I’m that guy

youwillforget

Adventurer
You know that buddy, family member, co worker that you can call any time day or night no matter what they are doing they will drop it and come help you out or fix your problem even if your problem really is someone else’s problem you were just there when it happened. Yea that guy, that’s ME!
I have been put in so many call for help situations that when I get there they have no tools or parts that I spent last spring/summer outfitting my 2wd 06 GMC ½ ton extended cab with an extensive set of all the time and seasonal tool/parts bags. I have check sheets and a load plan that include a full set of mechanics tools although the majority of the tools are Craftsman (open nights and weekends Nation Wide little hassle exchange)the packing list closely follows GearWrench® Set 83091 (more than just wrenches, sockets and a few screw drivers and pliers thrown in). I love Camping, ATV’s, Bicycling, Hiking, canoeing, weekend trips to visit family out of town, and it never fails that I help fix or build something on almost every one of the trips.
Around Christmas 2010 my buddy was out wheeling with 2 passengers in his H2 SUT 8” lift with 35’s and he got stuck, REALLY STUCK! We had about 4” of new snow so he went out to play. He drove down a service road and hit a soft spot a small stream and sank; the 35’s were below the ground level on the driver’s side. Yes he does have a winch front or rear mount, tree savers, shackles, shovel (E-Tool), hi-lift, coveralls, hat, gloves and 2 30’x4” snatch straps but he couldn’t get out. He was 2 miles off the paved road and needed another 100’ of line to get to a big enough trees to anchor to. My 2WD wouldn’t make it out there (and my ¾ ton Ford 4x4 wasn’t road or trail ready) so I called a friend with a 4WD to take me and 100’ of line out to him, we got him out had some laughs and made some memories. This was the turning point that made me decide to get a compact 4x4 so I wasn’t dependant on others when I got “The Call”. Wanted late 90’s early 00’s Cherokee Sport 4d. In March 2011 I ended up with a 01 Wrangler. When I started equipping the Wrangler and found out you can’t fit much in them and still keep the back seat and I love towing trailers so AT is the way to go for me.
AT Requirements; Track behind Wrangler, same spare, jack, wheel wrench, light, compact, lockable, weather resistant, 10 gallons of fuel (Super Charged H2’s are thirsty), under 500 lbs dry, and worth 2 times the $$ in parts that it takes to build. I wasn’t worried about man hours because I’m doing all the fabrication and I like working/building. 2 hours at the movies cost me 40 bucks 2 hours working on AT is more fun and more relaxing. I can always RedBox the “Must See Movie of the Sumer” in the winter when there is too much snow and below 0 wind chill. I figured The Wrangler frame is about 44” wide so the trailer frame should be the same. Double that for length 88” was to long so ½ the double = 44”Wx66”LX18”D box and 22”s for the tongue angle with 2” receiver tube to adjust hitch length or swap out with a Lock and Roll later. Axel should match hub face measurement of the Wrangler.
“The Deal” Free late 60’s early 70’s pop up early April. “The Hang UP” free pop up was in the back field beyond mowed lawn NO RUTS! So began the waiting, and waiting for the yard to dry out. July was HOT and rainy then the land/pop up owner says “I forgot about the pasture gate you won’t even be in the yard” so we air up the tires and drag it out of the field through the gate. I tow it home down the back roads and put it in the driveway and it sits for 2 more weeks because of work and travel. I tear it down to the plywood deck in 1 night. Burn the wood, prep the metal for the scrap yard on night 2, junk yard run night 3, drop the fiberglass roof off and remove plywood deck night 4, few days later I start cutting off the excess metal and welding up the new hitch.
Trailer Free
1st Junk yard run + $58
12” receiver - $18
5 on 4.5 Hubs - $41 for the pair
Hubs are for 1” straight spindle PN H150 from Axis out of Elkhart, Indiana. 574 266 8282 they make a lot of the axels that are available retail they do custom orders by hub face and spring perch center measurements, they also have over runs, miss measures or seconds they offer at a deep discount, Dock manager said he has seen a 3500lb axel with hubs go for 100 bucks.
At this point I can still stand the trailer on end and lift it off the ground alone but after I get the full size tires on it I doubt I will be able to lift it alone. The Goal is under 500 lbs total trailer weight, 500 lbs recovery gear, tools, parts and 10 gallons of fuel. I want to be less than 1000 lbs loaded for a few reasons 1. It’s silly to take that much crap on a recovery mission. 2. The axel is only 2000 lb. 3. If I ever get a RTT and switch from recovery/support to camping I don’t want to have to have to do an axel swap first. 4. it’s a Wrangler yes it will tow 3500 lbs but at what cost, do I want to find out that trail had a soft spot and I could have made it with 1000 lbs but 3500 lbs sinks.
 

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youwillforget

Adventurer
Thanks!

I have to get the back cross member on
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This is how it looked Sunday
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it tows well, lots of noise and the springs are to firm.
 

youwillforget

Adventurer
Truck Gear

This is a saple of the gear I keep in the 2WD all the time.

VISOR DRIVER SIDE
Pen
Sharpie ® Marker
Chem. Lights
Safety Glasses
Ear Plugs
Tire Gauge
0-20 PSI
5-120 PSI

FRONT POCKET DRIVER DOOR

Go Towels
E Z towels
Hand sanitizer wipes
Hand Sanitizer

REAR POCKET DRIVER DOOR

Soap
Baby wipes
Freshen up wipes
11X14 Towels in separate zipper bags
Trash Bags in separate zipper bags

HEAD REST DRIVER SIDE

Small First Aid Kit (See Appendix B for First Aid Kit contents)

Safety Glasses
Ear Plugs
Gloves
Latex
Mechanic/bungeed to outside
Hand Warmers
Emergency Blanket
Bandana
Marker
Hook & Loop tape
Multi Tool
EMT Shears
Matches
Lighter
11X14 Towels in separate zipper bags
Trash Bags in separate zipper bags

BACK OF SEAT DRIVER SIDE

Large note pad
12v Accessory to USB Plug
PSP Charge/data cord
Telecom Snips

UNDER DRIVER SEAT

MAG Charger
1/2” Drive Breaker Bar
Wheel sockets
17mm,
19mm
3/4”
13/16’
7/8”
15/16’
3” or 6” Extension

DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR

Adjustable Wrench
Wire Crimpers
Utility Knife
6 in 1 Screw Driver
1/2" to 3/8 socket adapter
Gloves
Leather Work
Red Grease Rags

UNDER REAR SEAT DRIVER SIDE

Large First Aid Kit (See Appendix B for Large First Aid Kit contents)

Jumper Cables
Air Pump
16oz Tire Slime
Duct Tape
3/8” Rope W/Clips
1/4” Bungee
Metal Hooks
Plastic Hooks
Balls
Crimping tool
Hog rings
Gloves
Leather Work
Latex
Mechanic
Brown Jersey
Red Grease Rags in separate zipper bags
11X14 Towels in separate zipper bags
Trash Bags in separate zipper bags
20’ to 50’ 14/3 Extension Cord

Parts Bag (See Appendix A for Parts Bag contents)

UNDER REAR SEAT CENTER

Tool Kit (See Appendix C for Tool Kit contents)

GearWrench® Set 83091 or equivalent
Volt Meter

UNDER REAR SEAT PASSENGER

Toilet Paper
Feminine Hygiene
Pads/panty liners
Tampons
Midol

Clothing

Unlined Coveralls
White T-Shirts in separate zipper bags
Socks in separate zipper bags
Under Shorts in separate zipper bags
Knitted cap

Bicycle Gear Bag

Spoke Wrench
Chain Tool
8 Stack Chain
7 Stack Chain
1 Pitch Chain
2 Pitch Chain
20” Tube
24” Tube
26” Tube
Bicycle Patch Kit
Universal Brake Cable
Universal Shift Cable

CENTER CONSOLE

OTC Med Pouch (See Appendix B for OTC Med Pouch contents)

Streamlight® Head Lamp
1/4” Hex to 1/4” Drive bit
1/4” Hex to 3/8” Drive bit
 
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youwillforget

Adventurer
Greenmonkey
Thanks for the reply, I’m looking forward to the build.

Mark Harley
Probably will do canvas to start with nothing as nice as yours but I do like the way charlesshoults did his Harbor Freight 40x48 Spectacular Mediocrity thread.
 

youwillforget

Adventurer
No change today other projects. I did get a few pictures.
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10 Gallons of fuel "stay thirsty my friend"
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youwillforget

Adventurer
JeepFreak21

Um thanks?

P8310194.JPG
My 2nd adventure trailer.
5 Gallons of fuel, Sledge Hammer, Axe, Spade, 24" crowbar, Warn 1700 Winch and battery box.
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I picked this trailer up today. It is in the drive with a for sale sign on it, if its still there when I finish my current build it may get leveled.
 

youwillforget

Adventurer
A little more progress tonight
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Back end/bumper welded together 4 short pieces
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Used clamps and a strap to hold it in place
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Tacked in ready to flip and install rear receiver tube

Have any of you read "Gear Lists for Overland Travel" by TACODOC? really detailed.

I have a start on some of the items Bill Burke suggests in his video and plan on getting all of them eventually.

Any one have any suggestions for recovery gear and Duck Tape doesn't count, I carry so much because everyone I know goes out un prepaired.

Side note: Stopped by the local shop wheels and tires $65 wont be the best but I can set hitch height and fender placement.
 
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youwillforget

Adventurer
No progress yesterday or today. took the starter out of my 4 Wheeler yesterday (waiting on compressor parts) parts came in the mail so I rebuilt the compressor today after work. I had to get the compressor up and running so I can sand blast the frame. More pictures soon.
 

youwillforget

Adventurer
A little progress tonight I had about an hour after work before it got dark
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so I got out the torch and cut a little out
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welded in a 2" reciever
P9040204.JPG
now the bike rack will fit
 

youwillforget

Adventurer
I started on the fuel cans tonight
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the previous owner said they wouldnt pour fast enough so he punched a hole in it
P9060212.JPG
so I welded it up (with water in it) and sand blasted it
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then shot it with Dupla Color Etching primer
 
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youwillforget

Adventurer
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Progress today
P9100219.JPG
10 2x4's at $2 each so those and screws adds another $30 dollrs to the build cost.
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The plywood was from the slide out beds
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and the bench seat on the popup
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its 22 inchches high on the sides im going to cut it down to 18
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Now I need help deciding what to mount on the hitch
 

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