Astro Trailer

[sn1987a]

Anyone got or had experience with a trailer for their gear?.

I need my own enclosed trailer to cart my Dobs around in. At the moment I hire one on the days I plan on observing but its a bit of a pain.

Been looking on gumtree and visited a trailer yard to look at a few. The ones I saw in the yard were poorly built chinese rubbish, I'm beginning to think the best way to go might be custom built. Maybe even a horsefloat conversion??!.

If I were to have one built I'd really welcome ideas or suggestions on best type of suspension system (air bag, torsion,leaf???), dimensions, layout ect.

Budget 10-20k?. Must haves are ramp rear door, side door, walk in height. Other considerations Gal dipped or painted frame?, foam panel walls, tapered front?.

I might not be able to afford everything I would like but if its basically right at the design/build stage I can always add on later.

Any help, suggestions, links or pics would be appreciated.


Ta,
Barry

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi Barry,

Is this what you are looking for? It looks like these are custom made so they would be able to alter to your specs.

http://www.coastalmachinery.com.au/welcome/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=75

You may also find something suitable through this site:

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Trailers/Browse

Cheers Peter

[alocky]

Hi Barry - try 32 ounce engineering in Willeton. Very slow, but an absolute craftsman. He did the work on mine to turn it from a bike trailer to a dob trailer.
cheers,
Andrew

[sn1987a]

Ha! thanks Peter,

problem is thats the one I went to, very unimpressed!.:sadeyes:

Crap welding all over the frame, porosity, mig wire stuck on, spatter, afterthought items just welded straight onto the gal (not ground off first) not even cold gal painted, silicon everywhere trying to hide a multitude of sins. I walked away in disgust, no way I was paying for that and definately not risking my scopes in one.

If I get custom built I figure I can at least ( hopefully ) choose someone that takes some pride in their workmanship, I don't mind paying extra for quality.

What I'm really after here is benefit of others ideas/experience at the planning stage, important design features to get right before an arc is struck.

Cheers anyway Pete

Barry

[sn1987a]

Hey Andrew how's it goin'?,

I considered 32 ounce based on rep when I was googling but I came across a post directly from him recently saying he wasn't doing trailers anymore, Murphys Law!.

I'm probably free (atm) the week of June 9th to 16th if you want another dob duel :D.

Barry

[The Mekon]

Try contacting the 3RF (Three Rivers foundation) They had three of their big dobs at the SPSP last weekend. They towed a really neat looking trailer containg them all. Personally, I would never tow my scope in my standard box trailer

[sn1987a]

Ta, thanks John

I'll look them up.


Barry

[alocky]

Good thanks! Been away a lot recently and the weather has been crap for the last 3 months, so I'm definitely up for it!
cheers,
Andrew.

[sn1987a]

something like this maybe......?

http://biketrailer-115.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/enclosed-trailers.jpg

[GrahamL]

thats one kool trailer, foam isulation is pretty handy to if you've ever been in one on a warm day they are quite stable temp wise .

getting real serious how about a bed and fridge up front ?

[sn1987a]

Yep foam panel would be ideal. The trailer I hire is roughly 40?mm foam panel and pretty good and ticks most of the boxes. Its about the right size; goldilocks you might say, has a ramp door and you can stand up inside.

If it had a side door and a tapered nose section it would be perfect.

I spoke to ol mate at the hire joint about where they got theirs and lo and behold it actually came from the crowd I initially went to and rejected lol.

He said he had to do a lot of rewelding and strengthing improvements when they first got it and agreed it was pretty ordinary if you know what I mean.

If I'm going to shell out this sort of bucks I don't want the first thing I have to do is get underneath with the grinder and welder!.

The interior fixtures, fittings and indulgences will evolve over time I'm sure :lol:.