Complete Noob to Off-Road Trailers - How to get the right frame for a custom teardrop

[rae_iii]

Hi all, I've been overlanding for awhile now in my Jeep JK 2012 2-door in central and western Washington state. But I've found that I'd like to have some on the trail sleeping arrangement that isn't a tent or in my car (which is hard at 6'3"). So I'd like to build a teardrop camper that I can take with me on the trail (I prefer hard-sided sleeping arrangements to something like an RTT). I don't really have the cash to buy one pre-built, so I'm thinking of building one. I'm taking a couple weeks off in June for some needed relaxation, and I was thinking of spending that time putting something together.

But like I said, I'm a complete noob and I don't really know much at all about custom building anything. I've found kits online for building teardrop campers that I'm pretty sure I could do, but they're for building on top of a standard 4x8 or 5x8 trailer frame, which won't really work for offroading. So my question to you is: How do I go about getting a good frame to build a teardrop camper on top of? From browsing these forums and other places online, it looks like most people weld their own frame, but I have no idea how to weld and I definitely don't have the equipment. Are there places you can go to have this kind of welding done?

What about pre-built frames? I've seen plenty of builds using surplus military trailers (e.g., the M1101), but it looks like just the base weight for those exceeds my maximum towing capacity (the 2-door JK maxes out at 2,500 lbs due to its short wheel base). What about something like the Ironton 5ft. x 8ft. Heavy-Duty Utility Trailer? I'm guessing that would not be sufficient, but I'm not sure why. Tires too small? Leaf spring not strong enough? Frame not strong enough?

I also have a few design questions that I see other builds using but don't understand:
-Why do you need big tires? Why don't trailer tires work?
-Some builds don't use electric brakes, but that seems kinda sketchy. I'm imagining going down a steep incline and getting jack-knifed. Do you need brakes on a light trailer for offroading?
-Does it make a difference to put the tires inside the 5x8 (or 4x8) platform or outside? I've seen builds to it both ways and I'm not sure if that affects handling in some way. It seems like outside would be easier.

Thanks in advance for your help! Sorry if these questions seem kinda simple, I've done some digging but not been able to find satisfactory answers.

 

[SWITAWI]

I feel the military surplus trailers aren't a great choice for a JK 2-door simply based on their weight. I've dragged an M101A3 with the 37in HUMVEE run-flats around and it was great for utility use, nigh-indestructible. But it was just way too much trailer for recreational use with my FJ Cruiser.

As for the utility trailer builds, they may not be the optimal choice for dragging through the Rubicon or down the Baja peninsula, but they are definitely worthy of consideration depending on how hardcore your offroad traveling is. There's a definite quality difference between a Northern Tool/Harbor Freight trailer frame and your standard basic 4x8/5x8 welded-up angle-iron frame utility trailer built by a trailer manufacturer.

You could find a local shop willing to weld up a frame for you, but by the time you get the axle and all the other pieces installed I can almost guarantee it will add up to more than just buying something like this - https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/tro/6112335318.html

The best example of the 'basic utility build' that I can think of is the 5x8 build by jonesw3 where he literally used full sheets of treated plywood as the basis of his build and moved the original axle underneath the leaf springs (commonly called a 'spring-over' conversion) for more frame ground clearance. A brilliantly simply execution if you ask me. Highly recommend reading his full thread - http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/161384-Utility-trailer-teardrop-off-roadish-camper-build

I would think the size/type of tires should be mostly dictated by where you plan to travel with your trailer. Harder terrain is easier to roll over with bigger 33in/35in tires but they might also raise the center of gravity enough to make the trailer more prone to rollover if traveling at a quick pace offroad. Small 12/13/14in trailer tires are great co$t-wi$e, but if you were traveling hundreds of highway miles at interstate speeds then a more 'normal' truck tire might be a better choice. Lots of trailer owners do simply like the look of matching the wheels/tires to their truck, but there are inherent safety and convenience factors to having those extra tires as possible extra spares and the ease of only worrying about one (hopefully) commonly available size of tire for the entire setup in a worst case scenario far from home.

Trailer brakes are never a bad thing, but if the trailer is lightweight enough (say <800lbs) you may not find them strictly necessary except in the worst conditions.

Not 100% sure what you meant by having the tires inside/outside the platform, but in my mind they should be as easy to reach and service as the wheels and tires on your truck.

Just my $0.02 :beer:

 

[rae_iii]

Thanks for your response! Yeah, I think I agree with you on the military trailers. That build by jonesw3 looks perfect for me, my only concern is he said it was mainly for gravel and fireroad use, whereas I want to take mine on dedicated offroading trails. My rig isn't super decked out or anything, mostly stock with AT tires, so I stick to the easier to medium difficulty trails, so I don't need something that's invincible, but tougher is probably better. The trails I go on are more rocky than muddy, and there tends to be a lot of vibration, but not usually any big obstacles or anything. Here's a video of my JK on some of my preferred trails to give you an idea what I mean (this was its first time off-road, so it was still stock at the time):

[video]https://youtu.be/OXDwocnSSwo[/video]

(I know, such an exciting video ) My biggest fear is say cracking the axle or frame and then getting it stuck out there. So I wonder if I got a frame from Northern Tool/Harbor Freight, then maybe swap out the axle for something stronger and for some bigger tires, do you think that could withstand some decent punishment from rough trails? Or I suppose I could carry an extra axle, u-joins, etc. and then worst-case, do an on-trail repair job if something breaks.

 

[Copasspupil]

Hey I have a 3500 axle that was too short for my use if interested. Dexter 73" for 5' wide trailer. I'm in western Washington.

 

[rae_iii]

I might be interested if I go the buy a pre-built frame route. Do you have pictures? Particularly close-ups of the ends. If it comes with the 5x5 wheel hubs, then I might try and get the same tires I have on my rig, which would be nice for having lots of potential spares on the trail.

 

[SWITAWI]

Honestly, if that's your typical offroad environment, I'd say the jonesw3 trailer idea would be a good fit for you. I would put hub adapters on the axle to run the same size tires as your Jeep and air them down offroad to soften the trailer's ride then. You can always upgrade the axle later if you want.

 

[rlgrace2011]

I would like to start off by saying that I don't have all the answers by any means but I have hauled many trailers over my driving career from 6ft to 48ft. My typical "daily" is a 32ft long 8 ft wide gooseneck.

I too am fixing to build my own teardrop style trailer to make camping with my wife and toddler a little easier.

For your frame if you can't weld or don't have the materials just look for and call fabrication shops in your area. Where I am at, if you look up in the phonebook for welders there are several. The cost will be higher to have someone else do it but if they know what they are doing it'll be as strong as you could ever imagine. If you don't want to take on that cost of having a custom built trailer then go find a place like tractor supply co. I don't know if they have them where you are but google it and I'm sure there is something in your area that sells the same kind of stuff. They will have prebuilt trailers that could always get upgraded axles or tires later.

If you get a typical 5 on 4.5 hubs on your axle you can buy TJ to JK spacers and run JK rims and tires. Going to a full size tire that matches your jeep carries lots of benefits. They can swap back and forth on the trail if needed as well as they are more smooth to tow.

I will be spacing my tires outside of the box and not under it. Allows for a stand on fender if you end up with a rack on top, as well as keeps your center of gravity about 10 inches lower when its down in the bottom rather than up on the tires.

Hope it helps.

RG

 

[Copasspupil]

It's just the axle not the brakes hubs but can supply you with nut washer and safety end. 130 and 6 robblees. I'd sell it for 50

 

[kzam]

A guy just down the street from me found a welder on craigslist to build his overland frame. (The guy he found welds professionally for his day job and does projects on the side for a bit of extra cash.) He was able to have a great, professional-quality frame made to his exact specifications for half the price of starting with a basic 5x8 utility trailer from a manufacturer.

Some folks make at point of making their trailer axles/wheels the same size as the tow vehicle (something to consider if you're navigating a lot of deeply rutted roads). That being said, a hard side trailer with an axle smaller than 5 feet is going to be a tight fit for two people.

Before I started building my trailer, I made a list of what I needed/wanted in the final product. Let your list of personal preferences guide your design choices. For example, how large of a mattress do you need? Is a full size mattress large enough (54" x 74") or do you need a queen (60" x 80")? Are you going to put a rack on top? If so, you'll need the walls and roof to be strong enough to bear the extra weight. Try to imagine how/where you'll be using it and then design your build based on what you actually need.

 

[rae_iii]

Thanks for your input everyone! You have all been very helpful.

Re: Copasspupil - I think I'll pass on the axle for now, thanks though!

 

[Copasspupil]

All good

 

[screwball48]

Check out the Dinoot trailers. You can use the Harbor Freight trailer frame and reinforce it. Then assemble the extended J-series body on it. Finnish it off with a truck camper top and build a sleeping platform in the trailer tub.

www.dinoot.com

(Not affiliated with them just a fan of the product.)


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