105 replies to this topic

[darkcat]

Hi all, thanks for the positive comments :-D

To answer some questions:

> Brake cables: these are routed from the drum plates to the centre of the middle cross-member, not attached yet in the photos.

> Final cost: As stated previously i was looking for it to be under £2k all in (thats the full braked trailer, finished, galvanised, VOSA tested and approved, winch, lighting, ramps, 4-point wheel tie-downs, basically a ready-to-go package) - it is looking to be well under this, but will confirm once ive calculated all costs.

> I'm working to get the thing fully finished in the next couple of weeks and hopefully out to some shows! 


I need to do a good amount of loaded road testing with it to be absolutely sure the design is strong enough, so would not anticipate any customer trailers this season - i have to be 200% sure the design is durable.
 

On the positive side ive shown this to a few other forums that i frequent (non-mini) and they all love the concept, a big advantage of the modular design is it can be widened / lengthened for other cars to fit.



 

[Carlos W]

Will it still be foldable with the cables in place?

 

I'd be tempted to leave the hitch on and mount a tow ball to the wall

[clubman91]

Could be very intreseted,
What do you think the rough final weight will be.
Cheers,
Mark.

[darkcat]

Carlos - yes, they are attached to the front half of the trailer as are the suspension and a-frame assemblies.

The A-frame detaches from the bed with just 4 bolts, and then you can remove the hitch, leaving you with 2 box section lengths and the hitch to arrange with the bed wherever you can. 

Its still a bit "work in progress", being the first prototype, but it really is looking positive

[darkcat]

Hard to say on weight at the moment Mark, its certainly not ultra light, but as i said its over-engineered. 

As a guide, with it folded i can easily lift it up to the wall as per the last photo myself, and im no body builder!!

I will weigh it when i can.

[Carlos W]

it really is looking positive

 

Very much so

[darkcat]

Also, I cant sing high enough praise for the ESAB welding kit. 

I've had cheap SIP/Clarke welders in the past which struggled to even do a bad weld!!
This thing has incredibly stable beads. (ok experience helps but...)  

[darkcat]

Hi all, I'm at MINI FEST in Utoxetter today in the autojumble if anyone fancies a chat about trailers

[Miniman1987]

Wow! What a fantastic idea!

[darkcat]

Update:
Will be going for galvanising soon, so look out for it/me at this years shows :-D

 

[minisprint]

Seen this trailer when collecting a fibreglass shell looks good !

[minisprint]

If you need a test or two doing got all sorts of trips and collections to do

[WPD]

 

Could it be towed folded in half?

 
You could yes, although you would need a 2nd set of lights and number plate on there to be legal - its certainly on my plans, but an option.

 

quick release number plate and lights? 

[leyland73]

Any updates on these trailers?

[darkcat]

Yes! So update: I made one, and it works

I have 3x sets of the cut parts so can make more or sell the parts + plans.