Thinking about building a trailer

[Bobupndown]

So not bottom as in under the springs but bottom as in at the lowest point in the curve.

I See what you mean. I put it in its current location with holes in the axle to locate on top of the bolt going through the 3 leaves to locate the axle and prevent any sideways movement. I did consider not using them and simply put the axle at the bottom of the springs as you suggest. Hopefully it won't be an issue.

 

[Justme]

the axles on all my ford vans mk 2 and mk3 sit on top of the springs as above trailer

No not bottom as in under but bottom as in the lowest point of the arc.

It looks to be set about 2" to far to the right.

 

[brightspark]

the spring should be set lower on the right hand side where it slides by extending the hangar drop arms and a lowered bar welding across for spring to slide on

 

[Bobupndown]

No not bottom as in under but bottom as in the lowest point of the arc.

It looks to be set about 2" to far to the right.

I'll try them centred on the bottom of the curve tomorrow and see if it looks better.

 

[Bobupndown]

So I've moved the axle to the mid point of the springs. Happy enough with the way it looks, my only concern is that it's no longer located by the bolt through the leaves which you can just see to the left of the U bolts in this picture.

The bolt will prevent the axle from any rearward movement I suppose as the U bolt plate is right up against it.

 

[Justme]

I'll try them centred on the bottom of the curve tomorrow and see if it looks better.

I think @brightspark has hit the nail with the rear hangers being set wrong.

 

[8ob]

So I've moved the axle to the mid point of the springs. Happy enough with the way it looks, my only concern is that it's no longer located by the bolt through the leaves which you can just see to the left of the U bolts in this picture.

Weld a tag onto the axle tube that locates onto the pin, that will stop any fore and aft movement of the axle on the spring.

Bob

 

[Bobupndown]

Weld a tag onto the axle tube that locates onto the pin, that will stop any fore and aft movement of the axle on the spring.

Bob

What a simple solution! why could I not have thought of that?

 

[Turbo]

As has been mentioned, the welds between the stub axles & the axle look a bit cold. It would also have been a good idea to drill some holes in the axle & plug weld the inner ends of the stubs - you could still do that.

 

[Bobupndown]

Weld a tag onto the axle tube that locates onto the pin, that will stop any fore and aft movement of the axle on the spring.

Bob

Done!

 

[Ed.]

That setup looks wrong to me, as far as I know there usually is a square piece of metal with a hole in the center that goes over the bolt that goes through the springs so makes it flush, and then the axle then sits on top of that and gets bolted to the springs.

 

[Justme]

That setup looks wrong to me, as far as I know there usually is a square piece of metal with a hole in the center that goes over the bolt that goes through the springs so makes it flush, and then the axle then sits on top of that and gets bolted to the springs.

Yes most use a saddle.

 

[brightspark]

if your on about a plate that sits on top of the axle and the u bolts go over it it normaly has a bolt out the side to fit dampers on otherwise not needed

 

[Bobupndown]

Welding all completed, lights mounted. Thinking now of painting with Jotun or similar hard wearing paint system. Gas ran out on very last rope hook I was welding, what's the chances? Finished it with arc.

 

[Bobupndown]

Slow progress on this. Decided galvanising quotes were excessive so have gone for 2 pack epoxy primer. Next deliberation is top coat, what's the consensus on that over epoxy? Will be brush painting. Tractol?

 

[GRW]

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.

That's good to know! I live in Carms and was turned away once in my LDV Convoy (even though its converted to a camper). Good to know I can tow a trailer load downing needs be....far better than booking multiple trips in the car

 

[brightspark]

Slow progress on this. Decided galvanising quotes were excessive so have gone for 2 pack epoxy primer. Next deliberation is top coat, what's the consensus on that over epoxy? Will be brush painting. Tractol?

tractol is a decent enamel and fast drying next best thing to 2k

 

[tom2207]

You may have had bother getting it galved any way , Sperrin couldnt dip the last trailer I built that size in one piece , so I had to cut the ladder rack and make it bolt on . It didnt come back half as straight as it left , paint is a good way to go.

 

[James1979]

You may have had bother getting it galved any way , Sperrin couldnt dip the last trailer I built that size in one piece , so I had to cut the ladder rack and make it bolt on . It didnt come back half as straight as it left , paint is a good way to go.

BMT did that to a pickup flatbed I made. Bent it like a banana

 

[tom2207]

BMT did that to a pickup flatbed I made. Bent it like a banana

The guy ratchet strapping the thing on top of the other things on the lorry was a bad sign , and it went down hill after that , the guys in one local yard wont get off their forklifts , so if something is tricky to lift your in bother , they push it about till they get a toe under it , Ive watched them do it when Ive taken smaller things and sat in the yard waiting for them to get returned . All they say is sorry , and offer a tenner off the next job .
They are probably running against the clock and a discount is less cost wise than slowing down.