Brainstorming

[CampStewart]

First of all you said your axles are 65" wms on the Bronco and 8 lug. Just curious, are these custom built? IIRC stock Ford straight axles in trucks are about 69.

There are lots of exotic materials out there that are very light and have all kinds of wonderful properties. My guess if you have a full size Bronco with 8 lug wheels that saving a few pounds in the trailer construction wouldn't mean very much. I think you need to consider your steel spacing as part of the equation of what diameter and thickness of tubing, and what thickness of plywood. I would think in terms of 1.5 tubing in 13 to 16 gauge on 16" centers with 1/2 inch floor and 3/8 walls. I would use MDO plywood with paper on both sides. Id use a 3500lb straight axle with brakes and adapters to 8x6.5

 

[Broncogearhead]

Great information. Thank you to all who have replied.
The bronco has axles out of a mid 90's f350. I am going on memory when I say they are 65" wide. I can get measurements before I order trailer parts.

I ordered some fiberglass mat. I will try to pick up a few different materials, add a layer of mat and see how heavy, flimsy and easy to work with they are. Will probably go with what ever has the best availablity, easy to work with and price. I will try to remember to post back those results as a reference for others.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

All ford one ton axles 78-99 are 69.25" wms to wms.
If you have mid 90s then you have a dana 60 balljoint front axle.
http://www.billavista.com/tech/Category_Index/index.html#AxlesGears

 

[Broncogearhead]

It is a ball joint dana 60. I know the rear end (sterling 10.25) is a little narrower, but that really doesn't matter. As far as the trailer goes I should have plenty of room width wise to work with.

Neither Lowes nor Home Depot have any MDO plywood available anywhere near me. Not a lot of other suppliers close by that I am aware of.

 

[ottsville]

You may find more detailed ideas for skinning, including what people have done as samples and their results, over on tnttt.com.

 

[ottsville]

It is a ball joint dana 60. I know the rear end (sterling 10.25) is a little narrower, but that really doesn't matter. As far as the trailer goes I should have plenty of room width wise to work with.

Neither Lowes nor Home Depot have any MDO plywood available anywhere near me. Not a lot of other suppliers close by that I am aware of.

Do not buy your ply products from the big box stores. Go to either a real lumberyard(one that deals with cabinet makers vs framing materials) or find a specialty plywood supplier. You'll get more knowledgeable help and products that are generally better.

 

[opp]

If your near Mather air force base old one in CA Can have some one drop off some fiberglass for you to play with

 

[FireMedic82]

The ACM that ottsville mentioned is what I will be using for mine. It's the solid core. If I remember right, that build over on TNTTT was done using solid core also. I wasn't aware of a corrugated style back when I bought my ACM sheets, but that does sound nice. Much lighter, I'd imagine. With the ACM, I liked the idea of it's rigidity, but also giving me the ability to heat the inner poly core to aid in making my bends. Another perk was that it comes in ideal sizes. The sheets I bought are 5x10.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Broncogearhead]

FireMedic, was that product something you were able to purchase locally or did you have to order it and have it shipped?

 

[FireMedic82]

FireMedic, was that product something you were able to purchase locally or did you have to order it and have it shipped?

Luckily I have a friend that does vinyl lettering/printing, signs, etc. That material is commonly used for making signs, so I had him order what I needed. Shops like that would be a good place to check, if you know of one close by.

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[Teardropper]

What are you guys setting the trailers track width at?

For a 5-wide, they need to be set just outside the cabin.

• #9 Dexter Torflex axle, downrated to 1600 pounds
• Start Angle: 22.5” down
• Trailer width: 59.5”
• Hub face: 74”
• Hub diameter: 6.5”
• Bolt Pattern: 5 on 4 1/2” with standard studs
• Lubrication: EZ Lube

That puts your fenders at about 81".

T