Light weight car trailer plans
 

Hi guys,

Later in the year I'm considering building a lightweight car trailer... if the goal is possible...

The idea is to have a sub 400kg trailer, so a car of approx 1200kg can be towed by something like a commodore/falcon (1600kg towing) and no need for a kick ass 4wd.

So does anyone know where to get some plans for a lightweight trailer?

Cheers,

Talk to mike wood or duane joubert. They made a super lightweight one for Mikes 02sti and I see that mike is now trying to sell said sti.

You would be able to get either of their numbers from Tony Flood.

Cheers

Brendon

John (or anyone contemplating building a new trailer themselves) here are a few tips.

Read the current rules - this Vehicle Standards Bulletin covers most of it: [url]http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/index.aspx[/url]

You need stamped chains - the ones rated "25" for 2500kg should be fine. Mistake I learned the hard way.
The last trailer I made passed with ordinary chain.
Keep all your receipts so you can prove you built it from scratch.

Apply for your own VIN number here: [url]http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/2494.asp[/url]
and get it stamped onto your Compliance Plate. Places like Martins Trailer Parts will supply & stamp one for $11.00

Keep everything as light as possible, but if you will be towing a full weight car your trailer will need brakes. I use mine for minis & mokes, total mass was 220kg but could be a lot lighter as I used free stuff.

This is the basic design drawing for mine, but a bit shorter:
[url]http://users.bigpond.net.au/paulmartensdesigner/images/Snottrailer.pdf[/url]

[IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/awdmoke/Trailer/07FinalPainting.jpg[/IMG]

Seems the pdf of the plans is no longer hosted.
PM me your email John, I think I've got it on my HDD back in camp.

220kgs...

Now we are talking! Thanks for that.

John,

I have been talking to Mike today and he did not have any plans as such but I'll pm you his email address and you can take a look at it and draw your own up with a few changes?

It is all aluminium but is far more substantial than the one above.

Cheers

Brendon

John, have you seen mine or Damiens? Come and have a look sometime, both are good designs. Mine weighed 440kg without the ramps. (probably 15kg each)
It's somewhere in between the one pictued above and 900 kg Titanic hire spec trailer.
It's all duragal so you only paint the welds, has a 75x50x2 drawbar with a 50x25x2 triangulation from the hitch to the top tie down rail to add strength without going massive on the drawbar. Full tandem axle load sharing springs, 15" Light truck tyres on 2WD Hilux rims. Removable Winch, LED lights etc.
Override disc brakes on the front axle and a drop tail so low cars load easily on 1200mm ramps.

Damiens is similar but not a drop back, it's a break back instead. He uses his for building materials as well so wanted a flat floor. It's a bit bigger and a bit heavier.

Both trailers tow superbly and are evolutions of a proven design.

Edit; I don't dig aluminium car trailers. Aluminuim boat trailers are ok, but car trailers need too much welding and potential for fatigue is greater. A friend biult one, it was heavier than mine and the drawbar eventually broke off it.

Thanks Brendon, I'll get in touch shortly.

Doug, I'll have to come spy yours again. Haven't looked at it in detail before.