Car Trailers?

[BuffaloRescue]

HI Casual observation here. I have never seen a car trailer in Thailand.

Trailers for motorbikes and even push bikes yes... but never for a car.

I was just wondering why. Since there are plenty of over-loaded pickups around, you would thought a trailer would be a cheap way to add extra carrying capacity and save money but able to carry more cargo per trip.

The only reason I can think of is that there is no way in hell a Thai would be able to reverse with a trailer on, but then again you cant reverse an overloaden pickup really well either.

[NeverSure]

It wouldn't be hard to build. The light ones weigh about 1800 pounds empty, and have a gross weight rating of 6,000 pounds. By the time you add a few extras like maybe a winch or tool box, you can carry a 4,000 pound vehicle.

If it has stake pockets all around, it's easy to make and drop in sides, front and backs, and carry loose things.

Typically the bed is 6 foot x 16 foot with a front bump rail for the tires. It is usually made from 2x4 square tubing or even angle iron with channel iron cross pieces and a 2 x 6 tongue and groove wooden bed. Diamond plate makes a nice bed but it's costly.

I have no idea what it would cost to have one made in LOS because I simply don't know what the materials would cost. It takes about 2 days to build it. It's pretty simple.

Here's the simplest of one. Note the ramps are stored in the sides, just ahead of the tail lights.

[Rooo]

To motoring forum.

[samran]

"The only reason I can think of is that there is no way in hell a Thai would be able to reverse with a trailer on"

What a predictable and unimaginative comment.

Wouldn't have anything to do with the need that trailers need permits here, and I think, a police escort is certain circumstances.

[IMHO]

There are a few vendors/factories making trailers here. Not very popular though. I'd give you some links if it wasn't for the infantile Thai bashing you included.

[kartman]

Often see one of the washing powder company Vigo's pulling large Tow-a-Vans around .

[arthurwait]

Seen ones for selling drinks out of and ones for towing cars/breakdown service.

[jay1980]

You see car trailers on the motorway between Pattaya and BKK before and after race meetings at Bria. I understand that to be legal in Thailand a trailer must have its own registration and insurance.

http://respothailand.com/ sell and rent trailers but they aren't cheap.

[BSJ]

I want one like this, but longer and with dual axles and electric brakes on at least one axle. Suspension would be good too...so I could drive it faster than 10kph, and just for giggles, highway rated tyres so I could tow it at highway speeds!

PS: I think the hydraulic ram needs to be further forward too.

[Jitar]

Trailers may not be popular for cars but I doubt it is because reversing. 10 wheel trucks with dog trailers are common here are much more difficult to reverse than a car trailer because they have 2 articulation points. Many Thai truck drivers that are expert at handling these rigs.

Maybe car trailers are not popular because:

Historically there has not been affordable tow vehicles available. The popular small FWD cars would not pull much and the older pickup prior to the common rail engines did not have enough power to tow much either.

Restrictions imposed on overloading pick up can be managed with the BiB. There are plenty with up-rated rear axles and springs to handle the extra load.

If you have a pick up, a trailers is just an added cost, so more expensive than overloading a pick up.

BSJ, The down side of moving the ram forward means it has to be longer stoke and probably telescopic.

[BSJ]

Trailers may not be popular for cars but I doubt it is because reversing. 10 wheel trucks with dog trailers are common here are much more difficult to reverse than a car trailer because they have 2 articulation points. Many Thai truck drivers that are expert at handling these rigs.

Maybe car trailers are not popular because:

Historically there has not been affordable tow vehicles available. The popular small FWD cars would not pull much and the older pickup prior to the common rail engines did not have enough power to tow much either.

Restrictions imposed on overloading pick up can be managed with the BiB. There are plenty with up-rated rear axles and springs to handle the extra load.

If you have a pick up, a trailers is just an added cost, so more expensive than overloading a pick up.

BSJ, The down side of moving the ram forward means it has to be longer stoke and probably telescopic.

"BSJ, The down side of moving the ram forward means it has to be longer stoke and probably telescopic."

Yes, I do realise that!

[cchina184]

Just had a cargo trailer built in Udon Thani a few weeks ago. Happy as a clam with it. Pulled it 650 km home behind a Hilux without a bobble. Extermely well built and sturdy, with motorcycle cradles built in and a fold down door/ramp to make loading a breeze (and prevent any embarrassing videos like those which appear on youtube almost daily). Recently had it licensed, only the second trailer of this type ever to be licensed in my backwoods part of the world. Does exactly what I need it to do.

[BSJ]

Just had a cargo trailer built in Udon Thani a few weeks ago. Happy as a clam with it. Pulled it 650 km home behind a Hilux without a bobble. Extermely well built and sturdy, with motorcycle cradles built in and a fold down door/ramp to make loading a breeze (and prevent any embarrassing videos like those which appear on youtube almost daily). Recently had it licensed, only the second trailer of this type ever to be licensed in my backwoods part of the world. Does exactly what I need it to do.

What was involved in the registration process?

[VocalNeal]

BSJ,

Do you still need a trailer built? Rod Skinner might build you one but he will ask questions like "Do you want a galvanized frame?"

[BSJ]

BSJ,

Do you still need a trailer built? Rod Skinner might build you one but he will ask questions like "Do you want a galvanized frame?"

Hi VN, I was hoping to build one myself! I have a few ideas to make it more versatile than just a flat bed with stake sides.

One idea would be to make the 'V' frame section different so I can have either a tongue and ball receiver or a farm type ring feeder .

Plus independent suspension like an Aussie style off-road trailer. I would include a screw mechanism to raise the trailer for more ground clearance.

And a hydraulic hoist so we can bulk carry corn instead of bagging it. And once we have a lot more land it would come in handy IF we buy a 3 row corn harvester (next year or beyond) as we don't know how reliable the carriers will be with turning up at the time they are needed. It's only theory but having 2 trailers (we have one 2.5 tonne farm trailer) could keep the harvester moving.

[arthurwait]

I saw a trailer for a car yesterday being pulled about 15 kms inland from Chonburi way out in the country. I imagine the registration process will be 200B to any cop that pulls him.

As like someone else said I have seen plenty of drinks trailers and ads are on dealfish for all kinds of trailers.

[Jay Sata]

Just had a cargo trailer built in Udon Thani a few weeks ago. Happy as a clam with it. Pulled it 650 km home behind a Hilux without a bobble. Extermely well built and sturdy, with motorcycle cradles built in and a fold down door/ramp to make loading a breeze (and prevent any embarrassing videos like those which appear on youtube almost daily). Recently had it licensed, only the second trailer of this type ever to be licensed in my backwoods part of the world. Does exactly what I need it to do.

So what was involved in the licensing of the trailer.

I am interested as I want to build a number of specialist trailers in Khon Kaen.

[kartman]

Just had a cargo trailer built in Udon Thani a few weeks ago. Happy as a clam with it. Pulled it 650 km home behind a Hilux without a bobble. Extermely well built and sturdy, with motorcycle cradles built in and a fold down door/ramp to make loading a breeze (and prevent any embarrassing videos like those which appear on youtube almost daily). Recently had it licensed, only the second trailer of this type ever to be licensed in my backwoods part of the world. Does exactly what I need it to do.

So what was involved in the licensing of the trailer.

I am interested as I want to build a number of specialist trailers in Khon Kaen.

Nip down to the local DLT and ask them.

[yankee99]

The problem with building trailers here is no axles to be had.

[BSJ]

The problem with building trailers here is no axles to be had.

Yes there are! But you have to be quick and don't forget the bricks.

[JDGRUEN]

Just had a cargo trailer built in Udon Thani a few weeks ago. Happy as a clam with it. Pulled it 650 km home behind a Hilux without a bobble. Extermely well built and sturdy, with motorcycle cradles built in and a fold down door/ramp to make loading a breeze (and prevent any embarrassing videos like those which appear on youtube almost daily). Recently had it licensed, only the second trailer of this type ever to be licensed in my backwoods part of the world. Does exactly what I need it to do.

Photo Please !!!

[JDGRUEN]

Trailers of various sorts are a great small business success in America... a reasonable sized trailer could be built for the mid-sized diesel truck so often found in Thailand... and for many of the SUVs I see on the road. Flat beds (photo previously posted) are extremely common in America. In the gas and oil fields guys make a living hauling goods to the well sites... We even have a brand name of enclosed trailers called Wells Cargo... named after the old stage coach line Wells Fargo...

In Thailand - if these kinds of trailers were to become allowed - popularity would flourish ... Instead of overloaded trucks to make one trip - a balanced truck and trailer load could be used .... and Thai law enforcement would have something to point to in educating those who continue to overload trucks...

Many concepts have been adopted by Thais over the last 30 years ... I am just hoping for Travel Trailers to tour Thailand or even heaven forbid - a Motor Home ... as I have back in Texas.