build a trailer or not?

userbmx1315

userbmx1315

builds more then wheels
Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Location
Bessemer City, NC
Contemplating building a bumper pull trailer. Have plenty of 6" channel to use. All I would have to buy is axles, used wheels, and some "lt" tires and something for decking.

So I'm wondering how many people here have build their own trailer they haul semi heavy objects.
 
From a design standpoint, there's no reason you can't do it, and probably do it better than the trailer manufacturers. When I'm trying to decide whether to build or buy stuff, I figure a dollar a pound for steel for my cost. So a 10k rated trailer is about 1500-2000lbs, so I'd have about $2000 in materials. It doesn't make sense for me to build that when I can buy a used one for less, or a new one for a little more than that. But if you can get lots of 6" channel for cheap/free, you could easily make a $500-800 dent in that price, and then it might make sense to build it. Just keep in mind the cost of all the "other" things that add up like ramps, lights, jack, breakaway box, etc. Thats where the factory built ones start to become competitive.
 
I have built a few trailers.. Reason I did them was I either had the steel or could not find what I wanted.. Would I do it again? Yup.
but if I had to buy all the steel, etc.. NOPE I would just buy one.

I say if you have the time, steel and supplies why not..

all my trailers have worked great and are still on the road with new owners, since I dont keep stuff very long :)
 
I got plenty of 6" channel so that's not an issue. I want something longer and stronger axles then my previous 16ft trailer. id like somrthing around 20-22ft.
figured axles would be around $800 for some 6 lug 5200lb. lights maybe $100. then some kind of decking. and $100 jack. figured under 1600 for a 10,000lb trailer.

been looking for used trailers, but craigslist seems to want new price for used crap.
 
Mines a homebuilt. Only way I could tell was the welds weren't machine/professionally cleaned and it didn't have a VIN. But it can definitely handle the weight. 6,000# axles, brakes on the front axle, new tires, lit down both sides, reflective tape, and has LED tail lights as well. Bought it from a trailer dealer who got it on trade from a friend of the owner. I'm guessing it weighs around 2,200-2500#, and I've hauled about 6,500# on top of it without issue. Isn't flimsy like other homemade deckovers unloaded.

I say go for a homebuilt and save some $$$


TRAILER.jpg
TRAILER2.jpg
 
Get a good and accurate figure of what you would have in it then call T & W in Hudson, NC for an estimate. He will surprise you at what he sells for. Unless you have a hook up at some place like Redneck Trailer supply, I'd estimate $1200-$1300 in axles wheels and tires.
 
buddyantunez1 said:
Mines a homebuilt. Only way I could tell was the welds weren't machine/professionally cleaned and it didn't have a VIN. But it can definitely handle the weight. 6,000# axles, brakes on the front axle, new tires, lit down both sides, reflective tape, and has LED tail lights as well. Bought it from a trailer dealer who got it on trade from a friend of the owner. I'm guessing it weighs around 2,200-2500#, and I've hauled about 6,500# on top of it without issue. Isn't flimsy like other homemade deckovers unloaded.

I say go for a homebuilt and save some $$$


View attachment 154078 View attachment 154077
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Thats a good looking trailer!
 
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