Converting xantia into trailer

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 16:14

I'm needing a trailer at the moment, and being as tight as I am, I'm thinking of using the rear floor pan, suspension etc from a knackered xantia that I've got sitting out the back. The only concern for me is the suspension.

At the moment the rear end is sat up in the air as the height adjuster is knackered. I guess once the rear end is cut away from the car the suspension will drop down to the lowest height.

I'm not actually bothered about having suspension for the trailer so it's no worries at that height.

Can anyone think of (or knows) any reason why this might not work, or knows how to rectify it?

Perhaps the rear rams will need locking(?!?) to stop any travel?

any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks!

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 06 May 2006, 16:34

I would have thought a Xantia would be the worst possible car to use as a base for a trailer. As you say - it would have no springing at all.

Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 06 May 2006, 16:35

What's to stop you putting in some springs? justweld them in place.

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 16:40

JohnD wrote:I would have thought a Xantia would be the worst possible car to use as a base for a trailer. As you say - it would have no springing at all.

I know it's not the best car, but it's the only one I've got to cut up. Not worried about having suspension anyway. It's not going to have anything heavy on it, just converted into a boat trailer for two plastic kayaks - so about 100kgs max!

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 06 May 2006, 17:12

You will end up with an impossible project. The Xantia has very little overhang at rear - making for a too heavy load on the towball of the towing car.

I'd thought of a similar project on a BX Estate. Trouble is that BX Estates are either total wrecks or still going strong around here

Same problem with the BX saloon : not enogh overhang to make a useful trailer.

BTW : re-using the suspension cylinder with a smartly fitted rubber block is as good as any mod including a coil spring. Keep the sphere as a lid against the rubber block.

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 17:28

Cool, thanks Anders. For what I've got in mind, I'll only need a small piece of chassis either side of the "axle" - perhaps 12-18"

As long as I can get that it's all good to go!

So, just a small piece of rubber? Sweet!

)

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 06 May 2006, 17:47

Lee, butcher an old caravan?

should be able to get one free from someone...

then you have the tow joint, wheels, axle, rubber suspension, and even some electrics.

John

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 18:05

jgra1 wrote:Lee, butcher an old caravan?

should be able to get one free from someone...

then you have the tow joint, wheels, axle, rubber suspension, and even some electrics.

John

Hmm, a good idea.

I've seen a couple on ebay, but their either too big, or millions of miles away! After all I am all the way down in Cornwall. Maybe a wanted ad in the local free ads rag might turn up something? Worth a go I guess

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 06 May 2006, 18:32

yes should think so..

I brought 2 for £70 with the idea of making a 4 wheel car trailer awhile back...
I would have needed to add strengthening etc.. but was looking forward to that project ..

i had to many other jobs on and had to sell all as a kit a while later...

Post by **user_3150** » 06 May 2006, 18:41

Only problem with a caravan chassis is that it's big with little carrying capacity. They are designed to carry a light body so if you load up say a 2 berth base with earth / rubble or heavy stuff from DIY store it will probably struggle with such a weight. This is just my opinion would anyone like to back me up or disagree with me?

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 18:45

Alec wrote:Only problem with a caravan chassis is that it's big with little carrying capacity. They are designed to carry a light body so if you load up say a 2 berth base with earth / rubble or heavy stuff from DIY store it will probably struggle with such a weight. This is just my opinion would anyone like to back me up or disagree with me?

I'd probably agree with that, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, it's only to carry two (or maybe 3) kayaks, so as to save me getting salt water over the Xantia all the time, and to save driving round with the roof rack on all the time (can't be arsed to keep taking it off). So it would only have to carry a nominal weight anyway.

Post by **user_3150** » 06 May 2006, 19:06

Sorry Lee I missed that bit DOH!!

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 19:11

Alec wrote:Sorry Lee I missed that bit DOH!!

No worries

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 06 May 2006, 19:33

Ahaaa ...

A small (short) trailer with a long towbar (towing triangle). That makes it a special purpose trailer - not just a special built trailer. Now I figure the Xantia saloon chassis still useable as a project then ...

An angle grinder, a bag of rivets, a power drill, a couple of lengths U-shape steel and a few bolts & bits - and you are done

LeeDJC · Post by **LeeDJC** » 06 May 2006, 19:49

AndersDK wrote:Ahaaa ...

A small (short) trailer with a long towbar (towing triangle). That makes it a special purpose trailer - not just a special built trailer. Now I figure the Xantia saloon chassis still useable as a project then ...

An angle grinder, a bag of rivets, a power drill, a couple of lengths U-shape steel and a few bolts & bits - and you are done

You've got it

Hopefully it'll be pretty straightforward. I just wasn't sure about the xantia hydraulics, as I don't know a huge amount about them.