136 replies to this topic

[stormintrooper]

be interesting to see this finished as i would like to make one myself

however im curious as to what your going to do for a towing point on the mini

[998dave]

I'm getting there, and I'll build a towbar as per the instructions in Minimagazine.

Will make it removable, and bolt to the mini rear subframe and seat floor.

Dave

[Yoda]

I'm getting there, and I'll build a towbar as per the instructions in Minimagazine.

Will make it removable, and bolt to the mini rear subframe and seat floor.

Dave

I have done exactly the same, only one concern now, there is still a bit of movement when you stand on the ball and i am considering combining the best of all the different types i have looked at. At the moment i have mounted under the seat on the floorpan and to the subframe rear rail with a 14 inch long angle iron and load spreading plate above the subbie metal, I think i will now fabricate a second similar piece that will bolt to the bumper lip middle three bumper fixing points and welde to the upswept part of the towbar. I won't be worried about restricting movement on the subbie mounts, as it is no longer on rubbers anyway!

Might just get around to a project thread one day if i still have all the piccies

[Twincam]

I'm getting there, and I'll build a towbar as per the instructions in Minimagazine.

Will make it removable, and bolt to the mini rear subframe and seat floor.

Dave

Have got a tow bar down at one of my lock ups if you need any measurements/pictures etc?

[998dave]

I think it'll be fine, a lot depends on the sturdiness of the box section, I imagine, will see what it's like when it's together.
If the subframe bobbles about I'll polybush it.

Measurements are hard, I tend to make it up as I go along, worked well for the draw bar, though admittedly that does need a slight tweak to get it perfect!

Dave

[Brams96]

Great thread Dave! After reading the whole thing I now have a better idea to go about my trailer project and yes it was already scrapped for those haters out there. I'm going to try and keep it as cheap as possible like yours and use materials I already have kicking around the workshop at home. I'll definitely be following this thread and refering back to it as I go, I might even start my own thread Keep it up buddy

[998dave]

I'm trying to keep it all going, I've done the awkward little other jobs to get them out the way, (like the ex's bonnet, another ex's locks, and the garden) - so no excuses now.

Dave

[998dave]

Get this, I actually done some work on the trailer!

First off was tidying up the old welds;


Then I decided to go for welding the lower edges onto the front;

Both sides, though this only shows one, I know there's gaps in the middle, I didn't have along enough sheet of steel, so will fill those in shortly.

Then I wanted to start making the top up, so got the spare sheet and clipped it in place to make one edge, I know it's not to form, but will get the full width in, then cut to shape.


Edges slightly gusseted to help with rigidity, ot just because the metal was that shape;

Not my neatest work, but it'll tidy up okay.

And once I'd patched all the way accross I cut it back to shape;


And filled in those little gaps at the bottom;


I even started tidying my welds, but then it looked like it was going to rain, so I tidied up and threw on some primer to try to protect the bare matal a bit;

You can see the far side is tidied, near side isn't.

Going into town now, but I hope to finish tidying the front tomorrow, then bend the lower edge of the bottom plates back round the floor and tack in place to give an overlap.

Then I've got to work out how to fill in the gap, smooth it all off and paint!

Dave

[Brams96]

Just a quick question Dave, is there any reason you've left the door latches on?

Looking good so far

[998dave]

Just a quick question Dave, is there any reason you've left the door latches on?

Yes.






(For attaching or locking things to, such as; dogs, sheets, washing lines, flag poles, gimps, bicycles, etc)

[998dave]

Too hungover to do any grinding today, but I did make a pile of curvy shaped metal to see if I could use any for the gap in the front.



Dave

[Deathrow]

Just read through all this.

It's going to look so cool when you've finished.

Loving the element of mystery you've added to get people to keep coming back Dave. Wish I knew what you were planning!

[Brams96]

Hey dave hows the trailer coming on?? I've started mine now and have been re-reading your thread for tips and inspiration

[998dave]

I went to a usic festival at Goodwood last weekend, so no progress, however I do now have a week off, and have designated it for tidying my garden, my mini, and getting the trailer base done and maybe the lid started.

Bit of a delay yet though as I refuse to use the angle grinder on a weekend morning, may get the gardening I want to do out the way first!

Dave

[joewb]

Looking good!
Looking forward to the finished product.