Camping Gear-Utility Trailer

[Thane]

I am planning on building a trailer to carry my camping gear and also be able to use as a utility trailer for hauling things from the hardware store, wrecking yard, and dump runs.

The axle is a 3500# from a welding machine trailer, the width of the main frame is going to be 36" wide with an 8" extension on each side so I can make the inside of the box 4'x6'x 25" with a fold down tailgate and a hatch door on the right side that fold down for a cooler or chuckbox to be pulled out.

I am going to mount two 5 gallon gas cans, two 5 gallon water cans and a 20# propane tank in front of the cargo box, in front of the gas and water cans there will be an aluminum trailer tongue box.

I am going with either 33" tires to match the Jeep.
Most of the material for the trailer is left over from jobsite projects or what I found at the steel scrap yard. The frame is 2"x2"x1/4", the box frame will be 1-1/2" x .85 square tube, the sides and floor will be 16ga.

One thing I have a question on is the axle came wih slipper springs, will these do the job?

I tried to post my sketch, but the file is to large.

 

[frumpy]

I have the same plan as you, I found a trailer that I though fit the bill but after figuring out I would have to replace everything but the frame for what I wanted (and the frame would still be weak) I'm just going to hold off and build a custom one when I get access to a welder.

mine is 4.5x6.5 with a frame thats 36" wide and 5' long (without the brace thats further up on the tounge making the box 6.5' long)

the one thing that you may want to consider is the width, with a 4' box and 12.5" tires your overall width is going to be around 7+ feet wide. If you put the wheels under the box with 33s the centre of gravity will be high.

heres a few pics of mine to show you how it was done with the frame

 

[mudbutt]

What kind of slipper springs?

There is flat, radiused and hook.

Personally I wouldn't use them.

 

[Thane]

They are flat, about 2" with a 90 degree hook.

 

[RedRocker]

Here ya go.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31181

 

[Thane]

Thanks for the offer, but I am starting this as a budget build.

 

[Thane]

:wings:OK, I was able to attach my plans.

 

[frumpy]

Looks good, get'er done

 

[ntsqd]

For dump and yard materials runs you won't like having the fenders intrude on the inner bed space area. I'd suggest moving something so that the interior is smooth walled and floored. That will make it much easier to clean for other uses.

Even though it's a budget build I would buy quality suspension parts. Slipper springs might work, but I suspect that long term you'll be unhappy with their behavior in the rough. When my granddad built the utility trailer that is now mine he built it with slippers. I've not decided how I'm going to remedy that, but I will eventually change them to a shackle spring.

 

[Thane]

In order to make the sides smooth, I will have to splice on to the axle or make the cargo box 3' wide, as for the slipper springs I think I will order a set of the non slipper springs from the trailer supply.

Another question I have is the axle placement. I have a little less than 60/40 from the front of the box, the box will be 75" long with about 16" for the gas and water cans.

Do the trailer gurus here think the weight distibution will be ok with the weight of the water and gas up front, or shoud I locate the axle at the center of the box for better weight distibution?

 

[frumpy]

For springs you can always grab some from the wreckers or kijiji, cheap and durable.

The axle placement should be fine and you can always move stuff around in the trailer once its loaded.

 

[mudbutt]

Looks good ...

Lid? Tarp?

 

[Thane]

(1) What capacity springs, 1250# or 1750#? The springs are about $35 from ABC trailer, I also need to order a hanger kit and a pair of perch pads.

(2) Tarp first, lid later, The lid depends on on what I find in the salvage bin at the metal supply.

 

[Thane]

Got Started

I cut all the peices a couple of weekends ago when it was cooler. It has near the triple digits for about a week or more. I needed to get this thing started. So I had made up my mind no matter how hot it was after work Iwas going to start something. After changeing into some clothes that won't let me get my marbles burned off I got out to the garage and started doing some work. I was going to start with the frame like everyone else does but decided I should start on the sides first then I will do the front panel, the tailgate and the side drop down door. The reason I started here first is I have been contimplating the frame steel, the weight of the 2"x2"x1/4" compared to
2"x3"x1/8" is about 50 pounds. I have LED lights that will fit in the 3" tube already and 4" tail Lights, oh I forgot to mention I also have the 2x3 tube, all I need to get is a peice for the rear to fit the 4" tail lights.
Any recomendations, 2x2 or 2x3?