Utility Trailer to Off Road Expedition Trailer (Yes or No; thoughts???)

[fast_suv]

Hey guys and gals,
I have browsed this site for months getting ideas any racking up my digital shopping carts with the dreams of building the Expedition Trailer of my dreams but on a budget.

I picked up this guy about a year ago with my 4wheeler and has since sold the 4wheeler.







I have gone back and forth with turning this into a camping trailer with RTT, more storage, On board water, propane, yadda yadda yadda.....

The trailer has an axle flip and lift, small sealed tool box, jerry can mount, Hi Lift jack, and camper feet to stabilize it.
My questions is, should I use this as a base or go more to a m416 for an Expedition Trailer?

Oh, and i plan on pulling this on the hwy and mild trials with my 2013 JKU with tow package.

List of things i feel the current trailer needs:

-flooring/siding solution
-wheel spacers and larger wheels/tires (i have jeep JKU takeoffs)
-hitch solution (Lock-n-tow or something like that to eliminate the 2" ball)
-Rack solution for an RTT
-Possibly a smaller rear tailgate
-OB water/ OB gas / OB Power
-storage solution for gear
-Stove / Sink /Place 12v Fridge
-and more.....

I feel like the flooring/siding solution could end up costing the same as a used m416 that just needs a patch here or there... just not sure what way to go next....

On a side note i will need to buy a cheap utility trailer to use for yard work and what not if I use my current as a toy so that is another 200-500 right there)


Any thoughts or input you guys have would be awesome!!


Thanks,
Jeff

 

[protohyp]

Hey guys and gals,
I have browsed this site for months getting ideas any racking up my digital shopping carts with the dreams of building the Expedition Trailer of my dreams but on a budget.

I picked up this guy about a year ago with my 4wheeler and has since sold the 4wheeler.

View attachment 235979
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View attachment 235983

I have gone back and forth with turning this into a camping trailer with RTT, more storage, On board water, propane, yadda yadda yadda.....

The trailer has an axle flip and lift, small sealed tool box, jerry can mount, Hi Lift jack, and camper feet to stabilize it.
My questions is, should I use this as a base or go more to a m416 for an Expedition Trailer?

Oh, and i plan on pulling this on the hwy and mild trials with my 2013 JKU with tow package.

List of things i feel the current trailer needs:

-flooring/siding solution
-wheel spacers and larger wheels/tires (i have jeep JKU takeoffs)
-hitch solution (Lock-n-tow or something like that to eliminate the 2" ball)
-Rack solution for an RTT
-Possibly a smaller rear tailgate
-OB water/ OB gas / OB Power
-storage solution for gear
-Stove / Sink /Place 12v Fridge
-and more.....

I feel like the flooring/siding solution could end up costing the same as a used m416 that just needs a patch here or there... just not sure what way to go next....

On a side note i will need to buy a cheap utility trailer to use for yard work and what not if I use my current as a toy so that is another 200-500 right there)


Any thoughts or input you guys have would be awesome!!


Thanks,
Jeff

I think it is an awesome base to start with depending on how much and how serious off road you will be. If so you'll probably need to weld more support to the frame but certainly consider doing a teardrop type set up as well because it looks like that bed is quite large for two people (or if your wife or girlfriend allows, three people) But I think you have a great base to start with.

 

[parapyropig]

Why not build a slide-in teardrop-type module when you need it? Adds to the versatility of the build.

 

[Phoenix]

Looks like the existing tail gate could be used as a platform for a RTT

 

[the_dealer]

I bought one to do the same thing. Paid less than $100, so I couldn't turn it down


This will be my 1st offroad trailer, but I have been doing a lot of research so I can help a little.

The heavier it gets, the stronger the axle/springs need to be. Don't neglect the hubs as well, this isn't where you want to cheap out. From what I gather, you want to stiffen the crap out of the frame. Might want to buy some 2" receiver tube, and run it straight down the middle of the trailer. It will help with support, and give you the ability for a million different receiver add ons out back (bike rack, storage, etc.) Use aluminum where possible.

I'm going the same route that you are with mine. Going to raise the walls, enclose the sides/floor with aluminum, add a rtt, cooking area, etc. Just search the net and find some production offroad trailers you like, and come up with a design that fits your needs.

 

[Mark Harley]

I like this simple build for camping.

 

[Ozarker]

Lots of choices! Pretty much what I have, my floor is steel diamond plate, expanded steel on the ramp like yours and on the sides.

I was thinking of a TD module as well, but not sure I want the brain damage, would could be nice. The RTT is a great way to go too. I

I need to haul my Transalp (and cruiser and lawn tractor too) I'd rather roll stuf off than lift them out of the truck.

Really like those stands on the ramp, I'd not make it smaller! It's a nice patio to sit out of the mud. Place for shoes/boots. I'm going to add them, right now mine bolts in 3 positions, but straight back the stands will really help for a stable platform.

I think what will happen is putting 4 uprights on with an upper platform and box in the sides (might go half way up) I have some very heavy reinforced PVC (a swimming pool cover, huge) and use that for sides and top and have some windows put in.

A plywood floor a few inches above the floor can go in and toys can ride on that, gives some storage below, the door to the storage can lift up and be braced to provide a ramp from the top of that platform to the trailer ramp, with a gap, so I'd keep the trailer ramp as long as it is.

90% of my travel is on the road, no rock climbing, my trailer will go where it is pulled but I want it to ride soft, steady and speedy. Shocks are needed on mine.

Don't know what the trailer of your dreams might be, you need to state the intended purpose besides "camping", then meet the needs or wants. Is that an enclosed TD or are you happy enough with a tent, storage for what, what kind of traveling.....does the track of the trailer follow the tow vehicle, do you need insulated storage for water, hauling anything else, solar and batteries, need it for other uses????????

Nice trailer! You have a really good starting point and with nice mods already!

 

[fast_suv]

Thanks guys.. keep the ideas coming...

I think that I and going to go down the rabbit hole with the trailer and if i come across a m416 that is only a few hundred go from there but i really want to have a trailer sooner than later...

Mark Harley

I really like that idea... could even make the rack slide up and down and maybe even removable.

the_dealer

Keep me posted on your progress... Maybe we can steal each others ideas and finds...

Ozarker

Where did you source a large enough piece of steel diamond plate for your floor, I have only looked at tractor supply and homedepot and they are lacking a sheet large enought to do a 4"x8" trailer.

The leaf springs i have on it gave it a few inches of lift but were originally chosen to handle the weight of the polaris 700 4x4 that rode on it so i think they are good (as well as the axle that i believe is rated to 4500)...
I am curious if anyone can provide input on putting shocks on it as well. Haven't looked to much into it yet but I'm not sure the angle they need to be at and how to determine the length of shot i would need.

I like the reinforced PVC idea too....
I am planing on putting a tongue box with one or two deep cell yellow tops and a solar panel as well eventually. I'll replace the quad spare tires with two trailer spares which will be Jeep take off... that will serve double duty. I would like to have some on board water via under trailer tank or 1-2 jerry cans. I have a surflow element proof pump coming for my Jeep bumper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5DBpzoKIMo so if that works well i'll grab a second for the trailer.

I have a little girl so a sto-away potty would be nice as well.

 

[Ozarker]

Need to look for a steel supplier, we have several here in the area, you won't find plate at box stores, not large sheets. If you don't have a supplier nearby try getting it through a trailer manufacture or truck builder (like wreckers or flatbeds), but that would cost more than a supplier as you'd have a straw-man. I forget the gauge, but I dropped an engine on it and no dents at all, don't get it too thin, the supplier will know and it should be that expensive either. You need to go to a trailer manufacture or trailer supply company, we have a few here as well, they carry everything you'd need for a great rig, axels, wheels, springs, shocks, swing axels, torsion bars, bags, the works. I got a lot of good advice from my shop supplier. Mine was built in a fab shop I owned with a partner and our foreman had trailer experience so I had him build me one.

That platform I mentioned, water can be stored underneath it. On steel I'd have insulation all around the tank, boxed in with ply and an access panel. I'd want all water inside, no plumbing running along outside walls, drains would be okay so long as the holding tank (if any) were sufficient so drains wouldn't back up and they would need to be insulated as well. There is a nice water/platform build on here in the truck bed mods section, darn I can't keep these user names straight, sorry. Has a pump and pex tubing. Pex is great as it won't burst if frozen, it swells up like a balloon but won't pop, but your joints need to be made with care, straight cuts and properly pressed, takes more pressure than water systems run at to blow them. All you need is one pump, unless you need independent operations.
You can get a used pool cover from a pool supply place, they usually install the new and take the old, you might haul it off for them, great for covers, tentage, some cities require covers and they have an age requirement, but there's nothing wrong with them, might have a cut, you won't need the whole thing. Mine is like 34' long I think,(a year old as it was too heavy to deal with for my dad in his 80s!) If pools are popular where you are you might just do some door knocking or ask for one on CG. The covers are made with strapping inside covered in PVC, you could probably drive your Jeep on it as a sling, that strong! It's bulky for the full cover and probably weighs 150 lbs, 18X34 I think. Hope you like blue, I know you can paint it but it's a special paint, I don't know what it would take.

Shock towers or mounts, IMO, should be advised by more than guess and by golly, I'd get with a supplier again on that as the diameter, pressure, length and travel effect angles, get it wrong and you could be busting them or cause towing issues. Get a suspension expert near you who can see what you have and what you need.

I'll be using the space up front on the tongue as well, need to use ever sq inch of space if you can. My trips always seem to have more coming back than going out, LOL.

 

[SWITAWI]

I like this simple build for camping.

Dammit, Harley. You beat me to it. :coffeedrink:

Here's the build - http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/utility-trailer-project.561416/

 

[Ozarker]

I bought one to do the same thing. Paid less than $100, so I couldn't turn it down


This will be my 1st offroad trailer, but I have been doing a lot of research so I can help a little.

The heavier it gets, the stronger the axle/springs need to be. Don't neglect the hubs as well, this isn't where you want to cheap out. From what I gather, you want to stiffen the crap out of the frame. Might want to buy some 2" receiver tube, and run it straight down the middle of the trailer. It will help with support, and give you the ability for a million different receiver add ons out back (bike rack, storage, etc.) Use aluminum where possible.

I'm going the same route that you are with mine. Going to raise the walls, enclose the sides/floor with aluminum, add a rtt, cooking area, etc. Just search the net and find some production offroad trailers you like, and come up with a design that fits your needs.

It'll work! With that floor you might have a sit down shower if you use that environmentally friendly fun soap, we can toss out grey water (only, no garbage in it) here. BAck end kitchen and bedroom on the second floor.

 

[the_dealer]

Haha, yea I definately gotta ditch that mesh floor. Doesn't look like it would keep water off my junk.

Now that I have kids, I need the extra room for gear. I can no longer pack light and rough it. Plus I'm not getting any younger, so the more comfy I am the better lol

 

[fast_suv]

So I think I scored cheap steel sheet via craigslist...

Thanks for the link to the build... Any idea on what size box steel I'd need for the 4 legs for the tent platform?

I just grabbed a lock-n-roll 501 and 510 for a sweet deal.. Not 100% on my welding skills yet so i'll have to take it to some one to have the A Frame 2" ball receiver removed and add a 2" standard receiver

 

[Ozarker]

Might extend the tongue a few inches, my trailer has box steel that slips over the tongue as a tight fit about a foot with it's coupler on the larger end piece. It has a hole drilled through both pieces and has about a 3/4" pin that pins the two pieces together. I can have other tongue ends for length if needed, change over for different balls and disconnect it and take the coupler with me, that increases the probability that my trailer will be where I leave it. For legs, I'd use 2x2/.125,

 

[fast_suv]

Nice.

I have searched for pictures but i would like to have my trailer tongue re worked to something like this:


i figure that way i can find one of these (or make one) for when i and just tooling around town:



That did bring me to a question; How difficult or different is it back up a trailer with a Lock-n-roll type hitch verses a normal ball coupler?