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  1. #1
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    Default Aluminium ute tray trailer

    Hi guys, I was thinking of either making or buying an aluminum tray trailer probably in a tandem. Any pros or cons I should know about before I start. I figure it should last a lot longer being aluminum especially if left with sand or lawn clippings for a period. Thanks

  2. #2
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    Yonnee is offline Trailer Bloke & Mild Mannered Moderator
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    The only real "Con" I can think of is the height. Generally tray tops are about 6' wide and sit over the top of the wheels of the ute it's attached to, so a trailer is going to be fairly high. Roughly calculating a 600mm diameter wheel with 75'' of wheel travel clearance gives you a tray top nearly 700mm of the ground. Just something to keep in mind for loading and unloading, depending on what you're going to use the trailer for.

    However, there's no reason why you couldn't even cut out the wheel arch sections from the tray and have some aluminium wheel arches made up, which would drop the floor level by about 300mm.
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  3. #3
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    My brother and I made a trailer like you are intending, it's mainly for carting the quads around as the original sides make suitable ramps, even for me to drive the big quad on and off. (It's tandem)
    We find the height ok.
    I'll see if I can get some photo's of it next time I'm home.

    Cheers,
    Wahoon.
    Cheers,
    Dion.

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    Thanks guys. I am thinking that it may be the way to go. The other option is maybe galvanized..

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    Wouldn't mind seeing some photos Dion.

    And I wasn't suggesting that the height was a dealbreaker. Merely that it should be a consideration when building a trailer as it significantly raises the centre of gravity. But for carting stuff that is better suited to side loading, there's nothing better than a flat top tray.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mick72 View Post
    Thanks guys. I am thinking that it may be the way to go. The other option is maybe galvanized..
    You could buy Duragal to weld the frame and still add the Alloy top.

    There's a heap to consider when building a trailer that's going to be hot Gal dipped.
    • The heat can warp the thinner sheet metal side panels, floors and tailgates.
    • Every single RHS tube must have a hole at both ends, either by leaving the ends open or drilling 1/2" holes.
    • Not every galvanizing place has a bath big enough to take a trailer.
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  7. #7
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    Yonnee is dead on regarding his comments about construction for galvanising. Get it wrong and you have a bomb!
    Personally I do not see galvanising as the best option for trailers unless they are for farm usage, such as portable yards etc. I also question the choice of an aluminium ute tray to build a trailer if it is to be used for anything other than light duties.
    Ally ute trays are built to a price and typically are bolt together, they are mounted on a rigid vehicle chassis that provides most of their strength and even then suffer from dented floors, rattles and the like as they age.
    If it is only to cart bikes and some garden greenwaste it will probably be ok, but if you are carting firewood or the like I would rethink the idea.
    You will be spending large amounts of dollars, (this trailer will need brakes etc), so you must be happy with the end result for years to come.
    As a matter or interest, how many people are aware that the regs for safety chains have changed and now load rated chains with a stamp on every link must be used, (no more galv chain from the local hardware store!).

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    ive got an aluminium tray floor with raised ridges, its a real pain in the neck when i have to shove stuff like gravel and sand. if you can get the floor in flat plate i think that would be better suited for what you want to use it for.

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    Thanks guys. Still giving the construction some thought. Was looking at independent rubber suspension but was wondering how the axles usually mount to the chasis and if this was a better way to go rather than springs. Was also wondering how much more expensive it may be.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Karl Robbers View Post
    As a matter or interest, how many people are aware that the regs for safety chains have changed and now load rated chains with a stamp on every link must be used, (no more galv chain from the local hardware store!).
    If by recently, you mean since 1989, as that's when the National reg's (VSB1) came into effect that required a rated chain to be used. As far as I am aware, and I cannot find anything to the contrary, the stamp is every 4th link.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Yonnee View Post
    If by recently, you mean since 1989, as that's when the National reg's (VSB1) came into effect that required a rated chain to be used. As far as I am aware, and I cannot find anything to the contrary, the stamp is every 4th link.
    That regulation has only been enforced here in the last 12 months if that. Sounds like the mainland states may have enforced it for a longer period. Interesting.
    A good thing though as a large number of trailers that I have seen have sub standard safety chains.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Karl Robbers View Post
    That regulation has only been enforced here in the last 12 months if that. Sounds like the mainland states may have enforced it for a longer period. Interesting.
    A good thing though as a large number of trailers that I have seen have sub standard safety chains.
    You're right, there's so many unsafe trailers on Australian roads and a heap of them are brand new!! There's a big difference between being part of the regulations, and actually being enforced. Most manufacturers have the ability to register the trailers they make and sell, so there's quite a few manufacturers who will fit substandard parts once they have the registering process setup.
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  13. #13
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    My brothers Ali tray back trailer.

    Mmmm, that didn't work, photo's didn't attach.
    Last edited by Wahoon; 26th Sep 2011 at 10:48 PM. Reason: More text.
    Cheers,
    Dion.

  14. #14
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    Photo's attached this time
    Cheers,
    Dion.

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