Building a trailer

[petersprings]

Hi all,

I'm not much into DIY or the like but have decided to undertake a project to build a basic trailer with a mate of mine.

To start with we need some help with what material to use. I went into a couple of places that recommended a box section if treated right.

Found it in a couple of places (cheapest here i think: Link removed as possible spam. Mod 2.) - would it be the right thing to start off with?

[Hitch]

It could well be... but hey, you arn't supposed to be building homemade trailers anyway.

[scot-canuck]

Hitch: what legislation does that come under mate?
I'm not 100% it is illegal to build your own, I see conflicting accounts and most of what I can find out leans towards if its roadworthy and has the proper lights etc then your ok.
You can still buy a build kit from many suppliers in the uk that only includes the lights, hitch and optionally axles/wheels

[Hitch]

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/additional/fi ... ailers.pdf

Theres a brief bit on the subject....



To be honest, stopping people banging out an old trailer with an Aldi stick welder and a bit of old argos shelving is no bad thing....
We quite often have people bring in home made trailers for sheet to be cut for the insides.
The last one, we cut the sheet for the floor, dropped it in, and half the side snapped off the trailer.

[scot-canuck]

Fair POV - However that guide applies to those SELLING trailers...which is the big word...
At worst you could build your own and IVA it, though how is anyone (apart from those with neighbours in the Stasi) going to get caught out?
- Bought it on ebay, needed some welding
- mate gave it to me before he moved overseas
etc etc....

[Hitch]

Perhaps i should have said home built trailers are being discouraged....

Its all a bit half-arse to be honest....i doubt it will be long before its tightened up further though.



I believe, that if you have a built a trailer after a certain date, regardless of who you are, it should be subject to an IVA (individual vehicle approval) inspection by VOSA, Full details and dates etc here....

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/G ... Scheme.pdf

Section 1 mostly...

[petersprings]

Seem to have started something here! Didn't realise I wasn't meant to be building a trailer!

I'll do a bit of research and see what my options are?

So for instance, if i wanted to build a trailer for use on the road i couldn't, but if I was using it on my private farm then I could?

[Hitch]

You can build one for road use, providing you build to the required standards and such....

For a private farm, you can build what you like.... if its a private farm, you could tow around a skateboard...

But if you employ others to tow it, then its covered by PUWER regulations i guess...

[petersprings]

Been very busy lately but now got time to come back to this thread.

Needless to say, after all the advice, we decided against building it ourselves, saved up a bit more and bought one instead.

Thanks for all the advice guys

[Timllfixit]

That's how I learned to arc weld! Bought a stick welder from Argos and built a trailer.
That was 20 yrs ago though, I have since passed it on to someone else, and I still see it around, so still going. Used 10" mini wheels and indespension rubber block suspension units. ISTR to make the chassis I used 4x2x1/8" wall steel box in an A-frame with through tubed mounting holes for the hitch ...................

[Timllfixit]

Thanks guys, I wasn't aware of this legislation until now. That's the value of old trailers increasing then.................
Could one do what an ex- neighbour did some time ago when he wanted a trailer for a mini excavator. He obtained an old 4 wheel horsebox with good chassis and running gear but rotten wood. Let the flap down and chopped off the top at a height of about 16" with a 9" angle grinder. A few hours work with a welder (and £30 in my pocket....)and some lengths of suitable angle iron, and a pile of old scaffold boards. Hey presto! Useful sized braked trailer with ramp.
The thought has occurred to me though, how would the relevant authorities know how old a particular trailer is? I mean if you built one and made it look really ratty how would they know? I'm just off to stock up on spoked wheels..........