One reason I bought my Dodge truck was to have something to pull a car trailer.

So now I need a trailer. I've been thinking about building one because of budget constraints, though I've priced a few trailers and found it's gonna be hard to build one myself for a good deal less than a finished one (new or used) can be had for. On the plus side, I can buy stuff as I need it, and I won't have to plunk down one big wad of cash (which I usually don't have anyway) at one time.

Who's had experience with this? Build or buy? What do you prefer?

Where can I find GOOD plans? Are there any sources for free plans? I don't mind paying for plans that will fit my needs.

2/12/2006 3:37:19 PM

go to the library and check the plans out

return them when youre done

2/12/2006 3:52:07 PM

Ain't a student anymore. I reckon I could photocopy them if I wanted to.

Reckon Wake County Libraries will have anything?

2/12/2006 3:53:05 PM

you dont have to be a student

[Edited on February 12, 2006 at 3:57 PM. Reason : youre an alumnus right?]

2/12/2006 3:56:11 PM

it's next to impossible to build one for less than you can buy now that steel has gone up so much. a good used trailer (1-2 years old) can easily be had for $1500 or so.

2/12/2006 3:57:23 PM

Yeah...this is what I've been thinking. The catch is that my money influx is just about equal (maybe just a hair more) than the outflow, so saving up even that little bit is a bitch and will take a while.

The only cool things about building one is that I can build it how I like it, and I can buy materials as I go, and therefore not have to save up the whole chunk at once.

2/12/2006 4:07:13 PM

Always wanted to build/buy one with 8 lug wheels so the spare on the truck is the same as the trailer and can get HD tires for it also. Just a thought

2/12/2006 4:13:56 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/for/131417480.html

2/12/2006 5:38:01 PM

looks fairly light duty, 5000 lbs probably. Most cars it'll do I guess

2/12/2006 6:44:59 PM

Yeah, I wouldn't say any heavier than around 6k definitely.

I would like to have something strong enough to haul the occasional skid-steer loader (643, 743 Bobcat) or mini excavator (like a Bobcat 322 or 325), so 7k would probably be considered the lightest I would want to consider.

2/12/2006 7:00:01 PM

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8168

2/12/2006 8:32:09 PM

some bobcats are in the 10k lb range i thought

2/12/2006 8:40:52 PM

Oh yeah...they are. I'm talking some of the smaller ones. I'm not gonna try and haul over 10k with my truck now. Fucker is too old, and I don't need to be pulling the tranny for a rebuild right now.

2/12/2006 9:32:04 PM

eh, 10k is a walk in the park for that truck

2/12/2006 9:57:54 PM

If you build it yourself, is it worth the time? Think economically here. Let's assume that there isn't a huge cost difference in terms of dollars between building one and getting a used one. I don't think you've thought through all the opportunity costs.

Not to lecture you dude but you've already got an Integra with no front end, a Z that you'll get to someday, and as you've mentioned before divorce proceedings and bills. Are you going to get a decent amount of enjoyment out of this process? Otherwise you could spend that time working on other people's cars and put that towards the Teg, bills, etc. Not only that, but you've been talking about finding another job. This is another distraction keeping you away from that. Unless you anticipate this to be a genuinely fun enough to justify putting off other stuff like the 'Teg, it's not worth it.

Think about it. You gotta spend a couple hours researching it. Then you have to make parts runs. Then you have to actually fabricate the thing, and probably make a couple parts runs during the process. This could be a multi-weekend project easily, not to mention evenings after work you'll spend on this instead of relaxing or fixing other people's cars.

You better be saving a SHITLOAD of money building a trailer to justify the time expense. Time spent on building this project is consumption, not investment, because the only thing you gain over buying one is the fact that you've customized it exactly the way you want it. All other benefits are negligible. So compare it to other activities of consumption, such as building your track car. I believe you'll attain greater overall satisfaction using your time on other things.

[Edited on February 13, 2006 at 1:11 AM. Reason : consumption]

2/13/2006 12:58:44 AM

another drawback to the building one approach is spending a week at the DMV trying to get it titled registered and plated.

2/13/2006 8:09:56 AM

All good points.

^^Thanks, Ray. Very good points, and I agree. I think I'll just have to save up and buy one outright. I've definitely seen plenty for sale.

2/13/2006 8:13:01 AM

most skidsteers are heavier than you think, thats actually why I got a 14k lb trailer. they big ones w/ tracks and 4 in 1 buckets do weigh 10,000

2/13/2006 8:30:22 AM

Yeah, this I know. A lot of 1/4" steel in 'em.

Quote :

"evenings after work you'll spend on this instead of relaxing or fixing other people's cars."

Relaxing? I need to learn how to do this; it's damn near a foreign concept to me...

[Edited on February 13, 2006 at 9:04 AM. Reason : retard]

2/13/2006 9:03:23 AM

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7756

only a grand. check it out

2/13/2006 10:27:11 PM

damn, that's a steal depending on what lb. the axles are.

2/13/2006 10:42:48 PM

That's a steal even if it has 2000 lb axles. Just not for my purposes.

2/13/2006 10:54:52 PM

i try to help like a good newbie

2/13/2006 11:01:41 PM

Quote :

"You better be saving a SHITLOAD of money building a trailer to justify the time expense. Time spent on building this project is consumption, not investment, because the only thing you gain over buying one is the fact that you've customized it exactly the way you want it. All other benefits are negligible. So compare it to other activities of consumption, such as building your track car. I believe you'll attain greater overall satisfaction using your time on other things."

I agree with everything you said, but also keep in mind that some people really enjoy fabrication like this, me being one of them. If you've got the time and would enjoy the work, I think it would be a fun endeavor if there are no time constraints or anything like that. If it's going to end up being a stressor, then just buy one. Just my humble $.02

2/14/2006 10:29:36 AM

^ True. I was addressing his specific personal circumstances. Dan's got a lot on his plate right now...

2/14/2006 10:42:42 AM