9 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

i couple of months back i bought an extremely rusty trailer project for the sum of £30.

now im looking at rebuilding it and not using the original subframe, (ive never seen a subframe so rusty) but i dont know what to do to keep it up and keep the wieght down (only got a baby licence)

i have another subframe about that i could use to make a sort of beam axel and use some trailer type stiff shocks

or

i could buy some trailer suspension units like these
( http://cgi.ebay.co.u...e#ht_2576wt_911 ) edit: i know these are for 550kgs so a bit OTT they are the first i clicked on

any other suggestions are welcome but i really dont know what to do with it, i cant see the point in using full subframe as it simply doesnt need all that steel to hold it up

i have a few pictures aswell if you want to see it (it is in very bad shape)

Edited by adam_93rio, 29 May 2010 - 10:39 AM.

[mini_adam]

im havin the same problem i was gonna stick with the old subby but its that good i dont want to waste it so thinkin im gonna make a t frame like they have on the fiberglass trailers

whats the situation with towing these days i heard i have to have another test

[adam_93rio]

im havin the same problem i was gonna stick with the old subby but its that good i dont want to waste it so thinkin im gonna make a t frame like they have on the fiberglass trailers

whats the situation with towing these days i heard i have to have another test

if you passed after 1998 or 1999 not fully sure which one, then you are able to tow upto i think its 750kg. with a maximum train weight of 3500kg i think. dont take these figures for exact untill i find out for sure

[dave21478]

You want the trailer to be as light as possible, so its a good idea to ditch the heavy subframe and radius arms and replace with a light steel box frame holding a pair of trailer suspension units. The only real drawback is you might struggle to find them with the right stud pattern to take mini wheels, so will either need modifying, adaptors or different style wheels from the car.

[jayare]

You can get trailer suspension units with Mini PCD easily - pretty much all manufacturers have them as an option. A simple T-shaped box section frame with the mounting plates for the suspension units on will be more than adequate for it,

JR

[Calman]

ABS Motorsport sell the beam axle with towbar. Its like a T-piece

[adam_93rio]

thanks for all the support guys,

i think the trailer units on ebay i linked to have the same pattern but i havnt really looked at them properly. i have a friend with a trailer that has ones with mini hubs on it so i cant see a problem modifying them if needed.

i would rather build my own tow bar than buy one. i have some steel and why buy something (boring click click) when you can make it and have some fun with a grinder and welder.

i will be starting the trailer soon is all and i want to have everything planned out before i start so there arent any hiccups.

i might update this and have it moved to the project section at a later date.

heres a few pictures of it

it basically sits as the back lower end of a mini (duh) what i mean by that is that the seats, boot floor etc are still untouched


all be it a bit rotten


picture of the back seat, also a bit rotten


ok very rotten, thats a picture through the boot floor looking at the not so fit subframe...


...which is collapsed on one side

havnt really checked the other side

i basically put some wheels on it so i could move it around if needed, but it is up at the girlfriends house for the time being.
currently being used as a bench for while shes rebuilding her mini

hope you guys like it, i got it off a guy on here who opened a thread with pictures and people valued it at £600!! i think £30 is a bargain despite the rot as the general shape is there

besides... everyone loves a project

[Yoda]

I am at the same stage at the moment, I have the rear of the car cut, and ready to construct the trailer and am now pondering replacing the subbie with a T frame. My other indecision is the drawbar on the car, either bolted to the subbie, just to the car body, or a combination of both. I have seen all three commercially sold, but linking the rubber mounted subbie to the body with a solid steel bar seems ridiculous, I think for vibration reduction i may go for just fixing to the subbie, but for rigidity i may be better going for body mounted and put up with the extra vibration through the car.

Back to the trailer. Two trains of thought here for weight reduction. First a simple unsprung T frame, or second, a home brewed t frame with swing arm and coilovers.

If you are considering using the front of the subbie, you will have to make it solid mounted to the body anyway by replacing the front rubber mounts with solid brackets! Just my opinion, but hey, read all the other threads about this and just make your own mind up. Just make sure it is done safely if fabricating everything yourself.

Edited by customcart, 30 May 2010 - 08:11 AM.

[jwb_moto]

ive got a GRP trailer kit, heres some pictures of what my t bar with indespension looks like for reference





im not sure what the weight of the bare part of a rear shell is but the fully built up weight of a GRP trailer is just over the 100kgs

[adam_93rio]

the t bar looks really good, i think this is the method i will use, however i think the indespension units i will be using mount a plate, so would be fitted to the end of the bar. i suppose the biggest ball ache is making it sit square and run true, but it wont be carrying much weight

the trailer is surprisingly heavy for what it is, im hoping the loss of a subframe will take a lot of weight away, and that the reinforcing bars i weld into the new floor of it wont add too much. i will need to take it to a weigh bridge once its all done to make sure im within the legal limits

i was tempted with a grp one but i like the idea of building it myself and not spending a great deal

ive got a GRP trailer kit, heres some pictures of what my t bar with indespension looks like for reference





im not sure what the weight of the bare part of a rear shell is but the fully built up weight of a GRP trailer is just over the 100kgs

thanks for the advice custom cart, i will be making my tow hitch removable so i still need to draw up the plans for the subby, i have more than one mini and always will, so im going to alter all subframes to suit the tow hitch and have a sort of universal fitting