Great build. I was given a Schutt a couple years back with a trashed generator. Once I pulled off the old box off, I designed my RTT build around it, but realized I really needed a spool gun and some aluminum welding talent to get it where I wanted it. Really like the way you've made it work! Looking forward to seeing the full plan. I'm also using the Timbrens- can't wait to test drive the their setup.
2011 Schutt Industries LTT 1 1/2 Ton Trailer Chassis based Adventure Trailer Build
- Thread starter SamM
- Start date
SamM
Adventurer
Thanks rodrage!
Schutt Industries designed the LTT trailer without welding in mind. The only welded sections are on the steel tow bar and the airlift shackles. I tried to mirror what their original design was, with my own twist. For me that meant no welding, just bolting. The huck bolt tool is expensive to buy or rent. I decided to use glue and Grade 8 bolts throughout my build. The glue has a holding strength of 3000 to 5000 psi. This easily holds everything together. It would take a torch to get it to come apart. The aluminum will melt before that happens. No worries about anything cracking either. It was also really important to me to cut the track width down to match my Jeep JK. The frame was reinforced with 1/2" aluminum plate and 1/4" angle steel. This frame in it's stock configuration has a GVWR of 7200#. Schutt told me that it was more like 10,000#. I think mine will easily hold more than that. It's not as wide and is stiffer. I do not plan to do that with it.
In my opinion, the Timbrens are the way to go. I lost about 400# maybe more by cutting out the TorFlex axle and associated hardware. The Timbrens handle great on the highway. You will love them.
I think the real key part of my build was using the glue to bond the aluminum and then quickly bolting everything together. My trailer is exactly 1/16" out of square. I can handle that! Both frame rails are 94" from the front lift shackle hanger to the rear lift shackle hanger. Another key feature is that I can slide the axle fore and aft if I chose to at some point. My frame redesign makes that possible.
I'd love to see your build.
SamM
Schutt Industries designed the LTT trailer without welding in mind. The only welded sections are on the steel tow bar and the airlift shackles. I tried to mirror what their original design was, with my own twist. For me that meant no welding, just bolting. The huck bolt tool is expensive to buy or rent. I decided to use glue and Grade 8 bolts throughout my build. The glue has a holding strength of 3000 to 5000 psi. This easily holds everything together. It would take a torch to get it to come apart. The aluminum will melt before that happens. No worries about anything cracking either. It was also really important to me to cut the track width down to match my Jeep JK. The frame was reinforced with 1/2" aluminum plate and 1/4" angle steel. This frame in it's stock configuration has a GVWR of 7200#. Schutt told me that it was more like 10,000#. I think mine will easily hold more than that. It's not as wide and is stiffer. I do not plan to do that with it.
In my opinion, the Timbrens are the way to go. I lost about 400# maybe more by cutting out the TorFlex axle and associated hardware. The Timbrens handle great on the highway. You will love them.
I think the real key part of my build was using the glue to bond the aluminum and then quickly bolting everything together. My trailer is exactly 1/16" out of square. I can handle that! Both frame rails are 94" from the front lift shackle hanger to the rear lift shackle hanger. Another key feature is that I can slide the axle fore and aft if I chose to at some point. My frame redesign makes that possible.
I'd love to see your build.
SamM
Sam-
Here is my build thread I started a few days ago.: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/161549-Small-Off-Road-Build
Got most all parts I need before I started so I wouldn't have any surprises. Not much built yet. Trying to get a few other out of the garage for work space.
-Rod
Here is my build thread I started a few days ago.: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/161549-Small-Off-Road-Build
Got most all parts I need before I started so I wouldn't have any surprises. Not much built yet. Trying to get a few other out of the garage for work space.
-Rod
jwilson2598
Adventurer
Sam, it was a pleasure to meet and talk to you this weekend, I'll be keeping an eye on your build for sure.
SamM
Adventurer
Thanks Jeff. It was great meeting you and your family this weekend. You missed the big rain shower on Saturday. Quite a downpour. I really hated to but I bailed out late Saturday night. It was around 2:30AM when I made it home. My wife had a work outing planned on Sunday. We had a great day.
This year's MAOF was great. They just get better and better. Hope to see you next year with my new trailer in tow!
Take care,
Sam
This year's MAOF was great. They just get better and better. Hope to see you next year with my new trailer in tow!
Take care,
Sam
jwilson2598
Adventurer
That does look like quite an impressive shower, lol. We will definitely be back again next year, or some subset of us will 
Titanpat57
Expedition Leader
Hey Sam...thanks for taking the time to come up and chat....had a great time!
Keep up the progress...looking good!
Keep up the progress...looking good!
SamM
Adventurer
It was great meeting and talking with you, Pat. I real enjoyed it. Your build inspired me into trying to find and build a trailer. I was very fortunate to find the Schutt LTT. Seeing all the trailers gave me some good insight as to what I should be looking for and what is important. I especially liked your grey water solution. I thought about a bucket but you did that much better. The Foxwing awning is super cool too.
Thanks for the encouraging words. See you next year at the MAOF. Comment or criticize anytime. That's what keeps us moving.
SamM
Thanks for the encouraging words. See you next year at the MAOF. Comment or criticize anytime. That's what keeps us moving.
SamM
SamM
Adventurer
New Hard Rock wheels and BFG tires are going on the MOAB tomorrow. Anybody need a set of Rubicon wheels? There are 6 of them. Still need a couple more Hard Rock's and TPMS sensors for the trailer. That will allow me to rotate all the tires to wear them evenly. I like the black wheels better.
SamM
SamM
SamM
Adventurer
The new wheels and tires were mounted on my Jeep Monday morning. Tuesday, on the way into town to take my daughter out for a birthday lunch, my TPMS went off. By the time I got into town, 25 miles, the tire was down to 22lbs of pressure. I filled it to 33lbs but after lunch it was down to 10lbs. Here's what I found.
My 1 day old BFG KM was punctured by the retaining clip from a trailer hitch pin. Massive bummer. Technically, I still have never had a flat, with a BFG tire, as the tire still had air and got where I needed to go. I drove to a local tire shop where I had it repaired for $21. My question is: do you guys replace a tire that has been punctured? It can still serve duty as a spare but I'll probably use it on the trailer or replace it.
Tire Rack did not warranty my punctured tire, as light truck tires are not cover by their free Road Hazard Protection.
EDIT: When the tires were mounted the dealership found that both rear axle seals were leaking (not badly) and needed replaced. Next week, those will be replaced and the diff lube will changed, both under warranty. I will have to pay to have the front axle lube changed. The axle lube is changed every 30,000 miles. Since the rear seals were bad they will include the axle lube under the Lifetime Warranty.
SamM
My 1 day old BFG KM was punctured by the retaining clip from a trailer hitch pin. Massive bummer. Technically, I still have never had a flat, with a BFG tire, as the tire still had air and got where I needed to go. I drove to a local tire shop where I had it repaired for $21. My question is: do you guys replace a tire that has been punctured? It can still serve duty as a spare but I'll probably use it on the trailer or replace it.
Tire Rack did not warranty my punctured tire, as light truck tires are not cover by their free Road Hazard Protection.
EDIT: When the tires were mounted the dealership found that both rear axle seals were leaking (not badly) and needed replaced. Next week, those will be replaced and the diff lube will changed, both under warranty. I will have to pay to have the front axle lube changed. The axle lube is changed every 30,000 miles. Since the rear seals were bad they will include the axle lube under the Lifetime Warranty.
SamM
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Xrunner
Explorer
That's no fun Sam. Your trailer and Jeep are looking great though!
Personally I do not replace them unless it's unsafe to repair/drive (which usually means nearing the sidewall or 3+ repairs to one tire). I drive around a lot of construction areas for work and tend to pick up my fair share of punctures.
Titanpat57
Expedition Leader
wow..does that stink!
I would probably use it as a spare for the truck or trailer Sam.
I think using it on the trailer as is (patched), and this is just my humble opinion, if anything does go wrong, the last place you want something going wrong you can prevent ahead of time, is your trailer. Are you considering using/mounting a spare under the trailer? Might be better served there. I think with modern patching technologies today, there is probably little concern, and plenty of guys have great luck and no issues patching and plugging tires, but peace of mind is priceless.
SamM
Adventurer
The punctured tire went on the back of the Jeep as the new spare. Thankfully, with just 35 or so miles the punctured tire was as new as the original spare. I purchased a new TPMS sensor for the spare tire when I had the tires mounted. The plan was to rotate the spare into regular tire rotations. That's out the window.
My thought is to replace it but I really want the new BFG 265/70-17 KO2 tires with the black sidewalks. These will probably just get sold off in the Spring. I'll remount them on the Rubicon wheels and sell them to buy the new KOs. I don't plan to mount a spare on the trailer. All the wheels will be the new Hardrocks and everything will match. One spare should be enough. Famous last words!
As far as the trailer goes. I'm looking at composite panels and getting prices. My house is made from SIPs, so I familiar with the process and how they work. I might end up building my own panels. Aluminum/Foam/Fiberglass looks like it could be an easy build. Cyanoacrylate glue was used in the trailer frame redesign and construction. It works great for holding the aluminum frame together. Something similar could be used on the trailer panels. I'll probably coat everything with Durabak to make sure it is weather tight anyway.
The Auto Home Columbus Variant tent in black has also been on my radar for awhile. This may turn back into an Adventure trailer build instead of a camper build. There are just so many choices. Added into all this, is that the Tepui Ayers tent on my Jeep is bending my Gobi rack in the middle. After my last camping trip in mid October, the Gobi goes. It has caused a lot of damage to my Jeep. I'm not happy with the build quality or the aerodynamic properties of it. Not sure If I'll go the rack route again. If I do it will be a Rhino Rack or Thule cross bars. I hate to loose my limb risers. Not much will be hauled on or in the Jeep once the trailer is finished. Just recovery gear and first aide supplies/trauma kits. I would like to carry a nice toolbox, a Hi Lift jack, winch accessories and an EGO electric chainsaw with me at all times in the Jeep. That could go on a rack and be kept fairly light or maybe on an AEV tire carrier. That should have been my choice over the Gobi.
As soon as I figure out the construction method, I'll have more to post. The next step might be to pull the trailer back out of the garage and remove the CARC paint. I don't want to do that in the confined space of the garage and after the weather turns. The frame will be painted black before the panels go on.
Thanks for the info and the compliments on the trailer!
SamM
My thought is to replace it but I really want the new BFG 265/70-17 KO2 tires with the black sidewalks. These will probably just get sold off in the Spring. I'll remount them on the Rubicon wheels and sell them to buy the new KOs. I don't plan to mount a spare on the trailer. All the wheels will be the new Hardrocks and everything will match. One spare should be enough. Famous last words!
As far as the trailer goes. I'm looking at composite panels and getting prices. My house is made from SIPs, so I familiar with the process and how they work. I might end up building my own panels. Aluminum/Foam/Fiberglass looks like it could be an easy build. Cyanoacrylate glue was used in the trailer frame redesign and construction. It works great for holding the aluminum frame together. Something similar could be used on the trailer panels. I'll probably coat everything with Durabak to make sure it is weather tight anyway.
The Auto Home Columbus Variant tent in black has also been on my radar for awhile. This may turn back into an Adventure trailer build instead of a camper build. There are just so many choices. Added into all this, is that the Tepui Ayers tent on my Jeep is bending my Gobi rack in the middle. After my last camping trip in mid October, the Gobi goes. It has caused a lot of damage to my Jeep. I'm not happy with the build quality or the aerodynamic properties of it. Not sure If I'll go the rack route again. If I do it will be a Rhino Rack or Thule cross bars. I hate to loose my limb risers. Not much will be hauled on or in the Jeep once the trailer is finished. Just recovery gear and first aide supplies/trauma kits. I would like to carry a nice toolbox, a Hi Lift jack, winch accessories and an EGO electric chainsaw with me at all times in the Jeep. That could go on a rack and be kept fairly light or maybe on an AEV tire carrier. That should have been my choice over the Gobi.
As soon as I figure out the construction method, I'll have more to post. The next step might be to pull the trailer back out of the garage and remove the CARC paint. I don't want to do that in the confined space of the garage and after the weather turns. The frame will be painted black before the panels go on.
Thanks for the info and the compliments on the trailer!
SamM
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