And it begins. Stump XJ's trailer build.

[OverlandZJ]

Stump, heres a thread at NAXJA of pics i took of Trail Monkeys Conqueror Basecamp. Not a Compact but it may give you ideas. If you see something you like i may have more pics of it.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=994143

 

[Hilldweller]

Looking forward to checking out your conqueror

~James

Yeah, they got some things pretty right.
But they got some things pretty wrong...

Everything you do, AT does, Conqueror does, etc, everything --- a compromise of some sort. You have to prioritize what you want.

The two stand-out things I like about the Compact: 1) fold-out "table" on the kitchen side 2) the big changing room built in

Two stand-out bad things: 1) fold-out "table" inside the tent 2) rear door that I can hit my head on

 

[StumpXJ]

So, I picked up all the steel sheeting I needed to complete the trailer this week, and already have the floor welded in. I also picked up 95% of the tubing I needed to complete it as well. I am actually using the trailer tomorrow to deliver a couch to my wifes sister in Birmingham, and on the way back I am picking up my axle.

I found a Dexter 3500 pound solid axle with 10inch electric brakes on the same bolt pattern as my Jeep, 5 x 4.5. Its never been mounted. It also comes with leaf springs, but I dont think I will be using them as they are too short for anything but a seriously bouncy ride. I still havent decided on suspension setup for it, so I need to figure that out.

Got the new axle from him for $100 bucks, with electric brakes, thats a STEAL!

Stock photo of basically what I am getting.

I need to unbolt this torsion axle and try to sell it, anybody need one? I thinking craigslist should do the trick. Maybe with that sale I can get my wheels and tire.

I basically have a lot of work to do in the next few weeks! Thats a good thing, because I was running out of stuff to do....



~James

 

[Titanpat57]

Yeah, they got some things pretty right.
But they got some things pretty wrong...

Everything you do, AT does, Conqueror does, etc, everything --- a compromise of some sort. You have to prioritize what you want.

The two stand-out things I like about the Compact: 1) fold-out "table" on the kitchen side 2) the big changing room built in

Two stand-out bad things: 1) fold-out "table" inside the tent 2) rear door that I can hit my head on

You hit your head on everything big guy...lol:smiley_drive:

Looks great Mr.Stump....the "utilitarian" version will long be forgotten once it's your "offical" camping trailer....you can always find a utility on CL's for a couple hundred bucks...but you can't find many sweet campers like yours!!

 

[rctr03]

james,

great looking build!
watching for the rest.
jimmy

 

[bluedog]

Interesting, I have a 5X8 I was thinking about doing the same thing to.

B.

 

[StumpXJ]

Just a few pics from when I put the floor down. I had to do it in a hurry since I needed the trailer. I need to flip the trailer and weld the underside, but its solid. The 14 guage is quite tough.

Now that I have a couple other project finished up around the house, I will do some more work on this over the next couple days.

You can see the axle I picked up. Unfortunately the old man I got it from doesnt know how to operate a tape measure, so I will need to narrow it three inches on each side. Not a huge deal, just kind of a pain.

Lastly, I am making a two link trailing arm setup with a panhard/trackbar. It will be used in conjuction with airbags, and shocks. Should work quite nicely. I have the arms already done, but I am waiting on the bushings. Just cant bring myself to put leaf springs on this thing since the loads carried will vary greatly... the airbags will be nice to adjust.


~James

 

[StumpXJ]

So this is my progress today. Got outside at about 8:30, and came inside about 4pm. Got quite a bit accomplished today for someone who doesnt know what they are doing.

 

[StumpXJ]

Got the main frame built for the lid, ground it down smooth, and will throw the sheet on it tomorrow and build a couple hinges.

I am pretty sure this is how it will open. I want my tent to open with the ladder side right over the toungue area of the trailer, and if I measured right, it should work. This will have my tent slid all the way to the front of the lid, and I will make a small roof rack/basket area on the rear for hauling things (bulky stuff, firewood etc). I am going to make two Jerry can holders for each of the rear quarter sections, and one mount for a propane tank on the front quarter. Ill get there eventually!

 

[Hilldweller]

Neat.
How about the galley? Any side boxes over the wheels or something?

 

[StumpXJ]

Not sure yet, remember this is doubling as a utility trailer, so I kind of need to keep it simple. My full camp kitchen will slide right in the trailer, so that will likely be how I use it for a while.

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

Stumpxj,

Where did you find the legs for your patrol box? I like how there kind of narrow, yet still fold up. Thanks.

Pete Wilson

 

[StumpXJ]

Pete, here is the build thread for the kitchen, I am pretty sure I put the info in there on where I got them. I remember they were cheap, and fit perfectly!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17530

~James

 

[slimtwo]

You did a great job on your camp kitchen Stumpyxj! Idesigned and build something similar to fit in the back of my TJ.

I buit mine as two boxes so I could load and unload by myself. Keep up the great work.

Happy trails!

 

[StumpXJ]

Bruce.... nicely done! Yours looks more robust to say the least! Have you had a chance to use it much yet? I have used mine many times now, and after working out a few bugs, its hard to go camping without it!

Thanks, James