Have a few questions before I commit to building myself a trailer. Please feel free to share all opinions/ideas.
1. I have access to a 120v flux core welder. Can you get good enough penetration with that welder to make a 2x3 trailer frame structurally sound? I don't want this thing breaking going 70 down a highway.
2. Anyone see a problem with using grade 8's and nyloc's to secure my trailer box to the frame? Idea being if I want to change something down the road or I screw up on the box I can always remove it and re-do/fix it.
3. Biggest one - I really have no real welding or fabrication experience to speak of. I've done a few small projects (receiver mounted clay pigeon thrower, misc welding on cars and motorcycles) but nothing like this. I do have a friend who I can rely on for some welding and fab help. He's no pro, but he does good work and has done quite a few garage fab jobs. If it comes down to it, I know the owner of a local off-road fab shop who I would guess would charge me ~$60/hr for welding. Am I in way over my head attempting a project like this?
A run-down of my trailer idea: 2"x3" frame with a simple box on top and exterior provisions to mount a 5lb propane and jerry cans. Small box in front for storage and maybe down the road a battery or water tank. I would like 4 sleeved posts to support my RTT. These would sit low to reduce drag when driving and can lift up so I can use the annex on my tent if I wish. A slide out camp kitchen would take up half of the inside of the box and the other would have drawers or some other sort of organized storage system.
Attached is a simple sketch up model of what I would like it to look like.
Thank you!
1. I have access to a 120v flux core welder. Can you get good enough penetration with that welder to make a 2x3 trailer frame structurally sound? I don't want this thing breaking going 70 down a highway.
2. Anyone see a problem with using grade 8's and nyloc's to secure my trailer box to the frame? Idea being if I want to change something down the road or I screw up on the box I can always remove it and re-do/fix it.
3. Biggest one - I really have no real welding or fabrication experience to speak of. I've done a few small projects (receiver mounted clay pigeon thrower, misc welding on cars and motorcycles) but nothing like this. I do have a friend who I can rely on for some welding and fab help. He's no pro, but he does good work and has done quite a few garage fab jobs. If it comes down to it, I know the owner of a local off-road fab shop who I would guess would charge me ~$60/hr for welding. Am I in way over my head attempting a project like this?
A run-down of my trailer idea: 2"x3" frame with a simple box on top and exterior provisions to mount a 5lb propane and jerry cans. Small box in front for storage and maybe down the road a battery or water tank. I would like 4 sleeved posts to support my RTT. These would sit low to reduce drag when driving and can lift up so I can use the annex on my tent if I wish. A slide out camp kitchen would take up half of the inside of the box and the other would have drawers or some other sort of organized storage system.
Attached is a simple sketch up model of what I would like it to look like.
Thank you!