help: FROM SCRATCH - DIY 4'x4' Trailer

[Deleted User 38384]

So I've decided this morning, I want a disassembleable, 4 ft by 4 ft trailer/equipment hauler, which I can tow behind my Wrangler for various purposes. It needs to be disassembleable, not sure if that's a word, but it is now. Basically in our community we're not allowed to store trailers in the driveway, and my wife wouldn't like it anyways if I had a trailer out there. She thinks it's tacky. That being said I need something that I can take the bed off of the axle and store the axle and the bed on their sides in my garage. That way I save on space. I have about a 6 ft x 4 ft space that I can store stuff, so I figure 4 ft by 4 ft cage with a 32-in around axle, can fit right in there.

The whole idea behind this is I've always wanted to make my own trailer, from scratch. I mean by the axle, weld my own hubs on there or however that works, purchase my own trailer tires get those mounted, build the cage weld it all together. If I do want it disconnectable, a way to connect the axle shaft and tires to the actual cage using pins or something. Obviously there's needs to be certain level of safety features with lights turn signals brakes, all that sort of stuff. I'm not planning on doing any sort of trailer braking, no point in how small it's going to be.

This is definitely going to be a long-term project, I'm not sure how long it's going to take me and I really don't have the money to be doing this right now in its entirety, so I am going to have to Spread this project out over time. I want to learn a lot in this process, and I feel it will be a good project to aid me in learning to weld.

If there's any advice or tips you have for me early on while I'm doing my research here, before I make any purchases, please let me know. I'm here to learn in this thread and I'm open to any ideas and suggestions you may have. The only thing I will not pay attention to, is advice to not do this. It's going to happen whether you guys like it or not, but any bit of advice along the way would be greatly appreciated.

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[Halxen]

...If there's any advice or tips you have for me early on while I'm doing my research here, before I make any purchases, please let me know. I'm here to learn in this thread and I'm open to any ideas and suggestions you may have.

Best advice, don't do this

The only thing I will not pay attention to, is advice to not do this....

Oh..

 

[siggy]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-super-duty-folding-trailer-62671.html

 

[JPXR]

Not sure if axles / grease like being on their side but if you were to stand it up on a wall then the axles would be in the same position as they normally would be.

Here is my small trailer. I found this trailer on a gov auction site and it has a removable tongue to same on length and gives a little bit of extra security. The bed is aluminum diamond plate so it’s really light.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-super-duty-folding-trailer-62671.html

While that is cool, it's a little bit too big for What I'm going to use it for, and it's also a lot of money. Realistically if I build one myself, depending how I build it, I could probably do it for about 300 bucks or less. Also there would be a wealth of knowledge and learning attached to it, something I won't get if I pay someone else for theirs.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Not sure if axles / grease like being on their side but if you were to stand it up on a wall then the axles would be in the same position as they normally would be.

Here is my small trailer. I found this trailer on a gov auction site and it has a removable tongue to same on length and gives a little bit of extra security. The bed is aluminum diamond plate so it’s really light.

Interesting. Probably not a bad idea. Create a removable tongue and just tip it up with the wheels a little inset. Not a bad idea at all.

 

[siggy]

While that is cool, it's a little bit too big for What I'm going to use it for, and it's also a lot of money. Realistically if I build one myself, depending how I build it, I could probably do it for about 300 bucks or less. Also there would be a wealth of knowledge and learning attached to it, something I won't get if I pay someone else for theirs.

Damn bro I just solved your problem! I think it qualifies for their 20% off coupon too. You get to still build the floor. And I'm sure you can remove a couple metal support beams to really make it your own

 

[Halxen]

Damn bro I just solved your problem! I think it qualifies for their 20% off coupon too. You get to still build the floor. And I'm sure you can remove a couple metal support beams to really make it your own

They also have the non "super duty" version with a lower weight capacity on clearance depending on your store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-...6-14-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62666.html

Pretty hard to beat $380 for pretty much exactly what Tredsdert is looking for; or at least a very solid base to start with to mod from.

Cut the axel and supports off and move the axel forward some.
Weld on some shock mounts and install some small shocks
Cut the fenders off and remake them to support 35" tires

Just think of all the modding

 

[siggy]

They also have the non "super duty" version with a lower weight capacity on clearance depending on your store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-...6-14-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62666.html

Pretty hard to beat $380 for pretty much exactly what Tredsdert is looking for; or at least a very solid base to start with to mod from.

Cut the axel and supports off and move the axel forward some.
Weld on some shock mounts and install some small shocks
Cut the fenders off and remake them to support 35" tires

Just think of all the modding

Shoot nice find! I didn't realize there were so many. They're big in the motorcycle community for people who do a lot of track riding. Fit nicely in garages.

Now you've REALLY solved tred's problem. I have a feeling he'll take the less practical approach for funsies.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Well, now that we're past all that stupid nonsense. I think the first place I'm going to investigate and research is what exactly entails the ideal trailer axle. I'm also going to be looking into suspension possibilities.

A while back I saw a camping trailer, single axle, had a suspension on it. Ideal for off-roading they said. Definitely something I want to look into, especially because I'm going to have a free set of springs here in another couple weeks, And all I would need to add is a couple shocks and I'd be set.

So for now, my main focus is going to be starting from the ground up, the axle!

 

[patternman]

So I've decided this morning, I want a disassembleable, 4 ft by 4 ft trailer/equipment hauler, which I can tow behind my Wrangler for various purposes. It needs to be disassembleable, not sure if that's a word, but it is now. Basically in our community we're not allowed to store trailers in the driveway, and my wife wouldn't like it anyways if I had a trailer out there. She thinks it's tacky. That being said I need something that I can take the bed off of the axle and store the axle and the bed on their sides in my garage. That way I save on space. I have about a 6 ft x 4 ft space that I can store stuff, so I figure 4 ft by 4 ft cage with a 32-in around axle, can fit right in there.

The whole idea behind this is I've always wanted to make my own trailer, from scratch. I mean by the axle, weld my own hubs on there or however that works, purchase my own trailer tires get those mounted, build the cage weld it all together. If I do want it disconnectable, a way to connect the axle shaft and tires to the actual cage using pins or something. Obviously there's needs to be certain level of safety features with lights turn signals brakes, all that sort of stuff. I'm not planning on doing any sort of trailer braking, no point in how small it's going to be.

This is definitely going to be a long-term project, I'm not sure how long it's going to take me and I really don't have the money to be doing this right now in its entirety, so I am going to have to Spread this project out over time. I want to learn a lot in this process, and I feel it will be a good project to aid me in learning to weld.

If there's any advice or tips you have for me early on while I'm doing my research here, before I make any purchases, please let me know. I'm here to learn in this thread and I'm open to any ideas and suggestions you may have. The only thing I will not pay attention to, is advice to not do this. It's going to happen whether you guys like it or not, but any bit of advice along the way would be greatly appreciated.

My advice is to do something every day. At some point you will look at it and realize you're almost done.
Also I don't think $300 is very realistic.
I built this in 7 months. It's not an off-road camper though its been on forest roads and dispersed campsites.

Just do something to the build every day

 

[Halxen]

...
So for now, my main focus is going to be starting from the ground up, the axle!

Sir, the axel doesn't sit on the ground; that would be the tires.

 

[Ratbert]

Sir, the axel doesn't sit on the ground; that would be the tires.

Hell, I didn't even know he was into figure skating. That's where they do axels, right?

 

[Deleted User 38384]

My advice is to do something every day. At some point you will look at it and realize you're almost done.
Also I don't think $300 is very realistic.
I built this in 7 months. It's not an off-road camper though its been on forest roads and dispersed campsites.

Just do something to the build every day

That's gorgeous!!

Yeah I was talking with my dad about it. Depending what kind of axle I go with he said the axle alone could be like $300.

I guess it's good it's going to be a long-term build. I would like to have the axle completed by December 2025.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Sir, the axel doesn't sit on the ground; that would be the tires.

I knew someone was going to say that!

Tires and wheels are super simple. There's not going to be any DIY with that. Axles however, lots of options. Lots of DIY possibilities.

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