Search the Community

Thought I'd chuck this recent build up for those that are interested. I priced up getting a new trailer built but the costs where high looking around 140k For the spec we where after and the lead in times to get it built where about 5 months. So I hunted around and found a good starting trailer , was a ex farmers transport stock Unit out of Hastings , it was rough as with rusted out deck but had good bones. The trailers has SAF air bagged axles running low profile 19.5 alloca alloys. Trailer also had sliding drawbar with50mm toe eye which will be removed and new drawbar Built .we also wanted to retain the 29000kgs gvm So we done a deal and picked up the trailer and bought it back the workshop I started off by giving it a full steam clean then set about cutting off all the parts we would be not be Needing these included all the cross members , combing rails and deck Then made up ramps and rear off deck, next was to shorten the trailer so I braced the rails to make Sure nothing would move during the cut and rejoin process , I cut 1200mm out off the chassis rails Just in front of the 3rd axle suspension . After veeing out all sections to ensure a good even weld when we joined it back up , the chassis had to be fish plated top bottom and sides with grade 350 plate to ensure strength and also to pass LT400 certification We cut the old drip trays out and used sections of the old chassis to fill the graps Because we we cut more than 900mm out of the chassis this meant the we would have to bring the Braking up to the latest specifications this in included fitting abs ,ebs and had to qualifie for static roll threshold. Next step was to take out the entire braking system and throw away all except the hand brake control valve , I ground back and cleaned up all welds and paint of the inside and outside of the chassis rails then cut out panels of grade 350 plate and plate over all existing cross member holes To give strength to the new channel that would welded in , each new cross member was made individual to make sure the fit was perfect the centre cross members are flush with top of chassis and side cross members sit 40mm Lower to allow for decking timber. With all members and rails on inproflie cut 36 tie down points to fitted in side the channel out of 20mm grade 350 ,I did this to ensure we get a 6000kg tie down at each cross member . Then a new drawbar was made and fitted just enough to give clearance when tight turning. Next was the braking system, I went with a wabco setup so axles had to have wheel sensors and Trigger wheel hub caps fitted. Mount the ECU's and run all the pipe work I also upsized the air bag piping to half inch .i mounted a power pack and 24v battery supply to run the Hydralic ramps to Make the ramp set up work independently from the truck , we run a out out of the ecu to trickle charge the batteries we the abs is plugged in. We also fitted a dump valve on the air bags so when the trailer is being loaded it won't try and wheel stand , but will also automatically raise when the hand brake is released. Next we run all new wiring for the led lights fitted tool box and made oversize sign holders. Lined the trailer with new timber and tread plates, made a mesh holder for chains and twitches at front of trailer ,painted entire trailer inside and out. Fitted new shocks and mounting pins, new 24/30 brake chambers , refined 3rd and 4th axles with new drums and shoes etc. Then to the weigh bridge it come in at 6000kgs All signed of with LT400 for new drawbar , chassis modification,change of purpose Braking system all signed off including SRT and heavy brake coding. Run it through for compliance for a measure up and braking etc then cof time Probably things I've missed , it was a big job but very satisfying.