Any DIY experts - how can I attach this to my trailer?

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wench

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Basically, I want to make some kind of covering for the gap above the ramp on my old Rice trailer. (The "real" thing from a trailer retailer costs £78 - not paying that!)

Here is a link to what I want to do: http://classified.pcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/563750-375x500.jpg

Ie a tarpaulin that you can fasten down or up - but can anyone tell me how to actually attach it to the trailer like the one in the picture?
 
My trailer is that old doors werent designed for it! I dont think I would be able to attach any to mine anyway, the ali where they would attach doesnt have any strength in it
 
We used studs that you twist around to secure the tarpaulin. We had holes pud in the tarpaulin and then you fix it over, twist the studs and it stays in place. Hope that makes some kind of sense
 
wench said:
My trailer is that old doors werent designed for it! I dont think I would be able to attach any to mine anyway, the ali where they would attach doesnt have any strength in it
Click to expand...

Mine is 1960s ish :D
but I have seen them with lightweight doors attached and they look rather cool :)
Can you buy the tarpaulin thing from Rice?
I had a Cheval Liberte (when we were much better off and could afford such things as new trailers ;)) with the roller thing, it was integrated in the top of the frame with a pulley type of thing - very snazzy, but it would snap upwards at great speed and it used to freak out my youngsters.
 
Do you have a local welder/blacksmith who can put those turnkey type fittings onto your trailer, I think that would be your best bet and shouldn't be too expensive? I bet if you took your trailer down to them they would think of a way to do it for you. Alternatively, ask them to make up and fit rear doors for you, probably cheaper than the bought ones too.
If you say whereabouts you are there might be somebody on here who knows a man that could, always worth a go!
 
I live near Lincoln.

I have just spent a lot of money getting it repainted, rewired, and new ramp, it needs to be something as cheap as possible, so getting doors made isnt an option really - it needs to be something I can do myself (I have rewired it and done 95% of work on the ramp myself - I don't really need a man!)

Just the fastenings of it to the trailer that I need to figure out!
 
It is relatively easy to replace the cover on the rear of a horse trailer. You can cut out another cover using a template made from cardboard that you have traced around the opening. Buy a tarpaulin & cut the cover out of that. Leave a hem, possibly about an inch wider all around so you can used a good adhesive to stick the hem down. This will stop it fraying.

Once made you can fix eyelets into the cover at suitable distances, all you need for this is a hammer & a number of these & they are easy to fix:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-Turnb...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1bb99087

When those are fixed offer up the cover to the trailer & then mark where the eyelets are on the metal frame of the trailer. Once marked you can offer up the turn buttons:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TURN-BUTT...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item4cfa303e42

Mark where the fixing holes are with a felt pen & then drill holes at a suitable size so that the turnbuttons can be held in place with 2 pop rivets. Once these are in place you will be able to fix the cover to the trailer.

If you want to be able to role the cover up & tieit up just fix a couple of tie strips on either side so you can tie them together & hold the cover up & out of the way. This will do the job.

I know this works because I did it a few years ago with an old Bahill Trailer. :)
 
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I had one made for my old trailer at 'Kirklands' the sail makers at Gt Yarmouth. Very easy job for them. They will fit all the thumb studs and turn studs too.

Try any sail makers
 
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