Not sure if this is the right place for this post, but it's about towing so I suppose it's worth a shot.
The wife has tasked me with the challenge of fitting some "side extensions" on our Erde 142, so we can pack all our camping stuff without fear.
I'd imagine it's probably a relatively simple task of just getting some appropriate board cut to an appropriate size, slotting it in, and threading a longer bungie cord through the tarp, and I'm sure I'm up to it. But I was wondering if any of you lot had attempted such a feat, and if so is there anything in particular I need to pay specific attention to.
Hi. I did a similar job with our home made trailer. Just made some pieces of ply which sit outside the main trailer and it's held on with the rope over the top. However, because it then became so high that I made one side hinged so I could reach to the bottom
Just note the Construction and Use Regulations for trailers and ensure that what you do does not infringe their requirements.
e.g Width; Weight the trailer carries; Stability (raising the hight of the load raises the centre of gravity); Noseweight; all the usual stuff
You have no doubt advised your insurers of the kind of trailer you tow. Check your policy, you will probably have to advise the insurance company of the modifications you propose to ensure that your car and trailer will still be insured.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
The trailer will have been designed to carry a certain weight, and the size will have been decided with this in mind. You will need to check the weight very carefully. Also, as Phil says, stability will be affected by the increased height of the load, so it would be best not to even go up to the original weight loading.
Weight is unlikley to be an issue - camping gear tends to bulky. I've not checked the new gear we've got this year, but at the most the camping gear in our trailer will be about 200kg - and that mostly fills a 5x3 trailer with double height sides. So would be well within the limit of even a small trailer wehere the payloads seem to be about 300-350 kg at least (ours is 475kg IIRC).
don't go filling it up with gravel or somesuch, it's easy to overload it then.
As for stability - yup obviosly some common sense here, but pretty much all the trailers have side extensions available for them (and certainly the Erde 142 mentione d by the OP), so this is no different really.
As too insurance, I notified them of the fitting of the towbar, as of course this is a modification to the car. But they don't need to be notified of what it is towing (seeing as I could use it to tow all sorts of different things not just my trailer, that makes sense - obviosuly what you tow would need to be within the limits of the car)
"But they don't need to be notified of what it is towing (seeing as I could use it to tow all sorts of different things not just my trailer, that makes sense "
Take your point, but for a letter and a stamp, it avoids anything annoying happening if you need to make a claim.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I tend to agree with Phil. I tow all kinds of things, which my insurance company understands, but the word "modification" seems to excite them for some reason, whether it's a car or a trailer.
For the small amount of difficulty involved, I would let them know.
We made a ply box lid to go on our Daxara 158 which provided added load space with the added benefit of secure storage. I did not use a tarp cover but instead used hasps to lock the lid down to the trailer so while on site I could use it for storage as well. I have photos somewhere if i can find them.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
i built a frame out of some 2x1 timber,i then cut to size some marine ply which was then painted with some cuprinol silver birch wood paint,had its first outing over last B/H with a 180 mile round trip with no problems even on the small 8" wheels,key is to load all the heavier items at the bottom then the lighter stuff on top to prevent it being top heavy,towed well at 60mph with no snaking etc...
------------- 2008 Bailey Pageant Champagne series 6 with a Dorema Daytona Awning + Nissan X-Trail + Outwell Trout Lake pollycotton tunnel tent
I extended my Erde 122 by simply putting a 2x2 post in each corner of the trailer and attaching boards/timbers around the 4 sides.
the 4 posts are not attached to the trailer - just fit in the corners so it can be lifted out when required and I can still use the drop-down tailboard.
I have a Noval Portaflot box trailer which is 4x3foot odd wide. Its only about 12'' high.
Like the idea of 2x2 posts sitting unattached inside with 4 plys screwed around it.
would 24'' be a good height to build sides, plus is it worth putting a lid on it?
I have a drop back and still want to use the bungee posts already fitted. Just a bit worried about it jumping off because these trailer can bounce abit.lol
Just watch the weight and make sure you dont putr the centre of gravity too high.
If your worried above it coming off Add some bungee clips to the base as the previous poster did to the top and use
a few straps to secure it to teh base.
Simple and quick to remove. Or add a couple of locating pins. Not so quick but more secure.
Quote: Originally posted by nigel16 on 05/6/2010We made a ply box lid to go on our Daxara 158 which provided added load space with the added benefit of secure storage. I did not use a tarp cover but instead used hasps to lock the lid down to the trailer so while on site I could use it for storage as well. I have photos somewhere if i can find them.
Hi if any one is looking for a side extension kit for the ERDE 142,143 & 153 trailers if you buy the Caddy 535 side extension sides £99 from towsure or from machine mart thes sides fit the Erde 142 143 153 the kit has front back both sides & 4 corner support posts iv seen the set fitted to the Erde 142 it raises the height by 12inch and there is no cutting they just slide on get the proper ones for ERDE 143 & 153 from main dealers they will set you back £400 so this is the way to do it cheep iv orderd my set
I've got a Franc GE139 (4x3) and wondered if any of the Caddy side extensions mentioned above would work (if indeed they're still available 4 years on!)
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Topic: DIY trailer side extension, advise please
