Rezarf <><
Explorer
Looking good Grimmy!
I like the kickout doors on the side, where did you source those?
really cool bud!
Drew
I like the kickout doors on the side, where did you source those?
really cool bud!
Drew
DIY Expedition trailer
- Thread starter Grim Reaper
- Start date
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
They were on a stand alone equipment box that my company Decomed. I bought it off the scrap dealer that collects our Decom gear. the sides, front and front 44 inches of the roof is the cabinet. I cut it in half and bolted it to the trailer. Trying to find somebody I know that TIG's to get them to weld the seam where they butt. If I cant find anybody I will make a 2 inch wide plate and use some Butyl sealant to seal the seam.
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
Been tinkering on it some more. Finished the framing in for the side doors. Got the overhead light mounted. Made the roof rack and the canopy supports. The rack looks much heavier then it is. I can handle it rather easy. The material is relatively thin wall 1.5x1.5 box. I would guess it weighs maybe 50lb. It ended up being MUCH stronger then I thought. It looks a little odd the way the cross bars are done but because the side doors open prone of the roof I had to hand the front crossbar off the front to allow room to open that Neccesitated the design of the floor.
The two end upper cross bars (not shown in these pictures) pop off and then I can hang them out to the sides to tie off the canopy to.
I am using a 12x15 Silver Tarp for the Canopy There is a cross bar that is about 36 inches tall that has a receiver just over the back door to support the canopy and allow things to be stored on the roof of the trailer at camp and still stay dry.
I am debating putting 4 inch wide Aluminum Slats on the rack. The roof is plenty sturdy for gear to ride directly on it but I am thinking if I keep it up on the rack it would make tarping it easier with less worry about water being driven under the tarp on the roof soaking stuff. The second thought is that would create shade and air space that might keep the inside cooler in the summer sun.
Have to get the full set up pictures tomorrow but here are some progress shots.
Of course I get paint on the roof rack and the bottom falls out.
Still have not picked up the new skin for it. Fenders I am still up in the air about so Till I sort them out I will just make dew with the Crusty skin. It stays dry inside so no hurry.
The fenders on it are not in to bad of shape and sturdy enough for me to stand on but Not really as wide as I would like. I would like flat top fenders so that things can be set on them. I also need to move the axle forward about 2-4 inches but that will wait for now while I look around to see what sort of Fenders are available. I will probably run it as is till October.
Tomorrow I need to run by a Buddies that has some steel for me that sounds like it will be just what I need to make my new A-Frame Extendable Hitch. Then I can get the battery out from inside and on the tongue.
I plan to mount some Jerry cans on either side for my Water cans. I may also incorporate a Ladder that will tie into the Jerry can mounts to make it easy to load the roof.
The two end upper cross bars (not shown in these pictures) pop off and then I can hang them out to the sides to tie off the canopy to.
I am using a 12x15 Silver Tarp for the Canopy There is a cross bar that is about 36 inches tall that has a receiver just over the back door to support the canopy and allow things to be stored on the roof of the trailer at camp and still stay dry.
I am debating putting 4 inch wide Aluminum Slats on the rack. The roof is plenty sturdy for gear to ride directly on it but I am thinking if I keep it up on the rack it would make tarping it easier with less worry about water being driven under the tarp on the roof soaking stuff. The second thought is that would create shade and air space that might keep the inside cooler in the summer sun.
Have to get the full set up pictures tomorrow but here are some progress shots.
Of course I get paint on the roof rack and the bottom falls out.
Still have not picked up the new skin for it. Fenders I am still up in the air about so Till I sort them out I will just make dew with the Crusty skin. It stays dry inside so no hurry.
The fenders on it are not in to bad of shape and sturdy enough for me to stand on but Not really as wide as I would like. I would like flat top fenders so that things can be set on them. I also need to move the axle forward about 2-4 inches but that will wait for now while I look around to see what sort of Fenders are available. I will probably run it as is till October.
Tomorrow I need to run by a Buddies that has some steel for me that sounds like it will be just what I need to make my new A-Frame Extendable Hitch. Then I can get the battery out from inside and on the tongue.
I plan to mount some Jerry cans on either side for my Water cans. I may also incorporate a Ladder that will tie into the Jerry can mounts to make it easy to load the roof.
Rezarf <><
Explorer
Looking good Grim!
Again, what is the rack up top for? Storage or mounting a tent to? I thought you would sleeping inside this thing is that right?
Very good progress, I think that the tongue extensions and the fenders will round your build out really nicely!
Keep it coming man, it looks great!
Rezarf <><
Again, what is the rack up top for? Storage or mounting a tent to? I thought you would sleeping inside this thing is that right?
Very good progress, I think that the tongue extensions and the fenders will round your build out really nicely!
Keep it coming man, it looks great!
Rezarf <><
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
Yes I do plan to sleep in it.
The goal has always been to get multiple use out of the trailer. The rack is 48.5 inches between the rails and 6ft long. That will allow me to haul ply wood, Steel whatever I need that is too big to fit in it or the 4Runner. The trailer actually hauled the steel home that built the rack just strapped to the top on a rubber pad to keep it from sliding.
The Metal was the transport crates for Yamaha PWC. Yamaha is in the next warehouse to the one IU work in. They toss these things. They love it when people haul them off so they don't have too.
Right now I still have only about $250-275 in the whole thing since I have been savaging stuff to build it. Once I buy the axle I want then it will get some cash. My original Goal was $1500 but I think I may well make it under $1k since I have been so fortunate to get so much useful parts for free! :wings:
The goal has always been to get multiple use out of the trailer. The rack is 48.5 inches between the rails and 6ft long. That will allow me to haul ply wood, Steel whatever I need that is too big to fit in it or the 4Runner. The trailer actually hauled the steel home that built the rack just strapped to the top on a rubber pad to keep it from sliding.
The Metal was the transport crates for Yamaha PWC. Yamaha is in the next warehouse to the one IU work in. They toss these things. They love it when people haul them off so they don't have too.
Right now I still have only about $250-275 in the whole thing since I have been savaging stuff to build it. Once I buy the axle I want then it will get some cash. My original Goal was $1500 but I think I may well make it under $1k since I have been so fortunate to get so much useful parts for free! :wings:
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
Awesome! I plan to build something similar.
Aaron
Aaron
Rezarf <><
Explorer
Grim Reaper said:
That is SWEET! I haven't seen one built on a budget like that! I will have to follow you on some of your scavaging adventures... :jumping:
Rezarf <><
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
Rezarf <>< said:
I'm the king of scavenging. My last truck was named "Dollar". It got that name because thats what I paid for it. The Dollar did not include floors.
Here is what it looked like about 2 years before I sold it.
http://coloradok5.com/stcreview.shtml
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
Yard camping!!!!!
Basic set up mode.
These shows the cross bars that are designed to be the forward canopy support.
Set it up today to test it in a pretty good storm we have rolling through. Seems to do well. Like my last redneck camper the canopy will prove to be refuge for my club mates when we get bad weather.
Also an included shot of the 12v fluorescent light in the camper.
The new skins and then the insulation and 1/4 inc Luann interior skins are the next steps in finishing out this build for the interior. Still need to change out the hitch but It is just about ready for its first camping trip once I make the screen inserts for the side doors.
Basic set up mode.
These shows the cross bars that are designed to be the forward canopy support.
Set it up today to test it in a pretty good storm we have rolling through. Seems to do well. Like my last redneck camper the canopy will prove to be refuge for my club mates when we get bad weather.
Also an included shot of the 12v fluorescent light in the camper.
The new skins and then the insulation and 1/4 inc Luann interior skins are the next steps in finishing out this build for the interior. Still need to change out the hitch but It is just about ready for its first camping trip once I make the screen inserts for the side doors.
Last edited:
Rezarf <><
Explorer
Grimmy where you at man?
Bump!
Bump!
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
I be in da poor house! LOLRezarf <>< said:
Hope to pick up the steel for the new A-frame tongue in the next week or so but my garage is slap full or a Pontiac in many large chunks (Here a 400 motor there a 350 motor, here A 4speed Saginaw, there a Munce three over there, Eee I Eee Iiii OOOoo) so till the weather breaks I won't be doing much with it.
I actually use it pretty regularly. I threw a Yakima roof rack for our bikes inside it. Works great. Just leave the bikes in it ready to go. It looks like Hell but every time I am unloading people peak in and say that rocks!
I am needing to do some vehicle swapping as well. I have a 454 Burb in the driveway collecting dust and sucking up insurance money. Just too much of a pig to DD. My Wife's Honda is not fitting our needs other then being a cheap beater but the A/C is hosed and I would like to spare the wife and kids another summer of driving it. I have it up on craigslist and about to list the burb as well. I need to get a family truck with working A/C that gets 15mpg or better for her as a DD and a long term replacement for the 4Runner.
A 90 FJ62 on the list caught my eye as a potential replacement for them as the wife's DD for a while. Not sure it can handle our camper BUT I would be willing to do a V8 Swap (can you say 1uz?....I knew you could) on it in a year or two. I'll run the 4 Runner for a year or two then sell it and take over the 62 as my DD and get the wife something else.
Going to try to go take a peak at it Wednesday and see if it is decent.
I know most people like the 60 but I want an Auto and I want windows. I also like the remote case (most hate). I read where you can easily rewire it so you can select low and high independently of the 2and 4wd. It allows for 2 Low. It also clears the tunnel off making better mounting options for a Laptop.
Hopefully tax return comes and one of the cars will sell real quick so I can get it.
