Nathan Macdonald made the most of two weeks as he started his quest of building a trailer to house his new car he plans to build for Modified Production.  Opting to build a trailer first, rather than a car, Macdonald said "If I had a car built I would want to go racing straight away, but wouldn't have a way of transporting it".

Nathan has found a car to transform into a speedway car, a VZ Commodore.  The trailer will need to be fairly big as the VZ has a larger wheel base and track compared the VS. 

Stay tuned to the website www.macdonaldracing.com as Nathan will attempt to upload photos and info as he progresses day to day for anybody interested.

Day 1
February 4th, 2008

A pretty constructive day, I got the Chassis all together and support braces, tyre tracks and A-Fame on and welded, and also figured out the positioning of the axles as required by Law by QLD Transport.  Tomorrow will involve bracing for the A-Frame, putting the floor on, and the sides and making ramps. 

Day 2
February 5th, 2008

Not as much done today as I would have liked but, have been doing a lot of thinking/designing and double checking everything.  Both axles are bolted up and mount brackets on, perforated floor is on and welded, A-Frame supports are on and I made up the number plate mount piece.  All this whilst battling short power outages and some more rain!  Tomorrow I may need to duck into town (Toowoomba) and pick up the pre fabricated mudguards and some other items.  Hopefully I will get a start and maybe finish the side rails and mudguard and also the ramps.

Day 3
February 6th, 2008

Again not a great deal done today, the frame for the front section (which will be enclosed) is together, also worked out dimensions for the tyre rack so to make it high enough that the tyres wont hit the bonnet of the car and far enough away from enclosed section.  I was running around getting latches and hinges etc in town for a few hours also.  Tomorrow is another day!

Day 4
February 7th, 2008

Today I finished off the frame for the enclosed section at the front, and the door and lockable latch, I also mounted an air reel . The tyre rack main frame is also done.

Day 5
February 8th, 2008

The tyre rack is completely finished, and I was able to mount the mudguards and support frame/bracing.  It's now starting to look like a trailer.  More work tomorrow, I may start on the ramps, and can also attach the jockey wheel and hitch.

Day 6
February 9th, 2008

The jockey wheel and hitch have been attached, and I setup the park brake cable.  All the hubs and wheels are on, and I put some side rails on to neaten it up a bit.  The ramps are also made, I just have to make up some brackets to store them on trailer whilst driving.  I didn't think I would have been this far along after a week, so far all is going well.

Day 7
February 10th, 2008

I only done half a days work today, but I was able to machine up some nylon rollers for a slide for the ramps.  The ramps were fitted in a way so that they wont rattle when locked into position, and are easily removed by one R-clip.  The trailer would be ready to be painted but I want too add a few extra items, like folding up a tool box to mount between the two axles, and fit an auxiliary air tank also too plumb up to the air compressor. 

Day 8
February 11th, 2008

The trailer is off to the powder coaters on Wednesday, but I wont see it back until next week sometime unfortunately due to the work load of the powder coaters.  I made up a storage box that fitted between the two axles which will come in handy for storing spares, and at the same time keeping the weight in the middle of the trailer.  I also mounted plates for light and power switches etc in the enclosed section.  Tomorrow I have to mount the hinges for the lid on storage box, and find an air tank to mount on the trailer also, and clean up all sharp edges ready for the powder coaters.

After mounting the storage box lid and hinges, and making straps to mount the auxiliary air tank, and some finishing touches, the trailer is ready to be transported to the powder coaters and which will happen tomorrow.

I finally got the trailer back from the powder coaters on Friday 22nd February after some delays on their part.  As of today most of the lights and brakes are wired up, and its just a matter of piecing everything back together.  I will have more photos as things progress.

The sheeting is all done for the enclosed section, the trailer will be registered tomorrow and will hopefully be used for the first time this weekend towing Shane's car.

March  28th, 2008

Finally the trailer is completely finished and I can now concentrate on building the new VZ Commodore for Modified Production.  Here are some pictures of the final product.  The trailer is also wired up to plug in an external 240 volt lead with a light connected up inside as well as the air compressor and a power point.

January 4th, 2009

After a few hundred kilometres the trailer tows really well and is very stable.  The enclosed section has proven very handy as well.  While trying to save on weight I have found a weakness in the design which has resulted in the chassis flexing too much!  It was no big drama but I have just added some reinforcing bars or a rail along the side of the trailer inline with the inside of the mudguard.