Bug Out Utility Trailer Build for Gladiator

[Old bike doc]

First trailer build, so I'm certainly looking for input. Roughly 5x8 rolling on Gladiater spare steelies and 33" tires and beefy enough to hold gear, RTT and two Groms. Current estimate with full water tank is just under 2k.

Build starts over Christmas break, so I'm in the last stages of design. Using Corel Draw for illustrations and 2x3" and and 2x2" .125" wall square steel tube. for frame and 1.75" and 2" round for the rack.

Big Labrador camps with me and need to get her into RTT, so upper section of rack telescopes into lower section to adjust height. Below would be max height, rack should drop 18" if this all works out.

 

[tx-jeremy]

Looking good. Interested to see how it progresses. I’m in planning stages now for my BO Overland Trailer.

Been thinking of making a hole for a Coleman mini bike on mine.


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[Old bike doc]

Got the wheel/tire combo sorted on the Gladiator. This defined final width of trailer (looking to keep is as close to Jeep as possible. Factory steel spares, color matched to rig, wrapped in 35x10.5 Kenda Klevers. Super skinny old school feel. Sits on Mopar 2" lift with a 1" spacer in front. Already grabbed two more of this combo for trailer.

 

[Old bike doc]

Here's what I'm starting with for the trailer. 3500lb, brake capable and 73" Hub face is super wide, but factory Jeep wheels have a crazy offset, so it brings effective width back in. Should roll out just under 80" wide with Jeep sitting at 75". Spring seat will need to be moved inboard a bit, but that should be low drama.




Rough layout from top. Frame will be 2x4" steel tube and tongue is 2x3", all .120 wall.

 

[Old bike doc]

Made some progress. Struggled with axle location. Factor in the 24" kitchen box or not? Ended up splitting the difference. Tank will also move further back. 35" tires on a trailer are just silly.

 

[Old bike doc]

Updated the design as well. Round tube upper rack (1.75" .120 wall DOM steel) Pivoting on heim joints. Floor will now be expanded steel (to reduce weight) and water tank is moved closer to axle to balance weight. Also better defined fold down table.


View attachment Adventure Trailer adjustable rack.jpg

View attachment Adventure Trailer v3.jpg

 

[Old bike doc]

Got a little further and added water tank mount. 23 gallon Amazon purchase. Should be fine for what I'm doing, but does not feel super thick. Built a floor for it, so tank is 100% supported below straps, but may add another strap to deal with the weight. Pump will mount to inside frame rail and plumb to kitchen. May also add a valve off other side for future shower.

 

[Old bike doc]

Mock up of the upper rack. This will raise/lower roughly 24" and support the RTT and solar panel

 

[Old bike doc]

First time out of the garage. Raise/lower functionality is solid. May relo the rear jacks inside the frame to raise them up a bit.

 

[Old bike doc]

Working on schematic, not sure I have this dialed yet.

 

[vwhammer]

I must have missed it but what are you using to raise the rack

 

[Old bike doc]

Upper body strength, if it fights me, maybe gas struts.

I must have missed it but what are you using to raise the rack

 

[Kfred 513]

Cool solution to allow you to raise/lower one side at a time. Can you give some more close-up pics of that? Are you going to leave the hardware loose so they slide easy or tighten them down after you adjust the rack height?

 

[Old bike doc]

Cool solution to allow you to raise/lower one side at a time. Can you give some more close-up pics of that? Are you going to leave the hardware loose so they slide easy or tighten them down after you adjust the rack height?

Using pop pins to lock the vertical sliders in position. 1/2" pin connection should keep it pretty solid and allows me to unlock them and lift/lower rack. Here's a pic of the initial rough mock up. Verticals will have to be redone out of stainless (can't paint if they slide), so for now the rod ends are attached via crude washer and nut welded to top of tube.

 

[Old bike doc]

Few steps closer. Second pic shows the drop axle. Will likely run a little longer shackle Blue tape is next tube, which will tie all the verticals together.