Car owners often think about purchasing a trailer. It is usually used by people who have to travel a lot. However, it can also be useful for ordinary motorists who periodically need to transport things. If you wish, you can make a trailer with your own hands. But before that, it is necessary to understand the main features of its creation.
Car trailer - often used for transporting large loads over long distances
Primary requirements
Every person who decides to make a means of transporting goods must familiarize themselves with the list of requirements that it must meet. These include the following:
- the weight of the trailer must not exceed half the weight of the vehicle that transports it;
- the width of the transport vehicle must be less than two and a half meters, and the length - no more than eight meters;
- the structure must have one or two parallel axes;
- There must be special mounts on the back of the cart for further installation of a license plate.
The height of the trailer cannot be more than three meters.
One, two - they took it!
How can you make life easier for yourself and your back when you have to load heavy things into a trailer? FORUMHOUSE member Serega567 offers this version of a lifting mechanism for loading a trailer: a U-shaped “bracket” is mounted on hinges in the lower part of the trailer. It is made from a pipe of sufficient cross-section so that it does not bend under a weight of 300 kg. The hinged mount at the bottom is also made removable so that this lift can be removed and not carried with you when not needed.
On the portal, Sergey provides a drawing of what such a lift could look like. True, the forum member never got to the point of practical implementation, although users recognized the scheme as suitable.
But a participant with the nickname AndreyKit assembled another version of a dump truck-loader trailer. Using a winch, you can lift loads into the trailer, and the folding body eliminates the need to unload bulk cargo manually.
Types of car trailers
Before you weld a car trailer with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the main types of such means for transporting goods.
General purpose trailers - most often used by motorists
Caravans may differ from each other depending on the number of axles:
- Uniaxial. This is a fairly compact homemade trailer for a light car, which is suitable for transporting a small amount of cargo.
- Biaxial. These are larger vehicles that have a large load capacity and good durability on the road. However, trailers with double axles also have disadvantages. They are difficult to assemble yourself, they weigh a lot and are difficult to control.
There are other types of trailers depending on the application:
- tourist;
- special purpose;
- commercial;
- for transporting boats, walk-behind tractors, ATVs, mini tractors and other small vehicles;
- general purpose.
In everyday life, motorists most often use general-purpose trailers.
Variety
A car trailer can be either single-axle or two-axle. The second has its pros and cons.
The advantages include:
- Greater load capacity
- Road stability
The disadvantages of a biaxial product are as follows:
- Heavy weight
- Complex controls
- Poor mobility
During manufacturing, it should be taken into account that the weight of the transported cargo should not exceed 750 kilograms, and the load on one wheel should not exceed 700 kilograms.
Caravans are classified according to the following types:
- For tourism, such as trailer tent
- For transportation of goods, general purpose
- Special meaning
- For yachts, boats
- Commercial
Very often they are equipped with an awning, and motorhomes are more popular among car owners who travel frequently. But to transport them, the car must have sufficient carrying capacity; the Chevrolet Niva or any other SUV is perfect for such purposes. The price of a trailer depends on such qualities as:
- Dimensions
- Design complexity
- Equipment
- Purpose
A regular AP can be purchased for around 30 thousand rubles, its weight will be around 180 kilograms, and the weight of the transported cargo will be approximately 525 kilograms. But the price for an AP for transporting boats can be from 200 thousand rubles.
To connect the manufactured structure to the car, you need to select a ball so that it fits the towbar. When making the coupling part, you should take into account its length; the shorter it is, the faster the trailer will react to maneuvers, which can lead to the load falling out, the recommended length is from 1.5 to 2.5 meters, the length depends on what the device is intended for.
To make a tow hitch, you need to prepare three steel pipes, preferably square, a channel is perfect, they need to be connected to each other by welding, and reinforced with a metal angle.
The coupling can be secured with bolts or welding. Welding will make this unit more durable. If you decide to use bolts, it is advisable to use grade 8.
Materials for a homemade trailer
A channel is a durable metal material that is used to make a structure frame.
Before making a trailer, each person should become familiar with the materials that can be used to create it. To make a trailer you will need the following:
- Channel 30×50 mm. Such metal beams will be used to create the base of the structure, as well as its sides. Instead of a channel, you can use iron pipes when assembling the frame.
- Metal sheets. They are used for lining sides. It is recommended to buy iron sheets with a thickness of 1-3 millimeters.
- Wood flooring, plywood or iron sheets. All these materials can be used to make the bottom.
- Chassis. You can use the rear axle from the VAZ nine. Zhiguli parts are also suitable. Some use springs from the Volga. Wheels for the trailer will be selected depending on the selected chassis.
- Electrical equipment. A homemade trailer for a car must be equipped with lanterns for lighting.
Also, before making a trailer, you need to prepare fastening elements in advance. These include nuts, bolts, screws and brackets.
Self-assembly
Well, if you really think about how to make a functional and incredibly original trailer out of half a passenger car, you will need to go through several step-by-step procedures.
The essence of the assembly is the following points:
- choose a suitable car;
- make drawings;
- assemble the frame;
- make a connecting node;
- make a coupling;
- install axle;
- secure the sides;
- line the bottom;
- install electrical equipment;
- register the vehicle.
Let's start with the fact that finding a used car or a damaged car that matches the make and model is not difficult. The color can always be changed, so you don’t have to worry about finding a body that matches the color of your car.
Next, I propose to separately consider the main aspects of the assembly.
Blueprints
It all starts with drawings. It is not enough to simply cut off half of the machine and secure it to the trailer hitch using a drawbar.
I strongly advise you to first prepare a drawing, which should include:
- body part;
- wings;
- wheels;
- drawbar;
- hitch.
If this option does not suit you due to the lack of proper artist skills, you can do something much simpler.
Having a PC or laptop at your disposal, the following sequential procedures are performed. Nothing complicated if you have the skill and knowledge of some programs.
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Drawing - helps to think through all the design features of a car trailer in advance
Before you begin manufacturing, you need to carefully consider all the design features and make a detailed drawing of the trailer. In this case, you need to think about how often the trailer will be used and for what purposes. All these nuances must be taken into account when creating a drawing.
You also need to decide on the dimensions in advance. The dimensions of the homemade product should not be too large. However, it’s not worth making a small trailer either. Especially if it will often be used to transport large items.
Possible layout
You can make your own trailer in various configurations. They can be one- or two-axle, of a monolithic structure or with a tilting platform, with wings or wheel wells located inside. The layout depends on the purposes for which the trailer is being created, as well as the planned load capacity. The chassis must withstand dynamic and static loads.
Examples of layouts of load-bearing elements and suspension mounting locations can be viewed in finished works published on the Internet. But you shouldn’t determine the dimensions from the photo. It would be a good idea to inspect the factory-produced serial design. You can find a full-scale specimen from friends or ask to take measurements of exhibition models presented on the market or in specialized showrooms.
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People who decide to create their own means of transporting goods should familiarize themselves with the main stages of creating a trailer with their own hands.
Beginning of work
First you need to prepare your workplace. It is necessary to clean it of unnecessary things and other rubbish that may interfere. Then you need to prepare the basic materials and tools that will be needed to complete the job. They should always be at hand.
Creating a Frame
The frame is the basis of the structure, on which its strength depends.
Having prepared the workplace, you can begin to create a frame with a connecting unit.
To make the frame, you need to cut the channel. The cut metal elements are then welded together to form a rectangular frame. It must be further strengthened by welding stiffeners made of iron pipes to it.
Particular attention must be paid to creating a connecting node.
The fact is that it is subject to serious loads. It is made from durable metal. Its length should not be more than two meters. The connecting unit must be centered relative to the axis so that the trailer does not drift to the side while driving.
Device boards
Metal sheets - quite often used to create sides for caravans.
Various materials can be used to make sides. Most often used for this:
- polycarbonate;
- plywood sheets;
- boards;
- sheet PVC;
- metal plates.
The choice of material largely depends on how the trailer connected to the machine will be used. For example, if it will be regularly used to transport things, it is better to make durable sides from metal.
Of course, you can use plywood or wood. However, to make such sides more durable, they will still have to be sheathed on top with metal and additionally reinforced with steel corners. They are welded on top of iron sheets or attached to the sides using bolts.
Electrical equipment
Each car trailer must be equipped with front and rear lights.
Having made the frame and sides for the trailer, you can begin installing the electrical equipment. It should be placed on the rear wall of the structure, on the side and in the front.
Each trailer must be equipped with reversing lights and additional illumination of the sign with the number. There should also be turn signals and side lights. In front you need to place reflectors and white dimensions. Reflectors are most often also installed on the side walls.
The wires used to connect markers, lights and lighting must have a protective corrugation. It allows you to maintain the integrity of the connected wires.
The corrugation is attached to the frame of the trailer using plastic clamps.
Suspension axis
It is necessary to place the suspension axle with the hub in the rear part, at a distance of about 40-45% of the entire length of the structure. Before installation, the trailer must be turned over and placed on a flat surface. Then you need to measure the width of the structure and divide the resulting value by two.
It is at this distance that the axis will be installed. In the place where it will be installed, you need to clean off the paint in advance and prepare the surface so that there are no uneven spots. The axle is attached to the trailer by welding.
Recommendations for selection
Before purchasing or assembling, you need to determine where and under what conditions the trailer will mainly be used. This is due to the fact that trailers have different suspension options. What is suitable for the city and the highway will not be the best choice for the countryside and off-road.
The following points should be taken into account:
- A torsion bar or rubber-harness suspension is perfect for frequent cornering. In terms of maintenance, it is unpretentious, but unsuitable for repair. If the torsion bar fails, a complete replacement is required. It feels better on a relatively flat road. The level of comfort is inferior to its competitor.
- Spring. This suspension behaves equally well in highway and off-road conditions, and adequately displays its characteristics in the city. The design is durable and lighter compared to its torsion bar counterpart. Some springs may fail. But this will still allow you to continue moving. Suitable for repair. You can lighten or strengthen the structure by removing or adding several springs.
It is also worth considering that a rubber-harness suspension will cost less when purchased. But the spring system objectively provides more advantages, and therefore costs more.
There are several ways to obtain a light dump trailer:
- Buy a ready-made model from the manufacturer. Many factories that specialize in trailers have an impressive list of dump truck models in their assortment. They are developed strictly in accordance with GOST standards, and therefore there will definitely be no problems with registration with the traffic police.
- Collect from scrap materials. Full assembly is provided, starting literally from scratch. A difficult option for those who have never encountered anything like this. But from a financial point of view, you can save a lot. The problem lies in certification, testing and registration.
- Convert a finished trailer. Any on-board model is taken as a basis, and appropriate design changes are made to it.
In practice, assembling a dump trailer from scratch is not that difficult. But if you don’t have any experience or knowledge in this area, it’s better not to start.
Adhering to all rules and standards, a self-assembled trailer will not be inferior to factory analogues and will allow you to easily perform the tasks assigned to the trailer.
Operating a homemade trailer
People who have made a homemade trailer for a car with their own hands should familiarize themselves with the features of its use in advance. There are several nuances that you need to familiarize yourself with before using a homemade vehicle for transporting goods.
Do I need to register?
A trailer, like any other vehicle, will have to be registered with the traffic police.
Many motorists do not know whether it is necessary to register a homemade car trailer with the traffic police. In fact, you still have to deal with registration.
The fact is that according to current legislation, absolutely all vehicles must be registered. This also applies to home-made vehicles, including a self-made trailer. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare all documents and papers in advance so that there are no problems in the future when transporting goods.
It is also necessary to register the tow bar separately. If you do not do this in advance, you will then have to pay a fine of 500 rubles.
What happens if you use an unregistered caravan?
Some people decide not to bother with registration and use unregistered means when transporting goods. However, you should not do this, as this is a violation of the law. Sooner or later, such motorists will face serious problems. For the first violation, disobedient drivers are given a fine of 500-800 rubles.
If you reuse an unregistered vehicle, the fine increases to 5,000 rubles. However, this is not the worst thing. In case of repeated violations, the driver may be deprived of his license for three months. Therefore, in order to avoid such problems, you should use only registered vehicles.
People who regularly transport goods often think about buying a trailer. However, it is not necessary to buy it, since you can make such a design yourself. Before doing this, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for trailers and the main stages of their manufacture.
Second life of a car
Motorists who are partial to technical creativity are thinking about creating a car-style trailer. To realize the idea, used cars are used that have kept the rear or front part intact.
But it so happens that trailers made from cars, or more precisely, from the front of them, do not look aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, in order for the towed unit to look like a rhythmic continuation of the figure of the car, it should be constructed exclusively from the rear part of the vehicle, leaving the front flat and laconic, or even just the rear part of the trailer.
