Extending car trailer - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

Icemanii · August 26th, 2008, 06:47 PM

Thinking of keeping my car trailer, and just extending it a couple feet. From what I have read, there should be a 60/40 ratio for weight on each side of the trailer.

Anyone ever done this type of fab and how did it go? Since the trailer frame is 'C' channel, my thought was to add a 2' section of channel and brace it both inside and out. Do this to all four channels, then add a section of channel across the back to finish the conversion.

Icemanii · August 27th, 2008, 06:57 AM

No one out of 32 views has any fab skills? Or thoughts on this?

howell_jeep · August 27th, 2008, 07:14 AM

I'm kind of interested to hear this as well, although I'm thinking of adding a dovetail rather than just extending the bed.

Icemanii · August 27th, 2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howell_jeep

I'm kind of interested to hear this as well, although I'm thinking of adding a dovetail rather than just extending the bed.

That is a consideration as well, good point. Just thought with all the fab skills out there, somebody would have done some trailer work.

Bones · August 27th, 2008, 08:15 AM

depends what the purpose of the added lenth would be. Is it just for loading/unloading or would the rig actually be farther back on the trailer? My concern is that a 16' trailer has the axles in a certain spot to have an even load with the rig centered on the trailer. Now you would be adding a 2' extention and possibly havin the rig 1-2' farther make, making it tongue light, which would fish tail all over.

As far as the actual "can I do it" from a fabrication standpoint... sure, just brace it and where the 2 C channels but up against each other, brace with a fish joint like this <>

Icemanii · August 27th, 2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bones

depends what the purpose of the added lenth would be. Is it just for loading/unloading or would the rig actually be farther back on the trailer? My concern is that a 16' trailer has the axles in a certain spot to have an even load with the rig centered on the trailer. Now you would be adding a 2' extention and possibly havin the rig 1-2' farther make, making it tongue light, which would fish tail all over.

As far as the actual "can I do it" from a fabrication standpoint... sure, just brace it and where the 2 C channels but up against each other, brace with a fish joint like this <>

Bones,
Right now, I can haul my CJ on the trailer nicely. However, it sits right near the rear of the trailer bed. The rear tiedowns are almost straight down from the axle. My thought was to extend the bed so that the tiedowns are farther back, and for loading as well. Here is a pic of the YJ on the trailer. The CJ on the trailer hooked to the Tahoe sits farther back, the rear bumper is right at the end of the trailer.

So, what is your opinion on extending the trailer?

August 26th, 2008, 06:47 PM	#1
Icemanii GLFWDA Land Use Committee Join Date: 11-07-05 Location: 48085 Posts: 5,235 iTrader: (16)	Extending car trailer Thinking of keeping my car trailer, and just extending it a couple feet. From what I have read, there should be a 60/40 ratio for weight on each side of the trailer. Anyone ever done this type of fab and how did it go? Since the trailer frame is 'C' channel, my thought was to add a 2' section of channel and brace it both inside and out. Do this to all four channels, then add a section of channel across the back to finish the conversion.

August 27th, 2008, 08:15 AM	#5
Bones skillicous Join Date: 11-06-05 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 10,549 iTrader: (32)	depends what the purpose of the added lenth would be. Is it just for loading/unloading or would the rig actually be farther back on the trailer? My concern is that a 16' trailer has the axles in a certain spot to have an even load with the rig centered on the trailer. Now you would be adding a 2' extention and possibly havin the rig 1-2' farther make, making it tongue light, which would fish tail all over. As far as the actual "can I do it" from a fabrication standpoint... sure, just brace it and where the 2 C channels but up against each other, brace with a fish joint like this <> __________________ Inviscid Motorsports Special Thanks and Recommendations to; Motorcity Machines Ironman Offroad Branik Motorsports Maxxis Tires Raceline Wheels PAC Racing Springs Joint Clutch and Gear

August 27th, 2008, 06:57 AM	#2
Icemanii GLFWDA Land Use Committee Join Date: 11-07-05 Location: 48085 Posts: 5,235 iTrader: (16)	No one out of 32 views has any fab skills? Or thoughts on this?

August 27th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#3
howell_jeep Last Free Man Join Date: 02-09-06 Location: Howell Twp, MI 48836 Posts: 10,046 iTrader: (69)	I'm kind of interested to hear this as well, although I'm thinking of adding a dovetail rather than just extending the bed.