Thinking about building a trailer

[More Amps]

Ahh, I've been turned away.

I'm not surprised you've been turned away if you turned up with your most recent trailer at the local tip!

 

[Turbo]

If you build a 6x4 single axle & make sure the inside size is a full 4' you can set an 8x4 sheet in the trailer & either let the extra 2'over hang over the tail or on the ladder rack.

Note that there are newish rules on trailers meaning anything over a certain width at the mudguards now needs fog lights fitted, a 6x4 falls under that rule! It only applies to new builds but it would be prudent to fit them anyway.

 

[DSR]

they wont let you in with a four wheel trailer at our tip take 2 off and balls to them they cant argue

Redcar & Cleveland you have to apply for a permit to take a trailer, £54.00 / year and only allowed 6 trips.

The councils are complaining about fly tipping but enacting policies that seem to encourage it.

I've learnt something today

Sadly it's that you now need a load of red tape as well as a welder if you want to build a trailer.

 

[Cobbler]

Our local tip is up to 6’x4’ over that you have to book it in specially. Glos council is using an appointments scheme at the moment as well, but you just book in on line. Wilts council is 6x4 as well, as they‘ve been out with the tape on my son‘s trailer. Silly man tried saying it’s the outside measurement, son‘s trailer is about 4’2 outside & was refused. He got onto the council & got it in writing that it was inside & waved that at them.

 

[Bullet2012]

they wont let you in with a four wheel trailer at our tip take 2 off and balls to them they cant argue

Must be hard work towing with the wheels missing on one side

 

[Barking Mat]

Must be hard work towing with the wheels missing on one side

Just a question of where you put the load...

 

[bricol]

Must be hard work towing with the wheels missing on one side

Tends to slide around a bit . . . as I discovered when the LHS wheel on a borrowed, empty, trailer exited stage left as the wheel studs snapped . . .

 

[anto44]

Just a question of where you put the load...

It's all about weight distribution

 

[sako243]

As above, can't see it being worth the cost and risk building it yourself.

One other point about larger trailers and visiting the tip recycling centre, which will of course be dependant on your local authority: Make sure that whatever you propose to build or buy is allowed in! I had an eight foot load area trailer until early last year when the council banned them from tips. At that point the trailer was useless to me and I had to sell it and buy a 6ft x 4ft version.

they wont let you in with a four wheel trailer at our tip take 2 off and balls to them they cant argue

That's one nice thing that Carmarthenshire has reversed. The company that manages the tips brought in all sorts of rules about trailers and what vehicles could tow them etc. Was mentioned to a few councillors and they overruled the company and said given the majority of the county was rural / agricultural so most farms / properties had twin axle trailers (for example) it was stupid to force them to buy another trailer.

 

[Justme]

If you build a 6x4 single axle & make sure the inside size is a full 4' you can set an 8x4 sheet in the trailer & either let the extra 2'over hang over the tail or on the ladder rack.

Note that there are newish rules on trailers meaning anything over a certain width at the mudguards now needs fog lights fitted, a 6x4 falls under that rule! It only applies to new builds but it would be prudent to fit them anyway.

If they are more than 1.3m wide, they must also have at least one red fog lamp

 

[jordhandson]

If you worried about falling foul of the law why dont you just extent the trailer to your desired size cute it down to a flat bed and just extend it all round to what you need that way it not a new trailer as the chassis is the same.

Just my two pennies

 

[Longhorn6120]

Thanks all for the advice, much to think about.

I didn't really want to mod my existing trailer as it's accepted at the tip and is pretty handy (bit of a burger to reverse though), but having read some of these comments it may be the way I go.

Thanks again.

 

[Justme]

Thanks all for the advice, much to think about.

I didn't really want to mod my existing trailer as it's accepted at the tip and is pretty handy (bit of a burger to reverse though), but having read some of these comments it may be the way I go.

Thanks again.

Large mods will still need IVA.

 

[Bobupndown]

An old caravan chassis and a few pallets nailed on, jobs a good un

 

[Bobupndown]

So the plan is nearly finalised. A single axle 7' x 4'6", unbraked trailer is the design of choice . Big enough for most of my requirements. The plan for a mini carrying trailer is shelved. I wouldn't use it regularly and a 10' + trailer is too big for day to day use. Went and bought all the steel for the build today. I think I may have over engineered this.... it's gonna be a sturdy trailer. I'm re using a 2011 wheel nut so it's not a new build requiring testing

 

[Barking Mat]

I've a selection of illegal trailers , they're the best.

Can't see me getting pulled over here.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I've a selection of illegal trailers , they're the best.

Can't see me getting pulled over here.

Some of the trailers outside Brico really need to be pulled over. Basic lack of minimum engineering standards and many are way over the 500kg limit for 'home builds' pre 2012. Usually car suspension units, another no-no now.
My GP trailer is a 2.00x 1.20 mtr box on a single axle with leaf and Aeon rubber springs. Very stiff frame, but relatively soft suspension. I built to carry a cube of oak firewood or the ride on mower. Rated at 600kg load. Don't get me started on Indespension units....
For ply and placo sheets, I put a couple of planks across and no prob. Steel 2X1 mt sheets drop in.

I now need one for the new boat, but over 500kg GW, so I can't fake an 'old build' . Leaves me with finding an old legal one and modding it to suit.

 

[striker]

Why not stretch your existing trailer to suit your needs. I did this. Mine is just over 4' wide. It's just over 6' 6" long, so I can fit doors in. However I built it so that when the tail gate is dropped its flush with the floor, as it's 18" deep, this gives me 8' in length for boards. I also made it with a removable tongue, so using a simple cheap pulley system I can store it on end in my garage.

 

[Mick Annick]

Some of the trailers outside Brico really need to be pulled over. Basic lack of minimum engineering standards and many are way over the 500kg limit for 'home builds' pre 2012. Usually car suspension units, another no-no now.
My GP trailer is a 2.00x 1.20 mtr box on a single axle with leaf and Aeon rubber springs. Very stiff frame, but relatively soft suspension. I built to carry a cube of oak firewood or the ride on mower. Rated at 600kg load. Don't get me started on Indespension units....
For ply and placo sheets, I put a couple of planks across and no prob. Steel 2X1 mt sheets drop in.

I now need one for the new boat, but over 500kg GW, so I can't fake an 'old build' . Leaves me with finding an old legal one and modding it to suit.

Will my Energic fit in it?

 

[KemppiFrog]

Will my Energic fit in it?

It might just, will check Special bundle offer, looking at carrib islands for holiday soon. Caviar and Fizz needed.