Building the lightest trailer to carry 2 ATV's

admin

An engineer I am not, so what kinda of steel should I use to build a 6x10 trailer with a ramp on the side, and on the end.  The max this thing will ever carry is 1200#'s.  Single axle should do fine.  Thanks for any advice.
Reply:as an engineer, I don't approve of hobbyists fabbing up transportation equipment with no engineering approval, or testing of the final product.  I've seen plenty of "good enough" welds break or box sections warp when the hobbyist crowd build things.  It's a remote threat but as a motorcyclists I wouldn't want a ATV trailer breaking loose in front of me on the highway.but it's not up to meI'm pretty sure the DOT and NHTSA have plenty to say on the topic.Welding EngineerCertified Scrap Producer
Reply:Gotta be a trailer place in town to go take a look at.It has been said before but I'll say it againdern things are cheap new- unless I could get the steel and parts for real cheap- making one doesn't save much money.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Unless you have a very, very cheap source for material, I can't believe you can build a trailer cheaper than you can buy one. Paint alone is very expensive! I would look into buying a trailer and modifying it to your needs.
Reply:Why so concerned with the weight of the trailer?New at tractor supply they are around $700I did the research when considering building one myself. I'd be hard pressed to believe you could build it for that amount of money.And don't forget to factor in man hours lost building and rebuilding.1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm11Why so concerned with the weight of the trailer?New at tractor supply they are around $700I did the research when considering building one myself. I'd be hard pressed to believe you could build it for that amount of money.And don't forget to factor in man hours lost building and rebuilding.
Reply:In that case you might consider a ramp to get one in the bed, and a smaller trailer to haul?Dunno?I'm in the same boat my 6cylinder f150 is so sissy. I load it down anyways and roll.I have been strongly considering load leveling springsto correct the sag when loaded and get my headlights back onto the ground.Last edited by jsm11; 06-03-2010 at 05:23 PM.1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:Originally Posted by jsm11In that case you might consider a ramp to get one in the bed, and a smaller trailer to haul?Dunno?I'm in the same boat my 6cylinder f150 is so sissy. I load it down anyways and roll.I have been strongly considering load leveling springsto correct the sag when loaded and get my headlights back onto the ground.
Reply:One, it's prolly cheaper to buy than build for something so generic.Two,  I'll agree that trailers aren't really the best project for an amature.Three,  light weight trailers are overated unless it's a semi-trailer.The amount of weight you can save on a small trailer is equal or less than a passenger weighs.  Do you notice a performance difference when you have a passenger?Light weight trailers generally don't ride worth a **** when empty.  Consider this.  I own these two trailers.  The black one is 4x8 and weighs roughly twice as much as the aluminum one which is 4 1/2x8.  Both have 2000 lb torsion axles.  Both have a tailgate.  When driving down the highway with no trailer, I get roughly 18-22 mpg according to the instant reading in my truck.When towing the black one empty, I get roughly 16-20 mpg.When towing the aluminum one empty, I get roughly 10-16 mpg.Mileage is generally unchanged whether empty or loaded with the black one.  Don't know with the alum one.  Haven't owned it that long.  Which one do you think I tow?  By the way, I wouldn't have any trouble towing either one of these behind my civic. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by Crawfordyou can have mine out of my 2500, they suck when unloaded... air bag helpers would be what i would do to be honest. keep the ride quality, increase the load capacity.
Reply:Since everyone is against you building it yourself, i was thinking a sledbed. its light cause its allum. have one that fits two sportsman 700's. couldn't tell ya the price but it works great just gotta have straps
Reply:> [light trlr mpg worse than heavy trlr mpg]Something a little weird there. Assuming your calcs are on, that leaves the ramp/gate and/or the tires. I'd say the gate is a prime suspect, depending on you average speed; wouldn't matter if you never get above 30 but at 55+ windage might differ a good bit. Take off the gates and things might turn right around; or redesign it a little...But the aluminum one doesn't look as strong w/out the high rails to help box it. Tounge  doesn't look like much either but I guess you're supposed to stay on the road with those things.Just thinking. RufusLast edited by rlaggren; 06-04-2010 at 02:58 AM.Reason: extra typos...
Reply:Originally Posted by rlaggren> [light trlr mpg worse than heavy trlr mpg]Something a little weird there. Assuming your calcs are on, that leaves the ramp/gate and/or the tires. I'd say the gate is a prime suspect, depending on you average speed; wouldn't matter if you never get above 30 but at 55+ windage might differ a good bit. Take off the gates and things might turn right around; or redesign it a little...But the aluminum one doesn't look as strong w/out the high rails to help box it. Tounge  doesn't look like much either but I guess you're supposed to stay on the road with those things.Just thinking. Rufus