Guinness
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 01:00 PM |
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Trailer Draw Bars?
Following on from Madteg's inspirational trailer design, I am trying to re-work my own trailer project.
I inherited a caravan chassis from Jambojeef. Trouble is when we first measured it, it had a 3m bed. Which meant it would fit in my yard. Now when
I have re-measured it, it has a 4m bed, plus the triangular draw bar bit on the front (1.6m) which means it ain't going to fit in my yard.
So, inspired by Madteg's design I am about to set to the caravan with an angry grinder to shorten the chassis. I know I can't just chop
the back end off, as that will increase the nose weight. So I'm planning on shortening the chassis as much as possible to give me the base inc
axle, suspension, brakes and lights. Then have a removable / tipping bed on top.
The problem I have is with the length of the bed, to clear the hitch when it's in storage. At the moment the draw bar? bit is 1.6m from the
front rail of the chassis. Is there a rule / reason for this? Seems like a bit over long. I guess it's so you don't damage the tow car
when doing tight turns. But my current tow car is 1.7m wide, with the tow bar mounted centrally, this gives a max width either side of 850mm. Allow
a good bit for clearance, and if I say 1000mm? Would that work?
Having re-read that post before posting, that doesn't seem very clear. Have a think about it and I'll do a drawing!
Cheers
Mike
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britishtrident
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 01:27 PM |
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Distance from the tow hitch to the trailer axle has a big effect on snaking, ie traillers with long draw bars are a lot less likely to snake.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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Guinness
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| posted on 9/1/08 at 01:32 PM |
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Thanks lads.
This is the sketch design. Grateful for any comments.
Sorry it's a bit big!
 
Revised Trailer Design
Cheers
Mike
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