DIY trailer for a car: how to make

Transporting large loads is a fairly common necessity in the lives of many motorists. As practice shows, the trunk of a car is most often not very suitable. The ideal solution in this case would be to use a car trailer. It is worth noting that a car trailer is quite relevant not only for domestic needs, but is also actively used by car travelers.

About technology and rules for trailer production

There are different types of cars with large and voluminous trunks, but middle-class passenger cars are the most common on our roads. To carry out one-time luggage transportation, you can use the services of a cargo taxi. In cases of multiple transport shipments, the use of taxi transportation may not be effective. In this case, the way out of this situation would be to use a trailer for a passenger car.

The desire to have a trailer for a car can be realized by purchasing the required factory-made sample available in auto stores. Many car owners hope to save money somehow and try to make a homemade trailer or rebuild an old one, make it more powerful and larger.

New and constantly updated traffic rules and administrative documents indicate that any rebuilding of a vehicle or its manufacture requires the owner to conduct a technical examination of the vehicle with obtaining an appropriate certificate of suitability for the use of this design and confirmation of its safe operation.

To make a trailer yourself, you need to decide on the type of trailer, what to transport and what is required for production.

For example, factory trailers use professional devices and designs, with special equipment for loading. These trailers have additional carrying capacity and are capable of transporting cargo under different road surface conditions.

There are components that are manufactured at the factory using complex technology: hot zinc coating, high-precision resistance welding, etc.

To make a trailer for a car with your own hands, you will need tools and materials. Having decided to create a passenger trailer with your own hands, you must already understand what a trailer is and what it will be like.

The necessary information on the standards for the manufacture of transport devices makes it possible to create miracle technology in accordance with the simplified list of requirements of GOST 37.001.220-80 given below:

• The permissible weight of the trailer is limited to 1.8 tons. The weight is no more than half the weight of the tug and when the vehicle is without brakes;
• The length of the vehicle is no more than 8 m and no more than one and a half times the length of the car;
• Up to 0.23 m wide and no wider than a car, 20 cm on both sides;
• The height of the vehicle is up to 3 m and not 1.8 times higher than the track of the trailer wheels;
• The center of gravity with a load should not be higher than the track width and multiplied by 0.725;
• The ground clearance must be no less than the ground clearance of the car;
• By design, a homemade trailer for a passenger car can only be single-axle. The distance between the axes of the paired structure is up to 1 m;
• The load on each side of the trailer should not exceed 0.55% of its own weight;
• The total weight per trailer hitch is from 25 to 100 kg/s.

The coupling equipment must have the following designs:

• One-piece cable or chain in case the vehicle is disconnected from the car while driving;
• Restrictive shoes for stability when parking independently;
• Platform with a jacking mechanism;
• Removable lever brake;
• Splash-proof wings;
• Stand for installing a sign;
• Support stand;
• Spare wheel corresponding to the size of the vehicle tires;
• Lighting devices, wiring and connecting plug.

In order for a homemade trailer to have the required safety, you should buy fasteners for the tow bar.

Trailer manufacturing process

Making a passenger trailer with your own hands, based on the information above, prompts the craftsman to draw a drawing of the future model and search for materials of the appropriate size.

Trailer drawing

There are basic drawings. But there is one caveat: they require direct assembly with components, the absence of which can puzzle or even discourage you from making a trailer with your own hands. The effective path combines economy, the desire to cut, cook, twist and the ability to give a good result. Therefore, it is worth listing the parts necessary for manufacturing and dividing them into homemade and purchased:

• Square rolled metal 30x60 mm or 25x25 mm is suitable for a frame, rack, and additional stiffening ribs. Although a 40 mm corner is also suitable for the latter. A U-shaped channel is suitable for bridge beams.
• The sides and bottom are made of thick multi-layer plywood 10-12 mm or galvanized iron sheet 0.8 mm. When combined, you get an economical option. In any case, the structural fasteners for the sides must unite the body.
• The chassis is easier to find when disassembling a Zhiguli or Moskvich. It includes: Axis;
• Hubs;
• Springs;
• Spring earrings;
• Stepladder with pads;
• Shock absorbers;
• Wheels.

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A complete find will be a success, and a separate selection if you know it won’t take much time. Chassis solution is 70%. If you buy an independent torsion bar or rubber-harness suspension, you will have to buy the rest of the chassis due to the least versatility. Few people like to bore a purchased spare part into old components. Shock absorbers are worth buying new.

• Fasteners and fasteners for beads are common in hardware stores.
• Three millimeter cable or chain.
• The electrics are made from multi-core cable. But you need to buy flashlights with an outlet.
• The tow bar clamp is something you don’t want to skimp on.

To make a two-axle trailer for a car yourself, you will need the same material, only in a double name. With the correct procedure, the first step will be the ability to weld metal, and the last will be the search for an awning or material for its manufacture. If you have never cooked, you need to contact a specialist, having previously prepared everything that needs to be welded. At the design stage, it is necessary to take into account the dumping system. If it is conceived, then the body structure requires hinge mechanisms and separate strength amplifiers.

Two axle trailer

DIY trailer assembly

You can’t ignore drawing up a drawing. Preparatory actions may not leave numbers in memory. Visibility provides visual control, understanding of the assembly, and, moreover, if there is help from the master during welding or milling. Summing up the collection of materials, components, and tools will give permission to begin actions:

1. Channel cutting begins with measuring pieces of the required length.
2. The sawn-off parts of the frame are placed on a flat surface for welding. Smooth angles and planes will ensure precise fixation of the sides. Next, the stiffening ribs are cooked. System of spars (longitudinal) and traverses (transverse parts).
3. Before welding the spring brackets, measure one meter from the back of the trailer to the expected middle of the bridge beam. There will be a welding point there. The axis should be offset from the center to the rear side. The shock absorber mounts are also welded.
4. Whether the drawbar is V-shaped or straight, it can be removable. Then you need to weld the brackets with holes for the bolts. The drawbar is centered.
5. Next comes the installation of the chassis: axle, springs, shock absorbers. Hubs and wheels are installed.
6. The inverted frame with wheels undergoes further assembly. A towbar is installed. It requires attention. A suitable option is to fix it on the tow bar and roll the trailer by the drawbar to the car. The hitch with the drawbar can be welded or bolted, dismountable. We must not forget about installing cables and safety chains.
7. The procedure for installing the bottom and sides follows from the drawing. But after fitting, they must be removed to fix the wiring with lighting devices.
8. Reversing lights, turn signals, parking lights and brake lights correspond to the car's lighting. For parallel connection, use the appropriate connector: plug. The socket is located on the tow bar.
9. After checking the installed components, the wings are installed.

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Video instructions for making a trailer

The sample test is carried out with a gradual increase in load. It is advisable that someone help in this matter, visually recording the operation of the suspension and coupling unit. Anti-corrosion coating is applied at any stage of installation. This is subject to availability of covered locations.

Requirements for a car trailer according to GOST

The first thing a person who has decided to independently manufacture a car trailer needs to know is that it, like any vehicle, has certain requirements. In this case, all requirements are described in detail in GOST 37.001.220-80, which is called “Trailers for passenger cars.” In order not to burden car enthusiasts with reading the primary source, it is worth making a selection of relevant information specifically on the issue under discussion.

So, a car trailer must meet the following requirements:

1. The weight of a passenger car trailer should not exceed 1.8 tons. However, it should also not exceed half the weight of the towing vehicle.
2. The static load indicator on the central part of the ball joint of the coupling device should be from 25 KGS to 100 KGS.
3. The total length of the trailer cannot exceed eight meters, the width cannot be more than two hundred and thirty centimeters, and the height limit is three meters.
4. The ground clearance of the trailer should not be less than the vehicle towing it.
5. For a passenger car trailer, it is intended to use one axle. A possible option is two parallel axes located at a distance of no more than one meter from each other.
6. For insurance purposes, the towing coupling device is equipped with two non-removable sections of cable or chain, which insure the structure if the coupling becomes disconnected as a result of a hinge failure.
7. The mandatory equipment of the trailer being used must include wheel chocks. It is stipulated that they do not have to be factory-made.
8. The design must include fenders and mudguards if body parts do not perform this function.
9. The towbar must be of factory origin and have an appropriate certificate.
10. Fastenings must be provided to secure the license plate.
11. To connect to the vehicle's on-board network, a cable with a plug must be provided; the electrical circuit diagram is regulated by GOST 9209-76.

Assembly

Next, we will consider the procedure for assembling and manufacturing the structure.

The sequence of operations performed is as follows:

• Take the prepared channel, apply markings and cut into the necessary parts.
• The cut parts of the future frame are laid on a flat surface and welding is performed. Then the stiffening ribs are welded. It is recommended to make spars and traverses, that is, longitudinal and transverse elements.
• Before welding the spring brackets for your 2 axle trailer. For single-axle models, the axis is shifted slightly from the center towards the rear side. Since this is a dual axle design, the twin axle will need to be evenly spaced so that its center is approximately 1 meter from the rear of the platform. The mounts for shock absorbers are fixed in the same way.
• A mandatory element of the trailer is the drawbar. It can be I- or V-shaped. The second option is preferable. The drawbar can be made removable. To do this, you will need to weld brackets with holes for bolted connections. The drawbar must be centered.
• Next comes the installation stage of the chassis. Axles, springs, shock absorbers, hubs and wheels are mounted.
• The frame is turned over and assembly continues. Choose a quality towbar. It is not recommended to do it yourself, since making a hitch has too many nuances. Plus, it is unlikely that you will be able to get approval from the laboratory. Additionally, chains and safety cables are installed.
• Try on the sides and bottom. But then remove it to run the wiring and connect the lights on the trailer.
• Finally, the floor covering is installed and the sides of the trailer are fixed.

This completes the installation. Do not forget to check the electrical equipment that is connected through the socket on the towbar installed on the vehicle. There is a mating fork on the trailer side. In some cases, you will need to use a matching unit if the number of holes in the socket does not match the number of elements on the plug. Buying an adapter is not a problem.

How to paint your trailer is up to each individual. Just make sure that the assembled structure complies with GOST.

Required tools and materials

So, before you start assembling the desired structure, it is worth preparing a number of tools and materials that will be required at various stages of assembly.

1. Steel channel for the frame. The optimal channel size for assembling a car trailer frame is 25x40 mm. It is also possible to use a square pipe with dimensions 40x40 mm. The length of the material is selected individually based on the design features.
2. Sheet steel for body sides. The thickness of the sheet steel from which the body sides will be made should be about 1 mm. The dimensions of the required sheets should also be calculated based on the dimensions of the finished structure.
3. Thick plywood. The bottom is made from it, therefore, the thickness should be chosen with a margin for sufficient strength.
4. Chassis. Everything here relies only on the imagination of enthusiasts. For example, the use of suspension elements for Moskvich, Volga, ZAZ, etc. cars is quite popular. Attempts are often made to build a trailer on the classic “Zhiguli” bridge.
5. Elements of electrical equipment. Wiring, brake lights, direction indicators, dimensions. Nowadays there are often ready-made solutions specifically for car trailers on the market. In this case, rear lights from onboard UAZs and Gazelles are often used.
6. Fastening elements. It all depends on the design features. It is worth noting that in order to increase strength, you should not skimp on bolted connections.
7. Hand tool. The minimum set of hand tools includes the following. Hammer, pliers, wrenches, drill, jigsaw and grinder. Depending on the design features of the trailer, the tool can either be replenished or reduced.
8. Welding machine. Actually, the element, without which assembling the trailer will simply be impossible, you will also need to find either an experienced welder or have the necessary skills yourself.

Possible layout

You can make your own trailer in various configurations. They can be one- or two-axle, of a monolithic structure or with a tilting platform, with wings or wheel wells located inside. The layout depends on the purposes for which the trailer is being created, as well as the planned load capacity. The chassis must withstand dynamic and static loads.

Examples of layouts of load-bearing elements and suspension mounting locations can be viewed in finished works published on the Internet. But you shouldn’t determine the dimensions from the photo. It would be a good idea to inspect the factory-produced serial design. You can find a full-scale specimen from friends or ask to take measurements of exhibition models presented on the market or in specialized showrooms.

Types of self-assembled trailers

Business and industry use professional trailers equipped with special equipment for a specific load. They are distinguished by additional load-carrying capacity and the ability to handle it efficiently under various conditions. Some components are made in the factory using complex technology that cannot be done in a garage: zinc coating, strong welding.

Homemade trailer frame

Therefore, you should not aim at a trailer over 750 kg, besides, it assumes category “E”. But if this state of affairs does not suit the motorist, then he challenges the biaxial design for universal use and tests as he pleases. Before the first modification.

DIY trailer

The choice of trailer type depends on what to transport and what materials for making it are lying around. A four-millimeter corner or profile, two wheels of a domestic car, a set of springs, wires with lights already bring the unit into the class of homemade single-axle trailers up to 750 kg. Plywood for the sides and bottom is not in short supply, unlike thick sheet metal, which still needs to be cut. The main thing is not to skimp on the coupling mechanism. Making a connecting unit will not cost you just bolts and nuts. For increased safety of a homemade trailer, it is better to buy a special fastener for the towbar. Anyone who has decided to create a passenger trailer with their own hands already knows what a trailer is and what they are, but information on the standards for the manufacture of trailer hitch devices will make it possible to operate the miracle of technology even after the first traffic police stop.

Advantages and disadvantages

First of all, we will answer the question regarding whether a category is needed to transport a two-axle trailer in a coupled car. There are many debates and conversations about this.

But you need to finally understand what is required and when.

Which category will be needed does not depend on whether your trailer is two-axle or single-axle. Here they start from the mass indicator. Structures weighing up to 750 kg do not require the opening of an additional category. If you have category B open, this will be enough.

But if the weight of the structure is more than 750 kg, then you will have to additionally make category E. We sorted that out.

Some people choose single-axis models, while others prefer two-axis models. Which one is better depends on the specific situation and individual needs.

A conditional disadvantage of a biaxial product is worse maneuverability. But this problem can be easily solved with the help of rolling wheels and a turning mechanism.

The cost of assembling such a structure will be approximately 1.5-2 times higher than for a single-axis model. This is due to the fact that everything will be required twice as much.

But there are also positive aspects. The main ones include:

• increased load capacity;
• improved level of security;
• reducing the load on the car when braking;
• better stability on bad roads;
• increased cross-country ability;
• functionality;
• versatility.

Strong arguments in favor of a two-axle trailer design.

Drawings for the future trailer

Thinking through all possible nuances in advance is fundamental to a good result.

Always consider the distance you will travel with the trailer, what kind of road surface will be there, and what load it will take on.

Do-it-yourself drawings of a trailer for a passenger car are created taking into account all these nuances, as well as the dimensions of the future structure.

It is not recommended to create a trailer that is the size of a car. Such designs can lead to poor handling and poor braking distance of the vehicle.

Registration of a homemade trailer with the traffic police

The last step will be to register a homemade model of your own production. The traffic police will send the owner and the trailer for examination. It is important that the laboratory is accredited. It is necessary to save receipts for used components, and most importantly, a certificate for the hinge device, that same fastening element. In such circumstances, it is better to buy it. From standard papers you need: a copy of the owner’s and car’s passport, do-it-yourself photographs of a trailer for passenger cars, an application to the traffic police to register the towbar, a receipt for the state duty. If you had the documents, you first had to undergo a technical inspection, the positive decision of which recognized that the trailer complied with the standards, after which it was registered and numbers were issued. This procedure is described in more detail in this article.

Off-road trailer

Events and exhibitions are constantly held to showcase automotive technology. Motorists love to show off a light trailer they created with their own hands, which fits the style of the car, at least due to the color scheme. Today it is profitable to make a trailer yourself. Individual solutions add to the collection of technical insights when designing a trailer. Reliability and safety remain the constant rule.

Connecting the trailer to the vehicle

If other trailers are used, it is better to choose a tow ball of the same size as theirs.

When performing this element of the trailer, you need to remember that the shorter the length of the connecting part, the faster the trailer will respond to the movement of the car. This means that even with a slight lateral movement of the drive wheels, the trailer will immediately move sharply behind them. This may result in damage to the cargo in the trailer and its fall. The optimal length is 1.5-2.5 m, depending on the purpose of the trailer. As a material, it is better to choose, as for the frame, steel pipes of square cross-section in the amount of three pieces.

The connection of the pipes to the frame is welded; for greater strength, it is recommended to reinforce it with corners. Before welding, fitting is performed so that the coupling is carried out exactly along the axis of the trailer.

A safety rope or chain is also mounted here. When moving, it should not drag on the ground. If desired, it is possible to install a small folding wheel at the hitch point for easy transportation of the trailer without a car.

Main types of trailer suspension, features of choice

The suspension of a caravan has a significant impact on the handling of the vehicle and is an integral part of a safe and comfortable ride.

Varieties

Trailers intended for transportation by passenger cars are equipped with suspensions of torsion bar, spring and spring types. Let's look at each in more detail.

Torsion type

Main design elements:

• 2 pipes of different diameters (one is inserted into the other);
• elastic elements, twisting pipe
• levers (for connecting to the hubs).

The outer tube profile can be square or hexagonal, while the inner tube has a square or triangular cross-section and is connected to the arms, ensuring a strong connection. Special strands of high-strength rubber are laid between the pipes, which are responsible for the rigidity of the structure.

Torsion bar suspension type is the simplest and most reliable. All moving elements are located inside a larger diameter pipe and are protected from external influences. This allows the suspension to be used without maintenance.

Advantages:

• Affordable price. The torsion type is the cheapest and requires no maintenance.
• Easy to install. Installation takes minimal time and is easy to do yourself.
• Independent move. Each wheel overcomes all unevenness of the road surface without affecting the rotation of other wheels. As a result, the trailer moves smoother and more accurately.
• High specific energy intensity

The disadvantage is that this type of suspension cannot be repaired. Despite the fact that damage to the torsion bar can be caused by excessive load and driving on uneven roads. In this case, it will not be possible to repair and the entire assembly will have to be replaced.

Spring type

Structurally, it consists of steel sheets of different lengths and assembled in one package and shock absorbers to dampen vibrations. The central part is connected to the trailer axle, and the ends of the springs are connected to the body using articulated (movable) joints. Modern trailers are increasingly being produced with single leaf springs.

Pros:

• High maintainability. Most breakdowns and malfunctions can be fixed on your own.
• Increased resource. The presence of springs ensures increased reliability and durability of the system.

Minuses:

• The need for regular maintenance. Periodic lubrication and adjustment of gaps are required, which allows to increase the service life.
• Dependent design. Uneven roads and sharp turns will cause the trailer to roll heavily.
• High price. A spring suspension will cost more than a torsion bar type.

Spring type

Instead of springs, coil springs are installed, plus the design also includes hydraulic shock absorbers and a lever system.

Advantages of this pendant:

• Availability of repairs. Troubleshooting can be done during short stops along the way.
• Independent wheel operation. The presence of levers significantly improves the running parameters of the trailer.

The main drawback, perhaps, is that this is the most expensive suspension option!

In order to make the right choice of suspension, it is recommended to take into account the specifics of each type:

• The torsion bar is suitable for driving on roads with smooth, high-quality surfaces.
• A spring option will be needed if the trailer is used regularly, and you have to drive on poor quality roads while transporting heavy loads.
• The spring type is expensive. This option should be chosen if high comfort is required.

Types of boards

The first question we will raise is the manufacturing materials used to create extension structures. And also their differences. So, in the basic classification there are:

• Aluminum with stainless steel. It is good for extension sides because, according to its technical characteristics, it is durable and does not rust. Although the weak side of this material, which reduces its popularity, is the high price.

  
  Trailer MZSA 832132. 201

• Profile pipe. It is used to make a frame, which is sheathed with professional metal or laminated plywood. Installed on a platform, on top of existing sides, or used to create a trailer yourself.

  
  Trailer 8213 05 “Universal” (“Kurgan trailers”)

• Side profile. Pliable material. It is supplied to the market in various configurations and sizes.
• Plastic with fiberglass. A rare material for making trailer sides. More often used to create residential kits or mobile homes. When used for cargo purposes, the material is fragile.

  
  Trailer LAV 81012A

• Profiled sheeting. Used in conjunction with metal profiles. Popular for use on cargo trailers due to its stability and rigidity.
• Steel sheets. It is also installed on a profile frame. It is cheaper than stainless steel or aluminum, but requires protection against corrosion.

Which material is best for a caravan is up to the driver to decide, because they are all good in different situations. The main thing is not to overdo it with savings, so that later it does not become a disappointment.

If we talk about the variety of passenger trailers, it is important to say that homemade ones are popular due to their low cost. Although the weak side of this type of design is the complexity of assembly. However, one way or another, it is first important to determine the model of the trailer you are going to work with. And if you doubt your own abilities or lack the ability to work independently, contact the professionals of companies such as Kurgan Trailer, MZSA. Read this article about what to look for when choosing a trailer for a car trailer.

Choosing a method of extension

More often than not, the carrying capacity of passenger car trailers is designed for a larger volume of cargo than can be accommodated with a standard on-board configuration. Therefore, expanding the side of a trailer is a process that most owners of road trains face. Moreover, when the walls of a trailer vehicle increase by forty centimeters, the capacity of the body increases by at least seventy percent. This significantly increases the operational capabilities of this type of device.

Extension boards

If you look at the situation from a practical point of view, then you should think about extending the sides of a passenger trailer even before purchasing it. Even if the selected instance does not include this feature. In this case, you will have to do the modification yourself.

Owners of road trains prefer three options for increasing the height of the walls of a passenger trailer:

1. Use of wood. Such material is available, strong, tough, reliable and durable, provided that the trailer is equipped with an awning for protection from external conditions and is used when transporting dry goods. This is also a convenient option for adding sides to a passenger trailer with your own hands.
2. Metal structures. A thorough way to increase the capacity of the body, which is designed for a long service life. Especially when using corrosion-resistant materials. This material is resistant to internal and external influences.

   
   Homemade metal sides

3. Factory designs. More precisely, options offered as additional equipment from manufacturers or official suppliers. This set looks neat, stylish, can be installed or dismantled easily, is durable and reliable in use.

   
   Factory trailer sides

With a more detailed examination of these options, the description of the basic qualities is as follows.

Wooden sides

The process of building up the sides of a passenger trailer using wood is as follows:

1. Buy forty or fifty boards with antiseptic treatment.
2. Drill several holes in the corner for subsequent fixation of the boards, file it and weld it to the standard structure.
3. Adjust the board to the distance between the bolts and drill at the required points to connect to the corner.
4. Connect the boards to the corners using bolts with a diameter of about five millimeters. Better is more.

Trailer with wooden sides Trailer with wooden sides
The board should be cut after welding the corners, so as not to make mistakes with the measurements. It is also important to do processing in advance.

Transport trailers

The widespread use of semi-trailers and trailers is due to the additional convenience when transporting heavy loads. The vehicle bears only part of the load, which extends its service life. When unloading, you can save valuable time by unhooking the cart and leaving it in place, and unloading it at a convenient time. This option is convenient and is used for delivering goods between workshops of the same enterprise located at a certain distance.

All towed devices are divided into two groups:

• Special-purpose trailers allow you to take into account the needs of working with various loads, but there are quite a few universal vehicles for such work. Common types include heavy-duty semi-trailers, log trucks, panel trucks, cement trucks and other types of trailed equipment.
• General transport equipment includes flatbed, tilt and other trailers of various sizes designed for transporting heavy loads of any kind.

Varieties depending on load distribution

The designs of trailed vehicles use different steering wheel control systems in order to improve the maneuverability and speed of control of the road train.
Hitches are standard in most cases. If the trailer has an active wheel drive from the car engine, then such carriages are called active automobile trains. To drive such an active drive, a mechanical transmission is used via a coupling device or a hydraulic drive is used.

If the road train has two or more links, then the engine is located in the section at the rear. Unofficially, there is the concept of “trailer”; it is used to move cars, other equipment or oversized cargo (long or heavy).

Depending on the load distribution between the trailer and the tractor, trailers are divided into several types:

• A trailer is an independent means of transport and is connected to any vehicle using a coupling device or drawbar. A common system is the hook and loop system. With such a system, the weight of the transported cargo is transmitted through the trailer frame, which is the load-bearing frame, and the wheels are transferred to the road. The coupling of a car with a carriage is used only to create traction.
• Semi-trailers use devices with a special truck tractor, which operates using a coupling pin. The load transfers its weight to the towed supporting frame, then is distributed between the wheels of the car and the trailer itself. In this case, the hitch is used not only to create traction, but also to redistribute the load. To prevent the semi-trailer carriage from tipping over during downtime, it is equipped with folding thrust stands. A semi-trailer cannot move without a hitch to a vehicle.
• The dissolution is both a trailer and a semi-trailer and is used for transporting long loads as part of a road train formed for these purposes. In this case, the weight of the load is transferred to special-purpose cradles, which absorb the load in the front part of the tractor's horses. The back of the load presses on the horsemen of the dissolution. The load acts partly on the car and partly on the dissolution frame and its wheels. In order to properly distribute the weight when unraveling, a drawbar of variable length is provided.

Requirements for transport devices

A person who wants to independently make a transport vehicle for moving goods should study the requirements for car trailers. These standards are contained in GOST 37.001.220−1980, which is called “Trailers for passenger cars.” A selection of these requirements includes the following provisions:

• the weight of the trailer should not exceed 1.8 tons and half the weight of the main vehicle;
• the static load on the ball joint in its central part should be in the range of 25−100 KGS (kilogram-force);
• the total length of the cart should not be more than 8 meters, the width should not exceed 2 m 30 cm, and the height should be within three meters;
• the trailer should not have a ground clearance less than this characteristic of the vehicle moving it;
• for a trailer, one axle is used, but it is allowed to use two parallel ones, at a distance of no more than a meter from one another;
• the traction device and the hitch are duplicated by two firmly fixed pieces of chain or cable to insure the clutch in the event of a hinge failure;
• to secure the stop of the semi-trailer, the kit should include two wheel chocks; you can also make them yourself, or you can buy ready-made, factory-made ones;
• if body parts are located below the cargo being transported, and it poses a risk of contamination of passing vehicles, then mudguards or fenders are installed;
• the hitch and traction device must be manufactured in the factory, and this is confirmed by a special certificate;
• there must be fastenings for a plate with a number;
• in order to be able to use the on-board network of the machine, an electrical cable with an attached plug is provided and there is a diagram of the electrical equipment in the form as defined by GOST 9209–1976.

Features of using carts

Car trailers are used only in accordance with their intended purpose, as this is due to similar tires and wheels with the main vehicle, track width, and travel within certain ground clearance dimensions. The rule does not apply to heavy trucks and trailers. All breakdowns that occur during operation are similar to malfunctions of the brake system and chassis of the main machine.

In addition, the operation of the trailer is impaired due to damage to the coupling or wear of the turning device.

To delay the repair of these systems, you need to regularly inspect the trailer. Since the operation of the device is associated with constant shaking and shock due to uneven traffic on roads, it is necessary to tighten the fasteners from time to time and align the curved parts. Before operation, you need to check the serviceability of springs, brakes, lighting, tire pressure, the presence of a spare wheel, and the serviceability of side and body locks.

Towing of carts is carried out according to the rules; speeding is unacceptable, as well as sudden braking and unequal distribution of the load. Increasing the speed while driving will cause the trailer to wobble on the sides. Sharp braking causes the car and trailer to fold , and engine braking also contributes to this. Due to uneven storage of transported materials, stability is impaired and the trailer may tip over.

About registration of a homemade trailed vehicle

Making a trailer yourself according to a drawing for a car is considered the first step towards registration and registration with the traffic police. You still have to spend a lot of time and money to obtain the necessary documents.

Factory-made trailers already have all the necessary certificates and passports, having undergone comprehensive tests and studies in a testing laboratory. The same study must be carried out for a trailer for any car; it also applies to a trailer for a UAZ made with your own hands for a boat and special equipment.

When carrying out registration, the following activities must be completed:

• Take photographs from different sides and print them, prepare a description of the towed vehicle.

• It will be necessary to present all receipts for materials and services expended, certificates for materials and components.
• You need to contact the traffic police department with an application to carry out an examination, conduct testing of the trailer and receive a referral to the laboratory.
• The laboratory must provide a description of the towed vehicle, photographs, receipts and certificates for products and materials. The goal is to determine the vehicle’s compliance with current technical requirements. It may be that a certificate of non-compliance will be issued for the trailer if it does not pass the tests.
• If the result of the examination is positive, a corresponding conclusion is issued in the form of a certificate.
• The received certificate, copies of other documents for registration, and the application should be submitted to the traffic police department.

• After once again inspecting the towed vehicle, the traffic police officer makes a note on the inspection application and sends it to the next registration window for registration of the vehicle.
• In conclusion, the traffic police department issues a certificate for a towed vehicle, state. trailer number.

Now the owner of a homemade trailed vehicle has the right to move along the roads in road trains and with cargo without any problems.

Homemade trailers for cars

There are two types of trailers, manufactured by a specialized factory or home-made:

• Factory trailers do not require additional permits for their registration and registration. But at the same time, factory trailers do not always satisfy car enthusiasts with their technical characteristics, and if they do, their price is prohibitively high. And the quality of the trailers themselves is not at a high level, which requires additional investments after purchase to eliminate factory defects.
• A homemade trailer is a structure that a car enthusiast assembles according to his own drawing from a material that makes it obsolete in quality, while adhering to GOST standards for its assembly. As for the registration aspects of such a product, they are much more expensive than when registering a factory one, since additional permits are required to operate a homemade trailer.

If we look at it from an economic point of view, the cost of a homemade trailer, taking into account all registration costs, is significantly lower than buying a new one.

It is also worth considering that a homemade trailer will be of much higher quality than a factory one, if only because the entire manufacturing process will be controlled by the car enthusiast himself.

Bicycle tuning. Trailers for two-wheeled friends

If you prefer to go to the country or travel in a country village by bicycle, you will be extremely interested in the experience of our forum member Denver_24. A few years ago, he tuned an ordinary Stels, turning it into a bicycle with a trailer - with this, if necessary, you can bring the harvest to the house and throw firewood to the site.

The forum member carried out the first modification of the trailer on the basis of the Bee-2 trailer - he replaced the bearings on it, threw away the original "oak" tires - the trailer skipped on them. The homemade bicycle trailer was assembled by the self-made man himself - however, the creation process lasted almost three years. And although it looks completely non-standard, it allows you to transport large loads - for example, five 20-kg bags of fireclay clay.

The forum member’s plans are to equip trailers with parking brakes: without them, according to the man, it can be difficult.

We hope that the experience of our users will be useful to you, because a trailer is a great thing for country life, which can make it more comfortable in many ways. Read Yuriy202's story about creating a trailer based on a corrugated pipe and a beam from Oka in the author's thread. The history of Denver_24 bike tuning is in the user’s albums. And in this article we described how to assemble a budget trunk for a car from a construction ladder.

Coupling

Installation of the coupling is possible using bolts or welding. Before finally attaching it to the trailer frame, you need to once again check that the dimensions of the frame pipes and the groove of the gutter itself match. The width of the groove should not exceed the width of the pipe by more than 5 mm.

In the case of welded fastening of the coupling, high strength of the connection is ensured, but if it is damaged, a gas burner will be required for dismantling. The strength of a bolted connection is somewhat less. It is recommended to use bolts of the eighth strength class; less durable ones may not withstand shear forces. Two bolts are enough to connect, more of them will weaken the frame element and coupling due to the holes for the bolts.

Wings

Now we need to attach the wings to the trailer. There is no pipe bender. The arcs are made using a grinder and welding.

When purchasing electronics, I also bought plastic wings.

To ensure that the trailer complies with the class of platform trailers, I welded eight rectangles of 2 mm steel. Then I painted the trailer with Alpina hammer paint. The paint was applied with a brush and roller in three layers.

Required minimum materials

• Square tube and channel
• Steel sheets for cladding
• Metal sheet for the bottom
• Chassis
• Several wheels
• Suspension and braking system
• Waterproof fabric
• Towbar
• Electrical equipment
• Corner Mounts and Brackets
• Grinder, screwdriver and other tools
• Welding

Trailer axle

There is a rule according to which the axle should be placed at a distance of 35-40% of the entire length of the trailer from the rear. Having measured the distance, you need to indicate the location of the future axis. You can install the axle by placing the frame upside down on the table (assembly from top to bottom). The axis in this case is mounted on a table, on a couple of 4x4 blocks, and the spindles hang freely. At the intended location for installing the axle, the paint is removed from the frame. The distance between the bushings is divided by two and this point on the axis is marked with a marker.

To control, the width of the frame is measured again, divided by two and the resulting distance is set aside from the middle of the axis, and its position is adjusted. After this, you can begin the final installation. The joining of elements is carried out by spot welding along the entire length of the contact. It is better to use a spring-shock absorber suspension, as it provides greater softness, although it has low strength.

Frame welding

• Lay out the side members, crossmembers and crossmembers on a flat surface.
• Weld them to the same size.
• Turn the structure over and weld the brackets that secure the front ends of the springs to the beams. This should be done so that the distance from the center of the bridge beam to the rear ends of the wing beams is approximately 950 mm.
• Weld the drawbar and attach the clutch to it.
• Screw the front ends of the springs to the brackets, and the rear ends to the side member through the eyes.
• Install the hubs on the axles and the wheels on them.
• Place the trailer on its wheels.
• Attach the tow ball hook to the vehicle's tow plate.
• Raise the trailer onto the tongue.
• Place the cross beams on the side members. Secure the alignment using screw clamps.
• Remove the hitch from the hook, roll the trailer away from the car and weld the drawbar to the side members.

Finishing operations

Cover the sides with a sheet of iron. Make the floor by attaching the plywood to the crossbars with self-tapping screws. Cut out leaves from sheet metal and attach them to the sheets with staples. Prime and paint the structure. Install headlights and install electrical wiring. Use a chain or rope to secure the saddle. Only after this you can continue registration.

Want a dual axle? Weld two axle beams, buy four short springs and arrange everything so that the distance between the axles is no more than one meter.

Instructions on how to make a trailer

The first step, as always, is to think about designing the trailer. To do this, it is important to draw up a detailed drawing, as well as a plan for assembling the parts.

You shouldn’t think that you can do it by eye, as the slightest miscalculation will lead to the trailer being impossible to use.

Stabilizing jacks

Necessary to ensure a horizontal position of the trailer. The best option for placement is the corners of the frame. The option of installation on only one side of the trailer is possible. From the point of view of lifting force, it is better to use a screw mechanism. It can even be used to change a wheel on a trailer.

The trailer is manufactured according to the design drawing, which must meet the technical requirements provided for by GOST 37.001.220-80, valid in the Russian Federation and Ukraine. It describes standards, if not met, it will be impossible to register a homemade trailer for a passenger car with the state traffic inspectorate, and all the time and money will be wasted.

Advice for car mechanics

You can make a homemade trailer in 4–5 days, but rush and fuss during assembly are unacceptable. It is used on public roads, so an unreliable mechanism will pose an increased danger to the car owner and others. Even one weakened weld can lead to fatigue failure of a metal structure.

Before starting to implement the idea, it is worth clarifying the procedure for passing certification tests and registering home-made vehicles with the traffic police. Additional information will help you avoid mistakes and further redesign.

A self-made trailer can significantly increase the potential use of a vehicle. It can transport cargo of various shapes and configurations without fear of causing damage to the interior or trunk. There are a great many design options. The corresponding recommendations can be used for any of them.

Metal constructions

Metal exhibits more stable qualities when compared to wood. Although the cost for this extension option is higher. Sheet metal is used to increase the sides of a passenger trailer. Most often galvanized, stainless steel or aluminum. The material is complemented by metal corners and a profile. The process for making the extension is as follows:

1. Cut the corners by making holes in them. Weld to the trailer frame.
2. Build a profile sheathing over the corners.
3. Cover the structure with sheets of metal or mesh using welding or bolting.

Factory sides

The ready-made solution in the form of extending the sides of a passenger car trailer differs for the models for which it is provided, as well as in height, material and sheet thickness. The competitive qualities of this option over homemade products are:

• The quality of the material and design in general.
• Optimality and compliance of sizes.
• Warranty period from the supplier or manufacturer.
• Easy to install and dismantle.
• Attractive view.
• Compliance with installed trailer models.
• No need for long-term work.

Video instructions for installing additional sides on the “Krepysh” trailer

How to increase the sides of a passenger trailer, using what materials, is up to you. The main thing is to accurately assess capabilities, cost, time and quality. The rest depends on the caravan model. However, before starting any modifications, it is important to consult with a professional or look up recommendations from knowledgeable drivers on the Internet.

Hi all! When buying a trailer, many people initially think about the prospects for its use. Others only realize after purchase that their vehicle is missing something and needs modernization and improvement.

Therefore, it is quite natural that today we will talk about the sides of a passenger trailer. We sell trailers without sides. They are called platforms. Some people need to increase or change only the rear side, others the front and sides.

The choice is made individually. Everything takes into account the volume of cargo that will be transported on the vehicle. If you increase the sides, this will significantly increase the capabilities of the trailer. Although it will not be possible to increase the carrying capacity by increasing the capacity, you will be able to transport larger and larger items, which was impossible with standard equipment.