Truck Bed Trailer Build

Chili

Explorer
Well, after getting the trailer in the garage and starting some of the smaller projects, I have learned that I am not going to be lifting it as I thought I was. As it is it will barely fit into the garage, which is where it will be kept once the tent and such are installed. Oh well, I think it will still do everything I want it to. I am somewhat limited offroad by my tow vehicle anyways.

Updated earlier posted plans.
 

Chili

Explorer
I have started on a couple of the smaller items I want to complete but have been too lazy to post up pics. :eek:

The camper windows were tinted, but not very dark and the tent was pretty much trashed. I really don't want or need visibility through the windows so I decided to just strip the tint and black out the windows from the inside. I went ahead and used plastidip so that it can be easily removed if I change my mind on this.

Stripping the old tint. You can see poor condition of it in this pic:
10295675_10203888445954549_8501059859376306400_n.jpg


Masked off and first coat applied:
10255501_10203888446234556_8896452102049344889_n.jpg


It took about 3 coats to completely cover it. I didn't realize that Plastidip was so "runny" when being applied:
10155614_10203888446314558_3478850579083015472_n.jpg


Outside view once completed. I am prety happy with the look. It basically appears as 5% tint from the outside:
10271529_10203888446674567_1300404271713650924_n.jpg


Two more windows to go.. I have already stripped the other two, just need to mask them off and spray them.
 
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Chili

Explorer
As for the tail lights, the stock units were there, and were actually wired up when I bought the trailer (albeit incorrectly for the 4 pin it was using) but were very dim, even with good bulbs. I decided to use LED trailer lights (submersible type) to replace them. The challenge was that the lights I bought were designed to slide snugly into a precisely sized hole. No screws or otherwise. As such, they would not fit properly in the factory tail light position without some fabrication, or Jerry-rigging, at least.

Although this pic doesn't do a good job if illustrating the fit, you may be able to see the gaps on either side:
10171025_10203888445434536_5318803989626254540_n.jpg


While contemplating the issue, I had the factory unit and replacements sitting next to each other, and realized that except for depth, the new lights actually fit inside the factory housing. With a little cutting and grinding, I was able to get the new piece to fit. This solves the fitment and mounting issues, as I can still using the factory mounting even after modification.

New light with black rubber (mount) removed:
1902873_10203888445194530_2300813578174089580_n.jpg


Left light completed, right is "before":
10252139_10203888445154529_6225765656493325760_n.jpg


Rear view, before and after:
1975092_10203888444474512_1037766860470973249_n.jpg


Completed light mounted:
10309039_10203888445634541_4839550480554635338_n.jpg


I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The rear view isn't very pretty, but the "inner" light is still sealed, so no worry about exposure to the weather.

The one down side is that the Led's are now effectively passing through 2 red lenses, which does decrease the brightness some, but it is still an improvement over the original bulbs / reflector going through only the factory lens.
 
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Chili

Explorer
Couple of pics from when I was "test fitting" my Suburban wheels / tires. The goal was to use the same set-up for both and a matched spare for each. Unfortunately, this would also require a lift, which now looks like is off the table. Besides fitting in my garage, the other concern I would have is that the tent would be sitting pretty high. I would be worried that the center of gravity would be an issue.

If I weren't mounting a tent to it, I would probably still do it. It looks pretty good, IMO:
10151743_10203888444594515_1477826918756675213_n.jpg


To match the track width of the Suburban, I would need to widen it stance on the trailer. Of course, that would also necessitate fenders:
10171214_10203888438434361_7934979431639930363_n.jpg


I may revisit this in the future, as I would really prefer to have the matching wheels and tires. I just wouldn't want to have to remove the tent to get the trailer in my garage, would not want to leave the tent mounted on the trailer outside, and do not want to have to remove the tent after every trip. One of my main goals with this trailer is to be able to leave the bulk of my camping equipment in it, so that all I would need to do when heading out is to add the perishables and clothes, and hook up to the truck.
 

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