Equipment

A good level working space is required, with plenty of room to manoeuvre around the trailer as it is being built, as well as ceiling space to allow the trailer to be turned over. The area must be clear of any flammable materials as hot sparks from welding and grinding can travel some distance.

Fire extinguisher
Welding plant – either MIG or arc welder are suitable for welding the trailer
Welding helmet
Leather gloves
Overalls
Safety spectacles
Earmuffs
Grinder – any size is suitable, but a 4” or 5” grinder is preferable. A selection of standard grinding discs, cut off discs and flapper/sanding discs are required.
Measuring tape
Engineers' chalk
Large Square – a builder's rafter square is perfect
Trestles or stands – you can get away with a couple of trestles or stands, but it is safer and easier with 4 or more. The higher the better (around waist height) will allow you to work without too much bending and kneeling.
Power drill – ideally with a chuck capacity of up to 12mm or ½"
G clamps
Metal cut off saw

Welding

You do not have to be an expert welder to build your own trailer and with a bit of practice, and maybe even a lesson or two or guidance from a mate or an online video, you should be able to lay a good weld in a short time.

The most important thing about welding is getting good weld penetration within the two pieces of steel you are joining to ensure that they are properly joined together strongly and ideally neatly.

Too much penetration or heat in the weld, and you will blow through the steel.

Not enough penetration and your welds will fall apart on the first bump on the trailer's maiden journey down the road.

It is beyond the scope of this website to teach you how to weld, but if you are a novice, do your research, and practice, practice and practice. Talk to your local engineer and see if you can borrow some scrap metal from his scrap bin and practice welding on these until you feel proficient to run welds on your trailer chassis.

These plans do not provide detailed welding information, but do show where welds should never be put – especially around the drawbar/chassis area. The reason for not welding around some of these areas is that the welding will actually weaken the structure of the trailer and could cause structural failure of the trailer while being used.