Need help/tips

[aaronman]

Today I found out about this website, and have been looking into expedition trailers lately, and the idea appeals greatly to me. I already camp every weekend so its the logical next step. I took a few hours and drew up a blueprint for a trailer, then decided to draw it up with google sketchup. I still need to put in the sink, the whole hitch assembly, and some other things its just a rough copy. Basically the table in it pulls backwards into the whole trailer, right above that the little door is to hold spices and what not, and about that is a light. The whole tent assembly will hopefully comedown so its sitting just above the main trailer, but I haven't figured it out yet. Also the part with the stove, under it will be a door and an area to hold a 20lbs propane tank.

Any ideas on what I need to do? Things I should do?
Keep in mind I am a newbie to all this, so even just some advice would help.
I intend to pull it around with my f150.

 

[aaronman]

More photos, and touched it up a bit, please rate. by the way the trailer is 10ft long by 5 ft wide. the poles holding up the tent base will pull down into the base, with 6 inches up.

 

[loren85022]

If you camp often then a trailer is a big convenience. Your design appears to have very little departure angle. Meaning unless you are going to campgrounds only, you'd be dragging it quite a bit. You might review the dimensions of the manufactured trailers and consider sizing down if you plan to get off road.

 

[bob]

I guess it would depend on tire size for the dragging.

Hard to tell what the hang over is from the pictures. It does appear that the wheel is a little far forward, but then that again depend on the weight you want to carry in the front compartment.. Just remember if water is part of the front and the wheels are too far forwad the trailer will change greatly with a empty water tank. Not sure what you are trying to do with the trailer.

I assume thte triangle at the top is the tent, originally I thought it was the sides sliding up. I guess we need more explanation of what your goal is and better lay out with measurements.

 

[aaronman]

I guess it would depend on tire size for the dragging.

Hard to tell what the hang over is from the pictures. It does appear that the wheel is a little far forward, but then that again depend on the weight you want to carry in the front compartment.. Just remember if water is part of the front and the wheels are too far forwad the trailer will change greatly with a empty water tank. Not sure what you are trying to do with the trailer.

I assume thte triangle at the top is the tent, originally I thought it was the sides sliding up. I guess we need more explanation of what your goal is and better lay out with measurements.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZNFNZLV0
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FNJOZGO3

There is two different google sketchup files with the trailer design, all to scale. I could, actually move the wheel close to a foot back, or even nearly all the way back and move the door farther in. Actually I think I will do that now, it makes it better I think.

I planned to put the water at the bottom of the trailer, so its not top heavy.

Yes, the triangle at the top is the tent, I didn't really feel like putting a whole bunch of drawings into making it look nice.

I am still working with all the measurements, but I think the bottom of the trailer will be 18 inches off the ground, then the trailer will be 30 inches tall. Right now in the drawings it is 1 foot off the ground, and 36 inches tall.

The trailer is 10 feet long, by 5 feet wide, im not sure if that is too long, I could easily shorten it to 8 feet. But I don't plan on taking it up rocks, just through the wild, the desert, and across country.

My plan was having the 6 (it shows 4) posts that hold up the tent slide down into the main trailer while driving, but when its parked and ready to camp I could either raise it up another 36 inches, or leave it down.

Please keep in mind that I am very new to this whole expedition trailer deal, and am only 17. But I have the funds and the ability to complete this trailer.

Oh yeah, also I cannot figure out what to skin the trailer with. Using a thin steel sheet would be lighter, but cost more I would think, close to $500 dollars I believe, but some sort of wood also sounds good to me.

I'm open to any ideas that will make this better, and any help in general.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[bob]

It really does not make any difference on tongue weight how high the tanks are, it is location on the trailer front to back. Normally it is the heaviest part of the trailer. If too far forward when empty it has an adverse affect on towing at high speed. IE the return home after a week on the trails. It can easily be fixed by refilling, but most try to design around it.

I normally set the axle by measuring the box. If it is 10 foot I put the center 10 inches behind center of the trailer.

Raising 6 posts in the trailer is going to be interesting to say the least. I am looking forward on how you plan to do it.

Wood on the outside of the trailer brings in a who new project, check the wood vs metal thread. These guys know how to protect it. May be cheaper not sure, but it will be more work. But that is what these projects are about, building something with your own hands, and making it work

 

[aaronman]

Yes the raising the posts was a conundrum, but after a while i think i figured it out. I plan on using a hi-lift near the center to lift it. I think that should be sufficient, if not well ill think of something else.