DIY Utility Trailer. How would I square it up?

[WOT]

So Im gonna be making my own utility trailer this coming weekend, bought a 84" axle today with a leaf spring kit and a "V" with the ball attaching coupler for the front.

Basically Im just going to be making a metal square for the base with a few cross braces and laying down some plywood, this will only to haul my 4 wheeler and random light junk. I think its gonna be 76" X 8'

What im unsure of is, what exactly needs to be true and square to what and how would it be measured.

I was thinking the only crutial measurements would be to get the "ball" coupler exactly center (center of hub face to hub face) of the axle. I would also have to get my frame exactly square since my coupler would be mounting to it.

Kinda unsure on how to go about this, any input would be appreciated

thanks

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[WOT]

gotta be a couple diy metal fabbers here that can give a clue

 

[rollingthunder 10+ year member]

The only thing i can tell you is measure the diagonals of the frame and use welding magnets and braces, do it many many times and have a "measure twice weld once" attitude toward it. Not much help but thats all there really is too it.

 

[WOT]

Ya I didnt think the frame mattered so much since it will just be supposter on its own on the leaf springs completely away from everything else.

I figured the axle being "parallell" to the hitch couple mattered so it would be pulling it down the road straight instead of turned slightly either way.

But I guess that wouldnt matter either since the ball pivots inside of the couple and the tires go in relation to the axle which is already dead nuts straight anyways....

this might be easier than i thought

 

[fshanda 10+ year member]

If everything is being measured off of the frame then the frame should be square ( method given above ) and it should also be level all the way around the frame. Then you can measure with confidence from anywhere on the frame and get things centered properly. If the frame starts out like a parallelogram with opposite sides slopping up and down in different directions your going to build yourself a rolling piece of sh*t. If you take anytime trying to get anything right, make sure to do this correct. Every measurement taken afterwards will be messed up if you don't do this first.

Unless you want a sideways rolling wacked out looking pile of metal rolling behind your truck/car.

Good luck and have fun building it.