The goal is to home-build my own 2-wheel trailer to carry an extra set of autocross wheels & tires, as well as just having a trailer if bringing home stuff is needed. If I had a truck, this wouldn't be needed but I don't, so.......

And no, I'm not going to simply buy a pre-built one. A already have an axle I want to use. Besides....Where is the fun of store-bought built stuff?

Any recommendations on material size/thickness/grade?
How about lengths?

Obviously aluminum would best lightest, but that will wait for a generation 2 trailer for the future. Welding aluminum isn't an issue for me. Width is already set at 55 inch (IIRC), plus the fenders, because I already have an axle I'll be using.

Box tubing or just c-channel?

I'm thinking c-channel as it should be lighter overall & cheaper. And since it will probably never even carry 500lbs, I think c-channel would be plenty strong enough, for my needs.

I'm just looking to build a simple flat-bed & put a cargo box on the tongue. How about a trailer hitch? Cheapest I can find new is $170.....YIKES! I might be interested in building my own (not the first time so.....) but if I can find one used, I'm fine with that too!

I've been thinking about it for awhile, but these pics have really gotten me going on this:

 

box vs C-channel: box will be lighter for the same strength/rigidity, OTOH, if rust is a concern, you can paint all sides of C-channel easily, not so with the inside of box. Wiring is usually easier with C-Channel. OTOH, if you're really worried about weight you might want to check if there are any frame requirements in your state for a box vs C frame, you may find that one or the other has some disadvantages when it comes to the rules...

Otherwise I would use whatever I had around/could get cheapest.

 

That trailer and car belong to 1meanZ.

 

I know you would like to build your own but there is one on SCCA forums that looks pretty nice for only $400. Not sure if you could beat that price building it yourself.
Here is the link
http://sccaforums.com/forums/1/41300...ad.aspx#413008

 

i want one too!

 

No offense to Tirewarmer (the seller of that trailer) but that is just a $180 Harbor Freight trailer http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42708 with a diamond plate deck, diamond plate box, LED lights & 2 poles to carry wheels & tires. Look at the bolt heads holding it together, the holes to put side rails in & the bolt heads (it bolts together, not welds together).

He definately doesn't have $900 in it, unless he overpaid for the trailer used & overpaid for the diamond plate stuff.

And I have an extra pair of matching 17" ROH Snypers, that I want to use on the trailer. I don't want 8", 4-lug wheels......

Besides all that.....Hie design wouldn't for ME. I couldn't lift the wheel/tire (only 1 good arm) up off those mounting poles he put on. I'd hafta do it like 1meanz did his & have them side by side & roll them off.