2011 Schutt Industries LTT 1 1/2 Ton Trailer Chassis based Adventure Trailer Build

[live2travel photography]

The 2014 Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival this weekend, has given me a new sense of urgency with my build. Seeing all the great rigs and the AT trailer from Main Line Overland has been inspirational. The MOPAR Winter wheels looked great on the AT trailer. I have some new ideas and may revisit some older thoughts. My wife was a real trooper as far as sleeping in the tent this weekend, but she now understands what I have in mind with my adventure trailer build. I'll more than likely, now have a more willing partner in the design of the new trailer after this trip. Which is a very good thing!

SamM

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Hello fellow West Virginian. This is Clancy with the Taco parked next to you at the festival. Just read all 13 pages and you have a lot projects going on. You are definitely a busy man. I've gotten a lot of ideas from this for a future trailer for my TJ. I'm definitely going to have to show this to Vinny (stock rubicon) as he really wants a trailer so he can park it when he isn't overlanding (he has the itch now). I'm looking forward to following your build and seeing you two again down in NC in October for the expo. Don't forget to sign up soon so you can get a camping spot.

 

[SamM]

Hey Clancy,
It was good meeting all of you too. We had a great time and seeing other people's rigs is always icing on the cake. We try to glean as much information as we can, as to what works and what is easy. If there is such a thing. We are really looking forward to Asheville as well, however we aren't sure yet, if my wife will be able to attend. I may be flying solo. Either way, I'll be going minimalist again. Hopefully, we won't see rain. Oh, look what I did! It will probably rain now. Just kidding!

Some of my projects are more important than others. Of course, those priorities seem to change periodically and things stack up. The Lotus is something that I want to have for my retirement in 6 or 7 years. There is no hurry on that one. I try to keep that in mind. Just spent a huge amount of money on parts though. Wanted to make sure that I had them.

I realize this thread has 13 pages and not much to show for it. Life is busy and this thread proves it for me. Also, cutting the frame on the Schutt trailer to match my Jeep's track width, is not something that I want to take lightly. Once it's cut there is no going back, so I'm still trying to formulate a plan. The PLAN has changed several times.

We enjoyed talking with you and a hope to meet up again! Your truck looks great. Not sure if I told you that or not. Great rig!

Take care!

SamM

 

[SamM]

One side of the frame has been successfully cut. I decided to remove the complete middle section of the frame. This should prove stronger in the end. A buddy loaned me his porta-band. What a great tool.

SamM

 

[SamM]

The Schutt frame has been moved up to my workshop. I flipped it and squared it up, after the first cuts were made. The next step is to remove the other frame rail and then level and re-square it. My buddy's porta-band will make cutting the steel for the suspension much easier now.

SamM

 

[SamM]

My trailer build has slowed to non-existent. This thing has been languishing here since Sept of 2013, due to work, health problems and a horrific motorcycle accident early in 2013.

Suddenly, I find myself with a lot more free time on my hands due to the already mention health. I'm ready to get back into my adventure trailer build. My wife and I attended the 2nd Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival held this year (2015) and had a great time. However, the need for a trailer became even more apparent. My 2-door JK just does not have the room to haul my camping equipment. I did purchase a new Tepui Ayers RTT for the festival. It works great but the RTT negatively effects the Jeep and its handling. Mileage has been cut to around 15mpg. It's time to get back into the trailer build. This build thread has become somewhat convoluted because I changed my mind a number of times as to what I want.

My current design is a box, big enough to sit comfortably in. The lid will be several inches thick to accommodate the fold up and down bed and bedding material. The bed will fold up out of the way to create more room inside the trailer. I'd prefer that the box would be removable from the trailer, to use it as a utility trailer also. To do this a steel subframe will most likely be needed. I have most of the materials needed to finish the trailer. Steel for the subframe will need to be purchased. The box will be made from wood, it will be insulated and probably skinned with aluminum. My planned dimensions are around 96"x50"x45 to 48" high. Building an all aluminum trailer is worlds different that building a steel trailer. Once I get the trailer bolted back together, I will take it to have it welded at key points. This goes against the design of the Schutt Industries system but I do not have access to their types of tools and processes. The stock 4200lb TorFlex axle and the width of the trailer (think HMMWV) were huge problems to get past.

Sorry, this has taken so long. Life sometimes gets in the way of our best intentions. I plan to have it finished by Spring 2016. Here are several pictures of my Jeep and the Tepui RTT. The tent is currently for sale. If interested contact me at: swmatteo@yahoo.com

SamM

 

[SamM]

Recently, I started working on my Schutt Military LTT-HC adventure trailer again. A few things have changed. One frame rail is drilled and bolted in. This was done to measure and square the frame. I still need some shorter bolts and lock washers to finish bolting in the cross members. The frame did measured out square. The next step is to fabricate the mounts for the Timbren suspension and bolt in the floor. The main objective was to match the track width of the trailer to my Jeep MOAB. Last week, I installed a 4-door Rubicon suspension under the Jeep too. It rides much better with the heavier Rubicon springs. This modification and poly spacers gave me a softer ride and 1.75" of lift.

I realize this thread is quite old but I still have plans to finish the build. Health problems have kept me away from the project far too long. I was recently medically retired and have a lot more time on my hands now.

SamM

 

[SamM]

After the left frame rail was finished and bolted into place I noticed that the frame was tweaked just ever so slightly at the back left corner. It probably happened when I moved the frame into the building with my tractor. I was able to easily get it back into place but I will need to upgrade the bolts to 3/8" at all four corners. The 5/16" bolts just don't seem to be enough to hold things in place. They'll work fine for the cross members though. Tomorrow, I'll get the new bolts and redrill the frame for the bigger bolts.

The right frame rail seems fine and should go together quickly. The table was put together for my car build which has laquished much like my trailer build. It's amazing how life changes things.

SamM

 

[SamM]

One side is straightened and finished. I completed it early this morning. A jack was used to push everything back together. Started on the other side this evening. Somehow I misplaced one of my cross member brackets. Looks like I'll have to fab one. Once that is done, the other side will go quickly. Next to be added will be the rear receiver hitch and then, I'll start building a subframe for the suspension. The two middle crossmembers will be too weak to support the entire weight of the trailer and all the equipment. The frame rails are 51" apart. Much more Jeep friendly than before.

SamM

 

[SamM]

Repurposed the mechanical brake lever brackets. This kept me from having to fab a new bracket for my crossmember. The brake lever brackets will replace the brackets at the rear of the trailer. With a few holes drilled tomorrow, the frame rails will be finished. Then, I will move onto the subframe that will be used to mount the suspension. I actually started to mock up a few ideas today.

Thanks for looking! It feels good to be working on the trailer finally and to be getting things done.

SamM

 

[SamM]

In a recent article about airboats, I read that a gentleman built a complete aluminum airboat using epoxy glue and very minimal welding. This has me thinking about making the frame rails on my aluminum Schutt trailer stronger by using the addition of glue to help hold them in place. Permabond or Loctite Hysol E20hp epoxy should work very well for this application. The holding strength is between 3000 and 5000psi. Along with the Grade 8 bolts this should be more than sufficient to hold the frame where the huck bolts have been removed. The glue will replace the welding that I had planned to do.

I still need to purchase some 1/2" aluminum plate to use for a suspension mount and to reinforce the bottom of the frame. Two small sections of 4"x2" rectanglar tubing will mount the Timbren Axle-Less suspension. Nothing is happening this week as I am on vacation.

SamM

 

[SamM]

The Loctite E20hp epoxy, an applicator gun and a few other must have items are on the way. I also ordered the 1/2"x4" aluminum flat bar and 2"x4" rectangular tubing for the suspension. These will be the last pieces needed to get the suspension on the trailer. The subframe plates will get 1/4" brackets glued and then bolted for stability. I hope this rivals the strength that Schutt Industries designed into this awesome trailer. My plan is to start the suspension mock up tomorrow.

I know that this has taken more than a longtime to get going, but I am making some headway now. Stay tuned.

SamM

 

[SamM]

My Loctite cyanoacrylate epoxy glue and applicator gun arrived today. I'm still waiting for the aluminum rails and 2x4 steel to arrive in order to finish the frame. Heavy steel angle was used to do some preliminary measuring for the Timbren suspension. To match the track width of the Jeep, the measurements show that I currently only have about 1/2" of clearance between the frame and the tires on the trailer. It's very close and I'll probably increase that a bit just to be on the safe side. Spacers could be used on the Jeep to increase the clearance. I'd rather not do that but might have to. It's a last resort to be sure.

Here are the latest pictures. There is still much to do. Getting the measurements correct and the rails glued and bolted in the 20 minute curing time will be the trick.

SamM

 

[SamM]

All the new parts have arrived for my trailer. Trying to recover from the flu right now and it started snowing again! Just waiting to feel better and for the weather to break again before I get started back into this. My plan is to first get the new frame stiffeners in which will double as suspension mounts. Once the suspension measurements are finalized and set everything will be glued and bolted into place. Right now, it's upside down for easy access to the bottom components.

When the frame is finished the suspension will be removed to make flipping the trailer easier. Everything will be remounted and I will drag it out of the garage. At least I have a plan! Progress soon!

SamM

 

[FMF]

What part of west Va are you in? I am heads up to thomas and Davis Wv and was curious how much snow came down

 

[SamM]

We live near Morgantown. It looks like there is a Winter Weather advisory up in Davis & Thomas. Not sure how much is on the ground but they could get between 6" to 10" today and tomorrow. It's like a different world compared to where I live. Be safe in your travels!

SamM