"Other" Trailer Build Advice

[bergermaister]

Howdy boys-

Been absent (minded) for a while. New job, kids, gkids, and life in general has been demanding. At any rate, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma on a potential trailer build - so who better to go to for advice than my Moomba brothers.

I have limited parking space for another trailer- the biggest thing is a 7ft max width. Beyond that I am looking at driveway or offsite storage option, neither of which is desirable. After plenty of research I've come up with a basic setup that I think will work and a guy who will build it for me at a reasonable price.

Specs:
16x6 deckover (tires tucked underneath)
28" deck height
185/13 tires (24" high)
Tandem axle w/ brakes on all 4
LED lighting
2" ball, tongue jack, etc.

I'm primarily hauling 4 quads at 500lbs each so roughly 2k payload. Occasionally I'll add on sides for hauling stuff around the house - gravel, bark, yardwork, etc.

My primary concern is the higher center of gravity and the narrow profile of the trailer. The weight of the quads is mostly the engine/tranny, somewhat centered, and about a foot off the ground. I'm going to make sure the axles are set far enough back for plenty of tongue weight.

Today I confiscated a conference room in the office and rearranged the tables to the actual size of the trailer. It's kinda long and skinny and tall feeling but I still think it will work. I'm just not 100% convinced yet.

Help convince me this will be fine. Or not...

[zabooda]

I'd go as wide as you can. A 7 foot width can still be seen around with the mirrors. Those can be found at trailer stores. I take it you are loading the ATVs from the side.

[wolfeman131]

Sounds good to me, but I'd also go to 7'. I'm struggling with the same thing as I need to haul 5 quads. I'm looking at having a 22' side load trailer built similar to a Triton, just not out of aluminum.

http://www.tritontrailers.com/atv-utv/aluminum-wood/value-plus/

You can also get some ideas from echo trailers.

[bergermaister]

Yes, side loading quads. I wish I could go 7ft but that would literally be touching the house on one side and fence on the other. (Property line - no moving the fence) I need a little wiggle room as I'm backing it in up a slight incline and starting at a slight angle. I would probably hook it to one of the quads to back in.

I've looked at the Echo trailers. My dimensions are similar but price wise about 1/2 the cost.

[wolfeman131]

I've looked at the Echo trailers. My dimensions are similar but price wise about 1/2 the cost.

Im finding the same.

[zabooda]

A guy at our dive rescue unit bought one of our old Zodiac boat trailers (fishing boat size) and converting it to a flat bed for quads. He's taking off the winch post and bucks and welding a frame and then use 2x12's for the flat bed. Those wheels are about 6' wide.

[bergermaister]

Any idea how far off the ground the deck will be?

[wolff supra21v]

I would double check on your quad widiths. My Honda trx 450r is a little over 6' length and the Honda forman is 7' in length I know that is total (you should be good on the wheel base). on thing we did one our last trailer to haul side x side on we put a 4" lip around the outside of the trailer piece of angle iron turned up gives a pocket on the trailer when loading for the bikes to sit in.

All our trailers are gooseneck and wide so I cannot comment on the center of gravity. I would think as long are you can keep the weight balanced from side to side you should be good. 28" does not sound crazy high to me.

[bergermaister]

Width wise we should be fine since wheelbase is around 48" on our machines. A little overhang won't hurt.

I will probably add a short side rail for quad hauling and larger sides for crap hauling.

After seeing some of the huge enclosed snowmobile haulers going down the road that are 8.5' wide, 24' long and 9' tall (with wheels tucked underneath) I'm thinking I'll be ok with this plan.

[bergermaister]

Build complete. Waaaaay cheaper than echo trailer or some other builders I checked in with.

Overall length is 21.5ft. Deck is exactly 16x6, 28" high. Tows solid. Fits 4 quads with room to spare and can still tuck beside the house.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/871A9E32-4EDB-4E67-9115-31537E1E48A4.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/3D4DFDA3-E338-4898-8DB3-FBD41872D8D4.jpg

[beat taco]

Sweet I'll take it!

[wolfeman131]

Nice! Let's see a pic with it loaded up

[bergermaister]

Lots of spacing - room for one more.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/IMG_4527.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/IMG_4525.jpg

[wolfeman131]

Looks great!

[bergermaister]

That was maiden voyage. Pretty happy with it so far. Tows rock solid and half the price of Echo or similar. Still need to stain the deck.
I can move it around with the blue Wolverine without too much trouble (unloaded).

Did you ever find a trailer Drew?

[wolfeman131]

No, as the kids didn't seem as interested in riding once Spring Break was done & the weather warmed up. Maybe I'll look again in the fall.

[zabooda]

Did you get inspected yet? Curious if they missed the splash guard requirement? RCW 46.37.500. Great build. Nice to have a multiuse trailer.

[moombadaze]

looks good

looks like you have room on the front to add a storage box--like one that would be used in the bed of a truck

[viking]

Looks great! How about some of the build pics along the way? Did you build it in your garage?

[trayson]

Did you get inspected yet? Curious if they missed the splash guard requirement? RCW 46.37.500. Great build. Nice to have a multiuse trailer.

Does it really need them when the wheels are tucked under the trailer itself? I would think that if anything he'll have to throw a pair of mudflaps behind the rear tires. That would cost maybe $10. No biggie there.

[trayson]

looks good

looks like you have room on the front to add a storage box--like one that would be used in the bed of a truck

Yeah, that would be a nice addition. And maybe a tray that would hold a handful of fuel cans.

[zabooda]

If it can get through the WSP inspection I would say it is good to go. We see it all the time but it applies to everything on the road including vehicles and even motorcycles. Basically, a spray shield half way down the tire . People with lift kits have been cited and with making a dirt bike street legal people have duck taped a cardboard extension onto the rear fender to pass inspection. That's why nice street legal dirt bikes come with a massive rear fender drop which is the first thing to come off either intentionally or bottoming out.