Printable View
has anyone ever built a homemade livestock trailer? i am currently building one (4' X 8') and have just gotten the frame finished. next comes the axle. what problems did you have getting the axle square to the frame? did you buy a factory made axle or car axle from a wrecking yard? has anyone had any expierence building an axle? i know this is a lot of questions, but i am new at this and trying to get some information. any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.
I was thinking something along these same lines the other day...but my plan was to buy a heavy duty flat-bed trailer that I could use for other purposes (i.e. pulling my tractors) and on top of that I was thinking about building a container type "box" that I could put on the trailer went I want to move livestock...don't have a lot of livestock I need to move right now, but evertime I do need to get one it is a problem.
Since I need a flat-bed trailer anyway, this seemed like a decent compromise to me. Thoughts?
It isn't super critical that the axle square to the frame. The trailer will just tow a little crooked. If you are doing a tandem axle, then be sure they are parallel.
For ideas on building the axle, visit a trailer dealer & poke around underneath. No sense in re-inventing the wheel (no pun intended).
I think there are some places that sell just the running gear (axle brakes, springs, couplers etc.) for you to attach to your frame.
Good luck!
I just finished a trailer that would do for livestock. It is 4'9" wide inside by 10' long. It tilts and has sides like a regular utility trailer, but has a set that hinges on the lower sides to create a flatbed. I made it for rv's, but it would be suitable for most anything. I ordered the axle from northern tools. When you build the frame, be sure it is square, when you put the axle and tongue on it everything should be right. I took a stringline and snapped a center line for the tongue so the hitch would be dead center. It pulls perfectly. If you would ike some pics I could post them.
Here are a few links to trailer parts supply companies if you want to build one yourself.
Low Cost Trailer Supplies
Champion Trailer Parts Supply
Southwest Wheel
Redneck Trailer Supplies