Trailer layout - time for a change?

[trammayo]

Finally managed (on Friday), to coat the lower parts of the frame/chassis in bitumen. Got the floor screwed down (the underside had already been treated), sealed and a coat of varnish. Also managed to prime three sheets of ply.

Yesterday, although constantly interupted by the showers (and strong gusts), I managed to get three of the panels in position, sealed and primed.

It needs the angle beads refitting - and I have to try and make some, new wooden beadings need to be cut out of some hardwood, and a myriad of other small jobs before the end shutter can co back. Then a shallow nearside panel needs fitting and the two long shutters moving up to the front end (with all associated angle beads and fittings). And, for a change, it's wet again today. Still, getting there.

 

[dudley]

Following with great interest , doing a fantastic job. Keep the updates coming, this is better than the tele.

 

[trammayo]

Well, it is all repeats on the Telly But, I'm afraid, there will be an interuption in normal service if the wonderful (wet) weather doesn't alter.

Worked for several hours yesterday, partly under cover of the tarpaulin and the other part dodging the showers. Achieved the main target - got most of the angle beads in position and screwed down - and last, but, not least, got the end shutter in position and Anti-luce fastenings fixed and all secure.

Today's tasks, weather and other things permitting, will be to seal the angle beads, make the wooden flat beads (and fit same), fit small side panel and then contemplate the removal of the first of the 7ft long shutters to allow alterations to the body structure.

 

[mike]

very nice work mick, it looks great ,wouldnt know its been extended if it was painted..

 

[trammayo]

Ah - painting! Anybody got any underwater paint?

Yesterday was spent making and fitting stop laths for shutters, and fitting lower ply panel. Thwarted by rain as usual.

Got up at the crack of dawn, spent a couple of hours on either the Forum or TV catch-up. Sun was out at just after 6.00am so took advantage. OK until 10.30 then got wet through, changed clothes and soldiered on until lunch. Heavier rain again afternoon (got wet again trying to cover up trailer).

Started moving the long shutters up to one end. This involves loads of Pozi self-tappers being removed (Note to self: Never use them again if a self-drilling hex head will do the job faster and better), then removing the shutter and the angle beads. Refit angles beads in new position and then shutter. Then weld in new pillar so that the old one can be cut out (to allow second shutter to be moved up).

Gave up at 4.30pm and mopped up the surplus water that was swimming around in the trailer.

Still, there's always tomorrow?

 

[Tony]

Mick got to admire your workmanship and tenacity as always just one question ...well two really .....Are you still going to extend the back ? if so have you thought of the ground clearance when towing....The swing out on tight bends is going to be a pain e.g. narrow gate entrances etc but id be a tad concerned about the rear whacking the ground when your towing vehicle goes over a bump. been there done that when i extended a car trailer to take American cars.. p haps you could angle the floor upwards as it would be under the railway anyway...keep up the fantastic work

 

[trammayo]

Hi Tony.

First - yes I'm going to extend the rear end by 3'6" (same as front end).

The rear of the trailer is inclined already.

The main chassis extends approximately 4'6" beyond the centreline of the body and the remaining portion of the body framework is cantilevered upwards off a transverse chassis member. What I need to do is cut off the present struts and replace them with some 5' long ones to give the required length. They won't be at the same angle of course but the rear end will be the same ground clearance.

When I first built it, the trailer sat much lower (I wanted younger members of the public to be able to view it without their parents having to lift them up). However there were problems with raised crossings in certain towns so I reversed the Indespension units (to their correct orientation) to give more ground clearance.

You are quite right about tail swing-out and that is a problem I'll have to deal with as it arises. It may be that I have to unhitch to get the trailer turned for an awkward gateway. I can get the trailer and car at approximately 80 degrees!

What might be a concern is that the increased (by 7ft) length might cause tail wag.
Need to get it finished (flippin weather) and its first trip out will be to the council weighbridge before I make a new detail plate (laminated print behind perspex

It towed very well before (no wag) and I even tested at motorway speed - straight as an arrow. If it does wag, then I'll have to fit a stabiliser.

Thanks for the comments and questions!

 

[tramcar trev]

" If it does wag, then I'll have to fit a stabiliser."
Or simpler more weight at the front.... I have a mate who is into vintage cars and he has a trailer to carry them long distances ( Sydney to Melbourne in a 1904 Vauxhall would be a month trip) and he had problems with his trailer ballance so he secured a 200ltr drum at the front of the trailer that can be filled (or emptied) with water to keep his trailer front heavy.... The ideal draw bar weight i.e the towball weight should be 10% of the trailer weight, so a 1000kg trailer should have 100kg on the ball.... You learn a lot about towing here in Australia when you tow a caravan and another suggestion if I can be so bold would be to fit a rear vision camera, viz: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/7-Car-Re..._Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d477abbd&_uhb=1
Gives excellent vision to the rear....

 

[trammayo]

Hi Trev. Yes, there's certainly more information on towing from Australia than any other part of the world. The idea of a drum of water is a good one. I can move my load (the boxes of locos and stock) around to achieve different loadings. I try and keep the nose weight down to a level that I can lift rather than keep winding the jockey wheel up and down. The rated nose weight is 75kg for the hitch - far and away beyond my physical capabilities I carry various packings and a ramp for levelling on fields so the jockey wheel doesn't sink into the ground.

The camera is a good idea. I use an extended mirror (and I do use it) to see the idiots approaching. I thought of a big sign for the back - "If you cannot see my mirror, I cannot see you!" (I've seen it on vehicles in the past) - or my son has one on his number plate (in 10 point lettering) "++++ +++ ++++" . in others words "You're too B++++y close". The Anglo-Saxon expletives say it far better though!

 

[trammayo]

Managed to move the second shutter along on Wednesday and also fit the Jockey wheel back on.

Not much done on Thursday because of the weather. Shopped for bits and pieces (self-drilling screws, sealant, and 3mm drill bits - the latter causing my eyes to water at the Euro equivalent of £1 each and the sealant at £12 - :crying: ).

Yesterday was a different story - fine weather (could hear thunder but it far enough away) - number one son assisting! We spent 13 hours - breaks not included - dismantling the original rear end and setting up the framework for the extension.

Its all tacked ready for completion of the welding ( some braces and struts still to cut) and the trailer had to be moved to allow the garage doors to be shut!

Weather not promising for today (at least 2 inches of rain forecast.

 

[playmofire]

Thanks for the pictures of the goats, Mick. They're a fine looking trio.

Glad to read about some better weather for your trailer revamp.

 

[CoggesRailway]

Flamin' 'eck that's impressive. As usual catching up a bit late. What I would like to say- and I actually think this of a few of you on here- some of you guys who have health challenges really do some incredible things. Well done!

I'm 34 but after three small kids and a more than full time job I think I have less strength than some of you slightly older guys Brilliant stuff!

 

[Tony]

Flamin' 'eck that's impressive. As usual catching up a bit late. What I would like to say- and I actually think this of a few of you on here- some of you guys who have health challenges really do some incredible things. Well done!

I'm 34 but after three small kids and a more than full time job I think I have less strength than some of you slightly older guys Brilliant stuff!

Have to agree i ran a Garage for 25 years, paint, body work etc and built all sorts of weird and wonderful vehicles. and did things like cutting a couple of Bedford CF vans in half and making an extended 6 wheeler all in one weekend just to take to a custom show then on the Wednesday decided it needed a v8 so shoe horned a big block chevy in the back with the gearbox mated straight to the Axel and still set out for a 500 mile trip on friday night... BUT Now 15 years later and still in good health id rather pay someone to change a spark plug than do it myself so i take my hat, coat and underpants off to Mick and others like him

 

[trammayo]

Many thanks all for your comments (I feel undeservedly flattered). For me, it's a case of not wanting to be beaten! Apart from the usual aches and pains, I feel I can do more after a couple of weeks hard work than I could before - maybe the lethargy of winter and feeling sorry for oneself?

Haven't had chance to take any more photos, but further progress has been made! The rear framework has been completed, the shutter door refitted (with attendant angle beads), a panel fitted on the roof and one complete side panel.

Weather has still supervened in events (last Saturday was a complete wash-out), and the wet stuff is making life difficult. One more day with a chance of doing something (friend from England across so I now have two Clerk of Works to heed - SWMBO keeps out of it) before a hospital visit.

Just hoping for a fine day tomorrow.

 

[trammayo]

Still cannot reply or edit my own postings for some obscure reason!

Another busy day, a lot cooler - but dry. Panelling fitted and primed, lighting reconnected, and a start made on cutting angle beads from some channel section (not easy).

Pics shows the lengthened trailer. Tarpaulin still in use as a new 7ft shutter needs fabricating and cladding but it is getting a lot nearer - thanks to the help of my son and also a visiting friend from the UK!

 

[playmofire]

Keep at it, Mick, you're winning! Hope the hospital visit goes well.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks Gordon.

 

[trammayo]

Well, Thursday was a waste of a good day. Keep taking the tablets, etc.

Friday, the final shutter was fabricated and fitted. No.1 son wired the trailer's lights back up and tested. Long, tiring, day - but one more step nearer.

Not much room to take photos but here's two - the length is definately thought provoking!

Angle beads cut from metal channel section (original dry wall angles no longer imported) and fitted to new shutter.

Saturday (8.00 'till 10.30) more angle beads fitted and roof edges sealed. Rain stopped play (but not work). Into hayshed and re-stacked the bales - made a start on moving the peat!

 

[tramcar trev]

Hi Gordon - thanks. I hope it will survive the roads of Mayo (they get better - sometimes - out of the county)!

Just three. Two Billy's (well they were before the nutcrackers) and one nanny. We were going to breed and get milk but, she got mastitis so that put paid to that. The one with the horns and the female are twins. The lighter coloured one was our first pet.

They've decimated the trees and eat brambles like slurping spagett. Grass has been in short supply so have to give them hay and a supplementary feed.

Magnificent Goats, As a young kid (pardon the pun) I had a pet goat and one day Dad took me on holidays to the family farm where the goat came from and when we got home My goat had "escaped', or so I was told.....

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12432/

 

[trammayo]

Magnificent Goats, As a young kid (pardon the pun) I had a pet goat and one day Dad took me on holidays to the family farm where the goat came from and when we got home My goat had "escaped', or so I was told.....
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12432/