Sure, you can build your own trailer, but registering it for on-road use is very difficult.
From strict engineering processes to destructive testing standards, VTA's (Vehicle type approvals) and more, obtaining a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for these trailers can be time-consuming and costly.
From 1st July 2023, all trailers need to meet full compliance to relevant the Australian Design Rules (ADRs).
Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1 (VSB1) will no longer be accepted as an alternate method of compliance for new trailers.
TMR (Transport Main Roads) specifies these rules and regulations in their Bulletin: Trailers Aggregate Trailer Mass 4.5 Tonnes or Less.
Read below for our summary of this document for an easy reference to the regulations involved in building your own Pig trailer.
No Part of the registration plate may be more than 1300mm from the ground.
No part of the trailer can obscure any part of the registration plate
Registration plate lights must be fitted.
The lamp must illuminate the registration plate with whitelight
No light from the lamp may be directed rearwards.
Pig Trailers
Additionally, the document specifies that all trailers must have a running clearance of 100mm or greater.
All trailers must be fitted with:
Trailers longer than 4000mm and wider than 1600mm, or 1800mm, must also have front position lamps.
Trailers wider than 2100mm must have:
Trailers longer than 6000mm must have side-marker lamps.
Trailers must be fitted with two rear tail lamps, brake lamps, indicator lamps, and reflectors.
The specific requirements for these include:
The lamps and reflectors must have specified geometric visibility angles to ensure they are seen from various perspectives.
Pin Wiring Configuration:
7-pin plug:
12-pin plug: Additional pins include battery supply, auxiliaries, and rear fog lamp circuits.
OVER-RUN BRAKES:
An efficient brake system may be demonstrated by:
Strength Requirements:
Fatigue Resistance:
General Requirements:
Trailers up to 2500kg ATM:
Trailers over 2500kg but not exceeding 3500kg ATM:
Trailers over 3500kg ATM:
Attachment Points:
Markings:
General Requirements:
50mm Ball Couplings:
All trailer wheels must be fitted with wheel guards (mudguards) to:
Mudguards can be formed by any of the following:
For trailers with two or more axles forming an axle group on each side:
Mudguards must be wide enough to fully cover:
Note: For a dog trailer with steerable front wheels, the width requirement applies only with the wheels in the straight-ahead position.
Trailers with a GTM (Gross Trailer Mass) not over 3500 kg can comply with either of the two approaches below:
Approach 1:
These requirements are designed to ensure that mudguards effectively protect road users and prevent contact with moving wheels.
REQUIREMENTS
All tyres fitted to the trailer must be of suitable specifications for the trailer's intended use. These specifications include size, speed rating, and load rating.
All wheels and tyres (including retreaded tyres) must comply with the appropriate Australian Design Rules (ADRs). These include:
TYRE PLACARD
WHEELS
These requirements ensure the safety, structural integrity, and usability of trailers and caravans according to Australian standards.
TRAILER TESTING REQUIREMENTS + PROCEDURES
DRAWBAR STRENGTH + SAFETY CHAIN ATTACHMENT POINT STRENGTH:
TEST EQUIPMENT:
TEST PROCEDURE:
Securely attach the trailer in its road-wise position to the test rig.
Apply test loads to the drawbar coupling as follows:
Apply the following loads to each safety chain attachment point:
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:
Examine the drawbar and it's attachments to the trailer, and the safety chain attachments for any loss of attachment, distortion, or failure affecting the safe drawing of the trailer.
Reporting of Results:
Prepare a report describing the trailer and drawbar, the safety chain attachments tested, the loads imposed, and the results of the examination.
In conclusion, if you do choose to build your own trailer, we wish you the very best. Afterall, it's how we started!
Just be sure to read the full version of the document here.
If the above information looks too complicated for you and if you're thinking that building your own trailer might just be too big of a task...
Simply Get a Quote to let us do the hard work for you.