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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Default 8x5 Tipper Trailer

    Hey Guys,

    I am planning to tackle my first trailer build and would love some feedback & ideas. It's going to be a single axle 8x5 box trailer with manual tipping feature. I need it to transport mulch, compost and gravel, perhaps the odd quad or ride mower; might even take it camping occasionally. I would like to rent it to neighbours to recover some of the cost. Hence it needs to be solidly built with mechanical brakes (a compromise, I know). Drawbar tippers are out.

    Here some pictures of commercially available trailers for inspiration (it's not necessarily going to exactly like these).

    85MX-Resized640x480.jpgwinch-tipping-trailer-1.jpgs-l800-7.jpg

    What are your thoughts on integrating the drawbar into the lower frame (eg to cut the front cross members and have the drawbar on same plane)?
    Would I improve strength of the (upper) tipping frame with a third, longitudinal RHS section down the centre? That could also be an attachment point for the winch cable.

    Cheers
    Frank

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    I feel that an 8X5 is too much for a single axle trailer, especially if you're going to "hire it out" to the neighbours!!! It's not their trailer and will load it to the max with what ever they're getting.
    I used to manage a trailer hire business, and have seen the results, a car trailer that is supposed to carry 1.5 tonne max had a 3 tonne tractor on it, trailers that come back with drawbars bent. They're not used, but abused!!!
    Your idea of the drawbar being on the same plane, is asking for trouble, unless it's constructed properly. I don't mean using 75X50, but 150X50 and then it has to be plated and gusseted.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Default

    All good points and (over)building it is my intention anyway. I have purchased the plans below and whilst I am going to build a down-scaled version, I intend to retain the RHS as specified for a 3.4t trailer.

    https://www.trailerplans.com.au/prod...pping-trailer/

    For reference, the drawbar is 150x50x3, the main frame is 100x50x3 and the tipping frame is 75x50x3 RHS

    Does anyone know where in Sydney I can get sheets of Hardox 450 or a comparable material?

    Thanks
    Frank

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    Western Sydney
    Posts
    262

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Voyager77 View Post
    Hey Guys,

    I am planning to tackle my first trailer build and would love some feedback & ideas. It's going to be a single axle 8x5 box trailer with manual tipping feature. I need it to transport mulch, compost and gravel, perhaps the odd quad or ride mower; might even take it camping occasionally. I would like to rent it to neighbours to recover some of the cost. Hence it needs to be solidly built with mechanical brakes (a compromise, I know). Drawbar tippers are out.

    What are your thoughts on integrating the drawbar into the lower frame (eg to cut the front cross members and have the drawbar on same plane)?
    Would I improve strength of the (upper) tipping frame with a third, longitudinal RHS section down the centre? That could also be an attachment point for the winch cable.

    Cheers
    Frank
    Sounds exciting ! Being a tipper I'd use 50x50x5 RHS for the full length of the trailer chassis including the draw bar , 75 x50 x 3 for the frame and use 6mm angle as cross members to keep the weight down. Floor frame 3mm 50x50 rhs frame and 5mm solid steel floor , maybe some 5mm angle for cross members to support the floor in the middle. That way it wont bend if the neigbours over load it. Maybe use an old caravan axle and suspension to help carry the weight . Better off going hard core with materials and over building it than having it bend. If your looking for trailer parts try Sunrise at Smithfield , no affiliation but they sell good stuff at a fair price. Good luck with the build.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    If you put mild steel tread plate on the floor instead of wear plate you won’t need to rent it to the neighbours. It’s a trailer not the bucket of a bogger.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    If you kept it to 6x4 with 400mm sides a full load of soil or gravel will have you close to 2T.
    Personally I wouldn’t be comfortable with that on a single axle.
    An 8x5 will definitely end up overweight if someone fills it up.
    Legalities aside, having over 2T on mechanical override braked trailer isn’t pleasant (even on tandem axle).
    The weight transfer under braking for a single axle is going to load up the rear of the tow vehicle and take weight off the front wheels.
    Since most of your braking is done by the front wheels, when you lighten the front wheels you reduce your braking.
    Reducing the braking on the tow vehicle reduces the trailer braking - so you effectively have the trailer pushing you down the road.

    It doesn’t seem logical to use the steel sizes for a large trailer on a much smaller one. The section sizes are a product of the size and weight/capacity of the trailer.
    If you kept the same capacity and went smaller you would typically reduce the size of the sections.
    I’m a firm believer in over engineering things to a certain extent, but can’t see the point in doubling the size and weight of the steel and reducing the load capacity because the tare weight is so high.

    For the deck I’d think plain black plate would be best for a tipper.

    Steve

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Thumbs up

    Hi Steve,

    Yes, I realise that mechanical brakes are a compromise. Can't have everything in life.

    As for 6x4 trailers, that is way too small to be useful. My trailer will be multi purpose and while I want the option to transport heavier loads, many times the load volume will be large with lower weight. I might take in your suggestion to use normal steel sheet though, haven't been able to locate any Hardox suppliers yet.

    Cheers
    Frank

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Default

    The first batch of parts has arrived. Pleasantly surprised by the tipper hinges, they are quite solid (cast steel).
    Looking to get some steel quotes coming week. Do you have any recommendations where I can get decent prices for Austube / Orrcon steel in Sydney?

    TrailerParts1.jpg

    Cheers
    Frank

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    s.w. sydney
    Posts
    53

    Default

    southern steel at milperia were good prices. i,d go a tandem. i see you have brought parts, you can get kits with EVERTHING, better bang for your buck. you using a mig for this job?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Default

    Yeah, I have made some progress since the last post. In terms of kits, I couldn't find one that matched my requirements but I have learned a lot about the trailer / parts market.

    Apparently Alko makes axles in Australia (presumably from Aussie steel given their high prices but they did not state that). Brakes are made in the USA and springs are made in China to Alko specification.

    Then I looked at more economical options. Huntsman Products (VIC) and Austrailer Parts (aka Sunrise Trailers in NSW) stood out with their range, price and service. Huntsman stated they import from overseas and all parts are their house brand. Sunrise Trailers also imports from India and China.

    Last but not least I found Couplemate (QLD) who manufacture axles in Australia from Australian steel. They use Alko brakes and were accommodating with a custom order. Their 50mm axle was approx $200 cheaper and galvanised whereas the Alko axle would've been plain steel. Couplemate's service was spot on, answering all my questions.

    For the springs, I went with Huntsman as their spring looked identical to the Alko 2000kg off-road springs and had the same spec. Since Alko also sources springs from China, I figured there wasn't much point paying extra for the brand.

    Got a set of Sunraysia 16" wheels with Hankook Vantra LT 225/75 R16 tyres. Bit overkill but I wanted margin for error with the load rating, this being a 2t trailer.
    Still need to get the steel. Hardox being the most challenging to source. Need to find an engineering shop in Sydney who can cut and press sheets for me. Bit under the pump with the 30.June VSB changes coming.

    Cheers
    Frank

    TrailerParts3.jpgTrailerParts1.jpgTrailerParts2.jpg

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    s.w. sydney
    Posts
    53

    Default

    june 30th atf. good luck with that. personally i think the single axle is poor choice. but its your design. i just made a 3.2t hydraulic tipping, flat top 3680 x 2130, trailer, 95% complete. i had 2t tandem axle kit laying around and decided to use those, half way through the build i changed my mind and cut off the 2t axle gear and brought new 3.2t stuff and threw that in. i,m very happy i did that. i would have gone to 3.5t gear but i could use my rim and tyres with 3.2t gear.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    s.w. sydney
    Posts
    53

    Default

    where are you at in sydney? im at thirlmere.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Default

    I'm near Hornsby.

    This won't be the last trailer I build. Gotta start somewhere mate. Will build it up to a 20t flat top 😜

    Cheers
    Frank

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    33

    Default Madness :)(

    I guess I should have started this project by pricing up steel. The cost of the Aussie steel frame alone exceeds the price of a cheap import trailer (not that I want one). Anyone hoping to save money by building a trailer at home from new steel profile is kidding himself but I didn't expect steel prices to be this eye-watering..

    I did try Southern Steel too. They were utterly useless - chased them for a week and got a quote with half the items missing and the other half incorrect, delivered with a one-liner email without any explanation. At least one company quoted import steel (supposedly Korean) but their pricing wasn't any better.

    Cheers
    Frank

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    I use Edcon Steel's online pricing to get an idea of what a decent price is - my local supplier usually comes in pretty close to their pricing. That said, I haven't bought steel for 3-4 months, so I may be in for a shock next time I go shopping....

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