TheGillz Explo Off-Road Trailer via Geotracker90 Build!

[TheGillz]

I hope I don't need a Hemi. I have been satisfied with the 3.8 thus far, but another 40 HP/TRQ couldn't hurt, that's for sure. Too bad there isn't a cheap way to get it...or really any way actually.

But I'm in no hurry to get anywhere so taking it easy if needed is no big deal.

 

[dsy]

I hope I don't need a Hemi. I have been satisfied with the 3.8 thus far, but another 40 HP/TRQ couldn't hurt, that's for sure. Too bad there isn't a cheap way to get it...or really any way actually.

That was pretty much how I used to feel. I think once your loaded up and heading through the mountains I'll bet you change your mind. My AEV kit is on the way :smiley_drive:

 

[Rezarf <><]

Bumper? We don't need no stinking bumper!! :ar15: :ar15:



Well I can tell you that I am happy that it looks like its going to be <1000lbs dry. The lighter it is the easier it will be to manipulate front/back balances and tongue weight. It is looking awesome and obviously I can't wait to tow it. I am in Idaho, so basically there aren't anything but mountain passes, unless I go south. But the wifey doesn't so much like the desert. It looks like I can keep it close to 2k-2.5k loaded which is what I was hoping for, so I think the Jeep should do ok. Only time will tell.

Sorry, I thought that little red rig was pulling it!

 

[TheGillz]

Hopefully it doesn't get too used to pulling it, It may have to box a Jeep! :REExeSquatsHL1: :sport_box

:sunflower

 

[GeoTracker90]

Update 8-6-08

Hopefully it doesn't get too used to pulling it, It may have to box a Jeep! :REExeSquatsHL1: :sport_box

:sunflower

That little guy can hold his own pretty well. In fact if I had the time and ambition to retrofit a hydraulic clutch master and slave he would recive a reprieve from being parted out. He had no problem lugging my teardrop trailer up and over the hills when I went to scout camp a couple weeks ago. Might not have made any land speed records doing it, but we got there and enjoyed the ride as well.

We interupt this program with a special news flash. MORE WORK ACOMPLISHED ON THEGILLZ O.R.T.

I was able to get some shop time in tonight and was able to make some headway on the side box lids. I started by marking and drilling the rivet locations in the stainless steel piano hinge. That took more than a minute or two. I'm realy glad that I have a Drill Doctor to sharpen the drill bit every so often. The stainless steel will work harden if you aren't carefull and then poof the drill is spent. Between the two hinge sections there are a total of 52 holes that needed to be drilled. These will be filled with 3/16" diameter Cherry Q rivets in order to provide the best combination of being resistant to vibration and weather resistant (won't allow water to pass through them, usually...).

I also was able to cut out the rough openings for the latches as well.

Now for the other side and the tailgate latches. Getting closer all of the time.

Pretty soon Clark will be :1888fbbd: after towing this trailer to some secluded part of Idaho.

Mike

 

[T- Bone]

What do you figure the total weight is at this point? I't wasn't all scrap right. You must have some figure as to what was purchased.

T

 

[GeoTracker90]

I was able to weigh the trailer today and as it sits in the pictures here it weighs 840 lbs. (Across the street from my in-law's place there is a certified truck scale, so I ran it over there and un hooked from it.) Just for comparison purposes the "Base Trailer net weight lbs" for the Horizon and the Chaser are 1100 Lbs and 700 Lbs respectively. Adventure Trailers Comparison

This trailer is built using 100% new material, except for the shocks and leaf springs.

Mike

 

[TheGillz]

If this comes in weighing less than a Horizon, (which it surely looks like will happen) I will be tickled fuscia.

 

[GeoTracker90]

Update 8-9-08

Wow! What a weekend. I've been dealing with some family items since Friday and haven't been able to spend the time that I was hoping to on the final details of the trailer. None the less I was able to make some progress last Saturday.

The last fender segment is completed and the side box lid is mounted with the openings for the latches done as well. As usual I also did some of the final welding in that area as well, but how boring would a picture of that be?

I cut and dimpled the rear filler plates, but one just doesn't seem like enough. Hmm, I have to see how I can fix that when I go out to the shop on Wednesday night.

Mike

p.s. - I took pictures and dimensions to ACE Powder Coating today and Randy there should be giving me a call in the next day or so. I also need to get an updated quote from Premiere Powder Coating here in Rexburg.

 

[TheGillz]

Awesome can't wait for the quotes and get this puppy in the dirt!!

 

[Hilldweller]

Wow.
I wish I could weld....




Wow.

 

[stick]

Nice work. Looks real good. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[GeoTracker90]

Update 8-13-08

I made it out to the shop again for a couple hours tonight and worked on a couple of items. First I began by welding in the steel for the lip that the tailgate will seal against. That was going pretty well and then the weld became very inconsistant. DANG! Ran the welder out of gas again. One of these days I'll break down and get the bigger cylinder refilled.

With that done I turned my attention to the fuel can retention straps.

I left the straps long in the center so that Clark can specify where he wants the single latch placed. Closer to the center of the trailer, dead center over the center fuel can, or offset towards the outside edge of the trailer. I'm going to weld a filler piece in the end of the lip that the strps hook to so that the straps can't be slid off to gain access to the fuel cans. The strap is 3" wide 1/8" thick flat stock. If needed the hooked end could probably be drilled to accept a padalock for a little added margin of security.

OOPS!! I forgot to fix the extra dimples in the rear filler plates. I'm going to need to make a to do list for Saturday.

Mike

 

[The BN Guy]

That's a rocking sweet trailer!

 

[TheGillz]

Thanks guys. I finally get a free saturday and am driving over to eastern Idaho and help Mike out with it tomorrow! :wings: :wings:

I can't wait. It will be fun to get my hands dirty. Hopefully with the added manpower we will be powdering next week!