Car trailer design

[Richstang]

Looking to build a simple single axle car trailer to move around pre 70s falcons/mustangs (Rolling shells).
Currently have a old caravan chassis, its 50 x 75 x 3mm drawbar and main rails, nice and strong with good brakes and strong solid drop axle. Was making into a open cage trailer but now considering making it into a my car trailer.
Its problem, only 1425 inside to inside rail.
A 68 falcon, how wide is it from outside edge of each wheel?

[kempy311]

Think you will need a tadem.

[xtremerus]

Single axle should be OK for just rolling shells.

[xisled]

Get a tandem trailer so much easier and built for the job.

[LTDHO]

I wouldn't go for single axle either.

Speak to a provessional shop (Melbourne trailer and carravan supplies for example) Chris there knows his stuff.

[Richstang]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

I wouldn't go for single axle either.

Speak to a provessional shop (Melbourne trailer and carravan supplies for example) Chris there knows his stuff.

How many caravans do you see on the road 16", 17" foot long just with single axle? these vans once with all supplies, water and other holiday junk on board would weight a LOT more than a rolling shell?

[poppa smurf]

you need to have your GTM for your axle load.......axle load varies quite substantially

I run 1850 kilos plus on a single axle, 18'6" caravan.....time she's loaded I probably push close to 2 tonnes or better

no way of telling what you can legally carry without knowing your GTM or doing complex sums dependent on axle thickness and so on......the caravan feller may give you ballpark figures but I really dont know how you could come up with a GTM

then I think you still need to have this certified and stamped or tagged somewhere

[XP6]

The main difference to a caravan is not the weight capacity but the balance of the load, a car trailer needs to have a wide balance center point to allow for nongs who can't load for ####... you know they have the tow car popping a wheelie.

Most cars are only designed for 100kg weight on the tow hitch/ball.

[poppa smurf]

just to complicate matters a bit further the original design of the caravan had the axle placed in such a position so as to Balance out the ORIGINAL design of the caravan

kitchens in front usually meant the axles were placed further forward, kitchen to rear axles further to the rear.....this may have only been millimetres but it all counts......last I heard Jayco had around 4 placements for axle position depending on layout

if it is an older design the axle may just be placed central or maybe a little forward of centre.....ball loading and carrying capacities weren't that important in the "old days".....we just hooked up and went

there would be some serious calculations necessary before placing anything on it......then there is ball weight, weight distribution hitches, electric brakes

you have some fun ahead

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by Richstang

How many caravans do you see on the road 16", 17" foot long just with single axle? these vans once with all supplies, water and other holiday junk on board would weight a LOT more than a rolling shell?

WTF????

When did I say anything about weight?????