TitaniumTT's from scratch Track Trailer

[TitaniumTT]

Soooooo I figure I'll post this up as a few members here have helped with the design of it, and they've been asking for progress pics. I do need to get some more pics taken as the thing is rolling, although it's not completely finished yet.... hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have the time.... Any who, this will probably take a few days to get the whole thread up.

All of the tubing used is 2"x2"x.125" 6061 AL, the round tube is 2"x.125" 6061. The gussets I believe are 5052... not entirely sure actually

This is the basic design layout. From the back of the round tube to the front of the square tube is 53", the outside to outside dimension is 53" as well. I based these dimensions on the tires I was planning on buying, and some that are larger for when.... or IFF I ever get the FD done and start taking that to the track as well.



Without a perfectly level and true surface to weld on, I had to improvise. The though was, if I start making the side completely square, and tack them together, then when everything comes together, it will also be perfectly square. It actually worked out. I honestly cannot measure the trailer out of square. It is literally perfect... I was shocked.

So here is the first side. The square tubing on top keeps them on the same plane.



That would be the leg of my engine hoist It was the only piece that I had around that was long enough to make the spread. Made sure everything was square before welding it all together



There's the tongue. I guessed at how long it would be, and then added a little bit because it's always easier to take metal away than add it

Welded everything in place and kept checking for square at every step of the way.



All the jigs removed and rechecked.... weeeeee!!!! still square!

[TitaniumTT]

From the back..... that piece on the right all by itself is going to mark the back of the box that I will use to haul tools, jacks, stands, chairs, food, etc etc etc...... Then there will be 10gals of fuel, and of course the tires. One of the keys to TIG welding is to keep things as tight as possible. That piece is held in by tension. However, I have also found that what you need to do before welding a piece like that in place is leave the last little bead open, or drill a small hole in the tube. As you weld, obviously shit gets hot, shit expands the air inside, and you go for that last little piece of weld and the escaping air blows the AL all over the place including up the torch.



Supports for the tongue, all jigged up, notice the square tubing keeping everything on the same plane





Here is where I started getting a little out of control with the gusseting. It started with this little piece underneath the tongue where there isn't a piece running side to side. I figured this would be a good joint to strengthen as it's about dead center in the trailer, and the box will sit right there, and right there inside the box is going to be a heavy series 24 Deep Cycle battery.... so that's where it started

[TitaniumTT]

And this is where it started getting a little out of control......

I started with a .125" piece of 5052 (I think) and cut it into a gusset.



Then I looked over at the dimple die set that I had bought 3 months prior for a project that didn't materialize and decided it was time to start playing around with it.

Start by cutting out the appropriate size hole



Then press, weld, and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and take a picture





It might be a little overkill, but I don't care, it had to look symetrical.

I also had a bunch of 3031 perforated AL left over from my hood project. I knew I wanted to carry a bunch of fuel with me to the track in 5 gal Jerry Jugs, a solid floor would collect a bunch of shit, so this stuff was perfect. Welding .050 perforated AL to .125" 5052 is a BIOTCH!!!!!!! but the look is alot cleaner than using rivets.

I didn't think it would have been strong enough, and honestly it might not have been, but I decided to hold off on reenforcing that until another time. As it turned out, when I started positioning the axle, I didn't need to. The axle tube fits flush underneath the flooring and center in the tanks. Got lucky there.

[TitaniumTT]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Enkie 18" RPF1's and Hoosier R6 in a 245/35/18 front and a 275/35/18 rear... yum.... and sticky



Here you can start to see the general layout and what I was going for. Box in the front for everything you could possibly need (and it seems everytime I go to the track, the list get's longer) including a charged battery, 10 gallons worth of fuel, and of course the tires.



It took a while to find a box that would fit where I wanted it too. Then it took a while to figure out how far to spread the round tubes to get the tires at the right hieght, then it took me getting lucky to already have access to a pair of jugs that were at the right height. At the end of the day, it was my OCD that lead to me having everything at the same height on the same plane, yes I am that guy.





More pics to come, it's time for bed now. Like I said, the thing actually moves and I've used it a few times, BUT, there are always things to do to make these little toys better

[FC Zach]

Very nice Brian! Are you going to pull that to events with the FC? I meant to catch you at DGRR to show you the hitch I have (I believe you were the one that asked about it before). I'm anxious to see the final result and what wheels you are using.

[Herblenny]

Thats pretty bad ass!!!

[My5ABaby]

Always gotta do it the hard way...

[JhnRX7]

I need one of those.... but it has to be big enough to fit an entire FD I already got the tow vehicle.

[project86]

more robot welds i see..... -_- haha

[TitaniumTT]

Originally Posted by FC Zach

Very nice Brian! Are you going to pull that to events with the FC? I meant to catch you at DGRR to show you the hitch I have (I believe you were the one that asked about it before). I'm anxious to see the final result and what wheels you are using.

Thanks Zach! Yup, already used the thing to haul a set of tires and a tranny out to PA, then loaded it up with all the goodies and hauled it to LRP for an event up there. The thing pulls really nice, it's light enough that you don't really know it's back there... all total, fully loaded I calculated it weighs about 485lbs sans the trailer tires. I figure total weight to be 530ish? I need to get it to the dump and put it on the scales to really get a good weight, they're accurate to within 20lbs, it'll be neat to see. Hell, I caught myself doing 80mph with it a few times. Bearings got a little warm becuase the only wheels/tires I could get were some little 8" ers, need to change that.

Yup, that was me asking about the hitch. I actually ended up building one of those from scratch as well Used the rear tow points as a tempate and went from there. All .25" steel and 10 bolts holding it together. To take it off all I need is my Makita impact driver and about 45seconds.

Just out of curiosity, do you have any pics of the hitch that you built?

Originally Posted by Herblenny

Thats pretty bad ass!!!

Thanks Phil! I'm pretty sure I'll be towing it down to DGRR next year.... or someone will anyway

[TitaniumTT]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

Always gotta do it the hard way...

What you talking about? What's the easy way?

Originally Posted by JhnRX7

I need one of those.... but it has to be big enough to fit an entire FD I already got the tow vehicle.

I thought about buying a Trailex trailer, but they're a little too pricey for what they are. Then I thought about buying an old car trailer, but you can't find those for what I would consider a reasonable price either and they're fricken heavy. My Jeep will tow 5-6000 lbs so I could tow the car, infact, I have many times, but it puts a big strain on it being right at the limit. The Trailex would be the way to go, but too damn pricey, I would build my own if I could come up with a set of engineered and approved plans, but I couldn't find those either, plus this was a little more fun and cheaper too. $273 for the material, $250 for the Axle, $400 for the box, and then $140 at West marine for the coupler and tires.

Originally Posted by project86

more robot welds i see..... -_- haha

That's what happens when you work way too late..... it's all rhythm and no thought

[Force13b]

Nice white Volkswagen fgt

[TitaniumTT]

Not mine, good friends that we built a kayak rack for.... also owns that white landi... he's got a thing for white diesels...... did you get permission to make that post? I do like how your language has gotten better since saturday

[one320fc]

Do you like showing off those BBS wheels ?? they are in almost every picture in a different position then the picture before

[vex]

That looks like ass......
















































































































































































































































Glorious ass.