Gday,
A friend is wanting to make a small trailer and it was suggested to him to use a Mini rear subframe. I have a spare one for him but it is a hydro one. Is it possible to use this as hydro by just running lines to the bags. Has anyone done this and what problems might I face. I could convert it to dry but then I would need to by the bits. Any help much appreciated.
Steve.

I'd say you can use it for a trailer, IF you cap off the hydro lines and use hydro fluid in it still. Forget air, it won't carry any load with only 120psi or so. Hydro runs ar near 300psi.

You will still have suspension- the fluid is interposed between the suspension strut and the rubber cone (which a displacer has as part of its construction).

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks doc,
I would still use the hydro fluid, I have a pump so thats no worries. It won't be carrying huge weights, just RC planes.
Steve.

Put 5/16 SAE blanking caps on where the hydro lines used to go to the front bags, so you have two isolated bags. Then pump up the hydro as normal

A Mini rear subframe is acutally a lot heaver than a light duty trailer axle with hubs and a couple of leaf springs. Although a Mini subframe based one would probably handle better.

I'm halfway through making a trailer now. The original intention was to use a hydro rear subframe. Instead I'm now using a Suzuki 800 leaf sprung rear axle with the drums redrilled to Mini stud pattern. Saves quite a few kgs - the complete frame on wheels weighs 80kg!

_________________
Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

VMCI has a trailer made on a hydro subframe. It's a heavy as all s**t - heavy steel frame, wooden box and fibreglass lid, but tows like a dream - even behind a Mini - with barbecue and bottle, 2xtables, 12x12 canvas marque+poles+ropes+pegs, enough sticks and flags to run 10 concurrent motorkhanas, and various miscellaneous junk. It is quite long though - from memory a bit longer than a Mini from tow hitch to end.

Not a good angle that doesn't realy show its length, but it's the only one I can find at the moment... http://mini.org.au/photos/pitourjohn.jpg

hydro would work well for a dual axle trailer since the hydro is naturally load sharing on each side if you hook the bags on each side together like on the car it came from.....

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

I love my little trailer.... it's got a dry subframe under it. I do need to put some dampers under it somehow, as it bounces like crazy. I've thought about swapping the dry subframe for a hydro one.

I need to strip it and rebuild it at some stage, but it's really well made - not by me though.

Also, a complete dry subframe with shockers and spacered drums weighs 45kg according to my bathroom scales

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Thanks guys for the replies, that is a good looking trailer skssgn and the VMCI one. I think I will give it a go with the hydro, by the sounds of it , it should be fine. If not it can be swapped to dry.
Steve.

go for it

the fellow who made my trailer built it so that the subframe bolts in using the standard mounting points. I'll be able to unbolt it and take the bed off very easily, and swap the subframe without changing anything - worth you doing the same

luckily for me he left it sit in a paddock for 10 years and I bought it for $50! (not that I've paid him yet )

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I am in that photo with some bits and pieces that I recognise

lol, yes you are Mike - I've still got some of that junk laying about

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Gday again,
I was just thinking about the trailer again and I was wondering if it is necessary to put the helper springs on. I am thinking not as the weight of the top part should keep it down, but I am not too sure. Thanks.
Steve.

If you don't put them on, the trumpets may come out of their sockets in the rear arms or dislodge from the bags. Usually when you are on a bumpy road.

_________________
Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

I have made 2 trailers from rear subframes for work, one is a dry one for an esky, the other is a hydro for a mobile speaker box. The hydro one runs shocks instead of the springs as it was two bouncy before, only problem is a small leak on one side so have to pump it up every 12months.Will post some pic's soon.
PeterN

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Cheers
PeterN
3x Leylands
1x 850
Mildura,
Victoria.

No need to run helper springs, the pressure will keep the strut in the arm socket. There are rebound rubbers under the arm, keep them.
I agree shocks are a good idea.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.