DIY Network

Honda Civic SI: Track-Accessory Trailer Andrew Totolos fashions a custom trailer for taking the tools in tow when headed to the drag strip. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-412

(Continued from page 3)

	The elements for the tire frame
	Andrew takes visible pride in his newly welded frame.

Part 3: Build Tire Rack and Add Mount for Cooler

No matter the type of racing you'll be doing, you know you'll need a special set of tires at the track. Andrew fabricates a tire rack for the trailer, and with a little room left, adds a mount so he can bring along a cooler.

Materials and tools used in this phase of the project:

square-tube and channel steel stock
measuring tape
saw
fire-resistant welding blanket
welder with safety gear
drill with bits
pvc pipe
blue painter's tape
padlocks

advertisement

	The weld for the center cross-member
	Figure A

Steps:

• To fabricate the tire rack, begin by cutting off a couple pieces of two-inch channel steel to form the sides of the bottom of the tire rack.

• Drop the channels onto the trailer in order to measure the distance between them.

• Cut two pieces of one-inch square tubing to length, and slide them in between the first pieces on the trailer.

• Safety Alert: Before you begin welding, cover the nitrogen tank with a fire-resistant welding blanket (figure A).

• Tack-weld the square tubing between the channels. Once all the angles are set, pull the piece out and finish the work at the workbench.

• Make sure the joints are welded all the way around the one-inch stock.

• Add a cross brace in the center of the piece to strengthen the rack.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D
  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• Now that the main frame for the tire rack is fabricated, it's time to mount some side brackets so the tires don't fall off the side of the trailer. Use a piece of two-inch square tube for the upright pieces of the side brackets, and measure for two smaller one-inch supports to attach to the sides.

• Be sure to keep all of the angle cuts at 45-degrees so that everything lines up appropriately.

• Weld the side brackets together one piece at a time until the entire piece is ready to bolt onto the trailer.

• Bring in the tires for a test fit.

• Next, it's important to secure the tires to the rack by running a rod through the tires and connecting it to the posts.

• With the tires on the rack, slide a piece of PVC pipe through the hubs (figure B) to mark where the locking rod will pass through the supports (figures C and D).

• Use blue tape to mark the holes, and use a punch to start the drilling location. The tape will serve as a reference as to how big the holes need to be as you drill the center out of the circle using a step bit. Be sure to remove the pipe and the tires before beginning to drill.

• Use a punch to start the drilling location (figure E), then drill out the holes using a step bit (figure F).

• When you've completed drilling, the metal bars slide up inside the PVC.

• A small padlock on either end will keep the tires safely in place.

• The rod allows room for four performance tires. On the project car, however, the driver will only need two tires, so there is room left to add a cooler.

• Fabricate a mount for the cooler.

• Drop in the cooler rack, which is removable in case four tires need to be brought to the track.

• After a quick check to make sure the rack fits, weld it into place.

• Drill a couple of holes in the side support.

• Add the cooler and the cooler cover.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5