Thinking about building a trailer

[Mikes]

Before you paint it, I would close the ends of the box section otherwise it will just rot from the inside.

 

[tom2207]

Before you paint it, I would close the ends of the box section otherwise it will just rot from the inside.

they do knock in plastic plugs , they are quite a tidy finish . And a shot of ACF50 inside , sometimes I wonder if open tubes and let the airflow through may be a wiser move.

 

[Bobupndown]

Yep plastic plugs are going to be fitted with a spray of something waxy first.

 

[tom2207]

Yep plastic plugs are going to be fitted with a spray of something waxy first.

ACF50 ,,, wax is so last year lol

 

[Bullet2012]

Don’t forget to fit a jockey wheel.

 

[Turbo]

Don’t forget to fit a jockey wheel.
View attachment 334685

A mate was towing a large boat on a trailer in Scotland when a wheel bearing collapsed. He called the AA, explained the situation & they came out prepared with a trailer in kit form. They assembled it under the boat trailer & somehow lifted the broken trailer onto it, hooked it onto their van, towed it to the ferry with him following in his car, another van met him on the other side in NI & towed the trailer the 100 miles back to his home! All this at no extra cost though he did have the highest level of cover!

 

[Bobupndown]

All painted and electrics done, just need to floor and panel it now. Have to decide whether to go for aluminium or galvanised steel sides, price of aluminium is crazy atm (isn't everything?)

 

[Bobupndown]

One for the electicary experts.
Led lights work fine except there is no dash trailer warning. I expected this and will add load resistors. My query relates to the car reverse parking sensors which don't turn off with the trailer attached and the electrics plugged in. How do I cure this, will it recognise the trailer attached when I add the load resistors for the indicators, or will I need to add them on all the lighting circuits, ie stop and tail lights?

My old smaller trailer with conventional bulbs does not trigger the parking sensors when reversing.

 

[Barking Mat]

I think it's good, my car does that, reminds me I've got a trailer behind.

Some years back, I had the kids in the car, asking questions,after we'd been for a walk, forgot I had a trailer behind, and reversed back into it whilst reversing. D'oh !

 

[Bobupndown]

No. Would drive me insane. I'll have to resolve it. Ordered 4 load resistors just now. Will fit to the indicator circuits first and take it from there.

 

[Justme]

Fitting resistors to indicators should trigger the trailer sensor but who knows with some cars.

 

[qwakers]

some cars you have to use the genuine wiring loom and switch the "disable when plugged in" feature on in the ecu.

 

[rcx132]

The IVA trailer test is not difficult. The instructions and rules are easy to understand. Saying that, building a trailer is no small project a I decided to buy commercial and put my time into something else.

 

[sako243]

One for the electicary experts.
Led lights work fine except there is no dash trailer warning. I expected this and will add load resistors. My query relates to the car reverse parking sensors which don't turn off with the trailer attached and the electrics plugged in. How do I cure this, will it recognise the trailer attached when I add the load resistors for the indicators, or will I need to add them on all the lighting circuits, ie stop and tail lights?

My old smaller trailer with conventional bulbs does not trigger the parking sensors when reversing.

Assuming you're talking about the Freelander in the picture then adding the load resistors should solve all your issues (apart from having a Freelander ). My Range Rover does the same, it load senses the on the indicators and will disable the rear parking sensors when it detects a trailer. Assuming you have the genuine wiring loom in the vehicle and it does it with other trailers.

 

[octo0072000]

no bigger than a 5x3 trailer in Doncaster tips and you need a permit as well think you can only go to one tip as well long time since i tried just use the car or it's too much hassle
Oh and no car parts either

 

[Bobupndown]

What is odd is that the reverse sensors don't operate on the trailer with incandescent bulbs even when there are no lights illuminated. What is different when I plug the led lit trailer in and still don't have

Assuming you're talking about the Freelander in the picture then adding the load resistors should solve all your issues (apart from having a Freelander ). My Range Rover does the same, it load senses the on the indicators and will disable the rear parking sensors when it detects a trailer. Assuming you have the genuine wiring loom in the vehicle and it does it with other trailers.

Ha ha, the Freelander is actually an excellent all round family car and a surprisingly good towcar. I did consider Disco 4 when changing from my old Disco 2 but had ruled heart on that decision and I think it was the right choice. Having said that who wouldn't want a V8 FFRR?
Anyway, yes it has the genuine tow pack and loom so good to know, will get the resistors in there and hopefully cure that issue.

 

[Mick Annick]

Even with a factory tow bar and wiring, my VW sometimes fails to realise the trailer is there when reversing

It did, however, notice when I unhitched the trailer last night after work having already locked the car, blooming alarm went off!

 

[Bobupndown]

That can only be a good thing, if someone was to try to steal your trailer while parked somewhere

 

[Mick Annick]

That can only be a good thing, if someone was to try to steal your trailer while parked somewhere

Yes, I’m not complaining, just frustrating when you forget and have to walk to the house to find the car keys!

 

[Bobupndown]

Assuming you're talking about the Freelander in the picture then adding the load resistors should solve all your issues (apart from having a Freelander

Load resistors received and fitted. Issues solved, trailer indicator working on dash and reverse sensors silent