Ho w To Recognise a well built tiny house trailer

How To Recognise a Well-Built Tiny House Trailer Series – A Frame Draw Bar

Part 1: A-Frame Draw Bar

Ho w To Recognise a well built tiny house trailer

How To Recognise a Well-Built Tiny House Trailer When You See One:

When shopping for a tiny house trailer, it’s vital to know the difference between a well-designed, durable trailer and one that may fail under pressure. Many trailer manufacturers compete on price, and while their lower costs might seem attractive, they often come at the expense of quality and safety. Here’s what to look for to ensure your trailer is built to last.

Beware of Short A-Frame Drawbars

One common way manufacturers cut costs is by designing short A-frame drawbars. By using less steel, they reduce expenses, but this compromises the trailer’s structural integrity.

The Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) engineers, who specialise in making vehicles safe for Victorian roads, recommend that drawbars extend all the way to the front suspension hanger. This design choice isn’t just a suggestion—it’s essential for strength and durability.

When the A-frame drawbar connects to the front suspension hanger, it allows for a critical vertical weld to secure the components together. Without this weld, the drawbar’s connection to the chassis rail alone is far weaker. This shortcut results in an inferior trailer that may also pose serious safety risks.

Why Strength Matters

A short, poorly designed A-frame drawbar increases the likelihood of the drawbar breaking free from the trailer’s main body during transport. Imagine this happening with a 3,500kg tiny house on top—the consequences could be catastrophic.

Saving a few thousand dollars on a trailer might seem like a good idea, but the real cost of a poorly built trailer can far exceed your initial savings. From financial losses to potential accidents, the risks simply aren’t worth it.

Quality Over Cost

At Fred’s Tiny Houses, we never cut corners when it comes to your safety. We prioritise quality over cost-saving shortcuts to provide you with a trailer that’s as strong and reliable as your dream home deserves. We believe true freedom isn’t just about living in a tiny house; it’s also about the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home’s foundation is secure.

Conclusion When choosing a tiny house trailer, always prioritize strength and safety over price. Check that the A-frame drawbar extends to the front suspension hanger and is reinforced with vertical welds. Your safety, and the safety of others, is invaluable. Don’t settle for anything less than a tiny house trailer that is built to last.

What to look for:

How to recognise a well-built tiny house trailer
All Fred's Tiny House Trailers meet Vehicle Engineer recommendations by extending the A-Frame Draw Bar to meet the front suspension hanger.
How to recognise a well built tiny house trailer
The A-Frame Draw Bar (in blue) is attached to the front suspension hanger (green) with a veritcle weld (orange) as recommended by Vehicle Engineers.

What to avoid:

What to avoid in a tiny house trailer
Example of another company's tiny house trailer where the A-Frame Drawbar attaches to the chassis rail only and does not extend to the front suspension hanger.
What to avoid in a tiny house trailer
There is a long gap between the A Frame Draw Bar and the front suspension hanger. This is a weak trailer design.

Tiny House Trailer Purchase Guide:

We have written a Tiny House Trailer Guide for the Australian Tiny House Association (ATHA) to help you make informed decisions about your tiny house trailer purchase.

Fred's Tiny Houses ATHA Memebers

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