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NEWBIEDAN
7th Apr 2010, 07:47 PM
Guys I've got an F250 ute well-body that I'm gathering bit to manufacture a chassis for it to turn it into a great trailer.

Basically my question is in relation to how far inboard from the inside edge of the tyre/rim I should position the leaf spring. I believe this is called the "offset", and I understand the closer to the rim the better for load bearing....but is there an approved method. I've read maybe 35-50mm.

I'm using HQ holden disc brake hubs and bearings in conjunction with 45mm square 71" axle and 6 leaf springs.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Daniel

Yonnee
7th Apr 2010, 11:58 PM
Hey Dan, welcome aboard.

What you're refering to is commonly called "clearance". 'Offset', when talking about leaf springs is the position of the centre bolt in relation to each end. 'Offset' when talking about wheel rims is the position of the face of the rim (where it bolts to the hub/drum/rotor) in relation to the inner and outer edges of the rim. A change in rim offset will also effect 'clearance'.

Genarally 40-50mm clearance from inside of tyre to spring/chassis is about ideal. Any less and you run the risk of the tyre scraping. Too much more and you start dramatically increasing the bending forces on your axle, and therefore loaded camber.


Be careful of your carrying capacity with your axle too. The bearing journal sizes for the HQ bearings are only good for 1000kg, even though a 45mm axle will take more. If you haven't got the axle yet, then look at getting Falcon bearing journals machined onto the axle (known as "Slimline"). This will rate the axle at around 1450kg. The Falcon bearing cups will go into the HQ Rotor, but you may have to source a seal to fit the back of the Rotor that matches the Slimline seal journal.

NEWBIEDAN
12th Apr 2010, 06:04 PM
Thanks for the info Yonnee.

I swapped my 40mm square axle over for a 45mm square to suit the Ford slimline bearings. The hubs and rims have been fitted. The F250 Ute bed is upsidedown on the block next door so I did a trial fit with the axle and rims springs etc to double check my dimensions. I've whipped up an auto cad drawing and am open for comments.

Basically my intention is to use 100x50x3 rhs for the drawbar, which will be 1700mm long, I can't connect the drawbar to the from spring hangers as I'd prefer the wider angle on the drawbar.

Because I can only buy the duragal in 8m lenghts and I need two pieces of 2400mm for the drawbar, I've decided to incorporate some more 100x50 to form the cross rails for the leaf spring pickup. Basically to economically use one 8m lenght. I understand this might be 'overkill' but I can't see the point buying 8m and only use 4800mm.

I have to use 75x50 on the flat down in the original line of the Ford F250 chassis to pick up the original locating bolts. So I have decided to use a 50x50 to connect into the side of the 75x50.

I'm about to order my framing materials so any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers
Daniel

NEWBIEDAN
20th Apr 2010, 06:45 PM
I've managed to fnish all my welding, and fabrication. I've basically a rolling chassis, and was able to tow it home the 2minute drive from the workshop. Last night I had 6 mates help me to turn the wellbody over....and it fits like a glove, being a draftsman has some benefits.

Basically I have to now bolt the tray down to the chassis, hook up the lights and install the chrome bumper, and buggerize around with rims and tyres.

I'll post some pictures up when I'm done.

NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:38 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:40 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:41 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:42 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:43 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:44 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 04:45 PM
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NEWBIEDAN
30th Apr 2010, 07:16 PM
I've posted up some photos, but waiting for moderators approval. :2tsup:

Yonnee
1st May 2010, 12:26 AM
Nice work Dan. :2tsup:

Now, to just replace the Pathfinder with a matching F250 tow vehicle... :;

bobsreturn2003
1st May 2010, 08:05 PM
looks great thanks for the progress pics also cheers Bob :2tsup:

NEWBIEDAN
6th May 2010, 02:30 PM
Ok...I've just got my temporary permit to shift it to take it down for licenceing. I thought I'd write down a couple of things that I've learned along the way, in regards to getting it registered in WA.

Firstly the lighting requirements. Basically I have had to reinstate the number plate lights in the bumper. I cannot say I've ever noticed a trailer with number plate illumination, but apparently you need it. I thought that the F250 number plate bumper mounted globe holders where a specific item, priced them from the ford dealership...$75 each thankyou very much :o...and I'd need two....no bloody way! I thought, stuff it I'll go down to the auto parts store, get a couple of globe holders and silicone them on. cost me $7. They were a Hella item. Anyway to my great surprise, and one happy dance later they fitted right in, exactly with a twist....couldn't be happier.

I've had to also fit some white forwards facing clearance lights, as the trailer width is 2m wide...luckily it's not over 2.1m as that would envoke another slew of lighting requirements....so two white reflectors and two white globes forwards facing.

The F250 has already two orange reflectors fitted at the rear. I've had to fit two on the drawbar, and I'm hoping I don't have to fit any more on the bodywork, but I'm thinking the "middle third" rule might come into play in the inspection, so I'll have two in my pocket, just in case.

I've had to apply for a VIN number. I need to go to the weighbridge and get a slip. From there it's straight to the inspection place....if all goes well, $50 bucks later and I'll have the paperwork that I need to take to the licenecing center (department of planning and infrastructure)...note sure about the rego "disc" as all the car rego's have moved over to a stickerless system, not sure about trailers.

One thing to note, that surprised me a lot, for anyone contemplating building a trailer out of a ute body, (in WA) the guy at the inspection place told me to make sure that the well-body had the axle group behind the center line of the body. That is to say that the rear 'overhang' is less that the front overhang...OF THE WELL-BODY ITSELF...NOT INCLUDING THE DRAWBAR. Now most if not all the well body's I've seen converted into trailers have had axle group forward of the centerline. The inspector said not to even bother bringing it in for inspection if it was like that. Lucky for me the entire reason for using the F250 body as a trailer is it's huge, and fortunately the rear overhang is indeed smaller than the front of the 8 foot box I have. The smaller 6 foot version would almost be square...so be careful.

Yonnee
6th May 2010, 04:19 PM
Your lighting and reflector requirements are the same Australia wide, and are outlined in the Vehicle Standards Bulletin #1, including number plate lights.

As for your side reflectors, you need one in the middle third, one within a metre of the rear, and one within three metres of the front of the coupling. However, if any of these overlap, one reflector can do any or all locations. (Your trailer has to be over 9 metres long for some part of the middle third not to be within three metres of the front. And if the trailer is less than 3 metres, there'll be a point that the middle third will also overlap the rear 1 metre.)

Ths VSB1 also outlines the rear overhang requirements, and under no circumstances can the rear overhang be greater than the front. But if you do have a ute-tub from a space-cap or dual-cab (these are usually why they're shorter in front of the wheels), then you can still turn one into a trailer, you just have to build a chassis that has an area in front of the tub for a big tool box and your spare tyre. But they're not ideal for carrying heavy loads as you're adding all the weight behing the wheels, and the trailer will want to swap ends with you as you drive.

NEWBIEDAN
6th May 2010, 07:06 PM
Thanks Yonnee...

It seems that when your working on something you seem to notice things that you've never noticed before. Like all the other trailers on the road...every time I see one, I do a quick scan for under or over axles, reflectors, lights, braking hitches etc etc...I'm surprised at what's driving around on our roads, some rather dodgy trailers getting around.

On the other hand I'm pretty stoked at how nicely (and fully compliant) mine is. Not a bad first effort.:;

Hope the rego goes without a hitch (no pun intended) :doh:

NEWBIEDAN
10th May 2010, 01:53 PM
Little update.
Did my weigh bridge exercise and got my trailer inspected on Friday just gone.

Firstly I knew the trailer was going to be fairly heavy, as it's not a light-weight. I've built it to be strong, 45mm square axle, slimeline bearings, 109Q 31" duelers, Disc brake hubs, 100x50 drawbar etc etc.These things all add to the weight. In anycase the weighbridge doesn't lie and we're up at 450kgs :o

Basically I realize that brakes are part of my future. Was always going to be the case, but the assessor was very impressed with my build, easily carry 1500kgs he says.

The only item he "picked" on in lieu of the discussion about getting it re-registered for brakes at some stage far down the track is the saftey chain. I have fitted some Bunnings galv chain...it's fairly heavy, I put two lenghts on, even though one would do....but essentially all chain is not created equally....I realize this...but didn't realize I need a specifice type of graded chain...we have a company down here called "Sling Rig" which sells all that type of rigging and stuff...so the grinder and welder have to come out for a quick exercise. Basically because of the potential of the trailer my assessor wanted me to sort the saftey chains.

I've got my paperwork for the rego office ready to pick up so I can go down and collect and pay for 12months rego and plate fee etc. I have to show that the chain is changed and that the compliance plate has been fitted...and it's all good. :2tsup:

I've had a lot of fun, designing, planning fabricating and wiring everything myself, great deal of personal satisfaction, and with a fairly unique and very capable trailer as an outcome.

Yonnee
10th May 2010, 06:48 PM
Yeah, there's an Australian Standard that the chain has to comply with. And the chain has to be stamped as such, every fourth link.

It even has to attached a certain way. A continuous weld around at least half the link, but allowing the next link free movement.

naddis01
14th Jun 2010, 09:30 PM
Little update.
Did my weigh bridge exercise and got my trailer inspected on Friday just gone.

Firstly I knew the trailer was going to be fairly heavy, as it's not a light-weight. I've built it to be strong, 45mm square axle, slimeline bearings, 109Q 31" duelers, Disc brake hubs, 100x50 drawbar etc etc.These things all add to the weight. In anycase the weighbridge doesn't lie and we're up at 450kgs :o

You should build one out of a BA Falcon tub. My old BA Falcon tub trailer/camper weighed between 400 and 450kg. I can't remember the exact figure, but it didn't have a chassis as heavy as yours.

I plan on making another trailer/camper out of an FG ute tub. Hopefully depending on the $$$ it will be a little different to those already out there.

NEWBIEDAN
26th Jul 2010, 06:13 PM
Just an update, the trailer has been finished and licenced for a while now, but havent really had much of an opportunity to use it....that was until the weekend just gone. Ended up moving a variety of stuff. I couldn't be more happy. I tows like you don't know it's there, gobbles up furniture or wood. Totally chuffed :2tsup:

UglyDan
29th Jul 2010, 01:19 AM
Great effort there, looks great :2tsup:

Cheers

UglyDan

nicpurdon86
20th Apr 2021, 10:50 PM
Hi guys, apologies for the super old thread dig and also apologies if I am meant to introduce myself somewhere. I've just scored a tub just like above for free, in great knick with some add-ons and plan to make a trailer out of it.

Have had a great read through the thread and have found it very useful. Just wanted to share my build and figured I could add it in here if that was ok?

I plan to tow it behind my 2020 SsangYong musso. They are similar in dimensions so should be a good match!

Cheers

Nichttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210420/d812bc90a15e77e31cc018f4bafd9bcb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210420/aeb7bccecfb34631d34373432a52639c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210420/00467aa14f5b770dad5645a0695267e2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210420/d5a557c7e86329e9087da4b474f490f7.jpg

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