Bolt-together fiberglass Jeep-tub trailer kit

[jscherb]

Here's the tub assembled (still just clamped together) with the floor panel. Things are falling into place according to plan...

The next step is to cut the wheel openings out of the fiberglass side panels and then it can go on the trailer frame.

 

[jscherb]

With most frames people would likely put this tub kit on, the corners of the tub hang out beyond the frame rails. That's no problem on the road, but if the trailer is offroad and being dragged over the rocks, the tub might come in contact with rocks or obstructions. A solution to that could be nerf bars that could bolt directly to the frame (shown in green):

Since the frame under the tub would be the choice of the user, it could be a little difficult to come up with a design for nerf bars that were universal and would fit every possible frame, but something like I've drawn here with bolt plates with multiple sets of holes that allow for different frame widths and lengths might fit many or most frames these tubs might go on.

 

[jscherb]

I got the wheel arches cut out, the flares installed and the floor rought trimmed, so here are some photos of the assembled trailer. There's still a little fitting, trimming and positioning to do to get everything to line up perfectly, but it's very close as it is.

After a little more trimming and fitting there are only a few details plus paint/finishing.

 

[jscherb]

Here are a few photos with an HF receiver rack on the tongue; it's a very good size for this application:

 

[jscherb]

And outfitted for a bicycle trip:

 

[JeffRRC]

Very nice!

 

[jscherb]

Here's a few more photos, this time posed with the yellow trailer as a comparison. The yellow tub is about 89" long; the white one is about 51".

 

[Espo78]

That came together very nice!

 

[jscherb]

Here's a "Lego brick" idea for increasing the storage of the trailer when configured as a camper. Using the current side/solid end panel molds, it would be easy to mold a second set of side panels, perhaps only 16" tall instead of the full height, and assemble those panels with a floor and side access hatches to form a "stackable" storage module. Since the top of the storage module would be identical to the top of the tub, anything that could mount on the top of the tub would also mount on the top of the storage module, like the flip-open tent platform.

The storage module could be added at any time, if you had already added the tent top to your basic trailer, no problem, the tent top would just go on top of the new storage module.

The storage module would be easily removable, so if you needed to use the trailer as a cargo trailer between camping trips, you could remove it.

The storage module could also be configured as a rooftop pod, so it could be used on top of the Jeep when you needed some additional storage but didn't need the entire trailer:

I've shown this for the short trailer, but they could be made in any length the basic tubs would be made.

 

[jscherb]

That came together very nice!

Very nice!

Thanks!

 

[monele]

JHC you are brilliant!! I wish I had half the fiberglass skills you have. Have you ever thought about teaching seminars? I know this isn't a business venture, but I bet a number of folks on here would love some lessons. I've done a little lay-up, but not with any real success in finish. I do lots of molding and casting (plaster to iron and everything in between) but just don't quite get fiberglass. I want a trailer kit if someone buys into this and I really want the storage pod!! Nice!

 

[Black Dog]

What would make this even cooler would be if the harbor freight trailer were aluminum and instead of fiber glass you use carbon fiber. It would cost more and might be light enough to blow away in a strong breeze, but it would be cool.

 

[jscherb]

JHC you are brilliant!! I wish I had half the fiberglass skills you have. Have you ever thought about teaching seminars? I know this isn't a business venture, but I bet a number of folks on here would love some lessons. I've done a little lay-up, but not with any real success in finish. I do lots of molding and casting (plaster to iron and everything in between) but just don't quite get fiberglass. I want a trailer kit if someone buys into this and I really want the storage pod!! Nice!

Thanks! Fiberglass isn't that hard really, but there are a few techniques and some tricks to be learned.

It's been suggested before that I do a weekend fiberglass seminar or something like that; I'd be happy to do it if someone wanted to organize it. I'm in Elmira, NY though, which is 4 hours from NYC, and isn't really conveniently located for anyone except perhaps someone from Rochester, Syracuse or maybe Scranton.

 

[jscherb]

What would make this even cooler would be if the harbor freight trailer were aluminum and instead of fiber glass you use carbon fiber. It would cost more and might be light enough to blow away in a strong breeze, but it would be cool.

Cool maybe, but remember, I'm trying to design something that can be a kit most people could afford!

Carbon fiber is maybe $35 per yard vs. $5 per yard for fiberglass, and for best results you want to use epoxy resin instead of polyester resin, and that's about twice as much per gallon. And I don't even know how to estimate the cost differential for aluminum vs. an inexpensive HF frame.

 

[Heifer Boy]

Fantastic result. I love the look of the stubby trailer. Very Tonka Toy!!! LOL!!!

Like the others, I've been watching and admiring your fibreglass skills. I like your philosophy behind your builds too. Good stuff and very inspiring.