Offroad / Camping Trailer Build

[gordinho80]

12' long piece of 2.5" tube tacked in place. I ran out of wire... so I couldn't do any more welding today.

Tube extends 6" behind rear frame to use as a rear receiver. I will be using the trailer's stock A from bars to reinforce the tongue.

Tongue wait is a little low right now, but lots of material is still missing.

 

[gordinho80]

A-frame welded on, welded corner uprights onto frame, and welded center brace. If you look on the rear uprights, you'll see a piece of thinner wall angle, this is going to be the top of the frame.

I've not decided yet what to make the walls out of, thinking some 1x6 or so pressure treated boards. I think maybe lining the metal with the same material that I used on truck's bumpers (visible in the first pic of this thread), in black, and a grey version on the boards. Thoughts?

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

Nice find,,, This little guy set up properly from the start will be an excellent hauler, and depending on how and what you put on it can be a great camping rig, Small enough to tow safely, move thru the trails easily, stow in the garage or side yard, and set up camp fot a day to a month.. Lets see some photos as you proceed, and have fun.

 

[gordinho80]

I expect to pick up the material for the walls this weekend. I'm going with a tongue and groove board that measures 5.5" x .75". I'm going to place a small amount of silicone in between each board when I do the final assembly to assist with sealing. I'm going to cover the boards with a material called Deck Restore, available at Home Depot. Its a textured paint/sealant for decks, patios, etc. I'm going to do the frame of the trailer in black and the boards in grey, to match my Trailblazer.

 

[gordinho80]

Picked up a bed side box... it is going to take a little bit of work to get it to act as the side camp kitchen, but it should work nicely.

My biggest thing with the box is the step. I wish it were a an actual rectangle, but for the price, it will work... $0

I also picked up that coleman stove... $10.

 

[Mark Harley]

Nice score on the bed box. I am always looking on Craigslist for them.
You can find cool items cheap if you look and wait.

 

[gordinho80]

Yep! Craiglist has been awesome! Its where the trailer and now the stove have come from. The box was actually from a friend of mine who was actually planning on throwing it out!

With the box... I'm going to remove the latch that it currently has and use 2 external latches instead. This will open up the entire door area to allow me to place some wood or something inside for a table. Any suggestions on material? Currently thinking maybe plywood that's been painted, maybe even covering it in laminate? Open to suggestions...

The stove will be strapped down to the door while not in use so that it will allow door to close without having to find a position for it. The rest of the box will get an overhaul, cleaning it all up, sealing any holes that have been drilled in it... it will house all my "kitchen" supplies (plates, utensils, cups, paper towels, etc, etc...)

 

[gordinho80]

Starting to plan the fenders out. I think I might bring the top line down a bit. As taped, the clearance from top of tire to the fender line is 8", fender line to to fender line is 38".

I might make the opening 40" and bring the top line down 1-2".

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Lots of good progress. Well Done!

 

[gordinho80]

Thanks Kyle!

I decided to bring the fender line down a little. I potentially could bring it down anther couple of inches, but the tires I have have are worn down pretty good, plus I do not yet know if I will be taking a leaf or 2 out... that and I still need to add some weight in materials and then cargo.

At this tape line, I have 6" of clearance from tire to top of fender. The fender opening is 38".

 

[TheThom]

Nice work! Isn't it fun when you can start physicaly picturing it instead of just in your head?!

 

[gordinho80]

Neighbor showed up with 50' of angle (2 25' lengths) last night.... was finally able to finish the top frame. Tacked that in place and bolted the uprights on 1 side in place.

I need a good day of dedicated time to really get the last bits of welding completed so that I can start painting it!

I've still not had a chance to weigh it down to see how much clearance I need for the fenders... the piece of tape that is placed OVER the uprights represents 4" of clearance, tire to fender.

I don't yet know if I'll be removing any leaf(s)... so I'm hesitant on bring the fender TOO close to the tire. I also don't want too much of a gap. I'm thinking maybe setting it to 5" of clearance as it sits. I can't imagine it coming down too much, but these tires are also pretty worn.

Thoughts???

This images reflects a 6" gap from tire to fender...

 

[TheThom]

How much space is between the axle and frame? I know it sounds like a silly question, but you know that the tires can't come up any higher than that.

 

[gordinho80]

Finished tacking up the frame. Difuser on the torch stripped and won't hold the tips, have to get a replacement from HF. Drilled out the frame and plywood and took it for a test ride down the street. It pulls perfectly!

When I got back, I started working on the fenders.

 

[gordinho80]

Finally figured out a design for the fenders. 1 is all tacked up. I ran out of wire so I couldn't fully weld it.