Custom Garden/Yard/Utility Trailer

[Brucker]

Haven't had much time lately to post any of the projects that have been going on around here. But was actually updating the website (found here: http://www.bruckerbrothersltd.com ) with a different kind of project and thought you all might enjoy.

A client recently brought us these well used parts and told us he was sick of the cheap, foreign made utility trailers that keep falling apart and breaking on him. Said he couldn't afford much, but had these extra parts and some wood (some 2x4's and some 2x8's).

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He was looking for a "deck over" style with the deck about 5' wide and about 6' long, with side stake panels on all four corners. Mentioned he could do the wood work if it would save some money, but that he couldn't do the metal fabrication. We agreed to let him build the stake sides to save some cash and we would take care of the rest. He then gave us a couple more critical dimensions (like desired hitch height and the width of tractors he'd be using), and a strict budget to stay within. Then he paid the deposit and told us to "hustle up"!


Well, you heard the man, off to work we go!


Once we came up with a solid plan of attack, we made up a chop list and started the bandsaw cutting. After the first couple of pieces were cut and deburred, we tack welded a simple frame together out of square tubing on the fab table.

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Clamped the frame, using a couple extra supports (angle iron in this case) to the fab table in order to keep everything flat, square and in the same plane.

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With the main frame welded together, we then cut, drilled and deburred sections of angle iron as an attachment point for the wood decking.

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Then began tack welding the angle iron pieces into place.

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These mounting strips will also act as cross supports once welded to 3 other smaller sections of angle iron that span from each side to the other.

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Then started fabricating the lower truss. Not only will this increase the strength and capacity of the entire trailer, but will also serve as the axle mount. Since there will not be any suspension, it will add some much needed support, stability, and strength to the axle assembly itself.

Front pieces of the lower truss tack welded into position

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Center part of the truss is welded together. This will also serve as the axle mount.

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[Brucker]

Fabricated the axle mounts and welded them into place onto the center truss section. Even included a center spring pin to help locate the axle.

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Tack welded the center truss section with axle mounts on to the trailer chassis

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Finished cutting, deburring, and welding into place of the rest of the parts of the lower truss.

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[Brucker]

Fabricated the tongue of the trailer by drilling 4 thru holes in opposing directions for added strength without having to weld in crush sleeves. The holes wil act as the mounting location for the coupler. This small assembly will then be welded onto the chassis.

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Cut, deburred and then bent up some flat stock to become the stake holders. Then welded them onto the chassis in the appropriate places

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Ground down the sharp edges and corners to make everything more user friendly and to also make more clearance for the wheels/tires.

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[Brucker]

Finished welding the assembly enough to take off the table and flip over for final welding and to attach the last piece, the tongue. Welded the tongue on so it would still flat against a ball that was 14" off the ground. Exactly 1/2" lower than where the client's ball is located on his tractor. Thus will sit level once loaded.

As you will notice, we didn't cap the end of the tongue. This is the only piece on the entire chassis that wasn't capped off and left the interior of the tube exposed. We did this since water can easily penetrate the bolt holes. Leaving the end open will allow any trapped water and moisture to evaporate easily and not cause early fatigue from rust.

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With all the welding done, our efforts turn toward the clean up and prep of the used parts and the rest of the entire chassis.

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Everything got shot with black paint as per the client's wishes. Here is a look at pieces fresh out of the paint booth.

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[Brucker]

Assembly time!


With the shop being as busy and crowded as always, shop space is very limited. So we did what anyone would do with access to the proper equipment and a beautiful Colorado afternoon at their disposal. We enlisted the help of our trusty fork lift when installing the axle assembly onto the freshly painted chassis.

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Then installed the wheels with tires.

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Then lowered the trailer back to the ground in order to install the coupler

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[Brucker]

Got the wood cut for the deck and put into place

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Marked then drilled wood for the carriage bolts and installed the deck

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The finished trailer. Turned out very well if we say so ourselves!

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If you would like more information please check out the build page on our web site here: http://bruckerbrothersltd.com/builds/gardenutility-trailer/

And be sure to check out and like our Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/BruckerBrothersLtd

[Brad]

Nice work!

[flashboiler]

Think it will be strong enough? lol.

[Brucker]

Nice work!

Thanks for the kind words. I know the owner was thrilled. And that is the part that makes me happy.

[Brucker]

Think it will be strong enough? lol.

That was the idea. All the steel components are 14 ga and 1/8" except for the tongue with is 3/16" since I didn't have any thinner in stock. The bare chassis and the wood deck are only a few pounds apart from each other in the weight department. So the entire trailer is still extremely light for the strength it has. Didn't have the time or the forethought to weight the completed setup as a whole. But I know two guys can easily pick it up and carry it around. That's how we loaded it onto my trailer for delivery. I will have to find and post those photos if I can find some time.

[Fireball]

he was sick of the cheap, foreign made utility trailers that keep falling apart and breaking on him.

Problem solved! Nice work.

[ColoJeeper]

Very nice trailer. What would ballpark cost be for a trailer like that?

[Brucker]

Very nice trailer. What would ballpark cost be for a trailer like that?

That's a good question. And I honestly couldn't tell you as I haven't priced any of the components that were brought over. I just know the metal and labor to make this one off. If you are interested in getting a real quote, give me a call at the shop and I can get pricing for everything involved. If the call doesn't get answered, leave a detailed message and someone will return your call asap. Being a small shop and as busy as we are, we can not always get to the phone in time.

[Patrolman]

Nice trailer! Should last forever!

[Brucker]

Here are a couple of photos of it all loaded up for delivery. These photos should provide a bit of perspective on the size of the garden trailer. The gooseneck has about 7.5 feet of deck between the wheel fenders and is 20 foot long. The whole garden trailer doesn't even take up a 1/3 of the available space.

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It was a great time delivering it to the owners. I think my client's wife was more excited than even he was. I guess they are "her" gardens, so it makes sense. She kept thanking me and hugging me over and over. One would have thought I just told her she won the lottery. 'Twas a great feeling.