Building a Box Trailer

[binge]

Hi Guys,

I'm picking up a trailer tomorrow to replace my current flat bed.
It's longer, and slightly wider than my current trailer.
It's currently like a flat bed, with sides, and a front.
Open back, and open top.

The sides are about 4ft high, but I'd like to take them up an extra 12" maybe, so they are 5ft, then fit a roof on it, and fit a back 'door' so to speak.

I'm after some opinions on the best way to go about this.
I dont know if I will get plywood which is 5ft wide, so I'm thinking I may have to extend what I currently have.
It is battoned in the corners with 4x2 timber.
Was thinking of removing this timber, and fitting longer pices, which will give me a base to build up on.

Once I have the sides and top on, I need to come up with a design for the rear door.

Ideally I would like either a drop down / draw bridge style door, which doubles up as a loading ramp.
OR, like a gull door / hatch, which swings upwards on some boot struts.


Within the trailer, i plan to build a bench (about 1.5ft) deep down the left hand side, to house my genny, compressor, tool box, helmets, boots, gloves, and some essensials.

Then down the right, I can rig up a pair of bike securing runs, to sit both bikes into.



Has anybody ever done this on the forum? Like build a race/track day trailer?


Any advice will be greatly appreciated.



pics to follow tomorrow.



Ta


Ben

[G]

Is it a braked trailer? Could see you getting over 750kg when loaded with that. Also have to consider what you're towing it with and if you're under the permissible weight; presuming you don't have +E.

I think I'd be tempted to go for a metal frame, then plywood or some big bits of fibreglass for the sides (how about getting the sides/roof from a luton and cutting them down?)

Consider weight distribution when unladen for the positioning of stuff.
Also consider the height of the roof if you're going to be working in there - much nicer to work in somewhere you can stand up properly.

[binge]

Was going to tow it with my Clio. It would have no issues pulling that sort of weight.


I went to view the trailer today, and sad to say, I'm not having it.
It's wider than my car, quite long, and weighs an absolte ton!
It's the sort of thing you'd see being towed behind a Transit Tipper, or even a small 7.5t truck.
It was full with junk, and I couldnt lift the hitch. You'd need a trolley jack to get it off the stack of bricks it is stood on.

The wheels are 16", with big commercial / truck tyres on.

Just a FAR too big of a trailer.


However, the same guy has a 'shuttle' type trailer in the yard, which I am going to hopefully buy from him.
Fiberglass shell, with an ally chassis, and ally rear roller shutter.
Lovely bit of kit!




Cheers for the advice there though G.

[Im-a-Ridah]

Most people at track days use a van or an open top trailer. I can't see much need for a box trailer or a door, your kit can go in the car, and the bike doesn't mind wind and rain. There wouldn't be much point working on the bike inside a trailer either, especially with so much space outside you could use instead. We use a van and a car btw

[binge]

It's not just a track day, we do 3-day (bank holiday) weekenders. It's my second year doing them, I've done maybe 20 track days now, so I know what they involve.
I cant insure a van, no company wants to know, and the ones that do, I simply cant justify paying what they are asking.
My car, is not big enough to take any kit.
It's a Mk1 clio, with Megane coupe seats, which dont lay flat etc.
However, it's got a 1.8 valver engine stuffed up it, running near 160bhp.
Meaning it has no issues towing a big/heavy trailer.

The one I went to view today, was just far, too big.

I wont be working on the bike, IN the trailer. I've got a small gazeebo for that.
I want a trailer to keep my toolbox and compressor, Genny, and get a vice rigged up in.
They'll be fitted in there permenantly, as I'll be looking to use the trailer as a starting point to a new career (mobile mechanic), so it'll all be in there, ready to hitch up and go with.
Eventually, I'll move over to a van, LWB high-top if things progress.
But for now, I need a fully enclosed, and lockable trailer.

Hopefully this fibreglass one is for sale.

[G]

I presume that engine is ok for towing?

For instance, I know that while the 3.2 100hp/lt E36 M3 engine can keep going at a decent pace on it's own, apparently it starts to suffer when towing and will likely overheat with a bit of weight (I would presume that a single bike on a small trailer would be fine.)

If it's a decent height, can see there being a lot of wind resistance too.

[binge]

It tows my flat bed, with 3 bikes on perfectly fine.
If it blows up, I'll just buy a small derv Car.




Ben

[D O G]

How about a horsebox?

[binge]

I did consider one. But people was stupid money for them..

[Fairies attack]

I would take the sides off completely then make a box frame, maybe 25 x 25 ms, and work form there.

You can get 5ft sheets of ply.

Where are you in location to Scupholme?
I will happily build it for you for cost of materials and a create of beer.