New trailer build

[vector07]

Third times the charm,
building this one from scratch rather than buying a pre made CL trailer and moding it
So far its welded and most welds ground down, still need to do some touch up work.
Hoping to build the sides up this weekend which will be out of 2x2x 1/8 I think
The frame is 2.5x2.5 3\16th receiver hitch tubing, currently weighing in at 195 lbs. Frame is 4x6 and 9.5 front to back.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrs5hxfws9lu1cz/IMG_0214.JPG?dl=0

Thinking 1/8th thick deck, don't want to go the hdpe route due to constant welding, may melt the plastic.
more updates after this weekend of welding. :)

[Java]

Looking good, that frame should survive a bomb! :thumb: I just made plastic fenders for mine and forgot that they need room to expand and contract... the next morning they were all wavy when the sun hit them, I had to loosen all the bolts and drill the holes one size up to allow for expansion. I'd probably skip it too.

[vector07]

busy Memorial day weekend, got the sides built up, deck layed down and welded, trailer hole drilled and removable stabilizer mounted.
Yesterday primed and painted the bottom and axle is going on tonight.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z2a7vcyllsbpob4/IMG_0223.JPG?dl=0

[Danimal]

busy Memorial day weekend, got the sides built up, deck layed down and welded, trailer hole drilled and removable stabilizer mounted.
Yesterday primed and painted the bottom and axle is going on tonight.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z2a7vcyllsbpob4/IMG_0223.JPG?dl=0

This is looking really good. I have been thinking of doing the same thing. Are you planning on building it up with some good ground clearance? I assume that you are having the same problem that I am, meaning that the trailer can't make it where you want to go.

[vector07]

It was quite a tough decision on build size, carring capacity, off road capability etc when designing this trailer. I think given the weight and length of this one it will be more of an expedition type trailer - (carries all gear, extra fuel and water etc) but will still get us to the remote camp spot but not really to go wheelin with. Once I get this one built I am looking at building a smaller full off road version with the experience I gain off this build.
The initial concept was to get all the camping gear we had to bring out of the vehicles, made them too heavy and hard to carry extra kids, I will be measuring the ground clearance tonight once I get the axle on, hoping to get some larger tires for it as well for added clearance.
Going to buy the remaining steel today, top and sides and rear tailgate and have it mostly assembled this weekend (thats the plan anyway)
The axle is pretty stout as well as the frame tubing, worst case is I should be able to drag it over most rocks if necessary :)

[Danimal]

It was quite a tough decision on build size, carring capacity, off road capability etc when designing this trailer. I think given the weight and length of this one it will be more of an expedition type trailer - (carries all gear, extra fuel and water etc) but will still get us to the remote camp spot but not really to go wheelin with. Once I get this one built I am looking at building a smaller full off road version with the experience I gain off this build.
The initial concept was to get all the camping gear we had to bring out of the vehicles, made them too heavy and hard to carry extra kids, I will be measuring the ground clearance tonight once I get the axle on, hoping to get some larger tires for it as well for added clearance.
Going to buy the remaining steel today, top and sides and rear tailgate and have it mostly assembled this weekend (thats the plan anyway)
The axle is pretty stout as well as the frame tubing, worst case is I should be able to drag it over most rocks if necessary :)

I looked everywhere for a cheap trailer that would take even fire roads reliably and did not have much luck. I have a motorcycle trailer that I load up one dirt bike and the tent, coolers, and gear, but the dinky little wheels are sketchy at best. They design them low for a low center of gravity for highway stability. I think that I am going to go with the truck bed with camper shell method and weld a hitch to the subframe. I am not a good welder like yourself, so I need to hide my horrible bigger the glob better the job type welds.:)

[vector07]

Got the sides built up, all welds ground down and top built, added stabilizer jacks to the rear and had to put on wheel spacers so the tires wouldnt rub against the frame. Adding the hinges and painting this week.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lepugajbbvac6oa/IMG_0227.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/te2hdzuwyrhosdj/IMG_0231.JPG?dl=0

[Java]

:thumb: Looks like it should hold a lot of stuff, nice work!

[vector07]

Thanks Paul, should be mostly complete by the anniversary run to test it out.

[vector07]

so its been awhile since I did an update, its been a hectic summer, job transfer and relocated to Loveland which we like better than Castle rock.
So the trailers initial design was to just haul all the gear up to the campsite, we did this a few times over the summer and I ran into a few problems that needed worked out. we camped on a sloped hill and kept rolling around in the ground tent, didnt like that trip to much so when we got back I started unfitting the trailer to an expedition trailer. The final version will read out like this:
RTT by smittybilt I think, the XL one
Extended the front adding 2 feet to have a flat deck - similar to the smitty bilt scout trailer front - done

added 2 batteries, propane tank, got 3 larger tires to replace the smaller ones that were on there - done, this derived from our last run the trailer was really bumpy because I could not air down the tires because of ground clearance, now the tires can be aired down.

on our last outing the kitchen setup really sucked - now is a full slide out kitchen out of the back, built in BBQ, L shape kitchen with pantry space - mostly complete

Had to redo the fenders to accommodate the larger tires, so had to move them up, new location is a better overall look

next upfit will be a top box with 3 openings, full interior and exterior lighting, rack for an adjustable RTT mount - will need ideas for this one, not sure the best way to raise and lower the RTT by hand or if thats the best option, would like to have it lower for travel and the garage but higher at the campsite.
Water and propane mounts, spare tire relocated to back to unload tongue weight.

Will upload some pics tonight

A few other issues I just thought of, broke my harbor freight chop saw - don't buy that one, cant even get replacement brushes for it
broke a rigid 7 inch grinder, mailed it back to them, still waiting for them to ship it back.
looking for the best tool to cut steel with that I can afford, looking at band saws but not too familiar with those.

[redneck23ms]

hard to beat a portaband for cutting sticks of metal. sounds like a neat trailer

[vector07]

new front deck
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x4jf9w52we5aiks/IMG_0503.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x4jf9w52we5aiks/IMG_0503.JPG?dl=0side deck
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mnasckrp79rs0cr/IMG_0504.JPG?dl=0

slide outs, right side is done, has BBQ mounted, rail is on wheels, just need to add the slide lock on order, left side is drawers and when you pull it out there is an area for accessories, camp chairs etc. you can also see the new tires in this pic
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pllluu8y2p2vvze/IMG_0505.JPG?dl=0

when kitchen is done ill take a pic of it all setup

[JandDGreens]

Looking Good!

[Jim]

Progress!

[Hypoid]

looking for the best tool to cut steel with that I can afford, looking at band saws but not too familiar with those.I love my band saw enough to move it around the shop every-time it is in the way. If your metal working future is limited to the specific projects that you have planned, a hand held band saw sounds like a better option.

In any case, craigslist seems to have a few of each.

[JandDGreens]

How about this? https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/d/hobart-air-force-250a-plasma/6409741902.html
I wish I had an extra $400 I could spare at the moment!!!

[Hypoid]

How about this? https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/d/hobart-air-force-250a-plasma/6409741902.html
I wish I had an extra $400 I could spare at the moment!!!
I have the Airforce 250ci, it is nice for sheet metal up to 3/16ths.

[vector07]

thanks guys, I ended up getting a cold saw, the rage 3 with the steel blade, is holding up very well so far, about 100 cuts in.
I like that I can make miter cuts with it and they are spot on, plus after the cut its cold to the touch and there are no burrs.

[vector07]

Ok have a problem that I need help with.
I am making the rack for the roof top tent which needs to slide up and down so I can fit it in the garage, so I bolted on 4 1.5x1.5 square tube anchor points at each corner extending about 1.5 feet above the top deck. Then I built the top frame rack out of 1.75x1.75 square tube with feet over the 1.5x1.5 tube.
What I didnt realize is the warping of the steel when I was welding it together.

so now it barely if at all moves up and down and seems way heavier than I would like. What is odd is I have seen others do this but the design is reversed, with the larger tube on the bottom for the rack to slide into, but im thinking that is a point for water to get in.

So any ideas on how to correct for this, I do plan on putting electric actuators on each corner to raise it but how do I either get rid of the warpage or redesign the whole rack so it slides better.

thoughts?

[vector07]

so the trailer is complete for the most part, last weekend we took it out on its maiden voyage to Carter lake to ensure everything handled as it should before hitting the mountains. Still needs to have a new design for the awning and a few other small things that will be fixed this weekend, but here are the vids I took, initial setup and fully setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdI7XeUOqho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxcOvK8-Ilw

[Java]

looks really nice. :thumb:

[JandDGreens]

Very Nice!!!!