Trailer building principles

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Is there a good resource for building trailers?  I see a lot of trailers and a lot of good, constructive criticism on this forum.  Where do you get the information to learn proper procedures for building and repairing trailers?  (please don't reply with a "if you don't know, don't do it")I have an acquaintance who is building a car hauler and it scares me to death, thinking about his construction techniques and lack of ability to ask proper questions of others.
Reply:There are a few good YouTube builds.  Search on "trailer build".  Reserching for myself as well.  Good luck with your build.Cheers, Patrick
Reply:Either by experience, or use engineered drawings. You can also go to the local trailer sales lot and copy their design. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...er-blueprints?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:A 91 year old man in Parsons, Kansas told how ling the length of the tongue should be from the front edge of the trailer. Measure your tow vehicles rear bumper from the center to the I/a edge and add 6". I've built a 16' and an 18' trailers and they pull great. Also squaring the trailer to the axles is critical. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Lanse, who is a member of this forum, has many welding videos on YouTube.  His YouTube handle is ChuckE2009.  He just posted the first video regarding building a trailer from scratch.  Here's the link...    It might help you with your question.Lincoln Precision TIG 185.Flex-Loc 150 torch.Super-Flex hose.Lincoln MIG 180.Victor Oxy/Act torch set.DeWalt Bandsaw with SWAG stand
Reply:Just don't put "110v mig" and "trailer building/repair" in the same thread question. It will bring on lots of flame!!                                                                                  MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:The advise to copy factory trailers is a good one - likely you'll make them a little heavier though.If you are comfortable with the math and engineering formulas, then books should be on your list.No youtube video will give you the knowledge you need to properly design welded structures - in my opinion.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I just wonder if you built a trailer without using engineered drawings, and didn't have the magic number of 20-years of experience how far out on a limb you are legal wise if there was an accident?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI just wonder if you built a trailer without using engineered drawings, and didn't have the magic number of 20-years of experience how far out on a limb you are legal wise if there was an accident?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveI was unaware of magic year numbers .
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWell not that I know anything, but I've been in a few court cases over the years. For some reason a judge doesn't want to hear your lips flap unless you have at least 20-years in the trade.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI just wonder if you built a trailer without using engineered drawings, and didn't have the magic number of 20-years of experience how far out on a limb you are legal wise if there was an accident?
Reply:Originally Posted by Spool GunSo, if a person that builds a trailer with 20 years experience and it fails, is that person in more or less trouble than a person with 2yrs experience! Just wondering, that's all.
Reply:When you compare the cost of materials with the cost of a trailer mass produced, how much of a cost savings do you get? By the time I buy all the steel, axles, tires, and wheels, it's hardly worth my trouble. At least in this part of the country.Miller Bobcat 250Syncrowave  200Millermatic 252Spoolmatic 30ASpectrum 625 X-TremeMaxstar 150SVictor O/A torchesDewalt angle grindersWelded on/off for over 40 years.
Reply:Originally Posted by GobyskyBy the time I buy all the steel, axles, tires, and wheels, it's hardly worth my trouble. At least in this part of the country.
Reply:I think its cheaper to buy a trailer already built than buy one unless you need a trailer for something vary specific like a trailer for hauling a snowmobile and a jet ski at once. I don't know how common it is to haul a jet ski and snowmobile at once but its the first thing to pop to my mind.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:When I started building trailers in the 1970's many of the plans available had axles 6-8 inches to far forward.  I measure from the front of the bed to the front axle spring hanger.  I like to see the front spring bolt to be no further forward than 1/2 the length of the bed.  If it is ahead of that I usually don't look any further at it.  Needs the weight on the pulling vehicle to tow well. Take lots of measurements of a design that you like, make sure of your abilities. If you sell it be very aware of the possible liability the trailers I built were because could not find one as heavy as I thought I needed, of was for specialty purpose. For instance needing to match wheel track of towing vehicle for going through snow or mud to get hay to cattle there by reducing drag.
Reply:if you want a cheap trailer buy one if you want a good trailer build one. i never looked at a commercial trailer that the welds didnt suck.
Reply:Northern tool used to sell a 2 or 3 book collection.   If I recall correctly it was branded by Lincoln electric.    They we're wonderfully written.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:I buy crappy trailers (Rust, rotten wood floor) of Kijiji (Craigslist if you are American). Then, build my own frame. The trailers i buy have good springs (sometimes) tires and rips, axles, tongue, etc. I just steal all the good parts and swap them on. Some times new tires or something like that is needed, but mostly good to go. I got a nice trailer for $25! Thats axle, tungue, and some other stuff. Just slap a new frame on it, good to go.
Reply:Originally Posted by WenValleyLanse, who is a member of this forum, has many welding videos on YouTube.  His YouTube handle is ChuckE2009.  He just posted the first video regarding building a trailer from scratch.  Here's the link...    It might help you with your question.
Reply:Found this at northern tool.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ler-blueprints
Reply:With some 20 years experience in this I can say that there are as many ways to build a trailer as there are people who want one. There are some good rules to follow that seem to be mostly ignored by both home builders and most of the cheaper manufacturers. If you really want help post some pics of what he has and ask for advice. There are just too many variables to give much advice without it. Here are a few I've learned the hard way tho. 1: Put a crossmember at every spring hanger to prevent flexing while turning and under heavy loads.2: full height crossmember at every bend in the frame, such as where the tongue bends in in the main rails.  3: in open frame trailers like the one above, put an upright above wherever the tongue crosses the main frame. Such as at the rear of the tongue and at the front where the tongue crosses under the front angle.4:the lighter the frame the more crossmembers or ties you need. You can cut a lot of dead weight from a lot of the trailers I've seen and still be more than strong enough to do the job, you just need to keep the parts from moving around.This is only a few of the things I've learned the hard way, but are the ones I see mostly ignored by novices and cheap commercial manufacturers.Last edited by welderj; 02-03-2014 at 01:01 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by Spool GunSo, if a person that builds a trailer with 20 years experience and it fails, is that person in more or less trouble than a person with 2yrs experience! Just wondering, that's all.
Reply:Originally Posted by GobyskyWhen you compare the cost of materials with the cost of a trailer mass produced, how much of a cost savings do you get? By the time I buy all the steel, axles, tires, and wheels, it's hardly worth my trouble. At least in this part of the country.Originally Posted by flux core joeI think its cheaper to buy a trailer already built than buy one unless you need a trailer for something vary specific like a trailer for hauling a snowmobile and a jet ski at once. I don't know how common it is to haul a jet ski and snowmobile at once but its the first thing to pop to my mind.
Reply:Awesome videoSent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Reply:Not that I know anything about the law. Seems to me anyone who builds a few trailer a year in their backyard / barn over the course of 20-years. Never worked as a professional welder, never been certified. Refuses to use engineered drawings because he has stated on the Internet that engineers don't have a clue how to build a trailer, and then to top it off this individual drives truck for a living. Boy it just seems to me if one of his trailers was in an accident, I'm thinking the prosecuting attorney's office is going have some real fun with this guy. LOL!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:My first welding job was at a Trailer sales and custom build shop. I don't remember all the exact numbers but we had a basic formula for how to figure the axles and crossmembers. The center of your axles should fall at 1/2(trailer length)+1"/ft of total length. So on a 20' trailer your "center" mark came 10'+20" from the front. (11'8")For your hangers you come forward/back 32"(?) and for your fender braces you go forward/back 36".For a single axle you would come forward/back 12 3/8" for hangers and 16" for fender braces.Crossmembers were usually 16" centers. If you used a wrap tongue you would have it butt into the front fender brace, if not you would have a crossmember like 3' or 4' (?) and butt into that.Like some others have said, being square is the most important thing. And having a level plane to work on is critical. (ie use Jack stands)I'll try to draw something up if this doesn't make any sense. Hope this helps.Edit: for a 5' wide you'd have a crossmember 18" from the front, and have your tongue pieces cut 72"It moves up for wider trailers obviously.Last edited by Cool Hand Luke; 02-03-2014 at 11:48 AM.Reason: More info
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusJust don't put "110v mig" and "trailer building/repair" in the same thread question. It will bring on lots of flame!!                                                                                  Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by Canadian WeldingI buy crappy trailers (Rust, rotten wood floor) of Kijiji (Craigslist if you are American). Then, build my own frame. The trailers i buy have good springs (sometimes) tires and rips, axles, tongue, etc. I just steal all the good parts and swap them on. Some times new tires or something like that is needed, but mostly good to go. I got a nice trailer for $25! Thats axle, tungue, and some other stuff. Just slap a new frame on it, good to go.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackwaterstoutI watched the first two videos in Lanses new series today.  Maybe he's building from plans but he never appears to be.  Anyone else think his trailer is looking a little wacky so far?   He welded all the upright supports and maybe its the camera but they didn't look square.  Seemed kind of odd he was using angle as well.  I'm interested in seeing how it turns out.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI just wonder if you built a trailer without using engineered drawings, and didn't have the magic number of 20-years of experience how far out on a limb you are legal wise if there was an accident?
Reply:Originally Posted by BrianCCommon sense and knowledge doesn't have a 'year' limit.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPNot that I know anything about the law. Seems to me anyone who builds a few trailer a year in their backyard / barn over the course of 20-years. Never worked as a professional welder, never been certified. Refuses to use engineered drawings because he has stated on the Internet that engineers don't have a clue how to build a trailer, and then to top it off this individual drives truck for a living. Boy it just seems to me if one of his trailers was in an accident, I'm thinking the prosecuting attorney's office is going have some real fun with this guy. LOL!
Reply:Jon when you spend those long hours in your big rig, listening to your mental chatter. Please don't talk your self into believing you are smarter than an engineer! It's just the fall out from what you've been smoking all these years. Your biggest claim to fame is building a few trailer in your barn. Be careful here you're playing with real welders, not pretend welders like your self! Last edited by CEP; 02-03-2014 at 06:22 PM.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPJon when you spend those long hours in your big rig, listening to your mental chatter. Please don't talk your self into believing you are smarter than an engineer! It's just the fall out from what you've been smoking all these years. Your biggest claim to fame is building a few trailer in your barn. Be careful here you're playing with real welders, not pretend welders like your self!
Reply:this covers trailer building Probably source it at amazon
Reply:Originally Posted by BobGet off your high horse and quit being an ***. The man said he has been certified for jobs and has had his own business. I have run into engineers that don't know spit about their jobs as I have weldors. Most trailers don't require any kind of engineering on them but I've seen engineers that could screw them up. A trailer is a rectangle with a triangle under one end with an axle under it, no big deal. So lighten up a little.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPJon when you spend those long hours in your big rig, listening to your mental chatter. Please don't talk your self into believing you are smarter than an engineer! It's just the fall out from what you've been smoking all these years. Your biggest claim to fame is building a few trailer in your barn. Be careful here you're playing with real welders, not pretend welders like your self!
Reply:Took you quite some time to come up with a snappy reply, what did you have to wait until your wife got home to put the words in place for you? Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI just wonder if you built a trailer without using engineered drawings, and didn't have the magic number of 20-years of experience how far out on a limb you are legal wise if there was an accident?
Reply:Originally Posted by gnm109I think that there is always a possibility of a legal action if there is a failure in a structure that one builds. If you had drawings AND proper insurance, there's not too much about which to worry. Without drawings, it would be difficult to defend against a charge of negligence.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobGet off your high horse and quit being an ***. The man said he has been certified for jobs and has had his own business. I have run into engineers that don't know spit about their jobs as I have weldors. Most trailers don't require any kind of engineering on them but I've seen engineers that could screw them up. A trailer is a rectangle with a triangle under one end with an axle under it, no big deal. So lighten up a little.
Reply:I've been around engineers, architects, masters and phd degrees, real welders, not so real welders and I've seen all of these fail at what they were supposed to know and do correctly. I've had doctors, attorneys, and all listed above screw up big time. We are only human and if the young man wants to build his trailer who are we to tell him he can't. Did someone tell you you couldn't build your first welding table because if someone stubbed their toe on it you would be sued. Big friggin' deal. Go find you a set of plans, ask all the questions you want, buy the materials and put the thing together and use it. How many utility trailers are built annually in shops where no one is certified, that went to a votech school and jumped out there making a living any damn way he could. Young man, jump on your project and do it the best you can and be proud that you accomplished something besides rhetoric. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Use common sense do your best make your welds that you would trust your life on and you will be OK. We all have J. R. Bauer
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDave+1You got issues man....
Reply:Next stop is the penalty box....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Its time out for the both of you
Reply:Now, i think we can all agree, building a trailer has nothing to do with how safe it is, it depends on who puts it on the truck. I have seen many people towing trailers with no clue how to hook them up or drive with them. I have even see the aftermath of a boat trailer coming off a truck at 50+ miles. Not good.