How to Build a Carry-On Trailer
Utility trailers can be used for a variety of reasons, such as hauling hay, dirt, debris, mulch or firewood. Building a carry-on trailer with covered sides can help when moving loose material. Adding a drop gate at the back of the trailer makes it easier to load and unload items you need to haul. It takes a few hours to a day to complete the construction, but you have the opportunity to customize it to fit your needs.
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Things You'll Need
- 3-by-4-inch angle iron
- 2-by-3-inch angle iron
- Metal chop saw
- Tape measure
- Welding equipment
- Axle with wheels, leaf springs
- Wheel rims
- Tires
- Lug nuts
- 2-by-6-inch wood flooring
- Trailer hitch ball cap
- Expanded metal flooring
- Wrenches
- Metal saw
- Spring hangers
- Spring bolt, lock washer and nut
- Hinges
- Latches
- Chain
Instructions
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1
Cut the 3-by-4-inch angle iron into four pieces of 10-foot lengths and four pieces of 5-foot widths with the chop saw. Cut 45-degree miters on all pieces of the angle iron and weld them together to construct 5-by-10-foot frames with the miters facing up.
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2
Cut the 2-by-3-inch angle iron into six 18-inch pieces. Weld four of them facing up on the outside four corners of one frame. Weld the second frame onto the corners and weld the remaining 2-by-3-inch angle iron pieces facing up in the center of the frame.
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3
Use a measuring tape to measure the leaf springs on the axle, from one mounting hole to the other, and mark the locations. Weld one spring holder at each spot you marked. Align the spring holders to the axle.
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4
Cut the 3-by-4-inch angle iron into two 5-foot lengths. Weld these two pieces to the bottom of the frame in front of the spring hangers. Place the frame on the axle springs. Place a bolt through the spring hanger and the mounting hole and tighten it with the lock washer and nut.
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5
Install wheel rims and tires to the axles with lug nuts.
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6
Cut the 2-by-3-inch angle iron to go in front of the leaf spring as a yoke. Weld the yoke to the frame on the side rails and weld a cross brace behind the hitch.
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7
Place 10 2-by-6-inch wood planks on the floor of the trailer. This amount completely covers the trailer floor. Cut expanded metal flooring with a metal saw to fit the measurements of the frame sides, top and bottom and weld the metal flooring to the frame.
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8
Cut two pieces of the 2-by-3-inch angle iron to 18 inches in length, and two more pieces at 5 feet in width to make a back gate. Weld the pieces together to create the back gate frame. Cut the expanded metal flooring to fit to the back gate frame and weld it to the back gate frame. Weld gate hinges to the bottom of the back gate. Weld a gate latch on each side of the back gate and weld a chain on each side of the gate to give support to the back gate when it is lowered.
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Tips & Warnings
Measure the axle size to ensure you get the right size wheels and rims.
Always wear protective eye wear and gloves when welding materials.
