Casper's Xterra Build
- Thread starter Casper
- Start date
The BN Guy
Expedition Leader
Niiiice!
Casper
Adventurer
Thanks guys.
Ok, on to the next part of the Rig. The trailer.
It is a basic Adventure Trailer Chaser model. It has:
Overland RRT with queensize air matress w/pillow top (I like to be comfortable)
19 gallon water tank
2 5 gallan fuel cans
Deep cycle battery in nose box
Engle 45 freezer/fridge
Easy Awn Awning
and tons of cargo room.
The trailer tows like a dream and is the perfect wheel base for the Xterra. It will go ANYWHERE the X can go and more.
You can get a set of stainless steel trays that attach to the sides for a kitchen setup. I had these at first. They are nice. If you are cooking for yourself, and maybe a significant other they will work fine, however I tend to find myself cooking for 3 to 15 people, so they were too small. Adventure Trailers then designed a table to attach to the fender. I decided to try my hand at making one.
First I added 2 small plastic "bushings" to the fender.
These will keep the table from sliding out once it is on the fender. The side of the trailer will keep it from tipping over once istalled as well.
Next was the table itself. As I am not very good with wood working I chose to buy a pre-built piece. It is made from 5 pieces of 1x6 pine joined together on the ends. I cut it to size and rounded the corners off. I then gave it a light coat of stain and about 7 coats of spar-urithain.
I drilled 2 holes for the "bushings"
Vala, nice big table for cooking and food prep.
Next was propane. I HATE using those little green bottles. Besides the fact that the are not good for the enviroment, they also run out in the middle of cooking a meal. So I purchase a 4 lbs (I think, I forget the size now) propane tank and set about finding a mount for it. Well, I looked everywhere and could not find any premade mount. So I bit the bullet and bought a power tank mount and modified it to hold the tank.
Let me tell you it is very hard to cut up a perfectly good, brand new $75 dollar mount, but I figured it had to be done to get what I wanted. About three days after I had it mounted and was very happy with it, a friend sent me a link to a mount MADE for the tank I have. $25.
AAAARG, now that I don't need the mount anymore I can find them everywhere. Figures.
Casper
Ok, on to the next part of the Rig. The trailer.
It is a basic Adventure Trailer Chaser model. It has:
Overland RRT with queensize air matress w/pillow top (I like to be comfortable)
19 gallon water tank
2 5 gallan fuel cans
Deep cycle battery in nose box
Engle 45 freezer/fridge
Easy Awn Awning
and tons of cargo room.
The trailer tows like a dream and is the perfect wheel base for the Xterra. It will go ANYWHERE the X can go and more.
You can get a set of stainless steel trays that attach to the sides for a kitchen setup. I had these at first. They are nice. If you are cooking for yourself, and maybe a significant other they will work fine, however I tend to find myself cooking for 3 to 15 people, so they were too small. Adventure Trailers then designed a table to attach to the fender. I decided to try my hand at making one.
First I added 2 small plastic "bushings" to the fender.
These will keep the table from sliding out once it is on the fender. The side of the trailer will keep it from tipping over once istalled as well.
Next was the table itself. As I am not very good with wood working I chose to buy a pre-built piece. It is made from 5 pieces of 1x6 pine joined together on the ends. I cut it to size and rounded the corners off. I then gave it a light coat of stain and about 7 coats of spar-urithain.
I drilled 2 holes for the "bushings"
Vala, nice big table for cooking and food prep.
Next was propane. I HATE using those little green bottles. Besides the fact that the are not good for the enviroment, they also run out in the middle of cooking a meal. So I purchase a 4 lbs (I think, I forget the size now) propane tank and set about finding a mount for it. Well, I looked everywhere and could not find any premade mount. So I bit the bullet and bought a power tank mount and modified it to hold the tank.
Let me tell you it is very hard to cut up a perfectly good, brand new $75 dollar mount, but I figured it had to be done to get what I wanted. About three days after I had it mounted and was very happy with it, a friend sent me a link to a mount MADE for the tank I have. $25.
AAAARG, now that I don't need the mount anymore I can find them everywhere. Figures. Casper
Casper
Adventurer
Up next, cover for the kitchen. I added the awning since at least 2 or three times a year I end up getting rained on. I have to say I use it every time I camp. It is nice to have shade, and keeps the pine needles and sap from falling on the kitchen.
One drawback to the awning is the fact that you can't use the poles that hold the tent flap open with it. To fix this I searched around and found the perfect length bungy cord.
One end attaches to the tent flap via the hole for the tent pole.
The other end hooks to the awning leg.
This also fills in the space between the awning and the tent.
Next is the stove. I have spent quite some time looking/searching for the perfect stove. IT DOES NOT EXIST. However I have found one I like. It is the Coleman Roadtrip Grill LX.
It has different topps to it that let you change what you can use it for.
You can have two burners for pots, or two grills for BBQ, or 2 flat top gridles for frying, or a combo of those. I really like this grill. The only drawback I have found is that it is big and has a round top so it is hard to pack, but I was able to sovle that with my storage setup.
Casper
:smiley_drive:
One drawback to the awning is the fact that you can't use the poles that hold the tent flap open with it. To fix this I searched around and found the perfect length bungy cord.
One end attaches to the tent flap via the hole for the tent pole.
The other end hooks to the awning leg.
This also fills in the space between the awning and the tent.
Next is the stove. I have spent quite some time looking/searching for the perfect stove. IT DOES NOT EXIST. However I have found one I like. It is the Coleman Roadtrip Grill LX.
It has different topps to it that let you change what you can use it for.
You can have two burners for pots, or two grills for BBQ, or 2 flat top gridles for frying, or a combo of those. I really like this grill. The only drawback I have found is that it is big and has a round top so it is hard to pack, but I was able to sovle that with my storage setup.
Casper
:smiley_drive:
Casper
Adventurer
On to the storage.
The inside of the trailer box is very big and open. I have tried a few different things to keep it organized and make it easy to access everything.
The fridge is stored towards the front of the box, which gives me easy access to it. Behind that I have a plastic storage container with stuff I like to keep it the trailer "just in case" Games, extra batteries, toys for the pup and such. To the left of the fridge is a platform I made. this supports my chairs, cloths and such and still alows access underneath it.
From the back you can see the storgae for the grill.
The top lifts up to alow access.
Behind that you can see the drawer that sits under the platform.
This houses all of my cooking supplies. Pots, pans and the like. As I said I find myself cooking for more that just me, so I like to have everything I need.
Casper
:chef:
The inside of the trailer box is very big and open. I have tried a few different things to keep it organized and make it easy to access everything.
The fridge is stored towards the front of the box, which gives me easy access to it. Behind that I have a plastic storage container with stuff I like to keep it the trailer "just in case" Games, extra batteries, toys for the pup and such. To the left of the fridge is a platform I made. this supports my chairs, cloths and such and still alows access underneath it.
From the back you can see the storgae for the grill.
The top lifts up to alow access.
Behind that you can see the drawer that sits under the platform.
This houses all of my cooking supplies. Pots, pans and the like. As I said I find myself cooking for more that just me, so I like to have everything I need.
Casper
:chef:
Casper
Adventurer
Now, you may find your self saying "well ********, he has everything except the kitchen sink" Well, you spoke too soon.
On to the sink and On demand water heater.
I am sure noone has noticed I have a thing for "gadgets". I know, it's hard to tell, but I do. This next one was given to me by my dad. It is a Colman On Demand Water Heater. I tad big to carry around, unless you have a trailer. :bannana: I LOVE this. Just tuurn the nob and you get hot water, and if you turn it all the way it will dam near burn you. Great for washing dishes, or just washing your hands on a cold night.
It comes with a pump that hooks to a tank of water. I just dropped the pump into my water tank on the trailer. The white cap houses/covers the conections.
Just plug it in, add a tuperware for a sink and vala, kitchen is done.
Well, that's it for now. I think I am caught up on my build of the truck and trailer. If you have questions feel free to ask. As I do more, I will update.
Casper
:coffeedrink:
On to the sink and On demand water heater.
I am sure noone has noticed I have a thing for "gadgets". I know, it's hard to tell, but I do. This next one was given to me by my dad. It is a Colman On Demand Water Heater. I tad big to carry around, unless you have a trailer. :bannana: I LOVE this. Just tuurn the nob and you get hot water, and if you turn it all the way it will dam near burn you. Great for washing dishes, or just washing your hands on a cold night.
It comes with a pump that hooks to a tank of water. I just dropped the pump into my water tank on the trailer. The white cap houses/covers the conections.
Just plug it in, add a tuperware for a sink and vala, kitchen is done.
Well, that's it for now. I think I am caught up on my build of the truck and trailer. If you have questions feel free to ask. As I do more, I will update.
Casper
:coffeedrink:
Casper
Adventurer
Thanks bobDog. It's been a long build, but very fun. I had to do a few things twice (or 3 times, gps) to get it the way I wanted it but I an very happy with the final outcome. I still have some ideas kicking around in my head so you never know, I may post more. Plus I need to get the rear lights on, rock lights on and a few other things done so stay tuned. Oh, and with a new sponcer, well you just never know :Wow1:
Thanks red_5. You should come by and see it in person some time. Did you make up your mind on a trailer yet? Oh, hows the new baby>
Casper
:wings:
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
ORI http://www.orireno.com/ is heading towards becoming Reno's new Expedition shop. I've been down talking to Don about products to carry. Looks like they are moving away from the Rock Crawling and into Exploration, with a leaning toward family fun.
Last time I was down there your rig was in having some work done to it. Now back to you Casper
Casper
Adventurer
That's correct. They are a quality shop with excellent fabrication skills. They have done all the custom fab work and welding to my rig. You may also see my X and trailer down at their shop and displayed at shows for them to show off their work.
Casper
:smiley_drive:
I'd like to see your rig in person. We might be heading up to Tahoe in the near future so maybe we'll arrange a stop to meet up with you.
The baby is doing great! He's almost big enough to take me at diaper wrestling now...:xxrotflma
We are finally getting a trailer. :wings:
I was staring longingly at pics of various trailers in their natural habitat here on ExPo, specifically a Conqueror Compact, when I hear the wife's voice from behind me say "I really like that, it has a downstairs with a floor... And you can stand up! Why don't we get one of those?". No argument from me.
As luck would have it, there happened to be an unused Compact for sale here on ExPo so we're in the process of working out the details of getting it here to Chico.
And now back to Casper's Awesome build...
:sombrero:
The baby is doing great! He's almost big enough to take me at diaper wrestling now...:xxrotflma
We are finally getting a trailer. :wings:
I was staring longingly at pics of various trailers in their natural habitat here on ExPo, specifically a Conqueror Compact, when I hear the wife's voice from behind me say "I really like that, it has a downstairs with a floor... And you can stand up! Why don't we get one of those?". No argument from me.
As luck would have it, there happened to be an unused Compact for sale here on ExPo so we're in the process of working out the details of getting it here to Chico.
And now back to Casper's Awesome build...
:sombrero:
Steel_City_X
New member
Hey Casper,
Can you provide a little more detail on the new hinge configuration? I had come to the same conclusion to extend the pivot point outward. I think I have a sketch at work and will scan and post. My idea had the arm nesting into a channel to provide more support over the length of the arms.
Heading to another music festival this fall and will be taking the truck. I pulled a utility trailer this summer, but would like to see if I can eliminate that during the next year. Since I am back to running little tires - 31", the spare still fits underneath. I have to carry two CPAP machines for Anthon-e and I, so we have to have electricity. I will be mounting my generator on the drivers side with fuel on the passenger side. I am looking at having a longer roof rack fab'd to extend a little further forward to store a couple boxes in front of the RTT, more like a lumber rack.
Back to your truck. Again, I would appreciate more details on the hinge assembly and parts utilized.
Hope you are finding the trails enjoyable this summer, and that the snow is plentiful and soft this winter.
Can you provide a little more detail on the new hinge configuration? I had come to the same conclusion to extend the pivot point outward. I think I have a sketch at work and will scan and post. My idea had the arm nesting into a channel to provide more support over the length of the arms.
Heading to another music festival this fall and will be taking the truck. I pulled a utility trailer this summer, but would like to see if I can eliminate that during the next year. Since I am back to running little tires - 31", the spare still fits underneath. I have to carry two CPAP machines for Anthon-e and I, so we have to have electricity. I will be mounting my generator on the drivers side with fuel on the passenger side. I am looking at having a longer roof rack fab'd to extend a little further forward to store a couple boxes in front of the RTT, more like a lumber rack.
Back to your truck. Again, I would appreciate more details on the hinge assembly and parts utilized.
Hope you are finding the trails enjoyable this summer, and that the snow is plentiful and soft this winter.
JIMBO
Expedition Leader
:sombrero: Hey, I don't have an Xterra anymore, so I can give you an unbiased opinion of Caspers X
Don't believe what he tells you about these little mods on that truck !!!
----------------IT'S BIGGER & BETTER--------------------------------
The way he's got that sweet X rigged, he could pull that AT trailer and camp anywhere on the RUBICON
You really should see it and ORI is a neat, personal, business !!
I was impressesd Casper
:costumed-smiley-007:victory::safari-rig::safari-rig:
Don't believe what he tells you about these little mods on that truck !!!
----------------IT'S BIGGER & BETTER--------------------------------
The way he's got that sweet X rigged, he could pull that AT trailer and camp anywhere on the RUBICON
You really should see it and ORI is a neat, personal, business !!
I was impressesd Casper
:costumed-smiley-007:victory::safari-rig::safari-rig: