Custom 4'x6' Expedition Trailer Build

[Jcholsted]

Hello all,
I figured I would finally do a write up on the trailer I have been building for the past year. Started off as a Senior project and has now turned into an obsession! I'm always adding on so feel free for any suggestions! -Connor

Trailer Build:
4'x6' frame (2"x2" 1/8th" square tubing)
2' sides (2" 1/8" angle; top rail is 1"x2" 1/8" rectangular tubing)
5' tongue (2"x2" 1/8th" square tubing for main rail; 2" 1/4" angle for for support rails)
Axles are ultra-tow 2000lb independent torsion axles





Tailgate is composed of 2"x2" 1/4" square tubing and 2" 1/4" angle to add weight in the rear and support the weight of the spare tire
Side plates are 16ga steel




Floor is plywood
Fenders are from Northern Tool, Jeep style flares


-build thread continued-

 

[Jcholsted]

Sorry for the upside-down pictures

Paint is a flat black paint/primer with Herculiner inside the tub and on the fenders

 

[SEREvince]

Great looking trailer!

Love the spare tire mount, may have to steal that idea. Those torsion axles are the least expensive option I've seen. I wonder how they perform off road? Looking forward to seeing the rest of your build!

 

[Flyboycoe]

Sub'd. I'm looking to build my own 4x6 trailer here in the near future, and I imagine it will look a lot like this. Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[Martyinco]

Those torsion axles are the least expensive option I've seen. I wonder how they perform off road?

Same axles I used on my trailer, they work great off-road

 

[Jcholsted]

Thank you, and once there is some weight in the trailer the axles are flawless. Dry the trailer weighs about 700lbs (150lbs Unsprung weight from tires/wheels) but with all of my gear it sits about 1300lbs. The tailgate is removable to allow me to use the trailer for more than just camping.

 

[Jcholsted]

Here are some pics of the "completed" trailer before I added accessories.

 

[Flyboycoe]

Looks good, any plans for a lid, or to skin the tailgate?

 

[RagnarD]

Nice build. After all that effort, why stop short with those fenders and coupler?

 

[ottsville]

Very nice build!

 

[Bjones2004]

What length axle did you use? Do you have a link to it?

 

[colorado matt]

looks great ... how tall is the tongue when trailer is level ... and what size tires ? please and thank you ....Matt

 

[Jcholsted]

The 2" ball coupler was a temporary piece, it was soon cut off and replaced with receiver tubing. I have a 2" ball that I use for on-road travel, and a 3-axis coupler for any off-road use. I will post pics of the coupler setup in a few days. As far as the torsion axle setup, they are Ultra-tow 2000lb axles, they are about 18" each, but allow for 17" of ground clearance at the lowest point of my trailer. Since the last pictures, I've moved to 33" Mastercraft Mts to reduce weight and allow for more fender clearance when loaded out. I just finished building a budget-friendly slide out for my ARB fridge, there will be a post on that soon. Still need to mount my water tank and pump as well as redo my solar setup (hopefully soon). Any storage tips would be greatly appreciated, as well as any ideas of a solar-box on the front.
-Connor

 

[Jcholsted]

Sorry for the late reply, the tires pictured are 35" Hankook Dynapro Mt; however, I now run 33" Mastercraft Mt. With the 33s, the tongue sits at about 19"

 

[Jcholsted]

What length axle did you use? Do you have a link to it?

Here is the link to the torsion axles that I used - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200649004_200649004