Workshop Trailer - What am I getting myself into?

[crisb]

First post, sorry to make it a question.

I'm looking at buying either a No 5 or a Workshop trailer. I've found a workshop trailer in good condition. I think it was made in '66. I can't find much information about workshop trailers in general (compared with the no.5)

I don't plan on making any changes that significantly alter the appearance, but would like to make sure it's safe on the road. Specifically, I'm looking at driving up to Queensland from Victoria for Christmas. My questions are:

- Is it easy enough to replace the springs. Can I just find a matching size or is there something specific/hard to find I need to look for?
- Am I going to have any trouble with the lunette ring (it's noted on the No.5 page that early models had an issue with suddenly coming apart)?
- Am I foolish to think this can be used as an off-road trailer for occasional camping trips or is this basically a museum piece?
- Would driving this on sand with the original size tyres be a problem? I'm aware it won't track the same as my vehicle, but the existing tyres also seem quite narrow.
- Is it practical to add brakes? Appreciate I'll need to replace the axel.

I'm aware I could spend my money more wisely on a newer trailer, but this has some history and I'd like to get something interesting and make it usable whilst keeping it true to its origins.

Thanks for any help.

[Chazza]

Welcome to the forum,
*They are an excellent off-road trailer that is why the Army had them.
*Unless the springs are knackered, they can be hot-reset at any decent spring-works.
* Haven't heard of a lunette failing but if you want to keep it, take it off and have it x-rayed. Google industrial x-raying providers. Have you got the right hitch on the car?
* Adding brakes might require an engineering certificate; ask the licencing authority in Vic.
*Narrow tyres create a bigger footprint than wide ones when deflated; if it was mine I would leave them on. Towing on sand might be tricky, depends on how soft it is. Try it and see.

Let us know how you get on,

Cheers Charlie

[crisb]

Thanks.

I've not got the right hitch, but the guy selling it will include the hitch adaptor in the purchase.

Good to know about the springs. I'll look into that.

I'll share some photo's here once I've got it.

Cheers,

[Mick_Marsh]

Here's a tip.
If you want to put brakes on a No5 in Vic., put them on before registration and register it as a "home made".
As long as you tick the boxes for a trailer over 750kg (refer the trailer documentation, VSB1 I think), you should be right to go.

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/index.aspx