making a trailer out of the rear of a Stag

[Rubce]

Hi All

We have been giving some thought as to what to do with the redundant bodyshell off the donor car once it is completely stripped. Converting it into a trailer for use when we go on family holidays in the Stag interests me.

Seen phots in various mags where people have made a matching trailer for their car out of the rear end of another similiar car. However, I have not seen it done with a Stag.

Looking at the car I think I would have to cut it at the B posts, weld on a new front panel and also one across where the tonneau cover and rear seat are. It would make a large volume trailer. Great for all the stuff you take on a family holiday when you have a kid and dog but eliminate the need to pile luggage on the back rear seat of the car and allow us to travel with the top down when the weather allows. Once at the holiday destination the trailer could be un-hooked and parked.

Anybody on here got experience of this kind of project?

Regards

Bruce

[KansasCityMilkman]

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There was someone at this year's Natinal Day with one of these - only noticed it when they were leaving so didn't have a chance to have a good look - it did look very good.

[Phil]

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I vaguely remember this was discussed last year with a photoshopped image like this Corsair at Bromley last year.

Phil

[whereufromnosecity]

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You could always make some furniture out of it, would make a couple of nice two seater settee's

[marshman]

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Look at this link Bruce, personally I think the front is too short and will give balance problems as the tail will be too heavy. I thinkit would look best if you cut it at the 'B' post and the graft the very front edge of the front wings onto that to give a front edge to the trailer - would need a skilled bit of metal bashing to get it all to fit.

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?3,5563

Roger

[Phil]

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Roger

Thats twice you've found what I was thinking. What does this mean:shock::?

Phil

[marshman]

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Probably means I spend too much time in front of the computer looking at the forum rather than doing what I should be doingeither that or I'm picking up phsychic vibrations across the bay,I guess you are only about 14 miles away as the crow flies.

Roger

[Rubce]

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Hi Guys

Thanks for the feedback and suggestionsKeep them coming.

As regards weight distribution, how about adding ballast to the front section of the trailer i..e toolbox, additional fuel tank?

Grafting the front and back of the car together would indeed be a challenge. If I went down that route I would be asking my neighbour to do the welding as my skills in that department are non existent.

Air flow over the front of the trailer will also be important otherwise the drag factor will greatly increase the fuel consumption.

Bruce

[Phil]

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Roger

Could it be radiation. Not from Dungeness more likely Topaz

Bruce

How about leave a functioning engine in the trailer

Phil

[marshman]

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Rubce wrote:

Air flow over the front of the trailer will also be important otherwise the drag factor will greatly increase the fuel consumption.

Bruce

I wouldn't worry about airflow. The trailer is low profile and is sitting right behind the car there is not much air to push through at that point. It matters more with caravans because they are usually so much taller than the towing vehicle.My dad made a trailer tent to tow behind his 1960's Peerless GT and that was less aerodynamic than a brick but it didn't affect the car much at all Infact on his trip to Malvern this year because he drove at more sensible speeds his fuel consumption actually improved!!!

Roger

[Rubce]

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Phil

Why didn't I think of leaving the engine in?!:shock: Ah yes, know I remember, I have just removed it to fit into the other car:P

Roger

Thanks for that bit of info.

As regards the rear axle. Seeing as the diff and drive shafts will be redundant, will it be safe to simply have the wheels and hubs retained by the six studs on the trailing arms?

Cheers

Bruce

[andy p]

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[Rubce]

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Hi Andy

Thanks for posting that phot. Do you have any more it?

I see he has made a platform at the front for bikes to sit on. Great ideaNot sure why he has left the B posts on and part of the T bar?

Cheers

Bruce

[Dave M]

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Bruce

The trailer ideais something I would like to doafter Isaw a white version at a show somewhere a couple of years ago. Got the chance of a Stag shell recently but unfortunately it had no running gear, no boot floor or lid and the boot/tonneau panel had been cut out taking away part of the rear wings each side of it as well. Started working out what I would need to make a trailer and it was not economically viable as I would have had to buy rear lights, bumper, trailing arms, boot lid, tonneau panel etc.

If you have the majority of the parts I would go for it, not sure if I would bother grafting on a front end but thats up to you and your welding ability. Good luck but from what Ive seen of the work on your Stag and the Gt6 you wont need it, keep us posted with some pics.

Dave

[polly]

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hi,have a look at http://www.britishv8.org there's a couple of ideas on there.

cheers steve. oh dear to late just noticed marshmans post