turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Spitfire Trailer
Well folks, here are photos of the work I've done on the floor. It was rusted out so replaced everythng but the hump over the rear axle. You will notice that I added to the front some framework and flooring. I still have some small filler peices to weld in, but its mostly done. I'm hoping to work on the deck lid this weekend. I 'm not going to use the old trunk (boot) lid. Instead, I'm making a hatch that will cover most of the trailed. The center sheet metal will be removed. The lid will be almost 5 feet long. This will make access much ealier. I could have used the existing lid and added a second one for the front, but I think one big hatch is cleaner.
Hope this may give someone some ideas, good or bad, on this kind of project. Cheers Max Brewster 1979 Spitfire 2.3 turbo Ford |
turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
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turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
One thing I forgot to mention. I removed the drive line hump that is normally located behind the seats. Its not necessary anymore. Makes a nice flat floor.
Max |
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6469 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
Max, if you use a drop axle (not hard to make for someone with your skills) you can remove the axle hump as well. It's looking real good. I may even consider doing one. I once had an air compressor cart I made out of an MGB rear section, butt ugly but it worked well enough. If you do fab up a pair of axle drops just be sure to gusset them real good (about 200% more than you think you need) as that is the most stressed part and they will bend if overloaded. I speak from experience. My tandem will carry 3 tons with an acceptable safety margin but I had to straighten and strengthen the drops. They are 1/2" or thicker plate with fairly heavy gussets. I can probably get a photo if you want. They carry about 1500 lbs each but momentary overloads can be almost 3 times that.
Jim Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2008 10:37AM by BlownMGB-V8. |
turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
Jim, as usual I'm on a limited budget and I have a deadline of June 1st to get it in a usable state. I'm going to the MG rallye in Glenwood Springs, CO June 6th. My tandem also has drop axles. It sure helps with ride height. The hump adds strength that I will need to support the quarter panels when I cut out the upper sheet metal to open it up for the hatch. It has reinforcement plates with holes for body mounting bolts to the Spitfire frame. Also, it will act as a divider and keep things from sliding around. Most of time I won't use the back half anyway. Even my wife doesn't have that much luggage!! Its a good idea though, I can always change it later if it becomes an issue.
Thanks for the input, Max |
dwtr6v8 Don Watson West Virginia (305 posts) Registered: 12/07/2007 07:45AM Main British Car: 1974 TR6 Ford 5.0 HO |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
For someone with a ripped up knee, you get around to a lot of work! I hope it's healing well.
Nice work, but I was a little off orientation with the first picture until I realized it's upside down! (dah) I found another TR6 with a trailer, but I think the contact link is dead. (from 2004) A little different approach than the first one. I have even looked at maybe using a mfg unit that I could modify with TR6 tail lights. [www.american-legend.com] |
jblanchard@hcpg.net Jeb Blanchard Collierville, TN (53 posts) Registered: 12/07/2007 01:01PM Main British Car: 1961 MGA Chevy 4.3 Vortec V-6 |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
Max,
Your trailer is looking good. We need trailers for our British cars because of the lack of luggage space. Last year my brother in law and I traveled to the Ohio meet (from the Memphis area) and had to pack lightly. Here are some photos of my work in progress. I bought a basket case 1961 MGA to turn into a trailer. My plans are to paint the trailer the same color as my MGA but make it look original rather than modified. |
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turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
Thanks Jeb, we have stirred up quite an interest on the forum about trailers. I think this topic is appropriate for this forum. Since we increase the overall performance of our cars, its only logical to think about traveling longer distances. Trailers provide capability to bring luggage, folding chairs, coolers, tools. etc. I guess we could categorize a neat trailer as an accessory for our cars. Like you, I'm tired of cramming stuff in my car every I want to take a trip. Your tailer is awsome!
Cheers, Max |
dwtr6v8 Don Watson West Virginia (305 posts) Registered: 12/07/2007 07:45AM Main British Car: 1974 TR6 Ford 5.0 HO |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
Jeb,
WOW! You're going to have 3/4 of an MGA behind you! Very Deep. You might even be able to throw a sleeper sofa in there. Nice work on blending the front to rear sections, but we should expect nothing less from the guy with suicide doors on an MGA. |
turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
Hi folks, I worked on the front sheet metal for the trailer this weekend and tonight. This is my first try at using the English wheel that me and my neighbor built. This started out as a flat piece of sheet metal. Photos below:
I will be welding it to the frame and fabricating upper framework next. Then I will start on the side peices, more English wheel fun!! Cheers, Max |
turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
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turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
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turbospitfire Max Brewster (49 posts) Registered: 04/25/2008 01:05PM Main British Car: 1979 Triumph Spitfire Ford 2.3 Liter Turbo |
Re: Spitfire Trailer
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Re: Spitfire Trailer
Max I wish you lived closer, i'd buy you a beer and pick your brain.
Looks awesome. |