Plans are available for a utility trailer to haul various heavy materials as well as a trailer to take a boat down to the lake for the weekend. Gather the necessary items, draw up some plans, and start building.
Utility Trailer
A utility trailer is a wide flatbed platform best at carrying any number of heavy or cumbersome items from lawn equipment to small portable homes. This particular design requires moderate carpentry, electrical, and welding skills.
Tools and Materials
The necessary tools for this project are a hammer, welding equipment, saws for wood and metal, and an impact wrench. For the metal frame, obtain either old pieces from the junkyard or rods of iron, if welding tools are available. Find or purchase an axle and wheels. If using an older axle, remove all rust before attaching it to the new trailer.
Gather planks of 1-by-4 lumber for the bed of the trunk. Typical bed widths range from 7 feet to the legal limit of 8.5 feet, and trailer lengths are generally between 10 and 17 feet. Buy enough lumber for the chosen size. Get some bolts to attach the planks to the frame. Trailer wiring is essential for implementing the electrical components. Finally, purchase some plywood or more iron for the sides of the trailer.
Construction
Start with the iron frame of the trailer. If beginning from scratch, weld together four steel angle iron rods into a rectangle of any legal size. Weld support bars at every 2.5 feet. Next, cut enough lumber to cover the frame with a handsaw or circular saw. With the impact wrench, bolt the 1-by-4 planks across the entire frame. Then, spot weld the axle and tires onto the bottom of the frame. Place the frame on concrete blocks to get underneath for welding.
To finish the trailer bed, build walls. If using plywood, attach the side boards with nails or metal brackets. Include a hinge and handle on the back panel to make an easy-to-access door. Otherwise, weld steel angle iron rods onto the sides of the frame. The last step in making a car utility trailer is attaching the hitch and lights. Weld a junkyard frame extender and the hitch to the front of the frame. Follow electrical instructions and attach wiring and lights to the each end of the trailer.
Boat Trailer
The only difference from the utility trailer to the boat trailer for the care is that the tools and materials involve much less lumber, and the fact that marine wiring is essential, because this trailer spends time underwater.
Start by welding the rectangular frame together and add an extra two iron bars beneath and two carpeted pieces of lumber on top. These additions cradle the boat's hull. Overall, the trailer should be 4 feet longer than the boat. Attach brake and turn signal lights to the back edge of the rectangle. Drill holes in the frame and run waterproof wiring from the front to the lights on the back.
Next, weld a vertical iron support beam on the front of the frame with a cushioned top. The boat's bow rests here during transportation. Complete the trailer frame with plastic rollers on either side of the rectangle. Finish the entire project by attaching a steel chain and crank to the front vertical support. The rollers and chain allow for easy retrieval of the boat from the water.
How to Buy Materials to Build a Car Trailer
A car trailer provides you with the ideal equipment for hauling everything from speakers to boats. It is possible to purchase all the items to build a trailer at home on eBay. To find an item, simply type the word into the search bar and examine the results. Narrow the search by clicking the useful filters for seller location, price, and more. When purchasing do-it-yourself supplies for home and garden projects, be sure to purchase items from reputable sellers by considering their feedback and ratings.
