Building a trailer - Where to get the metal boxes?

[sparetime]

I'm planning to build an expedition trailer. I have attached a picture I stole off the internet of one similar to what I'm planning. My question is where to get the boxes that are housed inside the frame. The tongue box is easy enough, but where should I look for the others? The large one inside of the frame is the biggest concern I have. I'll be fabricating the trailer myself. Thank you for any insight you can provide.

 

[Louisd75]

I'm planning to build an expedition trailer. I have attached a picture I stole off the internet of one similar to what I'm planning. My question is where to get the boxes that are housed inside the frame. The tongue box is easy enough, but where should I look for the others? The large one inside of the frame is the biggest concern I have. I'll be fabricating the trailer myself. Thank you for any insight you can provide.

I'm not I can see tell which box you're looking for in the picture, but use "Truck Box" in your search. Then it's just a matter of figuring out what size and style you want. As an example, Northern Tool apparently has over 100 different models: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_automotive+truck-boxes

 

[rnArmy]

Diamond Deluxe built my trailer box to my specs.

http://www.diamonddeluxe.com/d_style_dog_box.php

 

[Martyinco]

The large box on the inside was probably custom fabricated, that's how I would do it at least. That is a pretty large box and finding one that matches the dimensions of your trailer may be tough, hence the reason people just make them for their application.

 

[1Louder]

Turtleback trailers could sell you some very nice side boxes. Not sure on pricing though.

 

[Deleted member 96197]

If you've got the fab skills to build the trailer, buying the sheet metal and a brake bender (or measuring and taking to a fab shop to be bent) will likely be cheaper and fit specifically to your trailer better than trying to source boxes that fit your application.

 

[Mark Harley]

http://deltafab.com/contact-us/

 

[sparetime]

Thank you for the input. Haven't worked with sheet metal enough to know much about it. I would be all for trying to fabricate it myself. It seems with something that size if I wanted to have a continuous weld it would likely warp the sheet metal. How are the boxes held together? Rivets, welds, other?

 

[Martyinco]

Thank you for the input. Haven't worked with sheet metal enough to know much about it. I would be all for trying to fabricate it myself. It seems with something that size if I wanted to have a continuous weld it would likely warp the sheet metal. How are the boxes held together? Rivets, welds, other?

Usually welded, but you wouldn't do a continuous weld, it would be a stitch weld. An inch at a time, moving around the whole box to keep the heat down and warping to a minimum. With my trailer build I opted to forgo welding sheet metal to the skin the sides of my trailer, I choose to go with a HDPE instead and bolt it on, that could be an option for a box if you don't want to weld it all around.

 

[bluebear]

Usually welded, but you wouldn't do a continuous weld, it would be a stitch weld. An inch at a time, moving around the whole box to keep the heat down and warping to a minimum. With my trailer build I opted to forgo welding sheet metal to the skin the sides of my trailer, I choose to go with a HDPE instead and bolt it on, that could be an option for a box if you don't want to weld it all around.

How did the price compare with HDPE? How did you seal the corners and such for dust and water?

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

If you've got the fab skills to build the trailer, buying the sheet metal and a brake bender (or measuring and taking to a fab shop to be bent) will likely be cheaper and fit specifically to your trailer better than trying to source boxes that fit your application.

Yes and No. I've been on the fence on one for a while, and the dilemma is to do one myself, but it would have to be in steel, and thus it will be heavy, or I pay someone to make a custom box for me in aluminum, but it'll be quite expensive (assuming around C$1000 for what I see in box prices in that size. The 3rd option is to look to borrow someone's aluminum welding setup, but I'd be learning while I'm making it, so it could be an expensive blunder. In the meantime, I pumped out a rack in a day, and made it bolt-on so I can replace it with a box later on, but so far, I'm torn on that, cause the "temporary" rack has actually been quite handy, where I've been loading it up with wood, which is nice cause I don't need to take up space inside the truck or trailer for it.

 

[Martyinco]

How did the price compare with HDPE? How did you seal the corners and such for dust and water?

I used a marine grade HDPE Seaboard, so I paid a little extra for the UV rating $100 bucks for a 54" x 96" x 1/4" thick. Haven't sealed it yet because I am just trying to get it done to get some camping in this year. Over the winter I will remove all the sides and use a marine grade caulk to seal all the corners.

The picture will give you a general idea of how I attached it to the sides of the trailer.

 

[Xrunner]

View attachment 358260

I have a newer version of Outlander Sherpa pictured above... would some detail photos of the main box be helpful?

 

[sparetime]

I have a newer version of Outlander Sherpa pictured above... would some detail photos of the main box be helpful?

Yes the detail would be very helpful.

Also, interested in using the HDPE, have to think about that a little more since it wasn't even idea yet. Could work too. Thanks all

 

[Martyinco]

Also, interested in using the HDPE, have to think about that a little more since it wasn't even idea yet. Could work too. Thanks all

One reason I went with HDPE to do the sides was weight, 1 square foot of 14 gauge steel weighs 3.125 lbs, 1 square foot of HDPE weighs .92 lbs. Now you do have fasteners you have to take into consideration but those cancel out if you factor in the welding wire you will be adding while welding. I figure its a wash and I am saving over 2lbs a square foot by using HDPE.