Subject: Re: Trailer Advice/Plans

From: [email-masked] (Jens)
Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 16:10:01 -0700

[email-masked] (Alex Sallwey) wrote:

>I am considering building a utility trailer (recently learned to weld!) 
Unless you are a certified welder, I would not attempt to build
anything that is used on public roads. A negligence action against you
in case of an accident is almost a certainty. It is just not worth it.
Also, I don't know what hoops you would need to jump through in order
to get the trailer licensed but I would think (and hope) that a
certification from a welder would be a minimum. 
Oxy/Acet is not an appropriate choice for this kind of project - yes,
it's possible if you are really good and have the right equipment but
I myself would not tackle anything that size with the oxy/acet set.

>Is welding (ox/acy) Al too difficult for a beginner?  

Oh boy .... welding an aluminum trailer with Oxy/Acet ..... oh boy
... let me know before you go on the road with it so that I can make
sure I am nowhere around you.

Scary stuff ......

Regards
Jens

PS.: sorry for the wet blanket ...

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From: [email-masked] (Alex Sallwey)
Date: 14 May 1996 12:53:03 GMT

I am considering building a utility trailer (recently learned to weld!) 
and am wondering if it would be feasable to build the frame out of 
aluminum.  I want a utility trailer that will haul up to 3500 lbs, have 
the capability of putting wood sides on it to haul dirt/mulch/etc, be 
able to carry a motorcycle, have 14" or 15" wheels, that sort of thing.  
I saw a plan book in the Northern catalog so I probably will be able to 
find a book locally.  I would appreciate any advise on this.  If I go Al, 
how do I determine the size since I suspect the plans I find will spec 
steel.  Is welding (ox/acy) Al too difficult for a beginner?  

Thanks!

Alex/VA

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From: [email-masked] (Dave Keith)
Date: 15 May 1996 14:45:21 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] says...
>certification from a welder would be a minimum. 

You guys from BC :)

I wonder how many of the trailers in Saskatchewan (farm country) are home-
built (or should I say farm-built) ?  I know for a fact that all 4 we used
were not built at a factory.

BTW, the hoops to get the thing licensed are trivial here.  Your milage may
vary but I'd suggest checking it out with a real authority.

dave

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From: [email-masked] (Alex Sallwey)
Date: 16 May 1996 12:18:32 GMT

Thanks to the several folks who responded both publicly and via email.  I 
now have several new aspects to consider.  I didn't go out and buy Al or 
anything else based on my first  night's welding class, so don't panic 
about my 'unsafe' trailer rolling around on the roads.  I am doing my 
research to check out the feasability of it as a project, in terms of 
metal and the regs for getting it licensed.  I still have a lot of 
practice to do, plus some smaller projects, and probably another class.  
Thanks for the feedback!

Alex