Wannabe like you Question or 2

[Tkdx00]

Now that this site has me really wanting a trailer, what is the difference in buying one from Harbor Freight (48"x96" or 40 1/2"x48") and building it up rather than buying say an M101xx or M416, ect... and rebuilding it? Pricing wise it seems less expensive to buy and build up. Are parts (axles, springs, ect...) hard to find?

I've read several builds and specific needs vary, so I'm just looking for some basic level starting point advice to help decide a direction. I know what I want in the end, it's the start that has me handcuffed at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ddog45]

I was able to spend some time and wait for a used adventure trailer to come up I bought it sight un seen and love it. I wanted a built trailer for the shear fact that I wanted to get out there and not spend weekends in my garage. On the other hand a friend of mine bought a used trailer off of craigslist for 500 dollars and we spent about 100 hours welding and buffing it up. In total my friend has has about 3500 dollars into his trailer and it works pretty good. Just a couple things to think about. If you have a welder and friends with welders anything is possible.

 

[java]

The problem with the HF trailers is the frame isn't very strong compared to what you see on a military type trailer.

 

[jkce72]

When I go camping I like to go in the backcountry where there is not a lot of other people. A HF trailer wouldn't make it where I go without falling apart. If you build your own you can build it however you want , size,frame,axle,suspension,etc. Although there are a lot of manufacturers on this site and elsewhere that have some very nice trailers that could get about anywhere. It all comes down to what type of camping you do and time, money and knowledge. Good luck with whatever direction you take.

 

[Pikeman]

Harbor freight trailer- light weight but also light duty. There is a thread on here a few down----My harbor freight trailer build.
Military trailer, If you go with an M101 A1-3 3/4 ton series just know they are pretty heavy. I bought an M101 A2 at auction and have swapped out axles and the tongue. The trailer itself was $210 and so far after selling the parts I took off and buying the new parts I am about $550 total into the project. The M100, M416 or the CDN 101 are smaller and much lighter however they are harder to find and cost a lot more than the 3/4 ton models.

Axles, springs and steel are easy to come buy and if you have a friend that can weld then you can build your own from scratch to your specifications for anywhere starting basic box and axle $700 to fully outfitted sky is limit but probably $3000.

 

[skersfan]

The most important part of the trailer is the frame. No comparisson between HF and a military frame or any of the builders on this site. If you buy a HF you will invest near the amount to strengthen it, as just building your own. The axle and wheels are not strong enough for serious off road use, and most of us use them harder than we planned initially.

 

[Tkdx00]

OK, thanks for the info. Building one from scratch seems the way to go at this point. I do know some folks that weld and have offered to help with other projects in the past. Are we talkin 1/4" or 3/16" for the frame?

 

[McZippie]

OK, thanks for the info. Building one from scratch seems the way to go at this point. I do know some folks that weld and have offered to help with other projects in the past. Are we talkin 1/4" or 3/16" for the frame?

As a general rule purchasing a used trailer already 'built' is cheaper than building from scratch or mod'ing a military trailer. It's a lot of work too, if decide to build or restore, consider it a labor of love. ...Unfortunatly finding a good used one, already built may take a long long time.

Take a look at my simple military trailer build, signature line clicky below, it's going to be about $3K when finished, without the expensive wheels.
Compare it to the price of new Sierra 4x4 Trailer at $3,500.00. IMHO, if don't want and enjoy a project trailer, purchasing a new Sierra trailer would make more sense than building from scratch or restoring a military trailer. Better yet find a used Sierra or an already restored military trailer.
.
http://www.sierra4x4trailers.com/

 

[Tkdx00]

It's a lot of work too, if decide to build or restore, consider it a labor of love. ...my simple military trailer build, going to be about $3K when finished...

Thank you for your opinion. However, spending $3K on someone else's idea is not my intentions. For that amount, my 'labor of love' project would be well underway. I've already decided to do the work myself. I'm not a stranger to hard work, infact it makes the end results a tadbit sweeter. I was just looking for some unsolicited advice on where to start not if I should start. But thank you for suggesting what looked like a very fine product by your company. Just so you know...I've visited your site many times before making this decision for research.

 

[Pikeman]

Tkdx- Previous post was not his company but the one he would choose to go with if he was purchasing since his military build will equal the same amount....

I recommend Dexter axles- either a 2k or 3500lb axle and highly encourage brakes even though for the weight they generally arent required. I bought mine with the electric brakes and also a cable activated parking brake feature for $380 but without the parking brakes would have been under $300. Also if you read some builds a few or more than a few have used Jeep YJ springs with good success.

 

[McZippie]

Thank you for your opinion. However, spending $3K on someone else's idea is not my intentions. For that amount, my 'labor of love' project would be well underway. I've already decided to do the work myself. I'm not a stranger to hard work, infact it makes the end results a tadbit sweeter. I was just looking for some unsolicited advice on where to start not if I should start. But thank you for suggesting what looked like a very fine product by your company. Just so you know...I've visited your site many times before making this decision for research.

Sorry my post wasn't clear. I don't have any affiliation with Sierra 4x4 Trailers. My military trailer build, that is similar to a Sierra trailer in both cost and size can be found here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/69244-Brand-spank-in-new-Bantam-T3-build

 

[Tkdx00]

The most important part of the trailer is the frame.

Agreed. Can't build up without a solid foundation. With that being said, what is a good thickness to use 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" or DOM tubes?

 

[Tkdx00]

Tkdx- Previous post was not his company but the one he would choose to go with if he was purchasing since his military build will equal the same amount....

I recommend Dexter axles- either a 2k or 3500lb axle and highly encourage brakes even though for the weight they generally arent required. I bought mine with the electric brakes and also a cable activated parking brake feature for $380 but without the parking brakes would have been under $300. Also if you read some builds a few or more than a few have used Jeep YJ springs with good success.

I've been trying to read a few build thread per day to take notes but work gets in the way. I figured 3500 for the axle since it didn't seem too much more than the 2K.

The braking system i'm just now getting into reading. Since I plan to use a 6 lug wheel i'm trying to figure out the differences.

Springs, I haven't looked at hard yet but was wondering if spring load was measured the same as a vehicle.

1 question I do have is about the tongue. All I've seen are "V" shaped. Is there a reason for this rather than a "Y" shape?

I'm sure there will be more questions to follow here and in other threads before this is over.

McZippie and all: My response was not intended for the person who's intention was truely to help. Being new to some sites I've encountered people that have alterior motives in thier replies. I do apologize for my misunderstanding.

 

[Revco]

I've built several trailers, but I'm a professional metal shaper & hot rod chassis fabricator. If you have the tools and skills to modify...I say you should start from scratch and make your own. If you have limited tools and abilities, find a foundation to build from or buy one already outfitted.

A friend and I built an offroad trailer for him for under $600. It is a steel frame, water tight aluminum tub with removeable pickup camper shell and safari rack. It's enough room for him and his wife to sleep inside of on an inflatable mattress, store all sorts of camping gear, spare parts, etc. It's lifted 7" over a typical single axle utility trailer, has 33" all terrain tires, and a single 3500lb axle. We added a skid plate under so it could slide over rocks that would normally snag the axle tube. The trailer itself weighs 600lbs unloaded, giving it 1900lbs of payload. We even set it up with homemade outriggers that keep it level and sturdy when they call it a night. It's been all over the place behind his XJ, and in the off season he pulls the shell off and can use it as an open utility trailer. Registered in Texas as a "Homemade Trailer", the yearly licensing is very cheap. Having the tools and abilities to do the work ourselves it was no challenge. The hardest part was keeping it wallet-friendly, but that was accomplished by scrounging salvage yards, craigslist, etc for the parts and materials needed. He didn't want to spend alot of money on a trailer that would get beat up on the trails.

 

[goodtimes]

Agreed. Can't build up without a solid foundation. With that being said, what is a good thickness to use 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" or DOM tubes?

Depends on how much weight you are putting on top of the frame, and how that weight is distributed. If I were in your shoes, & was planing for a simple 'general purpose' trailer, I'd be looking at 2 x 4 x .120 HREW.