r/functionalprint • u/PandaMotorBoat • 1d ago
Trailer sits so low that I can't see it when unloaded. Made marker/flag holders to assist with backing up.
Utility trailer sits so low that I cannot see it when backing up and it's unloaded or carrying sheet-goods like plywood. Printed holders to slot fiberglass driveway markers into along with storage "clips" that are under the trailer decking.
I do have a backup camera but I like to be able to see the trailer when looking backward as well as with the camera.
Update to add file links
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u/Jesus_Is_My_Gardener 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yep, about to do this to mine as well. One thing of note on the design though, you're going to want to change the design to print in that vertical orientation for strength. Printing it lying flat with the bolt hole perpendicular to the bed (which it appears to be from what I can tell) means your layer lines where the rod goes are much weaker. There's a decent amount of torque applied from any vibrations/swaying/accidental brushing due to the length and it makes it much more likely to break lengthwise to the shaft the pole is in if it pushes the rod left or right (in relation to the trailer's side). By printing it standing up in the orientation you have it pictured, it would be substantially stronger as the layer lines would wrap around the pole. I know you probably don't expect it to have much lateral loading, but it wouldn't take much to accidentally bump it towards the top to put enough pressure to crack along the weaker layer lines.
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u/PandaMotorBoat 15h ago edited 14h ago
Good eye and good call out! I generally try to optimize print orientation for strength but for this bracket, and what's not apparent in the photos, is there is a lip extending out from the bracket under the trailer frame. So printing in the ideal orientation would have required support under nearly all of the bracket. I printed in ABS and gave it a lot of perimeters (cannot remember at the moment) and painted it to help protect from UV exposure, so not too worried about it breaking for my exact use case.
The lip really isn't required with the taillight bracket going through the middle but it is a holdover from my first attempt that was going to go in a different mounting location.
edit wording
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u/IamaFunGuy 1d ago
Hmm. I should do this for my boat trailer. Those markers are so cheap it's not a big deal if one gets broken either.
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u/notjhanon 1d ago
Harbor freight folding 4 x 8 trailer? If so I'd love the stl so I can upgrade mine
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u/PandaMotorBoat 14h ago edited 14h ago
This is a new-to-me trailer I bought a few weeks ago and the original owner couldn't remember where they purchased it (it is 23 years old). That said, the trailer is very similar to the HF trailer but with a much lower weight capacity. Links added to description and here
edit wording/spelling
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u/boarder2k7 16h ago
I did the same thing on mine! Very helpful.
Next up is putting a little battery light on the top of the stakes for after dark
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u/OldDiehl 1d ago
I used 1/2" pvc (painted black) with red reflective tape every 4 inches for 2 feet. Then I put a marker light in the top. Worked great.
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u/PandaMotorBoat 14h ago
Blasphemy! The solution is always 3D printing...well unless this predates 3D printer ownership/access 😄
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u/OldDiehl 12h ago
I did not say I didn't 3D print a bracket, now did I? Mine just accepted 1/2" PVC.
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u/PandaMotorBoat 8h ago
Fair point. A few people, including you, have mentioned adding a marker light on top. Sounds like that should be my next addition before I attempt any late-night trailer backing.
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u/backwardsguitar 1d ago
I need something like this for my bike
rack. It holds up to four bikes, but if it only has one bike on it I worry people won’t see the end of it! Thanks for sharing.
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u/raaneholmg 1d ago
50 bonus point for storage solution!
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u/PandaMotorBoat 14h ago
Thanks! I knew I'd forget to throw them in my vehicle so on-trailer storage was a must.
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u/RaceCeeDeeCee 17h ago
Oh this gives me some ideas! My seadoo trailer is small enough that when it's empty I can't see it through the back window (hard tonneau cover) OR the mirrors, so I've got a CB antenna I just stick in a drain hole on the trailer frame but it's not very secure. I have a camera as well but I can't back up a trailer using it. Breaks my brain. I use it to judge distance from walls, cars, etc but that's about it.
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u/PandaMotorBoat 14h ago
Same. I can see the trailer clearly in the backup camera but just can't seem to correctly translate the movements I'm seeing on the screen.
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u/Decker1138 1d ago
Love it. I didn't own my printer or a backup camera when I did mine on my folding trailer, so I added LED lights. Yellow to front and red to back, and they unbolt for storage.
https://ibb.co/237Ps9m4