Hey guys, im going to be building a car trailer. most likely over the x-mass holidays. I bought some plans from the net which seem to be pretty decent.
At the moment im trying to decide what size/capacity Trailer I should build... here is the few im thinking about.
Rough Torana Dimensions:
Length from wheel to wheel: 3.2m
Length from bumper to bumper: 4.4m
Width: 1.7m
Weight: 1300kg?????
#1
Tray length: 3.6m
Tray Width: 1.8m
Trailer weight: 500kg
Trailer capacity: 1500kg
Obviously the advantage of this one is its so light, good capacity and easier to store as not as long... But the rear would overhang the trailer 900mm not good im guessing.
#2
Tray length: 4.8m
Tray Width: 1.8m
Trailer weight: 650kg
Trailer capacity: 1350kg
This one seems to be a perfect size for a Torana, altho its up 150kg and the capacity is down to 1350kg which is pretty much right on the limit of a Torana? would this be ok or should I go for the next one up?
#3
Tray length: 4.8m
Tray Width: 1.8m th
Trailer weight: 700kg
Trailer capacity: 2300kg
Same size as the previous but more heavy duty, up another 50kg in weight but can handle 2300kg which is more then enough...
I would prefer the 1st trailer cos its lighter, cheaper to build, easier to store and has enough weight capacity, just that its abit short... I dont really wanna push the capacity limits and have something fail using the 2nd one and id prefer not to have the heavy 3rd one but if the overhang is a deffinate no no then I guess it will be the go? And I suppose if I do ever decide to tow a larger car I know I can (as long as its not too wide, the plans ive got only give an option as 1.8 the widest tray width)
Whats everyones thoughts?
p.s. Alto the plans I got dont have a wider tray then 1.8 would it hurt for me to just add another 100-200mm? and adjust everything to suit or will this put everything completely out?
Car Trailer
Started by
_Viper_
, Oct 10 2009 11:50 AM
21 replies to this topic
#2
TerrA LX
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Fulcrum Fixture
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Posted 10 October 2009 - 12:13 PM
I would be looking at which one has good balance for the car centred over the axle and then add or subtract length/width to suit yourself.
Email me a copy of the plans please?
Email me a copy of the plans please?
#3
dattoman
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Posted 10 October 2009 - 04:06 PM
They are all abit heavy to me
Rear overhang isn't really a problem as long as the tyres are far enough in so they don't teeter on the edge
That space is wasted back there anyway
Just make sure your lights are intense LED's and not lost under the car so no-one can see what your doing
I'd want the trailer as light as poss.... have a look at Litre8's... if Howard would be so kind as to post some pics
Shorter trailer will be easier to store/park too
I'd like to see a pic of the trailer as per the plans if the people have pics of a finished example
Rear overhang isn't really a problem as long as the tyres are far enough in so they don't teeter on the edge
That space is wasted back there anyway
Just make sure your lights are intense LED's and not lost under the car so no-one can see what your doing
I'd want the trailer as light as poss.... have a look at Litre8's... if Howard would be so kind as to post some pics
Shorter trailer will be easier to store/park too
I'd like to see a pic of the trailer as per the plans if the people have pics of a finished example
#4
Litre8
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Posted 10 October 2009 - 05:13 PM
My trailer only weighs 350kg and tows extremely well both laden and unladen. As mentioned above it is the balance of the car on the trailer that will make or break it. If the car is too far forward then it puts too much weight on the tow bar while too far back and it will be like a pendulum when towing and will likely be pretty unstable (swaying etc). There are a few pics on mine in the 'show us your car on a trailer' thread.
#5
dattoman
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Posted 10 October 2009 - 05:44 PM
Arse hanging out isn't always a bad thing
Take a look at some in the thread as Howard said
Trailers and Toranas
Take a look at some in the thread as Howard said
Trailers and Toranas
#6
Posted 10 October 2009 - 08:36 PM
Ditto what everyone above has said, I wouldn't even consider a 4.8m long deck unless you want to tow some very big cars - 3.6m is enough to fit up to VS Commodore at least (based on wheelbase, still need to get the weight balance right)
#7
TerrA LX
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Posted 10 October 2009 - 09:10 PM
I was under the impression that a car overhanging a car trailer was illegal, in NSW anyway.
#8
A9X
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Posted 11 October 2009 - 02:30 AM
That trailer above crossed thr nullabor 4 times, Perth - Bathurst, Perth - Sydney. Cruised at 140 Kph for hours at a time behind that F350, not an inch out of line, not a problem anywhere.
If i could add a thought, on the first trip over i covered the front of the Hatch with a blanket and tarp, basically to stop a wayward rock coming up and holing the radiator or smashing a headlight, the second trip we had a HSV statesman on going one way and a VK coming back the other way. No blanket, the front of the car was well and truly peppered with stones.
If you are planning long distance, id think of a removable nose cone.
Just my 2c
If i could add a thought, on the first trip over i covered the front of the Hatch with a blanket and tarp, basically to stop a wayward rock coming up and holing the radiator or smashing a headlight, the second trip we had a HSV statesman on going one way and a VK coming back the other way. No blanket, the front of the car was well and truly peppered with stones.
If you are planning long distance, id think of a removable nose cone.
Just my 2c
#9
_Viper_
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Posted 11 October 2009 - 09:45 AM
Ok 3.6m it is, if I make the front rail quite low then Ill be able to push the car forward more so the front tyres are right up to the rail... The plans dont give a specific measurement on where to mount the axels just some guidelines so I can move them to suit.. I dont suppose anyone knows the front/back weight of a average V8 Torana...
The only cars im planning to tow are my Gemi and the Torrie so 1500kg capacity will be plenty... But you still think 500kg is abit on the heavy side? I guess they have added extra steel as its a DIY trailer plan and they added some extra safety incase the fabrication isnt quite up to scratch?
Here is the specs and dimensions of what it says to use for the first trailer
Overall length including drawbar: 5m
Overall width including wheel guards: 2.2M
Drawbar dimensions: 100x50x3mm RHS
Chassis rails: 75x50x3mm RHS
Front cross beam: 75x50x3mm RHS
Middle cross beams (spaced every 600mm) 50x50x3mm RHS
Rear channel section: 150x75x2.1 Channel
The only cars im planning to tow are my Gemi and the Torrie so 1500kg capacity will be plenty... But you still think 500kg is abit on the heavy side? I guess they have added extra steel as its a DIY trailer plan and they added some extra safety incase the fabrication isnt quite up to scratch?
Here is the specs and dimensions of what it says to use for the first trailer
Overall length including drawbar: 5m
Overall width including wheel guards: 2.2M
Drawbar dimensions: 100x50x3mm RHS
Chassis rails: 75x50x3mm RHS
Front cross beam: 75x50x3mm RHS
Middle cross beams (spaced every 600mm) 50x50x3mm RHS
Rear channel section: 150x75x2.1 Channel
#10
Bart
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Posted 11 October 2009 - 02:25 PM
Can you put air bag suspension on it?Ok 3.6m it is, if I make the front rail quite low then Ill be able to push the car forward more so the front tyres are right up to the rail... The plans dont give a specific measurement on where to mount the axels just some guidelines so I can move them to suit.. I dont suppose anyone knows the front/back weight of a average V8 Torana...
The only cars im planning to tow are my Gemi and the Torrie so 1500kg capacity will be plenty... But you still think 500kg is abit on the heavy side? I guess they have added extra steel as its a DIY trailer plan and they added some extra safety incase the fabrication isnt quite up to scratch?
Here is the specs and dimensions of what it says to use for the first trailer
Overall length including drawbar: 5m
Overall width including wheel guards: 2.2M
Drawbar dimensions: 100x50x3mm RHS
Chassis rails: 75x50x3mm RHS
Front cross beam: 75x50x3mm RHS
Middle cross beams (spaced every 600mm) 50x50x3mm RHS
Rear channel section: 150x75x2.1 Channel
I know it sounds silly its just ive noticed every bloody time i have put the Torana on the trailer it bottoms out somewhere, and ive had to jack up the front of the trailer to get it on, if the road is a little uneven it can slightly lift the arse of the trailer and increase the angle of the ramp and it bottoms out. Pain in the ass.
#11
_gtr-xu1_
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Posted 11 October 2009 - 08:09 PM
im looking at building one 5 meters long deck so i can enclose it. gunna use 50mm coldroom pannels
#12
_AGGRO_
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Posted 12 October 2009 - 06:48 PM
Viper where are these plans from? cost of plans etc... somewhere I can look at designs of finished ones
#13
_Viper_
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#14
ls2lxhatch
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Posted 12 October 2009 - 11:19 PM
You will need to take into account the tow vehicle you plan use. The national towing laws are quite restrictive. The towing capacity of many large cars is well below 2000 kg. If the manufacturer has not specified a towing capacity then the towing capacity can not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle. The weight of the trailer and the load can not exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle or the tow bar.
The Mermaids carry scales (hence the nickname) so they can weigh the loaded trailer on the spot. You should also keep this in mind when loading gear or fuel into a vehicle that is on a trailer. A full tank and a couple of drums of fuel could put you over the limit. If the weight exceeds the towing capacity of the tow vehicle or the capacity of the trailer you will be given a heavy fine and forced to leave the car on the side of the road for the vultures.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/lic_Safetow.pdf
The Mermaids carry scales (hence the nickname) so they can weigh the loaded trailer on the spot. You should also keep this in mind when loading gear or fuel into a vehicle that is on a trailer. A full tank and a couple of drums of fuel could put you over the limit. If the weight exceeds the towing capacity of the tow vehicle or the capacity of the trailer you will be given a heavy fine and forced to leave the car on the side of the road for the vultures.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/lic_Safetow.pdf
#15
_gen3torrie_
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Posted 13 October 2009 - 12:56 PM
what car are you going to tow with?
i'll be watching this space i might even come over... if you invite me to see the finished thing
i'll help you drink your beer too
as i want too build a car trailer too be a good project to learn my welding skills
i've just spent a lot of $100 bills on my VT Calais to set it up for towing IE 2100kg Hayman Reese Hitch, Trans Cooler, Different rear setup, Blow Up shocks, and a elec brake setup thingo
take into mind what your going to tow with too
i'll be watching this space i might even come over... if you invite me to see the finished thing
i'll help you drink your beer too
as i want too build a car trailer too be a good project to learn my welding skills
i've just spent a lot of $100 bills on my VT Calais to set it up for towing IE 2100kg Hayman Reese Hitch, Trans Cooler, Different rear setup, Blow Up shocks, and a elec brake setup thingo
take into mind what your going to tow with too
Edited by gen3torrie, 13 October 2009 - 12:57 PM.
#16
RIM-010
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Posted 13 October 2009 - 01:02 PM
I wouldn't be learning how to weld on a car trailer... Build some shelves or something that isn't going to need to safely hold your Torana at 100km/h...
Tim
Tim
#17
_gen3torrie_
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Posted 13 October 2009 - 01:08 PM
yeah i spose im building me some shelves this weekend then
#18
_Viper_
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Posted 13 October 2009 - 07:51 PM
Ill most likely be getting a Falcon ute for a Tow car, not really a ford man but the XR6 Turbos are nice
#19
ls2lxhatch
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Posted 13 October 2009 - 09:56 PM
Looks like it would have to be an auto with the 2,300 kg towpack.
Falcon XR6 Ute
Towbar - 1,600kg rated (maximum towing capacity is 1,200kg for manual transmission)$ (2,300kg towpack available as an accessory+)
Falcon XR6 Ute
Edited by ls2lxhatch, 13 October 2009 - 09:57 PM.
#20
_Viper_
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Posted 14 October 2009 - 07:07 PM
Gemi and Trailer would be around 1500kg but yea would need to Towpack to safely tow the Torrie and trailer which would be closer to 1900 - 2000kg Thanks for showing me that... I wonder if its the same deal for the BA - BF's
#22
_Viper_
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Posted 01 July 2010 - 07:37 AM
Still on the cards, but no spare cash or time... and mates trailer has been readily available 
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