Do it all trailer build.

[sethmark]

My first posts and first scratch built trailer.... I've been around rock crawling for about 15 years and move from California to Virginia a few years back. Then I had a daughter. Now my needs have changed.

Out goes the single purpose machine, in comes the SUV. So I bought an H3 Alpha. Not much of a fan of the H3, until I drove one of the few they built with the 5.3l V8 instead of the I5. It's comfortable and a perfect start to an adventure vehicle. So now I need space.

My goal is to build a trailer that can do everything I need it to.... Which is a lot of work and a lot less camping and 4wd. But it's gotta look cool. Material is 2x2 3/16" for the spine, 2"x2" 1/8" for the frame and a mix of 1x1 and 1x2 for the box. I intend to hand make just about everything with a chop saw, welder and drill press. Might buy a brake for some sheet metal work. We'll see.

So here's the start:



Plus...

 

[sethmark]

Floor layout of the rough shape. I was thinking of building stabilizers into the uprights, hence the design.

 

[sethmark]

Got the basic shape tacked up and set it at ride height.

 

[sethmark]

Details....

 

[sethmark]

Fast forward from last week to this week.

I've finished the rails and located the spring hangers. Receivers are welded up. The axle had to be ordered as they didn't have a 6 lug, 70" wide model. I just tossed the tailgate and have another idea in mind....



I'm still fretting about sheeting it, the hinges for the gate and paint/ rhino lining. Unfortunately, its time for an adventure, so I won't get to play with the trailer again for a week. Hopefully by then the axle will arrive and I can see how it pulls.

 

[bunger]

Nice start. Your welds look a hell of a lot better than mine!!!

I have an H3 too.

 

[sethmark]

Cool! That looks great. Thanks for the compliment.... But I unfortunately like a challenge and welded a lot of the trailer out of position. Lots of vertical up. I did find a monster 5/32" TIG rod that was the nutz for welding on the receiver. 250 amps of TIG is fun.

 

[Mark Harley]

Looks great so far! Keep us posted on the progress.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Holy sexy welds!!!!!!
Drool!

 

[sethmark]

Little things today before we leave....
Cut out some gussets and found a jack and wheel.

 

[80DDYota]

Nice welds!

 

[sethmark]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting home and resuming progress!

 

[sethmark]

Locking spring loaded pins to keep the tailgate closed. They'll lock open as well.

If the devils in the details....

 

[sethmark]

Today I got back on it and got the tailgate roughed out and the tailgate pins finished. They allow the tailgate to push closed with one hand then be locked into place.

Still no axle.... Which means I can't start fenders or sheet metal.

 

[sethmark]

Not a ton of time to work today, but I got the hinges lengthened, located and tacked. It was important to me that the gate sit flush with the floor of the trailer.

The ends are butt welded on the bottom instead of mitered because I had a trick up my sleeve. It didn't work, so I flipped the tailgate so the mitered end is up and I'll cap the bottom.