Trailer : Build it or Buy it?

[koda6966]

So just wondering what you guys would do if you needed a trailer, would you build it yourself, or buy one?

I would rather build one because then I could have it to my specifications and look. And I would know every inch of it.

But I would also rather buy one, because then you don't have to go through the process of registering it and having it inspected IIRC.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I think it kinda depends on what you plan to do with it and so forth. I've seen guys make trailers out of mobile home frames before so that it's easier to build and easier to title.

I have been thinking I'd like to build (or have built) a trailer for towing my 4x4 since I want a skeletonized trailer built as light as possible so that the weight of my 4x4 and trailer together would be under 5k lbs and also so the trailer would have electric brakes on both axles.

 

[midget]

I have a homebuilt trailer for towing my Ranger and the price was alot nicer than buying a new one. However mines a bit heavier than anyone else would want and theres no suspension on it either just solid axles. It rides great loaded but anything less than 1000lbs on it and it beats you to death.

The worst part of the mobile home axles are the tires the rims are an off size 14.5 so you pretty much can only get tires and wheels from a mobile home dealer.

Small trailers are a cake walk to build but larger car trailers take a lil more time and effort but if your a competent welder I'd say just build one then you can have what you want rather than a list of options from a trailer dealer.

 

[mjonesjr]

If you plan on building it, you need to check with local and state laws. Most states require a licenses plate on trailers. To acquire a licenses plate, you have to have a vin number.

 

[Shran]

What kind of trailer? Small, single axle, lawnmower trailer? Or double axle car trailer? or what?

All are buildable, and you can buy plans for just about anything online. I have built and helped build trailers from pickup box to double axle, gooseneck flatbeds. The latter takes a ton of time, requires a big shop, good welder, torch, saws, lift/or several people, etc.

If you want a small one, build it yourself. It's easy. If you want a car trailer, buy one. They're easy to find and out here you can buy a brand new one for around $3000.

 

[The Jester Race]

Build it. Me and my pops built a trailer for our two seadoo's. It was alot of fun, plus it was a hell of a lot cheaper then buying one. $600 to build and $2500 to buy.

We just went to the Seadoo shop and took pics of their trailers and built it from the pics and took dimension from our seadoos.

-Jester

 

[dangeranger01]

Like everyone has said, there are pros and cons to both.. I personally would build one.

 

[Nipplechops]

Build it. Me and my pops built a trailer for our two seadoo's. It was alot of fun, plus it was a hell of a lot cheaper then buying one. $600 to build and $2500 to buy.

We just went to the Seadoo shop and took pics of their trailers and built it from the pics and took dimension from our seadoos.

-Jester

Nice work!

Koda, you could also do what I did, which was basically a bit of both. I started with a torched 18' tandem axle, enclosed trailer that I snagged for free. I basically cut the thing down to the bare frame perimeter and A-frame, made sure it was square and made a flat deck car hauler out of it.

It took a lot of work. I had to put in new floor supports, new (to me) 5000lb axles, extend the tail 6", make ramps and such, but in the end I ended up with exactly what I wanted. Well, almost. I still have to mount a winch on it, but other than that it is finished. I had to get it inspected at a MoTH commercial inspection facility and have it weighed because it classifies as "home built" and apply for a VIN, but it was quite painless.

My Dad has pics of the build on my parents' home 'puter. The total cost was 1500 bucks, give or take a few hundred. In the end I saved myself over 2000 bucks over buying a decent used one locally. Thing is, after all that work it never gets used!

 

[littleme13]

after building 2 and rebuilding 1 this last summer i would say it depends on what your doing. for a small trailer definatly build it even if its just a kit like yuo buy at harware stores. the ones i built were for hauling leaves and grass for lawncare so we built them to be exactly how we needed them for loading and unloading. but we bought the flatbed car trailer we use to haul our mowers. right now you can pick them up pretty cheap.

 

[Roger]

Depends on what you want, my buddy and I cut up a 2 door Cherokee so he can use the rear of it for a trail trailer. Will have extra fuel in the stock tank, water tanks, propane tank and batteries.

 

[mn_smokeater]

well after looking at and reading some examples of homemade trailers id say try building one that is fit to what you need it to do.

 

[AllanD]

I have commercially made trailers (two not counting my tow dolly)

and I'm still building one.

The one I'm building is a section of ranger frame with explorer leafs
and an electric brake trailer axle with 10.5" drums and a 5-on-4.5 bolt pattern. It will be topped with a 7foot Ranger bed.

It is being built for versatility.
I can use it as an open "gondola" for hauling topsoil, gravel, coal or firewood or I can put a cap on it and use it as a camper (Sleeping in a 6foot Ranger bed doesn't work well when you are 6'4")

In addition I have TWO 44gallon fuel tanks that will be mounted between the frame rails under the bed. All the better to be able to buy fuel in Wyoming where it is cheaper (or here at the local junkyard where it is cheaper than wyoming) and be able to drive ALL the way home unrefueled.

AD

 

[Shran]

My friends usually use pickup box trailers for storing motors and parts in since most of them don't have permanent storage anywhere. I guess it works but a 7' Ranger trailer gets a little squirrely at 60MPH loaded down with three 351W motors and other assorted parts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My friends usually use pickup box trailers for storing motors and parts in since most of them don't have permanent storage anywhere. I guess it works but a 7' Ranger trailer gets a little squirrely at 60MPH loaded down with three 351W motors and other assorted parts.

The axle is centered, it would be tough to get the loading right with that much weight on that small of a trailer.

That said, I have the beginings of a 7' Ranger box trailer. Just gotta finish taking the fuel system out of it, bend the frame rails together, put a hitch on it and get the lights to work.

Now is a buyers market for trailers, kind of hard to pencil out building one when you can get a car hauler for $1000 unless you have the stuff laying around already.

 

[Will]

Titling a homebuilt trailer is easy. Don't be afraid of that part. It's just legwork. I've built trailers and had them titled, built boats and had them titled and converted a schoolbus to an RV and had it re-typed and titled. Don't let a fear of beaurocracy stop you from doing what you want to do.

If you can find what you want already made, that is cheaper. If you buy the steel, axles and all the parts--it's a lot of money and a lot of work. The absolute best solution is to buy a used trailer and modify it into what you want. Honestly, you probaby don't know much about trailers. After you own a few, then you learn about them and your requirements solidify. I would buy a used one that best met your needs.