theangryanv...ngryanvilforge
Reply:I like your compact design. Looks good. Are those storage areas going to be locked with lids?
Reply:Here is my design so far. Only question I have is if the reach is going to be long enough to back up the trailer smooth with my truck. Im rebuilding the whole frame with 3" channel and extending the length from the original size.
Reply:I noticed u were not going to put breaks on it possibly , ive found that i enjoy my trailer staying behind me lol , and also around here since i have a big huge name on the side of it DOT loves me , trailer breaks on all axles , dot caps in place , and breakaway switch always charged or we get problems of the 1000s lol , anyway i really just thought id throw that out there , i have a compact 6x10 enclosed with a AEAD200le in it and way over loaded so i went tandem axles and i have totally changed things since these pictures were taken instead of the little red box i now have a top and bottom snap on and have added a few more tanks but just a thought . Attached Images
Reply:Thats a nice rig you have. I wish I had the extra money to have an enclosed trailer. I have seen guys which has quick connects on the outside to hook there torch lines up to, which feed into the tanks on the inside. My traveling will mostly be withing 10 minutes of where it is stored. If I find the truck has a hard time holding it back or pushes too much, then I may ditch the axle and get a brake setup. I have been reading the Canadian DOT regs and Im within limits. Not exceeding 1400kgs and under the second class length.Info for those who are wondering or interested...ICBC insurance for U-built trailers and specsCanadian Federal Lighting (and decal) RegsCanadian Motor Vehicle Act RegsTrailer Brakes NOT Required(i)is 1 400 kg or less, and(ii)  is less than 50% of the licensed vehicle weight of the vehicle by which it is being towedLast edited by oxygen454; 01-01-2011 at 02:29 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by oxygen454I like your compact design. Looks good. Are those storage areas going to be locked with lids?
Reply:Great idea. Hopefully the bottles dont leak and pool gas in there. Shouldn't be a problem. As for my trailer... I have been gathering ideas. I am putting a mounted flood light, a small welding table and some other goodies Im thinking up. Im waiting for the weather to get better and then I will start the fab. Will post pics.... any other ideas you guys have along the way, fire away!
Reply:The best thing about having the enclosed trailer , in the winter time its nice and warm lol , summer time u kick open the extra door and it aint to bad , as far as the cylinders leaking , never had a problem and i did add another reel just for the oxygen acet hoses i just havent taken pictures of it yet . Cant wait to see pictures of your rig when ya build it ! These things make me happy deep down insideI forgot how to change this.
Reply:haha me too (the happy part lol) I have been itching to jump at it. I have the money, just have to do some waiting before I go purchase the steel. Blowing snow outside doesn't help the build either lol... I might have to call up my friend or my dad and use there shops.I think I'm wearing out my autocad designing this thing... parts list and all. Also designing a 20 ton shop press and some off road bumpers that I build for people.
Reply:My cost sheet is up to $400 but thats with a beefy frame with a decent amount of support. Going to run down to one of my favorite stores to pick up a flood light to mount and a trailer jack. I guess I will have to get license plate lights too...
Reply:At 400 bucks Its almost to the point to get a used like 5 x 10 and convert it. But the 400 bucks and making something the way YOU want it is priceless. I get the most satasfaction out of life when Im tearing something apart and rebuilding it. Sometime, most time according to my wife, I wil never recoop what I got in something. Then again those types of projects tend to stay around the house for a long time. The she starts calling them junk! HEHEHEHEHE!
Reply:Hey Vince, I looked into other trailers on the market and they are all flimsy fast production models that sell around $500 used, craigslist. Im already into it for that hunk of junk on the other page for $100 LOL But the axle and suspension is good so I have a start. And I really have to agree with you on making your own stuff. This will be my first project for myself that is not all that small. At work, thats a different story of course. The main frame is going to be 3" channel and the cross supports will be 2"x 2"x 1/4.I hear ya on the wife part too lol.... but come to think of it, this was actually her idea to begin with! She impressed me there! She was like instead of loading the inside of your truck with all your gear (when the weather is bad), why dont you build a trailer that will have the whole setup and something to work on.Last edited by oxygen454; 01-11-2011 at 12:23 PM.