Burley_Industries prototype expedition trailer

[Burley]

Hello everyone,
Thanks for checking out my build. I came to the point awhile back where I had run out of room in my 80 series when the whole family heads out of for an adventure. An expedition type trailer was the answer. Buying a trailer was out of the question and so for the next few months I spent my free time researching trailer designs and really deciding what I liked and didn't like. I decided to start from scratch rather than compromise and find something to base it off. I wanted to strike a balance between weight and strength, usable size and offroad trail maneuverability. I decided on 4'x6'x2' box. I really couldn't go any smaller because those are roughly the dimensions of my Tepui Gran Sabana RTT. I wanted a tailgate at the back and a side hinged roof that the tent could be permanently mounted to. Another key item I wanted in the build was matching tire size and wheels to the truck. This way I can have a spare on the truck and on the trail that will fit both.

I'm a little slow to start this thread. The trailer is about half way done and so I'll post all the build pictures and info I have to bring the thread up to current.

Here is the first initial quick drawing of what I had in mind.

 

[Burley]

The frame is 2"x2"x.120 wall. The rest of the main box and lid are 2"x2"x.083.

 

[Burley]

I decided to just use the M/T tires off my LX450 and buy a new set of KO2's for the truck rather than invest in new tires for the trailer and then shortly have to still buy new ones for the truck. The wheels came from a friend and are off the same FZJ80 LX450.

 

[Burley]

With the 285/75/16's, the spare takes up quit a bit of room. I decided to go with a 2'x4' front basket to house the spare and the 5 gallon propane tank. I couldn't find a propane tank holder local so i thought I would try and build one. I didn't like the way it turned out so I eventually took it back off.

 

[Burley]

Here is the tire holder. I don't have a picture of it but I attached it to the front wall to help keep it ridged.

I decided to go with barrel hinges for the lid. I gaped it out 1/4" for a dust seal. I haven't yet decided on what type of latches to use. I'll have struts to help lift the lid.

 

[Burley]

I got the trailer off the welding table and on the ground. Initially I wanted to have a small door on the front left hand side of the trailer. With the 33" tires this meant pushing the axle back further than what might be considered normal. I also thought it would be nice to have a long enough trailer tongue to be able to jack knife the trailer for camping in tight spots. Both of these ideas got scraped. The long tough made the trailer's overall length far too long, compromising it's offroadablity. The axle pushed back to make room for a front fold down door also compromised the turn radius and overall tongue weight of the trailer.

 

[Burley]

Here it is before it goes back under the knife.

The axle came from Redneck Trailer supply and came with 5 lug hubs. I bought 6 lug hubs separate.

 

[Burley]

After cutting down the tongue and moving the axle forward. I'm very happy with the decision to do both.

Also got the 6 lug hubs installed.

 

[Burley]

These pictures bring the build up to current. I got it out of the garage and went on a small trip around the block. The trailer seems to tow great. I got the tailgate and RTT mount built. Both are made from 1"x1"x.083 wall square tube.

 

[Hound]

Nice work


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[Burley]

Nice work


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Thanks

 

[Sikocycles]

Nice build. Will be watching this build.

 

[Burley]

Nice build. Will be watching this build.

Thanks, glad you like it.

 

[r_vdb]

Nice work, that's a solid design.

 

[Burley]

Nice work, that's a solid design.

Thanks




I picked up the sheet metal today and rest of the metal to build the fenders and some of the other misc. things I have planned.