Building a trailer?

[SailnDive]

I'm planning to build a trailer for my RTs. My thoughts are welded Al frame and axle with steel stub axles w/as light a spring set and hubs as I can get. 10" wheels and tires. I'll mount a high quality roof top carrier. I should be able to keep the weight just over 120 lbs...maybe less. Should make a pretty good looking rig. Now, how to find a suitable carrier. The 18 cubic foot SportRack SR7095 @ $199 looks pretty good, but I have no idea of how robust it's built without seeing one. I have most of the frame and trailer parts on hand
already and while I did pay for them at some point, (years ago) they are just setting on the shelf right now. Might as well put them to good use.
Think I'll build the hitch also. Wish I had a BRP one to look at...hate to re-invent the wheel.
Quinton

 

[finless]

Loots of good info out there on doing it.

Here is one source.

http://pbmotorcycletrailer.com/how-...le-cargo-trailer-that-does-not-look-homemade/

Bob

 

[MouthPiece]

You might want to talk to Tom a/k/a 2ndChildhood. He built one for his RT and it was super nice. If I know Tom, he would/will be more than happy to share his knowledge and experience.

Chris

 

[Deanna777]

I'm planning to build a trailer for my RTs. My thoughts are welded Al frame and axle with steel stub axles w/as light a spring set and hubs as I can get. 10" wheels and tires. I'll mount a high quality roof top carrier. I should be able to keep the weight just over 120 lbs...maybe less. Should make a pretty good looking rig. Now, how to find a suitable carrier. The 18 cubic foot SportRack SR7095 @ $199 looks pretty good, but I have no idea of how robust it's built without seeing one. I have most of the frame and trailer parts on hand
already and while I did pay for them at some point, (years ago) they are just setting on the shelf right now. Might as well put them to good use.
Think I'll build the hitch also. Wish I had a BRP one to look at...hate to re-invent the wheel.
Quinton

Send a pm to Mike( Blueknight911) for some suggestions, he built one. Deanna

 

[cuznjohn]

only thing i would suggest is going with larger wheels

 

[Bob Denman]

Remember... :shocked:
:lecturef_smilie: We're gonna need to see pictures of the glorious results!! :2thumbs:

 

[4 MARIE]

Sounds like a Super D.I.Y. project ! and, with BRP trailer prices being what they are, why not !
Post on the project as you go.

 

[Ex Winger]

??? Yesterday you were selling your Spyder because of the computers.Didn,t like the way it cornered.Now are you going to keep it?Not trying to be a smart ass here.Hope your getting more use to it.
Bill
Good luck on the trailer and show the pics

 

[Bob Denman]

He still isn't happy with the computers: check Dee's thread about her DESS problems...

 

[SPYD3R]

DIY TRAILER

using a surplus 16 ft. boat trailer, i converted it into a SPYD3R trailer...
i also use it for my JOHN DEERE and a couple pallet loads of red bricks and other DYI projects at home...
if you decide to build a similar unit, remember that when towing an RT, to remove the windshield... i never had an issue with the RS because the windshield was on a few inches toll...

dp

 

[DrewNJ]

If you can weld aluminum you should be able to make a VERY nice light weight trailer that would pull very nicely behind the spyder. If I were a trailer pulling kind of rider aluminum would be my choice. A triton aluminum jetski trailer would make for a very nice starting platform.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

weight saver

Me and a few others here have used the Sears X-Cargo roof top carrier....holds 18.5 cu ft. and weighs about 10 lbs......I see them at garage sales all the time ...I even salvaged one that was being thrown out.............I had mine up to about 85 MPH and no problems...As someone else mentioned here already ...forget the 10 inch wheels you arn;t saving much weight by going to 12 inch....it's the hubs that are heavy....get 4 bolt they are slightly smaller..........Also get a " C " or better rated tire ...it's worth it.....also use all LED's ......they won't upset the " Nanny ".........good luck, I luv a DIY'er.............Mike :thumbup:

 

[wiredgeorge]

Not sure I would bother welding up a frame...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612543_200612543

 

[DrewNJ]

I'd run the smallest diameter wheels I could mount up. Keep it as low as possible without sacrificing width. Load/weight when choosing wheels is a non-issue. We're talking about what? 500lbs total when loaded including the trailer??

Doing an aluminum frame and you could likely have the entire trailer rig at well under 150lbs unloaded.

 

[SailnDive]

I've been searching the web for car top carriers and they all seem really light weight. I'd like to find one a little more robust that also looks good. As long as I use good tires, I can't think that the size would matter. i.e. Smaller = better. I have had bad luck with regular trailer tires and chose 10" because I think it is the smallest car tire available. The lightest spring that I keep on hand is a 3 leaf 1500lb, so I'll see if I can buy a light weight single leaf or maybe just disassemble the 3 leafs. That would still be pretty stiff. Welding Al. (or any other metal for that matter) is no problem with my equipment. Retired welding instructors always have a shop full of welding gear.
Getting the raw materials is a 70 mile round trip tho' Just a part of living in the beautiful hills of West Virginia. It was easier when I lived close to 10 refineries in south Texas. There was not a mechanical part or material that you could not find in Texas City, Texas. Not so in Weston, WV.
I hate to try and build a carrier, lots of work and not very pretty. Suggestions?

 

[tip]

trailer

I would go with larger wheels.
Small wheel/tire = more revolutions = more heat = more potential bearing problems.

 

[billybovine]

I was going to build a trailer but changed my mind. The axles I was looking at were 425 lbs half axles, adjustable height. That way I could make the trailer low to the ground no matter the size of the wheels.

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/c-1018-425-lbs-adjustable-half-torsion-axles.aspx

 

[SailnDive]

I was going to build a trailer but changed my mind. The axles I was looking at were 425 lbs half axles, adjustable height. That way I could make the trailer low to the ground no matter the size of the wheels.

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/c-1018-425-lbs-adjustable-half-torsion-axles.aspx

This is a good way to do it...but very expensive.

 

[billybovine]

This is a good way to do it...but very expensive.

A complete conventional leaf spring axle. I don't think you could find for less than $200.

 

[DrewNJ]

Torsion axles are the way to go for a nice smooth ride. Overall it's a balance between bulding a nice durable trailer but not having it weigh as much as tank.
Good Luck!

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