Elbe Trail Use Trailer Build

CHOP SHOP · Sep 26, 2010

First big needs is 1/4 inch plate steel or aluminum.

Chunks at least 1 foot by 1 foot if steel. larger if aluminum.

Also need a lunette ring for the hitch. If not I have a huge semi truck ubolt I will weld on for the ring. Its about the same thickness and size as a legit lunette ring.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 26, 2010

Springs/Suspension?

I am leaning towards removing the springs and welding the axle to the bottom of the deck/frame.

Seems it would be alot lower and easier to load and unload and more stable on slopes. No springs to break, no bolts/pins to wear out or loosen, no ubolts to catch on stumps or fall apart. Way less moving parts.

Any reason to keep the springs or keep it tall?

Binder · Sep 26, 2010

FWIW my M105 cost me $170......I've found having trailer brakes is very important when hauling heavy loads on a trail....

CHOP SHOP · Sep 26, 2010

Binder said:
.I've found having trailer brakes is very important when hauling heavy loads on a trail....

I have an anchor from an old boat.

You have a brake controller on your buggy?

Getting pushed around by a trailer is like wheeling with my buddies. (another push)

Binder · Sep 27, 2010

CHOP SHOP said:
I have an anchor from an old boat.

You have a brake controller on your buggy?

Getting pushed around by a trailer is like wheeling with my buddies. (another push)

I made a hand controller that uses a CO2 tank....This link has some trailer pictures..
http://www.nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54292&page=21

Binder · Sep 27, 2010

CHOP SHOP said:
I have an anchor from an old boat.

You have a brake controller on your buggy?

Getting pushed around by a trailer is like wheeling with my buddies. (another push)

I guess it depends on how much weight you intend to haul. My buggy is well under 4000 lbs so it won't stop a load of rocks.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 27, 2010

Binder said:
I made a hand controller that uses a CO2 tank....This link has some trailer pictures..
http://www.nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54292&page=21

did you just use co2 pressure on the surge brakes?

Binder · Sep 27, 2010

CHOP SHOP said:
did you just use co2 pressure on the surge brakes?

They aren't surge brakes, they're air over hydraulic. Air pressure applies the brakes and release pressure releases the brakes..

dirk · Sep 27, 2010

Cool idea Brad...I would suggest keeping the trailer narrow to easily navigate between the trees. Binder's trailer seems wide for navigating between the trees.

We have even discussed adding some tube to Corey's trailer...kind of a nerf bar deal to help the trailer slip by the trees. Basically, something before & after the tire to prevent hooking the tire on a tree.

Gibby1 · Sep 27, 2010

CHOP SHOP said:
I have an anchor from an old boat.

You have a brake controller on your buggy?

Getting pushed around by a trailer is like wheeling with my buddies. (another push)

I have a brake controller on my 4Runner. Never know when the tow rig breaks and you have to switch around. At the time I was using the old F250 with low oil pressure and a slipping transmission. Never sure which rig was going to be on the trailer....:haha:

Binder · Sep 27, 2010

dirk said:
Cool idea Brad...I would suggest keeping the trailer narrow to easily navigate between the trees. Binder's trailer seems wide for navigating between the trees.

Yes my trailer is on the wide side.:booo:

Travis1 · Sep 27, 2010

Binder said:
I guess it depends on how much weight you intend to haul. My buggy is well under 4000 lbs so it won't stop a load of rocks.

Even my Jeep weighing 5,000lbs has been pushed downhill by am old military sized trailer loaded with rock.

I think I had a little over 3,000lbs of trailer behind me going down a long muddy hill in sadie when I found myself sliding down hill with all 4 brakes locked up wishing I had trailer brakes.

Jokenring · Sep 27, 2010

I have a lifting eye for steel plate that I was going to use for a ring. Should work for your application. I'll see if I can get a pic up.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 27, 2010

Jokenring said:
I have a lifting eye for steel plate that I was going to use for a ring. Should work for your application. I'll see if I can get a pic up.

Cool. I just hauled this jewel home tonight. Ill get a few pics and measurements up in a bit.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 27, 2010

The deck/frame is 4.5 feet wide and 9.5 feet long. It is 6.5 feet from out side of tire to outside of tire. 3 inch channel iron and 4 inch pipe tongue.

CHOP SHOP · Sep 27, 2010

In that last pic you can see me holding a chunk of 3x3 angle up at an angle. I have a bunch of 4 foot chunks of 3x3 to cut in half. That will give me the uprights for the side of the box. Im going to angle them out like in the last pic enough to cover the tire making a nice rubrail so trees/stumps wont catch the tire. Then I can make a small nerf down lower closer to the centerline of the axle to make sure the tires slide by stuff nicely.

dirtygoat · Sep 27, 2010

That should work out great...

The day after the last work party, Dirk called me about some military trailers that were getting auctioned off... We talked about doing the same angled sides and bending some pipe sliders for the tires...

It's crazy that you're building the same thing...:beer:

TreeClimber · Sep 27, 2010

ain'tstuckjustresting · Sep 27, 2010

Brad, cool idea:awesomework: I have a Lunette ring at the shop you can have. It's the style that mounts inside 2" channel w/ 2 thru bolts. I might even hook you up with a hyd pump for the dump if you can scrounge a cyl.