Expedition trailer or stick to the jeep.

[jameswj4]

I think you are asking the wrong question first. The first thing you need to do is to define the problem you are trying to solve, then identify your design parameters. Depending on how you structure your problem and the design parameters and constraints, you may decide that neither a trailer nor a drawer system is the correct solution to your problem.

The most prevalent problem in design development is clearly defining the goal and objectives of your effort. It is far to common for designers zto jump directly to a preconceived solution that may not solve the problem at hand. I fight this problem daily with the engineers and designers that work for me on the oilfield. Think first, then do, not the other way around.

Mike

i agree and i assume that my main problem would be that i want to drive a rig that i can have a place for all my gear for camping/expedition/ or when i need to bug out but even with a Jeep wj which has decent room in the back i don't know if i can have all i need in the back and if it more practical to not pull a trailer then building a storage/ shelving system is my next best option other then buying a bigger vehicle. thanks for the input i appreciate it.

Isn't the goal of the project storage solutions for expedition gear? Seems pretty straight forward and the same problem I dealt with having a space challenged TJ. Based on the user name I would assume the vehicle is a WJ which offers a little more room, but certainly is no full-sized quad cab pickup truck.

and yes i do own a WJ and it would most likely be just myself and my gf traveling in the jeep but for different amenities even more room is better. and i would follow your example and use the same hub pattern and wheel size as extra precaution.

Maybe, but maybe not. He talks about the possibility of adding a shower system, power, etc. This is generally called scope creep in the project management world. It takes a lot of discipline to sit down and thoroughly think through and define the problem being solved. The next step is to set up performance criteria and decide on what the priorities are; for example, light weight, electrical power, green materials, fabrication requirements/restrictions (steel tubing, woodwork, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc. all require different fabrication techniques), tankage for fluid storage with types and amounts figured out, etc. From that you can determine the must haves vs. the nice to haves. This feeds into decisions about schedule, budget, fabrication tools, material choices, suppliers, etc.

Most homebuilders do this through an iterative process of trial and error. That works fine when you aren't trying to make a living from it. Professional designers need to be more efficient than that. There will still be an R&D/prototype phase, but it's much more controlled.

Also remember that as a student doing a final design project, the true purpose is to learn how to effectively work through the design process, not just to end up with another piece of gear.

Mike

I definitely appreciate your thought process haha and since it would be a big project i have this next school year to accomplish it and the first two quarters ( ~5-6 months) of school will be just research and design in which i will be researching every possible material, accessories, power options, water options, tent options, even suspension capabilities once that is all figured out i will then design everything on the computer and make every measurement probably down to the screw and bolt thread patterns :sombrero: then render it and make sure its how i want it then i will start the building process which i will do all on my own. at least that is the overall plan. hopefully everything goes according to it.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Too much to chew?

Hi,

Without knowing all of the constraints of your course requirement, I would humbly suggest that you may be taking on too much for an individual design project.

Deciding Trailer versus Drawer System is sort of like asking Ford versus Chevy or Rover versus Jeep. You should never argue faith with the faithful.

However, only having 1 year to go from concept to completion (1 school year I presume) leaves you in a position of designing something really cool and then falling short on build quality, completion, or design elegance. Tooling availability alone might hold you back. Not everything can be CNC cut from billet aluminum or 3D printed. You will need jigs, machining, welding, electrical, etc... And it sounds like an individual project?

I would personally try to scale back to a single item or system and hit that one thing out of the park.

Good luck though. I bet asking the question of "what aspect of ... really bugs you the most?" would lead to some great design project ideas.

Nate

 

[MOguy]

is the project just to solve a problem or show the ability to design something that has marketability?

There are more jeep owners that don't want a trailer but do want storage solutions if that matters (just look in aftermarket catalogs!).

I am one of those guys. I have a larger offroad trailer and even if I have all the room in the world, but am even slightly off camber, on a slick surface that has a log, rock or other not even huge obstruction you can't back it up. I have talked with others that have smaller pupose built off road trialers and they have the same issues. One person talked about a water crossing where is trailer started to float and he almost floated down stream because of the trialer. Other vehicles in the group apparently had no issue with the crossing.

It is great to have the extra space a tralier offers but it deffinatley has its draw backs. Overloading a short wheel base also has its drawbacks. The best solution is to pack as light as possible but that often means buying less and using less but going that route won't help you.

My advice is a rack system that keeps the weight towards the center and low and still allows room for the driver and at least one passenger.

 

[nickmimi]

My vote is for the trailer. I have had no problems pulling a trailer on the trails we have driven, so far. If you build the trailer, you can use it on any vehicle you may own in the future. Just change the hubs and wheels. If you build a vehicle specific storage system, then it is only for that type of vehicle.

There are some nice looking trailers on here.

This is the only picture I have with the new Jeep. On the way home after a trip. Next step is to switch the wheels and tires to match.

 

[rnArmy]

Here's a simple test.

Get a 100lb bag of whatever. Put it up on your shoulders and walk around the block with it. Then put that 100lb sack into one of your kid's wagons and pull it around the block. Which was easier for you? I'm betting using the wagon.

Same with your vehicle and carrying extra gear. It's easier on the vehicle to pull a trailer with the gear (even though the trailer technically adds to the weight). The Amy figured it out in WWII using trailers behind the Jeeps.

Trailers can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. Mine's essentially a box on a frame (been through a couple renditions).

 

[Big mike]

I did both, I bought a loaded up AT chaser complete with everything , then I decided sometimes a guy just wants to go out for a few days on his own so. Rtt , fridge At overland stage one and two complete with water and shower and a double slider with fridge and stove plus a fox awning system.
Oh and all the lifts lights skids winch bumpers lockers and compressor .
Always be prepared
Mike