Building a Trailer

I bought this 32ft GN trailer last Friday for $200 less than my material cost. About the only difference is I was planning on a steel deck where this one has a wood deck. Check around in Texas as even with shipping you can't beat there pricing.

T_Bone

• T_Bone's New Trailer

Do you really think a 3' beaver is enough? Unless you are always loading/unloading in a specific spot that is not much for the height of a deckover. Most good commercial units are 4-5', but I don't know, what do others think?

http://www.appalachiantrailers.com/index.htm

Only reason I could see to build my own was if I couldn't get just what I wanted on the market. There is just too much competition in this area so they all chisel their suppliers to get costs down to be a little cheaper than the next guy.

I would suggest looking at the trailers close to make sure you get the basic structure you want. Seemed like most of the companies make their money on the add ons. I bought a 20' deckover, gooseneck with tandem singles, 5' tail with two ramps for right at $4000 in 93'.

Took it home and right away backed it in the shop and took a torch to it. Reworked the two ramps so they would work with a loading dock. Added a center ramp. Chain racks etc. Most of all put on a hydraulic winch powered by a 5hp briggs that will drag just about anything the trailer will haul. Spent about $1000 to $1500 on these mods but in my looking I think the company I bought from wouldn't have done it the way I wanted and to get close would have cost me over $3000 extra.

All in all my advice is buy the base trailer if you can get what you want and then do your own add ons.

JM2CW
jt

Can't give you any specifics, but I've built several. Since my materials (except for flooring) are bought at retail and I tend to over-build, most times it would have been cheaper for me just to have bought one. Doesn't stop me, however; just like designing and building "stuff".