how to make a trailer

[PabloPicasso]

Is it possible to home build a towing launching trailer for a 9ft rowing boat without welding?

 

[Kelpie]

Probably. I've heard of people using 'unistrut' and pre-fab axles to bolt together lightweight trailers.
You might want to read up on type-approval though.

 

[prv]

Another probably. Even the brand new shop-bought trailers we had on dinghies twenty years ago seemed to be mostly held together with big U-bolts and nyloc nuts, in order to be adjustable to fit the boat. Very little welding in them.

Pete

 

[VicS]

Is it possible to home build a towing launching trailer for a 9ft rowing boat without welding?

Possible yes but probably preferable to weld the cross beam to the back bone. Otherwise bolt on some bracing to make it rigid.
You'd need a crossbeam to which the suspensions can be bolted directly rather than to plates welded onto the cross beam.

Whether or not you would be able to legally tow it in the road may be another matter.

 

[landlockedpirate]

Yes, I have seen home made trolleys with the frame made out of plastic plumbing pipe and connectors !

If you want to make it out of steel, you could always use 'U' bolts in place of welds.

 

[Croak]

I have two road trailers that have no welds

 

[Lakesailor]

What's the big deal with not wanting welding? You can probably get a local fabrication shop to do the welds on metal you have cut more cheaply than buying trailer quality U-bolts.

 

[prv]

What's the big deal with not wanting welding? You can probably get a local fabrication shop to do the welds on metal you have cut more cheaply than buying trailer quality U-bolts.

Probably true, though it does involve finding and dealing with such a shop which some people find somewhat intimidating.

Alternatively, the OP could learn to weld. It's fun!

Pete

 

[single]

You can but it needs to be coded and have a plate.Woud be cheaper to get one ready done http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-boa...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item35c8fe5670

 

[DownWest]

Sticking to the question.... I remember a kit one we made back in the 60s. It was a triangular angle iron frame with quarter eliptic single leaf springs onto an axle, also angle iron. The only welding (IIRR) was the stub axles to the angle axle. Possible the adjustable chock mounts were welded too, but easy to get round that. If you used round tube for the axle and pinned the stubs into it, then weld-less.
As for learning welding by building a trailer.....Shudder... If you are only building the trailer, then get someone to do it. It will take too long to get proficiant enough for a roadworthy job.

As for the plate...Say you bought it in the 60s ;<))

 

[Avocet]

Yes, perfectly possible, just might take a bit longer and be a bit heavier. Assuming it's more or less "T" shaped, you just need a couple of diagonals from the arms to the "T" to it's "shank" - as broadly-spaced as possible. It's likely to be the small detail areas where you might struggle (like the flat plates to attach the suspension units to, if that's the sort of suspension you go for), but places like Towsure will, I think, sell lengths of box section with the plates already welded on to the ends. You just get a bit less choice of width. I think the biggest problem will be protecting the box sections from corrosion where you end up drilling through them to put your fasteners.

 

[ffiill]

My Dad built one 50 years ago and whats left is still the basis of my trailer since stregthened and welded.
You just have to drill a lot of holes in angle iron.Usually A frame running to apex at tow bar and cross bars for suspension and to lock the frame square.

 

[single]

Ref. the corrosion issue you will need to get it galvanized, but i took a load of bits to our local trailer place and they charged £8 to throw them in with their stuff which gets done every few weeks.