Team Trailer Ideas?

[kramarczyk]

Originally Posted by DeepWater

The plan was to install it exactly as shown in the video. In the video the walls are already covered in plywood and the E-Track is installed on top of the plywood which would leave the E-Track raised. Are you suggesting two layers of plywood? The first as in the video and then piece in sections between the horizontal E-Track strips to flush up the wall flat with the outermost surface of the E-Track? While I can see the advantage to this I am wondering about how much extra weight that might add to the trailer that could take away from the carrying capacity.

In the video he was retrofitting the trailer, so the plywood was already there. The mechanics would be the same without the plywood, in fact, he never actually attaches to the plywood, just the trailer 'stud'. I would not put on two layers of plywood. I also would probably not go to the effort of stripping off existing plywood just to make it flush. I'm sure that you can install the e-track over the plywood and be satisfied with the result; it's not like you will be loading/unloading every day. I only suggested the flush mount since you already planned to put up new plywood. e.g. install e-track, then install plywood of a thickness to make it flush. Perhaps I am, once again, making the simple complicated.

[ChuckDickerson]

Originally Posted by kramarczyk

In the video he was retrofitting the trailer, so the plywood was already there. The mechanics would be the same without the plywood, in fact, he never actually attaches to the plywood, just the trailer 'stud'. I would not put on two layers of plywood. I also would probably not go to the effort of stripping off existing plywood just to make it flush. I'm sure that you can install the e-track over the plywood and be satisfied with the result; it's not like you will be loading/unloading every day. I only suggested the flush mount since you already planned to put up new plywood. e.g. install e-track, then install plywood of a thickness to make it flush. Perhaps I am, once again, making the simple complicated.

No, you are being extreamly helpful! I like the idea of the plywood being flush or even a bit raised above the top of the E-Track so that the wood makes first contact rather than the item being carried rubbing on the metal track. Since the inside of the trailer has been stripped we could go either way but I am now leaning toward a layer of plywood first then the E-Track installed as in the video and then adding some strategically placed 1x4 or 2x4 "rub rails" horizontally between the strips of E-Track. I'm not sure the exact thickness of E-Track but I would think some pine 1x4s might be about right and if/when they get damaged they would be easier to replace as needed than whole sheets of plywood. This page seems to have all the E-Track dimensions except what I need (the thickness).

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Set yourself a weight budget and keep track of the weight (just like building a robot.)

We have a weight budget

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

We have a weight budget

It's a good idea (though I think you are teasing) . The years that I pulled the team trailer, we were careful with the weight, also keeping in mind the weight that the vehicle I was driving would have to carry.

I just love threads about trailers, they are so cool.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

We have a weight budget

This is good, we accidentally overloaded a trailer a couple years back, getting a phone call from the parent driving it back saying it broke on a Sunday morning is not an experience I think anyone wants .

[kapolavery]

Model it after Optimus Prime!
Seriously!

[cpeister]

Be careful when loading the trailer of where the weight is located. Although you may be within the weight limitations of the truck/trailer, packing the heavy items too close to the front will cause increased tongue weight, pushing down the back of the tow vehicle. Likewise, placing heavy items too far to the rear will cause the tongue to be light, lifting the rear of the vehicle, and making the trailer more likely to slip off of the ball. Also, if it is uncoupled while loaded, the tongue will have a tendency to lift up. Plan to load the heaviest items over or just ahead of the axle, in order to prevent this problem.

[Bertman]

Keep the design flexible with lots of tie downs, both high and low. Interior lights are a great help. Carry a good spare with jack & lug wrench. Remember, if you are loading or working in the trailer and it is not attached to a vehicle, it will pivot around the axle and gravity will take over (don't ask how I know this)