gixermark Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Hi Guys, I'm planning on building or buying a small trailer, preferably covered.. and am considering getting one custom made (if ££ Feasible) Has anyone tried to build a clam shell trailer - similar in concept to the minnow shuttle & PRG Minisporter etc ?? I'm interested in views, and do's & dont's for folk that have tried it.. The Clam shell shape coudl be made of bent aluminium/steel and covered in teh rolls of light GRP you can buy - bond/rivit to the frame.. Won;t look quite as pretty as the BJ/PRG but can't justify £4-5k for a trailer... Quote
Asterix Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Before I bought my 2nd hand sprint shuttle, the only other "££ feasible" option I was considering was: - 1. Buy suitable uncovered trailer 2. Fabricate box steel section frame 3. Fabricate aluminium skin (yup, I could've gone for canvas as lots of people do but was only considering ali) 4. Bond skin to frame (most likely a rivetting job) Quote
JeffC Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 mate of mine has built 2 for me, proper job lightweight with ali box and skin and finished spot on and best bit not expensive Quote
gixermark Posted November 26, 2009 Author Posted November 26, 2009 cheers guys. Jeff - i assume you went for conventional closed in job with access at front for tyre rack +/or access to front of car to winch etc ? how did you work around tie down on wheels ? access panels hinged up on sides etc ? or car held by secondary strap say around teh roll cage to the cable/winch onto say tow strap ?? One reason for clamshell is for tie down and vehicle access, and i guess is handy for shelter if needed.. shouldn't be too complex to engineer a pivit and rams to support............. really want to keep weight down and small a trailer as possible... Quote
JeffC Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 my last one was just big enough to get a Caterham in (was only 4ft 7" inside) was based on the smallest Bj twin axle they do, I had to extend over the A frame to get the car in, weight wise it was all ally so was very light and so easy to push around off the car! Loading ...I pushed or drove the car in (tight getting out )and had a front access point and just strapped the car forward onto the wheel onto front frame , car was only ever strapped with one strap and never budged, also used the front access for my jerry cans. I had a fixed shelf that was the length of the bonnet which is where I stored all my wheels etc, Ive had a BJ Shuttle previously and wouldnt have another as they are too big and they kill mpg when towing this one was 5mpg better on the back of my beemer than the shuttle the last one I had made was spot on for a 7 but no good for anything else .. will dig out some pictures as a pic will explain it easier .. Quote
BigRuss Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Can I ask what sort of money that covering was? Something like that would be spot on for what I need. Don't worry, did a search and found it on an old thread.. Quote
gixermark Posted November 26, 2009 Author Posted November 26, 2009 cheers Jeff, thats very close to what i am after... what way is the rear door secure ? is it a drop down door to double up as a ramp too ? did you paint the alu to give the white base ? or was that another trailer with light GRP ? to help me understand your tie downs.... you strapped the front wheels onto the a bar of the trailer ? I assume box ali is a fair bot more expensive than steel.. although ali sheet rivited/bonded over steel box is bound to react over time... thanks again Jeff - appreciate you digging out the pics... just need to get my a** in gear and get membership sorted here so i coudl pm you re costs etc.......... Quote
XTR2Turbo Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Jeff Will your mate make a trailer for anyone on here or was it just as a favour.? Might be interested. David Quote
JeffC Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 cheers Jeff, thats very close to what i am after... what way is the rear door secure ? is it a drop down door to double up as a ramp too ? did you paint the alu to give the white base ? or was that another trailer with light GRP ? to help me understand your tie downs.... you strapped the front wheels onto the a bar of the trailer ? I assume box ali is a fair bot more expensive than steel.. although ali sheet rivited/bonded over steel box is bound to react over time... thanks again Jeff - appreciate you digging out the pics... just need to get my a** in gear and get membership sorted here so i coudl pm you re costs etc.......... the rear door was on rams and secured with a key inside the lower flap when shut, I eventually put a hasp and padlock on to be more secure I got the alli etched and painted as they tarnish pretty quickly if you dont the straps went through the spokes of the wheels and I pulled it forward onto what was the upstand for the front of the original trailer. he told me a steel frame isnt a good idea long term as it will react and corode , plus alli was lighter. my pal does this for a living, he actually makes upmarket horse transporter things and fitted the couple of trailers hes made for me in between jobs, he is quite happy to do them as they are a much easier job than what he normally makes , top of my head I think I had the trailer stood at £600 and paid £900 give or take for the job , I looked at a tarpaulin and frame job and that wasnt a lot cheaper and bonus when I sold both of my trailers I actually made money on them so win win If anyone wants one doing I would have thought if you had a window of a couple of months he would be able to sort you one out. if anyone needs his contact details just drop me a line. Quote
dhutch Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 I paid £900 for my trailer, which is 12.6*4*6ft abouts, DIY built by jenvey by all accounts. Bought off reaper on here. - I had it weighed as 580kg at the local bridge and it tows well enough although my tow cars a bit small. Looked a building and it was miles off the costs for a cheap second hand trailer. So far all ive done is painted the inside of the framework and fitted two 12v floro's, but that was purely for aethetics. Daniel Quote
gixermark Posted November 27, 2009 Author Posted November 27, 2009 cheers Jeff.. the etching and painting i think is key to the look of that... i was worried about ali as it can get tired very quickly.. and the grp sheet is ok - but probably more suseptable to getting slight wrinkles with heat/cold.. and may fade etc.. Food for thought.. at least i can show the local guy what i want !! will price up him making trailer chassis from scratch too - vs buying a 2nd hand BJ or branded trailer as a base. My big trailer went to a new home last night, so time to get moving before testing in the new year Quote
thos Posted December 5, 2009 Posted December 5, 2009 Take a look at DG Trailers (www.dgtrailers.co.uk) for some ideas, I just picked up one of their trailers, nice bit of kit. Quote
gixermark Posted December 5, 2009 Author Posted December 5, 2009 they look decent bits of kit - did you buy complete, or get them to build onto your existing trailer ?? I've sold my big trailer and bought an as new BJ clubman single axle trailer which i may well get a box added to. I like Jeffs design, pretty mcuh exactly what i want - a drop down drive on door would be great...... just need to look at dimensions to see if it would work.... Quote
thos Posted December 5, 2009 Posted December 5, 2009 Looked at building onto existing trailer, but managed to pick up a second-hand one. Selling my Clubman tilt-bed if you know of anyone interested! Quote
gixermark Posted December 5, 2009 Author Posted December 5, 2009 ah !! happy days.. if its a fairly big tilt - try rally.ie ? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.