drawings for a trailer

[woeboy]

I got a trailer frame and a ton of iron, so i figured id just build my trailer myself for my mill that will be here soon. I'm gonna start tomarrow afternoon I hope. I'll take all the suggestions anyone has or any critisims or something I may have overlooked.







25' = total length
8' = axle to end of trailer
17' = axle to tounge
20' = the frame of the mill
18' = the sub-frame

This is my first time using this program so the measurements are slighty off, but this took forever just to get it like this :D

Thank you all for your advice

[379hammerdown]

How wide is the trailer? I'd recommend putting some outriggers with the bulldog jacks on em to make sure that the whole thing doesn't flop over on its side when a log jars it. Just some square tube that extends a foot out the sides on each side.  At least 4. Make sense? I hope so! Looks great otherwise!!!!!

[sigidi]

no input from me - just wanna see where this one goes?

[dovetails]

I got a trailer frame and a ton of iron

Can't tell from the drawing, how heavy is your frame? You  plan on removing the axel and setting it on the ground when in use? You will need a good stiff frame for the weight your going to put on it. Also,I would put several more cross braces in the main frame, with the 2-3 shown, it would tend to flex pretty bad ,needs to be ridgid.

[bandmiller2]

Woeboy,first what are you pulling this trailer with??Unless you have a one ton truck its a little large and as drawn would need tandem axles.what I built that works well is a single axle with a 4x8 piece of diamond tread 2' beavertail on behind as a ramp.Front where the frame comes togather for the hitch a heavy bar across 2" pipe and a super heavy post to hook a winch or comealong.I can put a 12' log completely on the trailer anything longer hangs out the back with a flag.Its handy not too big and will carry two biguns or three normal logs.In the steel floor I cut holes for truck "U" bolts to chain loads pull them up to use, bottom has a bar welded to come up to the frame, when not used they drop to the deck.The deck of the trailer will tilt to help pull logs on.I pull mine very carefully with a f 150.Frank C.

[Magicman]

What kind of axle/wheels?

[whiskers]

  Woeboy, You didn't say what the deck surface will be. I'm guessing boards, if so you don't get as much added end to end strength that steel sheet would provide. Tension bars make the deck more rigid and reduce flex which will cause the frame to fail over time. They also provide anchor points for chain and a low barrier for rolling logs and such. The tongue should have four points of contact w/ the frame. Two axles would be a must for me, (not so much for the load concern, which shouldn't be underestimated) for the extra set of tires to get to a safe place to change a flat plus, it'll handle better. You might consider a sub frame for the axles and fitment to allow repositioning to achieve the correct tongue weight. You already know about tail heavy trailers. Run the best hitch (cover, ball, chain and hitch) you can afford. It's cheap insurance. This old trailer I built over 20 years ago and it's seen some serious abuse. Been meaning to paint it ever since, maybe next year. There's a few more pics in my gallery that might provide an idea.
Good luck w/ your project. Post some pictures when you can.

[woeboy]

Thank you all for the great replys, I have decided to wait till the mill gets here next week to start, just to be sure the mill fits perfect and I can figure where to put the crossbeams to be sure they dont interfere with any of the dogs.  I will be using 4 or 5  bulldog jacks on each side. The width is going to 38". I was planning on using a old boat trailer axle and tires but I'm thinking I need breaks on the trailer and now im thinkin from chatting with others,and the replies, that I need to make em tandem axles too, so its back to drawing board   :P 

[Tom]

I don't think it wise to start building a trailer without having the mill.  The goal is going to be Operation more than transportation.  It might even be advantageous to run the mill for a while (few months) before putting it on wheels.  Seeing other people's transportable mills will definitely help, but it's going to have to fit your operation.  You might find yourself attaching an axle to the mill or you might build a flat-bed trailer and just carry the mill to the site and take it off of the trailer, or something in between.   Don't get into too big of a hurry.

[pineywoods]

A mill ain't that heavy, but guaranteed sooner or later you will haul logs. Boat trailer stuff won't take the abuse. Mobile home axles and wheels work just fine, and they can be had cheap, even free. Usually have springs and shackles attached. Most of them are rated for 7000 pounds. some will have brakes, but they aren't much. You'll have to cut a piece out of the axle, stock they are too long. Another very handy feature is a tilting bed.

[Radar67]

I built this one a few years back. 7000 pound axle and hubs, about 16 feet long plus the tongue (20 foot overall). Six out riggers, about 30 inches wide. It serves me well.

[vadimo]

Radar67, how thick material you use for this trailer? You have too detailed photos? I preparing made one for me Oscar 228.