silvrzuki77
explorer
The fun part!
Fleetwood Neon Modified for off road
- Thread starter MountainD
- Start date
BADDANDY
Adventurer
Dropped my suspension and moved it forward 2" so it now sits centered in the wheelwell. At least it showed that my plates I welded onto the angle iron are solid and didn't weld onto the blocks. That, and I verified I got the right shocks as I have 1/2" shock extension remaining at full droop.
I think I'm gonna go with a AC/DC-AC/DC RV convertor charger and a Lifeline AGM battery.
I think I'm gonna go with a AC/DC-AC/DC RV convertor charger and a Lifeline AGM battery.
silvrzuki77
explorer
Crickets?
BADDANDY
Adventurer
Got my spare tire and wheel mounted and installed onto the tongue.
I made a battery compartment in the tongue box to which I made a shelf above for small items. There's plenty of room in the other compartment for my EU1000 generator, fuel can and whatever. The batt side has plenty of room for 12v plugs and whatever.
I also ordered an Optima Blue top and Optima Digital 400 charger.
I've decided to make a rear bumper and tire carrier to which I'll probably mount a watercan too.
I also found that my local hardware store sells 1 gal propane tanks, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I made a battery compartment in the tongue box to which I made a shelf above for small items. There's plenty of room in the other compartment for my EU1000 generator, fuel can and whatever. The batt side has plenty of room for 12v plugs and whatever.
I also ordered an Optima Blue top and Optima Digital 400 charger.
I've decided to make a rear bumper and tire carrier to which I'll probably mount a watercan too.
I also found that my local hardware store sells 1 gal propane tanks, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
silvrzuki77
explorer
Looks nice, just watch the tongue weight!
MountainD
Adventurer
What is the prevailing thought on tongue weight for an off road trailer? I intentionally put my axle just forward of the center of the box so that when I add my batteries and accessories on the tongue that I wouldn't overload the tongue weight. I have seen many say around 10-15% tongue weight but I have also seen folks say that for off road 30% is better. Any thoughts on % of tongue weights?
Andy--you may want to consider going to a trailer jack with the side mounted lever---when I rotated my top mounted lever to lift my tongue it would hit my tongue box which is inconvenient to say the least---the side mounted levers alleviate this. I got mine at Harbor Freight.
I am having a box-moving party next Saturday so I can get some friends to help move my box over. I then have to finish the fenders, install the tongue box and winch lifting mechanism, button up the wiring and install the steps (which arrived a few days ago!).
Andy--you may want to consider going to a trailer jack with the side mounted lever---when I rotated my top mounted lever to lift my tongue it would hit my tongue box which is inconvenient to say the least---the side mounted levers alleviate this. I got mine at Harbor Freight.
I am having a box-moving party next Saturday so I can get some friends to help move my box over. I then have to finish the fenders, install the tongue box and winch lifting mechanism, button up the wiring and install the steps (which arrived a few days ago!).
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silvrzuki77
explorer
Im not sure exact percentage wise but, I like to be able to lift the front off the hitch by myself. Im not talking one handed light but enough to get unhitched quick. My teardrop was tongue heavy and I had to unhitch really quick on a trail to get a winch line on my dads truck. Almost killed my self lifting it off.
silvrzuki77
explorer
Another thought was if I was going up a narrow trail and had to turn around for any reason I could lock the hand brakes and spin the trailer around and hook it to another truck.
MountainD
Adventurer
Well I am glad I put the axle forward of the box CofG. I was getting worried I would be too tongue light and that my overhang was too much, but those are good points and I am glad of where it is. I am expecting about 100lbs on my tongue from my basic estimated calcs which would be managable on the trail. When my cooler goes on it it will be heavier, but that is removable on the trail...
BADDANDY
Adventurer
You guys missed my remark about building a rear bumper/tire carrier. It will be to illiminate any CG/tongue weight and clearance issues. The tire is in a temp location until the bumper/tire carrier is built, and the battery and gen is installed.
Yup, wacked the hand a few times jacking against the box. The handle can be flipped so it's a minor annoyance.
Yup, wacked the hand a few times jacking against the box. The handle can be flipped so it's a minor annoyance.
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MountainD
Adventurer
Back at it---ground off remaining undercarriage of the Neon in prep for swap. Disassembled the wiffleteee to gain access to the crank arm which I removed. Put pillowblock bearing support on it (which I'll add a brace and bolt to subfloor) and welded the drive gear to the shaft (for chain/winch top lift mechanism mod previously mentioned), I need to notch a cross member of the frame for chain clearance which I hope to do tomorrow as well as add the winch mounting plate. Then onto the fender design and jerry can holders...
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silvrzuki77
explorer
Fun fun! Keep at it guys! I will actually have some new progress on mine soon! Lol thanks for the motivation.
