Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Forum
DFM DFA Training and Trainers | Engineering and Design Data | Product Services Directory | Advertise
Engineering Forum | Engineering Specifications Forum |
Engineering and Drafting Store | ASME Y14.5M - 1994 GD&T Training
POSTING POLICY / RULES | Archive#1 | Archive #2 | Archive #3 | Calculators

Forum Moderators: Administrator

Need some help with a design Question
Post Reply   Forum
Posted by: pityocamptes ®

08/19/2005, 16:07:02

Author Profile Mail author Edit
Hi, all. New here. I'm currently in school for computer engineering but love making/fabing things on the side. I currently want to build a small off-road only utility trailer but need some help. I'm not sure where to start with figuring load and deflection for the frame (max loads, etc.). If anyone would be kind enough to provide formulas, simple examples I would appeciate it. Have taken basic eng classes so I should be able to figure it out. I guess I could over build the frame but that wouldn't be any fun ;) Thanks again.






Post Reply | Recommend | Alert View All   | Next |

Replies to this message


Re: Need some help with a design Smile
Re: Need some help with a design -- pityocamptes Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: kelly_bramble ® Administrator

08/20/2005, 08:14:02

Author Profile Mail author Edit
FYI, if you have a Northern Tool in your area, they have a good selection of standard axles, tires and securing hardware.






Post Reply | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread
Re: Need some help with a design
Re: Need some help with a design -- pityocamptes Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: swearingen ®

08/19/2005, 22:45:57

Author Profile Mail author Edit
Give us something to start with:
- do have existing materials you want to use? (tires, axle, steel or aluminum bits hanging around)
- what do you want to carry?
- at what speeds?
- over what terrain?
- how big do you want it to be?
- what'll be pulling it?
- do you want/need a ramp?






Post Reply | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread | |
Re: Need some help with a design
Re: Re: Need some help with a design -- swearingen Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: pityocamptes ®

08/22/2005, 13:12:12

Author Profile Mail author Edit
Ok. Thanks. I am interested in building a small utility trailer that can be towed by an ATV. The trailer will be approx 3 feet wide and I'm thinking 4-5 feet long. What I think would be really cool is if I could build a telescoping frame (don't know how hard that would be) that would go from 3 feet at min to 5 feet max, or so. It would be pulled off road so the terrain would be difficult but not crazy. I'm thinking that max speed would be 30 mph on a smooth dirt road (might be asking too much). I would like to make it out of steel as I don't have a TIG welder for alloys. The lighter the better. I figure I can use the trailer for towing camping gear or game or supplies for a day or week trip. Maybe 500 lb capacity? I don't think it would be safe to tow anything greater than that on an ATV. Thanks again for the help.






Post Reply | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread | |
Re: Need some help with a design
Re: Re: Need some help with a design -- pityocamptes Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: labtechy ®

09/07/2005, 12:18:42

Author Profile Mail author Edit
Having made a few trailers myself and repaired many, I can shed a little light here. Nothern Hydraulics has two books out on trailer design that could help you very much. They are relatively inexpensive. Making a trailer isn't a problem. Making a trailer that is light, yet sturdy enough to be pulled by an ATV off road with good ground clearance is. On uneven terrain you'll need a very stable platform, good suspension with tires that won't sink in soft terrain. Tires that are outside the bed tend to catch on everything. Raising the bed to put the tires underneath create a top heavy situation. Since you are looking at a 500 lb load, go with stub axles, ATV tires and keep your tongue height the same as your hitch. Keep it light as possible Take a look at what is out there for ATV trailers/off road and improve on them. Somebody already did the homework. I doubt you could make one cheaper than this(see link). It would be easy to improve on. Your telescopic bed would be a cinch.
https://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200055074&R=200055074&langId=-1





Modified by labtechy at Wed, Sep 07, 2005, 12:20:03

Post Reply | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread | |
Re: Need some help with a design
Re: Re: Need some help with a design -- labtechy Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: tooleng ®

10/03/2005, 11:39:19

Author Profile Mail author Edit
You may want to find out first what the towing cap. of your ATV is. Not sure if they are even rated , but that would be my first question before getting too deep in the design.
Just my .02






Post Reply | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread | |
Re: Need some help with a design
Re: Re: Need some help with a design -- tooleng Post Reply Top of thread Forum
Posted by: tooleng ®

10/03/2005, 11:45:58

Author Profile Mail author Edit
Here's a cool design for 500lb. towing Capacity on ATV.


https://www(DOT)caddventure(DOT)com/atv/trailers-towing/5thwheel_desc.html






Modified by Server Admin at Mon, Oct 03, 2005, 12:03:53

Post Reply | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Top of thread

Powered by Engineers Edge

© Copyright 2000 - 2024, by Engineers Edge, LLC All rights reserved.  Disclaimer