How to Build a Trailer
These instructions will show you how to build a trailer for utility purposes that can be pulled behind your car or truck to haul just about anything. It is 6’ in width and 10’ in length. The article does not include information on lighting or licensing the unit.
Required Materials
- 102’ of angle iron
- leaf spring assembly of no less than 25” in length
- axle and wheel assembly
- female end of trailer-hitch
- 1” x 4” boards
- wheels
- tires
- sheet metal 35”x36”
Required Tools
- welding equipment
- metal marking chalk
- cutting torch
- hammer
- impact wrench and appropriate sockets
- large C-clamps
Instructions to Build the Trailer
- Building the Floor Frame - Cut 4 lengths of angle iron 10’ long. Cut 3 lengths of angle iron 6’ long. Cut 2 lengths of angle iron 4’ long. Cut 8 lengths of angle iron 18” long. Lay them out according to the diagram below and mark the placement as noted. Weld railerthe 18” support angle irons at each corner of the 10’ angle iron piece. Measure 51” from the rear of the frame and mark the center for the front spring hanger. Weld the front spring hanger in place. On the front side, weld one 18” angle iron. Measure from the center of the front spring hanger 25” backwards and mark this point as the center for the rear spring hanger. Weld the rear spring hanger in place. Weld one 18” angle iron in the back of the rear spring hanger. Divide the distance in half between the front of the frame and the 18” angle iron in front of the front spring hanger. Mark this point for the placement of the last 18” angle iron on this side. Weld the under-support irons ahead of the 18” irons in front of the spring hanger, and behind them to the rear of the back spring hanger. Repeat this process on the other side.
- Constructing the Towing Tongue - Cut two 72” lengths of angle iron and then turn the trailer floor frame upside down. Place one end of the 72” iron against the front 6’ support beam in front of the front spring hanger on each side. Clamp in place using C-clamps. Bring the front sections of the 72” lengths together and attach and weld the coupler for the female hitch to this joint securely. Weld the back of the tongue beams where they are clamped to the frame. For added safety, weld each joint that touches the tongue.
- Axle Assembly - Attach the spring assembly to the spring hangers as required. Place the axle and wheel assembly on to the spring assembly. Mount the wheels and tires.
- Flooring - Cut boards into 10’ lengths. Lay the boards on the floor frame to fill in the floor area. Cut 2-6’ lengths and then screw them to the outer boards of the flooring. Screw each board to the cross section the two boards create. Remove the floor and turn it so that the cross sections are to the bottom of the frame. Drill holes through the cross sections and mark the angle iron underneath. Remove the floor and cut holes into the angle iron at your marks. Replace the floor and bond the planks into place.
- Fenders - Cut sheet metal into two sections of 35” x 18” each. Measure 4” from one end on both sheets and mark both sides of each sheet. Weld the forward spring hanger to the front of the overhanging angle iron. Measure 6” from the free end and mark as before. Bend the sheet metal to weld at this mark to the rear overhang.
