Modifying a 7X4 Trailer

[OTHT]

G'day all. New to the group and seeking answers. Have searched the database without success. Biggest problem was getting side-tracked by the numerous great questions and great answers by a group of people who obviously know what they are talking about unlike the wombats and nuffies on FB. Stuff that goes back as much as 10 years and still relevant now.


I have a 7X4 trailer with a RTT. I would very much like to take it off the top of the cage and place it in the base of the trailer but it is a little too wide. My question is:


Can the sides of the trailer be cut and moved further out to accommodate this situation? Obviously the floor would need new sections welded in. Is this feasible or am I better off looking for a 7X5 or 8X5?


Points:

• I love the RTT. It suits my needs
• It's a bed only. Don't need standing room
• Ease of use. Setup in seconds and pulled down in less than a couple of minutes and no need to worry too much about wet canvas
• Pics borrowed from the web to give an idea of what I am thinking
  

[Aussie Iron]

Find another trailer is probably the easiest way. Unless you are doing it all yourself as in widening the trailer it will cost you a lot more.

Dan.

[Champin]

It wouldn't be a hard job to widen the trailer unless.... if the axle also needs widening the chassis rails also need doing or else you'll have a potential for a broken or bent axle. I which case, I'd go for a new trailer.

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[westvic]

has been done before
have a look at some of these for ideas.
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/items/details/0/SSE-AD-7087473/?Cr=0&gts=SSE-AD-7087473&gtsSaleId=SSE-AD-7087473&gtsViewType=showcase&rankingType=showcase
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/items/details/2008-adventure-campers-daintree-4-2m-14ft/SSE-AD-15480839/?Cr=5
might be easier to find one of these second hand

[OTHT]

Well, thank you gentlemen, not only for the fast replies but also for kicking my brain into gear.

Didn't even think about axle width. Went out and had a good look and would definitely need a new axle to give tyre clearance if shifting the wall.

Now, if that was first gear, time to change gear. Who mentioned DIY... I'm pretty handy around the tools, got some mates who can weld and owe me favours for free work I have done for them including one whose old man owns a steel manufacturing factory, so maybe a few beers and a bottle of scotch might ensure getting genuine prices on materials and assistance. Probably should have asked him first but wasn't thinking along those lines.

2nd gear... a lot more research including problems associated with upgrading a registered trailer or even building one from scratch. VicRoads can be a right royal pain at times but other times go out of the way to help. Pot Luck. The good thing is I have time on my side. This doesn't need to happen immediately.

Also a special thank you to Dazzler. I have found your article - Quality Budget Priced Trailer - http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=36094.msg578367;topicseen#msg578367

[loanrangie]

I would sell yours and buy a 7x5, by the time you modified your trailer you would almost have replaced most of the parts.
 Is that that your trailer because unless i'm reading it wrong it does exactly what you said you wanted already ?

[OTHT]

No, definitely not my trailer (Pics borrowed from the web to give an idea of what I am thinking). If only I could remember where I got the pics from, I would chase up with the owner.

At this point in time, the project is a "pie in the sky" dream of having a trailer that suits my travel ideas and needs. I suppose the main reason for even thinking modifying is to see if I can take what I already have and make it my own and the joy of doing it myself, but with assistance. The RTT in the bottom is just one thing to make life easier. When the subject of the axle came up, it got me thinking of starting the project from ground up. Matching axle with tow vehicle for track width and hubs. Unless my research is wrong (highly possible), a standard 7X5 is wider than my vehicle.

I have plenty of time to think about this and happy to keep climbing the ladder on each adventure, so I am very much open to ideas and suggestions.

[loanrangie]

To make the whole trailer wider you need to start at the chassis so that means building a new trailer, you could reuse the sides and possibly the drawbar but everything else will need to be replaced.
 I prefer to use what i have if i can but in this instance it wont work for you, if you wanted just to top to be wider then that can be done but you want the rtt sitting in the bottom, 5ft shouldn't be wider unless you drive a mini or suzuki.

[paul.o]

From the sound of it, your RTT is on top of a tall cage?? If so, why not make a top or just racks that sit on the top of the side of your trailer? You'll only be 300mm or so higher than plan A, and still have the trailer for storage etc.

[OTHT]

5ft shouldn't be wider unless you drive a mini or suzuki.

It is but just a smidgen. I think I was having a mental blank and comparing it to a car trailer I had to tow a couple of months back. 

[OTHT]

You'll only be 300mm or so higher than plan A, and still have the trailer for storage etc.

Good point but wouldn't work for my situation. First up I'm a short person    and it would be 850mm off the ground so still need a ladder/steps to get in whereas on the base it would be 550mm, exactly the same height as my bed at home. Also by doing that, it would take away height from storage space which I can't do because of some of the stuff I carry. Thanks for the input. Very much appreciated.

[OTHT]

Many thanks everyone for the suggestions. You have made me think this over seriously, especially the mathematics, both monetary and measurements.

Over the past couple of days, I have been running around town going to a lot of different trailer places asking questions and getting all sorts of replies. Some really good and some downright nonsensical telling me the salesperson has no clue and won’t be getting my business. I even considered the options of going 7X5 with dual axle as well as even going to an 8X5 but came to the conclusion that a 7X5 single will suit my needs best.

I am glad I joined this group and able to get good help and advice. Once again, thank you all.