Aluminum Expo Trailer Build
- Thread starter dmc1
- Start date
dmc1
Adventurer
They do tow the best and are very good on the road when they have a load. The first thing I do when I get them or any trailer is to balance the tires! I can't stress this enough! Makes a ton of difference in the "bounce" as you go down the road. The trailer as pictured is still light. I can stand at one corner on the rear and pick it up off of the floor.
Have a great day, off to the shop to play for a while!
Have a great day, off to the shop to play for a while!
I have often thought I would like an aluminum camping trailer to pull behind the Jeep for obvious reasons. I currently have an open Featherlite car hauler that I use to trailer my Jeep on longer hunting trips. I have been afraid to pursue the aluminum expo trailer idea because of the aluminum welds tending to break on the car hauler. It seems aluminum welds and vibrations of wash board roads don't get along. I noticed in your pics a lot of the structure is bolted. I will be very curious to see how this holds up over time. Great idea and hope it works!
dmc1
Adventurer
Thanks for the comments. You make some very valid points. I have seen aluminum welds that do not hold up to "heavy" use and I have seen some that have never given trouble. The items that are bolted on mine are like that because I never got around to setting my welder up for aluminum or breaking down to get that elusive tig outfit. LOL!
Seriously, when I bought the trailer it did not have any items attached to it at all except the tail gate and the stake pockets that are welded on the sides. I added the sides the way I did so they could be removed with ease. The pieces that the main vertical rack pieces fit into are actually repurposed from the hitch pieces under the aluminum trays. You can see them in the pics attached. I drill the rivets and remove them from the trays. I use them for other things. They have an inside diameter of 2 inches so they can be used for different things. They too are bolted on so they can be removed with ease. Trays are hinged too so they can be lifted up to access boxes on trailer. They can also be flipped completely over to make tables.
Also, got the fishing rod holder mounted too.
The spare tire mount is bolted through the floor and main frame.
Seriously, when I bought the trailer it did not have any items attached to it at all except the tail gate and the stake pockets that are welded on the sides. I added the sides the way I did so they could be removed with ease. The pieces that the main vertical rack pieces fit into are actually repurposed from the hitch pieces under the aluminum trays. You can see them in the pics attached. I drill the rivets and remove them from the trays. I use them for other things. They have an inside diameter of 2 inches so they can be used for different things. They too are bolted on so they can be removed with ease. Trays are hinged too so they can be lifted up to access boxes on trailer. They can also be flipped completely over to make tables.
Also, got the fishing rod holder mounted too.
The spare tire mount is bolted through the floor and main frame.
SamM
Adventurer
I have seriously overloaded my Alumna car trailer. It's actually made to haul small garden tractors and only tiny cars. It was purchased to haul my 1964 Lotus Seven replica that will weigh around 1600lbs. Here it is overloaded with my new Kubota BX25. I haven't seen any of the welds stress fracture or crack yet, but it's fairly new and I do not use it like this often.
My adventure trailer is being build on a Schutt Industries LQG military trailer. Schutt uses Huck bolts in its construction, so it's not likely to be effected by abuse. It has a 10,000lb GVW rating. I have changed things considerably though. I think aluminum trailer are perfect for our type use but there are some limits. The trailer below is rated for 2990lbs that tractor is just over 3000lbs. It flexed a good bit but held its shape when unloaded. Not sure that I will haul it again with the bucket and backhoe attached.
SamM
My adventure trailer is being build on a Schutt Industries LQG military trailer. Schutt uses Huck bolts in its construction, so it's not likely to be effected by abuse. It has a 10,000lb GVW rating. I have changed things considerably though. I think aluminum trailer are perfect for our type use but there are some limits. The trailer below is rated for 2990lbs that tractor is just over 3000lbs. It flexed a good bit but held its shape when unloaded. Not sure that I will haul it again with the bucket and backhoe attached.
SamM
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dmc1
Adventurer
dmc1
Adventurer
We used a camper a good bit when my son was little but now he is gone off to college. I do a lot of day trips around SC and so I get to come back home at night. I make a few trips to the coast every year. We have a couple of small houses we like to rent.
I have gotten interested in hammock camping and may try it this year. I am also interested in a RTT and have plans for one of those a little later on. Just extremely busy this year due to work so my camping would be and will be limited. I have plans for the RTT on the aluminum trailer and that will be coming.
Right now the trailer is used to carry our stuff to the beach, grills, umbrellas, cooler, chairs, etc...
I have gotten interested in hammock camping and may try it this year. I am also interested in a RTT and have plans for one of those a little later on. Just extremely busy this year due to work so my camping would be and will be limited. I have plans for the RTT on the aluminum trailer and that will be coming.
Right now the trailer is used to carry our stuff to the beach, grills, umbrellas, cooler, chairs, etc...
Titanpat57
Expedition Leader
Nice job!
profdlp
Adventurer
Agreed - really spiffy!
dmc1
Adventurer
Made an adjustment after using the trailer this summer. Converted the tongue to a quick removal insert. I made a sleeve that fits perfectly inside the existing tongue. After polishing the casting marks from the sleeve it slid perfectly into the existing tongue. Drilled all holes, threaded, painted and installed. I had to cut a small portion of the existing tongue so as not to increase the overall length. The rear door on the Jeep opens all the way. Just need to install safety cables and it is done.
