Exterior finish opinions for new expedition trailer

[ahb1989]

I am looking for some advice from the forum for a small start-up trailer company. I am in the final assembly of a trailer that I have designed and am having second thoughts about leaving it bare aluminum or clear coated as I originally planned. I am leaning more to a single stage common color that will be easy to touch up and be more astetically pleasing.

What are your thoughts about expedition Trailers and paint? Powder coating isn't an option due to a fully welded chassis and wall system, I'm considering the following: bare, clear coated, single stage paintz vinyl wrap, and maybe some type of spray like speedliner etc.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. We don't have many off-road campers in the southeast so I haven't been able to touch/feel other ideas other then previous Trailers I've built.

 

[PCO6]

I built a utility trailer about 5 years ago and went with aluminum panels for the box. It does require some maintenance but I figured it would be better than touching up paint. I use it pretty regularly for household purposes and to pick up used Jeep parts. It sits outside year round and isn't pampered in any way. I've used various products to clean it but I find that the occasional pressure washing and an annual rub down with products used for washing aluminum boats seems to do the trick. I do NOT want this thing to look like a polished Air Stream trailer so the maintenance I put into it is "bearable".

Based on the above, I decided to go the same route with my expedition trailer. I looked into having it vinyl wrapped and have that as an option if I ever get tired of maintaining the aluminum. The fenders and running boards come off quite easily so it wouldn't be a big job.

Build thread ... http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/148123-PCO6-s-Trailer-Build

I like the design of your trailer. :bowdown: You probably have as much aluminum on yours as I have on both of mine put together so I can see why you, or your customers, would be concerned. I wouldn't be afraid of staying with the aluminum though. You should start a build thread!

 

[ahb1989]

Thanks for the kind words PC06. There is a ton of aluminum on this trailer, and its all .080. During the design stage it got kind of overkill and getting everything to fit was no laughing matter.

Figuring out how to cram a sink, stove, arb refrigerator, pump, microwave, air conditioner, catalyst heater, 200 watts of solar panels, batteries, a large water tank, water heater, outside shower, queen sized bed, TV, propane , and the generator mount was ....well I have no words for it. Let's just say it took 3d models and cardboard boxes .

I am really leaning towards leaving it bare as you said. Others have suggested painting it, mainly because the back door is manufactured vs a stock rv door like the two side doors so it has "brake" marks around the 90 degree edges. I am almost to the point where I may just order a manufactured Challenger door to my specs like the side doors to have it match, but I like the ruggedness of the self manufactured door as I know it will take the punishment. If I go paint I'm considering a vehicle or common tractor color that way in the future matching paint can be found, plus if I chose implement paint to comes in gallons and spray cans so I could throw a few cans in with the sale for touchup reasons. We did the same with the chassis, its a common black paint so its easy to "fix".

I have considered a build thread but wasn't really sure how that fits for someone building a commercial product. This isn't my first build of an off-road camper but its my first that wasn't "stickbuilt" i.E. one piece at a time. I have always built for personal use or friends. I can build the walls and frame extremely fast now that I have complete jigs.

 

[ahb1989]

PC06 I love the small camping trailer you built. Its simple while being well thought out. Do you just run out of action packers? Ever thought of a lid?

 

[M35A2]

Really nice looking trailer but I never understand why many are set up with the axle that far back.

Nevertheless, I like it a lot.

Suggestions:

- Forget wrap as it is too temporary. After a few years, the wrap will look like crap and it is doubtful that your customers will pay for a rewrap, which could give your product a reputation for not holding up as all the used ones will look awful.

- Perhaps look into what type of paint is used on aluminum step vans. Whatever it is covers imperfections well and is durable as all get-out. If you stick with their color palette, then your customers will always have touch-up paint available.

Note: It would really look good with bobtail fenders, like on a Harley, including the tail light.

 

[ahb1989]

Thanks M35a2, I haven't really considered seeing what's available on the commercial side, I'm sure as you said its more durable then the paint counter. I'm most definitely not a painter by trade but I have learnt that you have to be a little bit of everything to suceed in life.

As for the back axle placement, it came down to my chassis design. The chassis is fully independent trailing arm with nothing to catch on stumps, rocks etc. I originally wanted to put the water tank longways so that as water was used it wouldn't change the tongue weight much but I loss too much ground clearence. As it is now it is a careful balance of tongue weight that doesn't change too much as you use the 200 plus punds of water that's almost centered over the hub center line. Of course as final assembly happens I may find that optimal placent is a few inches forward but it depends greatly on the final deseried tire size as well as this more then likely will have a rear mounted swinging spare tire.

 

[sasfrontier]

Having the axle that far back will make it much easier to steer in reverse... I hate backing up short wheel base trailers

 

[M35A2]

Thanks M35a2, I haven't really considered seeing what's available on the commercial side, I'm sure as you said its more durable then the paint counter. I'm most definitely not a painter by trade but I have learnt that you have to be a little bit of everything to suceed in life.

As for the back axle placement, it came down to my chassis design. The chassis is fully independent trailing arm with nothing to catch on stumps, rocks etc. I originally wanted to put the water tank longways so that as water was used it wouldn't change the tongue weight much but I loss too much ground clearence. As it is now it is a careful balance of tongue weight that doesn't change too much as you use the 200 plus punds of water that's almost centered over the hub center line. Of course as final assembly happens I may find that optimal placent is a few inches forward but it depends greatly on the final deseried tire size as well as this more then likely will have a rear mounted swinging spare tire.

Thanks; you are clearly thinking this through. Good job. Please keep us posted as you progress.

 

[PCO6]

Thanks; you are clearly thinking this through. Good job. Please keep us posted as you progress.

I agree! This is a neat trailer.

ahb1989 - You've put a lot of thought into this. We need more details! I'm also looking forward to what you decide for your exterior finish.

As for mine, and I don't want to hijack your thread, it's still under construction. It's a "drive way" job and it's cold up here so it's on hold for a few months ... at least. It's currently under a tarp and covered in snow. That's OK ... I'm looking forward to camping in the snow! I have a lot of inside jobs I can do on it, I'll be running in and out from my garage on "good" days so there will be a bit of progress over the winter ... I hope. I use Action Packers but one of my winter jobs is to settle on the lid design. I plan to design and build it to transport 2 bikes and 2 kayaks. I tent camp so I'm not that interested in a RTT.

When my current one is done I would like to construct an enclosed trailer similar to yours. You are packing a lot of things into it and I realize what a design job that it is. GOOD LUCK WITH IT!!!

 

[ahb1989]

Having the axle that far back will make it much easier to steer in reverse... I hate backing up short wheel base trailers

I hope that it will, that was also a consideration for the placement as well. The overall trailer is very small compared to the large campers that I am used to working on, I hope that with the extended tongue and longer wheelbase it helps some.

 

[ahb1989]

I agree! This is a neat trailer.

ahb1989 - You've put a lot of thought into this. We need more details! I'm also looking forward to what you decide for your exterior finish.

As for mine, and I don't want to hijack your thread, it's still under construction. It's a "drive way" job and it's cold up here so it's on hold for a few months ... at least. It's currently under a tarp and covered in snow. That's OK ... I'm looking forward to camping in the snow! I have a lot of inside jobs I can do on it, I'll be running in and out from my garage on "good" days so there will be a bit of progress over the winter ... I hope. I use Action Packers but one of my winter jobs is to settle on the lid design. I plan to design and build it to transport 2 bikes and 2 kayaks. I tent camp so I'm not that interested in a RTT.

When my current one is done I would like to construct an enclosed trailer similar to yours. You are packing a lot of things into it and I realize what a design job that it is. GOOD LUCK WITH IT!!!

Thanks again. Any idea if I am limited on a build thread since I'm not a sponsor? I seem to see some every now and then, but this website has been such a help with my aspirations that I do not wish to step on any toes.

 

[PCO6]

^^^ I don't think so provided you're not trying to sell your product. You might want to check the site rules though.

 

[M35A2]

Thanks again. Any idea if I am limited on a build thread since I'm not a sponsor? I seem to see some every now and then, but this website has been such a help with my aspirations that I do not wish to step on any toes.

I don't see how it could be a problem given the precedent set by that NY-er who starts all manner of threads on items that are eventually sold commercially.

 

[ahb1989]

After the advice of M35A2 and a little independent research I have wholeheartedly decided against a trailer wrap. I think the only way that I would do one would be for a shop trailer for an EXPO event for advertising purposes. The thought of not being able to control the maintenance and therefore the curb appeal later in its life had never occurred to me.

I have met a few times with a local producer of polyurea coatings, it is a possibility but it would be an upgrade. I wanted to start producing affordable campers and I think that it would push it to the top end of the price point I am wanting to stay within.

I have found a nice color that was originally a tractor color for Massey Ferguson. It is a light gray but it seems to be very tough. I just finished curing some test samples on steel, aluminum and rubber to see how tough it is and so far it seems appropriate. What I really like is that replacement paint is available at most farm stores and at all Tractor Supply locations.

I think that one day a paint booth will be in our reach instead of our homemade room, but for now I will more then likely outsource it except for the chassis.

 

[M35A2]

After the advice of M35A2 and a little independent research I have wholeheartedly decided against a trailer wrap. I think the only way that I would do one would be for a shop trailer for an EXPO event for advertising purposes. The thought of not being able to control the maintenance and therefore the curb appeal later in its life had never occurred to me.

Glad to be of help! Your idea of wrapping your own for marketing purposes is a good one.