Wannabe like you Question or 2

[Tkdx00]

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.

This is pretty much what I'm looking to build. Being 6'5, 300lbs I need something sturdy and versitile especially if I plan to sleep on it. As far as skills, what I don't posses, I know a few that do. That goes for tools as well. I was taught and strongly believe that if I can picture it in my head and put it on paper, then I can make it. All I need is an understand as to why one way or another.

For the most part, I'll be by myself. Maybe the grandson on occasion. The wifey is truely a princess. If it ain't got a bathroom, running water and a kingsize bed... it aint hapnin. AND WALLET-FRIENDLY is my friend.

 

[Tkdx00]

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.

Here's a real noob to trailer building question... 2 x 4 .120 that's fine, can get pleny of that. Is that for the entire framework or just the base frame and Xmembers? My plan is to have 3 levels, the top being where I would sleep.

 

[McZippie]

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?

For small military type trailers; V shape tongues usually starts at outer corners and have more space available for mounting accessories than the Y shape. Plus the the Y's tail can't be very long before it becomes weak. ...If planning on using a tongue box and/or a weld on ball coupler, the "V" shape should be an industry standard 50 degrees.

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[VanIsle_Greg]

If you want to do a lot of this yourself, and are keen on the M416 or CDN M101 style Military trailers, there are a few options. I picked up a VERY nice CDN M101 locally for $1200.00 with new tires and it was converted to 4 pin 12v. I popped a set of 31" AT's and some wheels on it for now, and have a lid in the works. With adding wider fenders and some external storage, some basic electrical, battery, 7 pin setup for charging etc I will be into this for about $2500.00-$3000.00. It is in near perfect condition, as in no rust other than cosmetic blemishes... I love this trailer!!!

You can also buy pre made tubs based on the M416/CDN M101 design, and build the rest yourself too...so many options. Pop an axle and suspension on it and go to town on the rest. I bet you will still be in the $3000.00 range? Those all add up, you will be in the Sierra 4x4 base trailer range pretty quick!

Some links for you... found them in my travels.

http://offroadtrailercorp.com/main/

http://www.willysacres.com/

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/product_info.php?products_id=1963 (sweet trailer)

http://www.off-roadinternational.com/trailers.html (worst website since 1997, but kool trailers)

here is my $1200.00 baby!!

Oh and there have been a number of CDN M101 trailer for sale on the CDN M101 Yahoo site in the past year. Check it out!

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/M101CDN/?v=1&t=directory&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=dir&slk=10

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Popped over to another site I frequent (Overland Canada.com) and saw this linked...

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/rvs/2803411828.html

NICE!

 

[Tkdx00]

For small military type trailers; V shape tongues usually starts at outer corners and have more space available for mounting accessories than the Y shape. Plus the the Y's tail can't be very long before it becomes weak. ...If planning on using a tongue box and/or a weld on ball coupler, the "V" shape should be an industry standard 50 degrees.

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McZippie, I'm glad you're thick skinned enough to overlook noobie knowledge, or in my case the lack thereof.

In the first pic after adding the bar the completed "tongue" is to me now a "Y". This is what I'm going for. If ONLY the 2 metal tubes that come from under the box in the "V" format is what is called the tongue. then MY defination is incorrect.

The second pic is a smaller version of basically what I'm looking to have. I have a great imagination. I guess I should call it a "base camp" to coin a phrase.

 

[Tkdx00]

Ok here's 2 more questions:

1) Does the length of the box determine how long of a tongue you need?

2) How do you determine where to place the axle? 2/3rds the way back from the tongue connection to hitch, 3/4th...?

 

[McZippie]

Ok here's 2 more questions:

1) Does the length of the box determine how long of a tongue you need?

2) How do you determine where to place the axle? 2/3rds the way back from the tongue connection to hitch, 3/4th...?

http://www.teardroptrailers.us/tbuild.pdf

 

[goodtimes]

Here's a real noob to trailer building question... 2 x 4 .120 that's fine, can get pleny of that. Is that for the entire framework or just the base frame and Xmembers? My plan is to have 3 levels, the top being where I would sleep.

Disclaimer: I'm not a trailer-building guru - not by any stretch of the imagination.

That said - 2 x 4 x .120 HREW for the main frame & cross members. The 'base' of the trailer, if you will.

Anything above that should be built to support what ever load it needs to support. I would look at real world dynamic loads & build to that - but avoid the temptation to over-build it. That only results in excess weight which will take it's toll on the entire trailer & tow rig.

The most important thing is to get the suspension right (or at least, *close* to right). Too stiff and you'll rattle the thing to death on wash-board roads (probably the biggest killer of *adventure* type trailers). Too soft and it won't follow your tow-rig very well.

 

[Tkdx00]

Thanks...Great info, just what I need!!!

Gonna print and bind. If you find any more jewel tidbit laying around just remember...It's nice to share. :safari-rig:

 

[Tkdx00]

Disclaimer: I'm not a trailer-building guru - not by any stretch of the imagination.

Nothing against what you've said, but I take an answer and research it to verify.

That said - 2 x 4 x .120 HREW for the main frame & cross members. The 'base' of the trailer, if you will.
Anything above that should be built to support what ever load it needs to support. I would look at real world dynamic loads & build to that - but avoid the temptation to over-build it. That only results in excess weight which will take it's toll on the entire trailer & tow rig.

The most important thing is to get the suspension right (or at least, *close* to right). Too stiff and you'll rattle the thing to death on wash-board roads (probably the biggest killer of *adventure* type trailers). Too soft and it won't follow your tow-rig very well.

Research said the same. Thanks for the input on a starting point.

 

[Rezarf <><]

Building a trailer is great fun. I would do it again, but I got mine mostly right on the first try!

Take this for what it is worth, but if doing a trailer over agian, I would consider the following first:

1. Do I have the skills to do this myself. (You will need welding, design, fabrication skills).
2. Do I have the tools to do this myself. (Welder, grinders, general tools, chopsaw etc.).
3. Would it be cheaper to buy an already built setup (almost ALWAYS YES!). But for me it was the journey not just the destination.
4. Do I have the budget to make what I want the first time. (Figure out your best estimate, then double it).
5. Do I have the time to make this happen. (2 kids and a wife at my house make this impossible for now, but it wasn't 3 years ago when I built mine).

If you feel like you still want to make one after being honest with yourself in the questions above, then I would consider:

1. What you are ACTUALLY going to do with the trailer. Most people build an overbuilt anchor with dreams of driving around the world with it, when trips to local park-and-camp sites are their usual weekends.
2. What you want to bring with you. This determines size, shape and design.
3. Design before you get started.

Once you start designing, I would carefully consider:
1. Keeping the entire trailer lightweight. Look for ways to save weight EVERYWHERE, this will pay off huge in the end.
2. Pick an appropriate suspension.
3. Stick with proven designs for chasis, and "boxes" for the cargo.
4. Ahearing to K.I.S.S as I have found simple is better when traveling offroad.

Have a blast, I think everyone should build a trailer who can answer the first 5 questions. However, if you can't weld and don't have the skills (they can be learned... I did), I wouldn't consider having a friend "help" as a viable option. Building a good trailer is more than a weekend project! Took me 10 months!

Here is a Link to my trailer build.

 

[McZippie]

Building a trailer is great fun. I would do it again, but I got mine mostly right on the first try!

Take this for what it is worth, but if doing a trailer over again, I would consider the following first:

1. Do I have the skills to do this myself. (You will need welding, design, fabrication skills).
2. Do I have the tools to do this myself. (Welder, grinders, general tools, chopsaw etc.).
3. Would it be cheaper to buy an already built setup (almost ALWAYS YES!). But for me it was the journey not just the destination.
4. Do I have the budget to make what I want the first time. (Figure out your best estimate, then double it).
5. Do I have the time to make this happen. (2 kids and a wife at my house make this impossible for now, but it wasn't 3 years ago when I built mine).

Have a blast, I think everyone should build a trailer who can answer the first 5 questions.

Here is a Link to my trailer build.

That is 'one' beautiful Trailer and Rig set-up! Nicely done.
.
Also FWIW; I have all the 1 to 5 skills, tools and time but decided to modify a reproduction military trailer, because I know from past experience how time consuming and expensive building from scratch is. I'm satisfying my creative 'needs' with my current trailer build, by putting a 'new' twist on making the flip lid and paying a lot of attention to all the little details.

 

[Tkdx00]

Long LONG LONG time ago, a mechanic friend of mine asked me 2 simple questions when I wanted to get into engines. Those questions have set a baseline that I've lived most of my life by for all projects I undertake.

1) Do you mind getting your hands dirty?
2) Do you have the patients?"

Now as for your 5, yes to all except 1 & 2.
IMO, 1 is irrelievent. Knowledge is gained by actions if one has the patients to learn.
And 2, well what I don't have I can get.

Build threads and advice, like yours is what I'm after and what I feel most of the people want who are truely looking to make something(ANYTHING) on thier own. No "Are you sure", "you should buy mine". Give me the info and let me make my own decision...right, wrong or indifferent.

I'm going to do this... because I can.

PS. YOU STOLE MY IDEA!!! Your intro up to the drawings I swear it's like you took my exact works and wrote them down.
HAHAHAHA...but seriously I do understand.

 

[goodtimes]

Nothing against what you've said, but I take an answer and research it to verify.

Yes! Absolutely the right answer. I do the same when I'm researching [what ever].

Information off of the internet should always be vetted.