Redesigned trailer help

[aaronman]

Decided that for a new project, I would build an expedition trailer. I've got it all drawn out and drawn up in CAD, but I decided I would ask this knowledgeable community before jumping the gun, seeing as I have never made a trailer before.
By the way I plan on using a truck bed tent, thats why their is no bed/tent.

Materials:
For the base outside rectangle I want to use 2"x2" .125 inch square tubing
For everything else 2"x2" .125 angle iron
3/4 inch plywood for the floor
1/2 inch marine grade plywood for the outside
have the axle all picked out and suspension figured out, just not in cad drawing.

The CAD drawing: Drawn on Google Sketchup 8

http://www.mediafire.com/file/9xcjc08l74614j5/ExpoTrailer.skp

It is not totally up to date with my ideas, I haven't had time to mess with it, main frame is still angle iron instead of tubing, and the whole left side is just nothing right now, will have to figure out what is going their, thinking a table of some sort, a small one that is. Also the reason for the 6 inch extension of the plywood about the trailer top is so i can get a 5X6 piece of plywood to sit on top of their while I am driving down the highway.

Anyways, I just wanted to get some insight from you folks, to see what you think, and if you think its a piece of crap basically lol.

 

[aaronman]

Anyone?

 

[youwillforget]

Looks nice. I clicked on the link but I dont have the software to run the program.

 

[loren85022]

the design isnt exactly what most of us are use to seeing. Can you describe what/where/who it will be used for?

 

[cowboy4x4]

I can suggest something for you. You dont have it shown but when you build the tongue have the center beam/hitch run all the way from the front to the back. It will spread the load factor throughout the trailer. That way if you put a recovery point/receiver on the rear (I would recommend it) you wont destroy the frame.

 

[aaronman]

the design isnt exactly what most of us are use to seeing. Can you describe what/where/who it will be used for?

Yes, I understand it is a little different from other things I have seen on here, which is why I like it. I want to use this truck bed tent here which will be nice, because with the trailer tongue away from my truck it will fit right under the awning.
The trailer is mostly, just a small walkway, with a mini fridge, a sink, and a stove. all the cabinet space will also be used for storage.
I don't plan on taking it rock crawling or anything crazy like that, mostly through trails.

I can suggest something for you. You dont have it shown but when you build the tongue have the center beam/hitch run all the way from the front to the back. It will spread the load factor throughout the trailer. That way if you put a recovery point/receiver on the rear (I would recommend it) you wont destroy the frame.

Thanks for the input, I have been trying to figure out the best way to design the tongue/hitch, but your idea of running the main beam the whole way down sounds good.

I am actually completely rebuilding this in sketchup, so it looks nicer, and the joints go together fine.

My other question is I plan on using 2"X2" 1/8" square tubing as the main rectangular frame, nearly 100% of the rest of the trailer will be made of 2"X2" 1/8" angle iron, both to save weight, and a huge saving in price. Will the angle iron be strong enough?

What I have done so far-

 

[cowboy4x4]

2x2 .120 wall is great for the main bottom framework, angle for the rest well that depends. As a material its fine and if your going to just skin the outside its ok but then that leaves you nothing to attach your inside walls to. You wont be able to attach windows (the inner window rings) and so on, I would suggest a smaller square tube for the rest of the structure.I've built many trailers and its just more versatile down the road as far as building things.JMO.... Thomas

 

[aaronman]

2x2 .120 wall is great for the main bottom framework, angle for the rest well that depends. As a material its fine and if your going to just skin the outside its ok but then that leaves you nothing to attach your inside walls to. You wont be able to attach windows (the inner window rings) and so on, I would suggest a smaller square tube for the rest of the structure.I've built many trailers and its just more versatile down the road as far as building things.JMO.... Thomas

Well the trailer top to bottom is only 3 feet, so no need for a window. It's not to sleep in, more like a mobile kitchen, and storage area.

 

[matthewp]

Well the trailer top to bottom is only 3 feet, so no need for a window. It's not to sleep in, more like a mobile kitchen, and storage area.

Looking at your plan, with this new information, it looks like the plan is to step "into" the trailer to do the cooking. Why would you want that if the trailer is also for storage? I get the impression you'd have to remove the equipment, etc. stored in the trailer to get in and cook. If so, I would design it so you access the cooking area from the outsides of the trailer... Or is that what you've already planned?

 

[aaronman]

Not necessarily. 1/4 of the shelve and cupboard space will be used for cooking supplies. Their will also be a minifridge for food. The other area is for clothes.

 

[skersfan]

I really do not understand what you are trying to do. But I agree with Cowboy, angle iron is to be seen in scrap heaps, and not used for anything. Sorry if that offends, but it is like using hard butter for walls.

 

[aaronman]

First off, I redesigned the trailer a little bit. Added 1 foot below the whole thing, for storage, thanks to matthewp i realized I had little storage room.
PICS:

The area where you stand "inside" of the trailer will flip up for access to the underneath storage.

Now, I guess I never explained the trailer well, I copied my first post from another forum, and thought I added in the trailer format. The trailer floor will be nearly 2 feet off the ground, the trailer box itself is 4' tall. The trailer is designed to be stepped in, with a L shaped counter on the right side. The counter has a stove, sink, and a mini-fridge. I don't understand why there would be any problem camping like that? I plan on adding a fold up table on the left side, a foot or so wide, so you can sit on the "inside" of the trailer and eat.

I really do not understand what you are trying to do. But I agree with Cowboy, angle iron is to be seen in scrap heaps, and not used for anything. Sorry if that offends, but it is like using hard butter for walls.

No offense taken, but I have talked to many metalurgists, and welders/engineers and they have assured me the angle iron is more than strong enough.

Some trailers that are 20 feet plus are made of angle iron, mine is 6 feet.

 

[skersfan]

Have fun.

 

[aaronman]

Have fun.

Will do.