Build your own trailer

I bought a single axle complete with tires/brakes from a school bus which should be OK for a 3500 lb tractor. It's going to be 12 X 8 and have bed to ground corner posts for loading. I figure nothing less than a large pickup with a welded bumper made from 5in angle will handle it, as tongue weights for this type of setup is tricky and hard to estimate.

If you want to do a pro job use 2 of those ready made axles rated for 6000 lbs. The springs
and electric brake assembly come included. The problem is their around 300$ each but you should get less hassle with the DOT which frowns on my setup. I'll be using a factory made surge brake system for my single axle.

You can use 4in channel but it's best if you
build a truss assembly, say 14in high on each side of the bed. The trusses will prevent the channel from bending and this system is very strong. I'm
going to use pipe in my truss assembly for sliding in removable plank sides for holding hay.

If you go the single axle, youll need to slice it dead center and insert some steel in
between for width. Use the highest welding setting and the largest rod and take your time as the welds, needless to say need to be very strong. Use 3/4 by 3in filler pieces and 2 long bridge pieces
top and bottom of axle around 3ft long. It's best to over weld for this job. "V" your pieces with a grinder for max welding penetration. When your finished load it to the max and take it down the roughest back country road you can find for testing. Re-check your welds real good and go over them again if you have to.

M2C

But there are a lot of them out there. :) Us farmers use them for hay & such, if we keep it on the tractor we can use the original 30mph tires.

(When was the last time you saw a mobile home being pulled at under 50 mph anyhow, why do they have slow-speed tires on them????)

--->Paul

I drive my trailer at hwy. speeds. There are not any speed ratings on my tires. They are 8 ply original mobile home tires. Both axels have electric brakes. Dave

www.trailerplans.com

No joke, that's it. I haven't been to it in some time, but this is the guy, who's plans Northern Tool carries. Also, when you shop for axles, wheels and tires, do just that, SHOP AROUND. I find that I will save tremendously by buying local, rather than ordering or even going through a "large" trailer supply place that is also local.

Even though I own a welding business, I know the common person can build a trailer or truckbed for about the same price that I can. Granted, it is cheaper for those large trailer companies that build nothing but trailers, because they buy in such large quantity, but I can usually build custom truck flatbeds for 1/2 the price of one you would buy local. I can also usually build custom trailers for about the same, It just depends. By 1/2 the price, I mean MATERIALS ONLY, that doesn't count labor. Don't get discouraged about building your own, it's fun and it's exactly what you want it to be. It is usually cheaper for the do-it-yourselfer. Just know your limits when it comes to safety issues such as welding capabilities. Hey, if you want to see a picture of my flat bed that I just finished about a year ago on my welding rig, let me know, and I'll email you a picture.

Have fun building.

Branden

Northern tools sells blueprints for different trailers. I bought a set for a double axle utility trailer. Plans are well done and easy to follow. Now all I have to do is to get started on this project.

Good luck!

Craig