Trailers

[Cuppa]

With my new shed going up around the end of this month the time is getting closer for me to start thinking about some of the practicalities involved with my building inside it once it’s up. One of those practicalities is how I will get the varied building materials (timber, doors, windows, insulation, etc etc - all the bits & pieces which go making up a ‘residence’) to my site. Relying on companies to deliver could get expensive & possibly inconvenient. I have been offered the possibility of borrowing a 7x5 trailer when I need it, but would have to arrange it every time I needed it which would also be inconvenient, particularly when the need to be quick to pick up second hand bargains arises, & a 7x5 might be a bit small for carrying things like loads of 2.7m timber studs for example (particularly if going to Melbourne).

Consequently I have been looking at the possibility of buying a trailer, most likely a 8x5 tandem. It seems there are two main sources - those built locally & those which are imported. The imported ones offer galvanised at similar or lower prices than many secondhand painted ones. Has anyone had any direct experience of the imported ones? Are they any good, or best avoided. A mob in Melbourne called ‘The Galvanised Trailer Company’ appear to be very new on the scene, presumably selling imports commisioned & built in Asia, but looks like their designs are good. Just not sure about the quality.

I’m also very undecided about buying a tandem. I need the length, & sometimes the extra load capacity, but I could get an 8x5 in a single axle which would be far easier to push around when not hooked up to the Patrol, which is an issue which needs consideration, but of course the single axle is restricted to 750kg rather than the 1990kg of the tandem.

Once I’ve finished building inside the shed I really won’t have any further need for a tandem, as the only need for a trailer I’d envisage in the future would be occasional firewood collecting, where a single axle 7x5 high sided trailer would be better, allowing easier access along woodland tracks I reckon.

Soooo...... as well as asking for advice I thought I’d ask if there is anyone who has a tandem trailer which is sitting unused & which you might consider lending to me for the duration of my build? I envisage this to be for most of this year so appreciate it’s a big ask. If it helped I’d buy a 7x5 trailer & do an ‘exchange lend’ for the period. I could also return the tandem if there were times of specific need. Alternatively maybe if you are reasonably ‘local’ you could just ’store’ your trailer here & use it as you normally would, giving me the use the rest of the time?

Thanks
Cuppa

[MudRunnerTD]

I have an 8x5 cage Tandem here Cuppa which i might be happy to store at your place. Let me sleep on that

[Bloodyaussie]

If you do end up buying get it with a long draw bar... makes all the difference in controlling and you have an extra area to add a tool box if need be.

[threedogs]

weld a removable pipe rack front and rear on it or build a cage then you can carry 4mtr lenghts,
Even a front rack will allow you to carry long lengths. 8 x 5 is a good size if you need soil or fire wood

[jff45]

weld a removable pipe rack front and rear on it or build a cage then you can carry 4mtr lenghts,
Even a front rack will allow you to carry long lengths. 8 x 5 is a good size if you need soil or fire wood

X2..

I made an adjustable rear bar on mine so I can drop it 120mm. I've loaded lengths of 4 mtrs but have to use our Falcon wagon so they pass over the roof..

[neet_wagon]

I've got an imported 7'x5'. Seems to do the job just as well as the old mans locally built one - and at almost half the price. Only thing I'd complain about is that the paint has worn off the tie down points (mines not galvanised).

[MB]

Old thread but a neat little trick just found to temporarily off-road keep a slopped out trailer hub grease dust cap/buddy in place.


Snug as a beer can slither bug in a rug!
Worked on our BMX wobbly handle bars as kids too :-)


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[threedogs]

There is a mob in Airport West that will build a trailer to your spec if needed
I ended up bo;ting 3 6" pipe clamps alomg the drawbar to hold the fishing rods.
Going to the Murray after Bathurst car race but will post up details later all we;come

[the evil twin]

IMHO Tandems are a PIA so unless you want a Aggregate over 1,800Kg I would def stay with single axle.

The "750Kg" and "2,000Kg" capacity is determined by the brakes IE even a Tandem with no brakes is limited to 750Kg... we have an 8x5 Tandem no brakes here at work and it is shit useless really.
Conversely a Trailer with mech override braking can have a GTM over 750 with either single or tandem axles up to 2000 then you need elec, elec over hyd or air brakes on at least one axle.
If you go for a tandem over 2,000Kg then the braking has to be on both axles

FWIW my Van I just sold was single axle with elec brakes and a GTM of 2250 and was easy peasy to store at home as I could shove it around with a power jockey wheel and turn it in its own length... no way you can do that with a tandem.

Single axles are less complicated, easier to manouver and cheaper to buy and maintain