Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
Section Image

Trailer Draw bar / Chassis

Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 00:24

brett J

Hi all,
Just after peoples opinions or experiences with campertrailers with a draw bar that extends right to the rear of the trailer, with the spring hangers welded to it and the cross sections welded into it. Pretty much one big peice. Am lookin at trailers and have seen a few with this and wondered if it is as good as it is made out to be, and if maybe it has some drawbacks. Seen some where the draw bar goes back to the front of the spring hangers too.
Any feedback appreciated
Cheers
Brettj
ThreadID: 73582 Replies: 3
Views: 560 FollowUps: 8
Thread Summary
Post Reply Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 390351   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 10:48

Road Warrior replied:

That sounds like a pretty strong and rigid trailer chassis. Would be rather heavy though. Unless you're going to be lugging lots of weight or some serious off road work, is it necessary?
Reply 1 of 3
FollowupID: 658121   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 11:00

brett J posted:

how much heavier would it be? You would think not a great deal as you would be only replacing 2 peices of 50x50SHS with a 100x50 RHS. Istead of a box attached to a draw bar so to speak, it is all one unit. To my way of thinking it would seem stronger.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 390355   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 11:20

Shaker replied:

Most true off road camper tarilers have a full chassis.
Reply 2 of 3
FollowupID: 658125   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 12:02

brett J posted:

is that what it is called when the draw bar and chassis are integrated
FollowUp 1 of 7
FollowupID: 658129   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 12:26

Member - Scoof (SA) posted:

Do you mean the draw bar has been cut on 3 sides and welded right at the front of the trailer .
Me I would rather have one continous length of RHS from the hitch to the spring hanger with no welds though the walls of the RHS. Just my opion.

Cheers Scoof . :-)

Click Image to Enlarge
Sometimes I wonder
Why is that the frisbee getting bigger and bigger ?
Then it hits me!
FollowUp 2 of 7
FollowupID: 658134   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 13:50

brett J posted:

no Scoof,
The draw bar continues all the way to very back of the trailer, one peice. The cross supports for trailer floor, usually 50x50 are welded into the draw bar/chassis. Hence it is not your typical box trailer. Effectively the draw bar is also the chassis. Has to be better doesnt it? No welds.
FollowUp 3 of 7
FollowupID: 658166   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 21:10

Member - Scoof (SA) posted:

Hi brett,

I just think it would be very time consuming for the fabricator to build a trailer like that. Instead of all your cuts being square they would all be on opposite angles.
He has used more Draw bar material and save a small amount of small RHS.
Sounds like a lot of work to me for little gain.

Assuming the draw bar is still in the shape of a A or (triangle type shape), and the top of the trailer floor is also the top of Draw bar and supports or am I on a different page to you?


Cheers Scoof . :-)

Click Image to Enlarge
Sometimes I wonder
Why is that the frisbee getting bigger and bigger ?
Then it hits me!
FollowUp 4 of 7
FollowupID: 658186   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 23:59

brett J posted:

I think you are thinkin different to me mate, the draw is as per normal but instead of stopping at the start of the trailer, the two peices are bent and straighten up to continue to rear. The spring hangers are welded off this, and the 50x50 that supports the trailer checkerplate floor are welded into the sides of the 100x50 RHS
FollowUp 5 of 7
FollowupID: 658187   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 00:07

brett J posted:

found a pic mate


FollowUp 6 of 7
FollowupID: 658246   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 11:05

Member - Scoof (SA) posted:

Now that is nothing like I imagined, this similar to my boat trailer. No angle cuts .

That is a good looking set up.Its been bent at the front were I thought it would of been cut on three sides.Very simple.

Cheers Scoof.

Click Image to Enlarge
Sometimes I wonder
Why is that the frisbee getting bigger and bigger ?
Then it hits me!
FollowUp 7 of 7
AnswerID: 390389   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 at 18:03

120scruiser (NSW) replied:

We have a box trailer with exactly that design.
It is old, like very old. It was involved in an accident prior to us obtaining it and it wrote off a BMW. It is only a standard 7x4, not offroad but I have had 1.25 ton in it and it never worried it one bit. We have found it to be strong. The drawbar hasn't bent 1mm like you see some box trailers.
I also have an off road camper where the draw bar is welded to the chassis just in front of the spring hangar. It is also strong however is larger cross section in steel.
Both good trailers.

Scott
Reply 3 of 3

 Page Sponsors

WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd Premium Listing
Portable refrigeration provider WAECO, is celebrating 10 years in Australia in 2009. Established in high-technology headquarters in Germany 35 years ago, WAECO has developed a wide range of mobile technology for people on the move.
1 JOHN DUNCAN COURT   VARSITY LAKES, QLD, 4227
Phone: 1800 21 21 21
More info | Website | Driving Directions
ExplorOz ExplorOz
Become a Member of ExplorOz; buy or sell in Trader; buy Maps, Books, DVDs, camping accessories, and ExplorOz wheel covers, shirts, hats and stubby holders from the ExplorOz Shop; and book Activities &Tours or buy someone a gift certificate from our Activities section. Become an ExplorOz Member for just $60 in your first year, and $40 when you renew.
PO BOX 967  HILLARYS, WA, 6923
Phone: (08) 9403 3737
More info | Website