[AT] Homemade trailers

[Phil Auten]

Dave,
All of this is pretty much moot if you can't register your trailer in your
home state. The first thing I would do is check with the appropriate
state agency and get copies of the regulations regarding trailers in
Ohio.

Steel is really pricey right now. You may want to wait and see what it
will cost you in 6 months. Probably quite a bit less.

Most of those $800-900 trailers are light duty and wouldn't be suitable
for anything much bigger than your former A-C B. Check with several
trailer places to see what is included. I believe all new trailers must
use new wheels and tires per federal regs. No more used tires/wheels.

When I bought my trailer, I asked a lot of these same questions and
ended up with an 18' tandem axle "utility" trailer with decking, hubs
that matched my truck's bolt pattern so I could use the truck spare on
the trailer (had to do that several times), stake pockets for tie down points,
a "foldback" tongue, standard fenders and brakes on one axle (I believe
that the regs have since changed and brakes are required on every axle now).
It came painted to match my truck right down to the pinstriping color.
I paid $1,100 plus the brake controller.

If you talk to the dealers and find one that builds his own trailers as
mine did, they can be very helpful with insights that will get you the
trailer you need that will do what you intend to do with it.

Hope this helps,
Phil

At 09:12 AM 11/15/04, you wrote:
>Has anyone ever built there own trailer for hauling tractors? Is it cost
>effective to do this? Here is a link to a page that has the sketch of a
>frame and materials list to a trailer almost identical to the trailer my Dad
>paid about $1200 for.
>http://www.championtrailers.com/UTILITY_TRAILER_KITS.HTM
>With the biggest differences being his trailer is only 14ft and a channel
>iron tongue. BTW its the very last trailer on the page. I think I would go
>for the channel iron tongue like my Dads if I were to build a trailer.
>Between this sketch and haveing a similar trailer on hand to use as a guide
>I am confident the project would go smoothly.
>If I am capable of doing this I am considering building a similar trailer
>but heavier built and make it 18-20 ft gooseneck if it is cost effective. If
>I am paying $1600 for this gooseneck/5th wheel hitch I wanna use it LOL!
>Anyone at Portland in 2004 knows what I am talking about
>
>I see tandem axle trailers advertised as brand new for $800-900 range, what
>arn't they telling us in the ads? no decking included? no breakaway kit? no
>brakes? no or used tires/rims ?
>
>Any and all thoughts and advice welcomed.
>
>These will be to haul tractors to Portland!
>Dave Laughead