Update
Just a quick update after having used the trailer a couple times.
Took a trip out to Death Valley at the beginning of the month. With all the washboard roads, if something was going to break it was for sure going to happen out there. Good news is, the trailer worked flawlessly!! Not a single issue. This of course does not mean there are not things I would like to improve a bit for the next trip. We ended up using the RTT at both the resting height and the raised height. I was concerned the ladder would be too long at rest but it actually worked just fine.
We had arrived late in the day and were only staying one night so we didn't bother with the annex.
The next stop was for a couple nights so we did the full deployment.
We actually had a pretty severe wind storm and little rain the last night right as we were about to eat dinner, so it was great to be able to move into the annex and have our meal until the storm subsided.
After we returned, I realized the lid on the Harbor Freight tongue box is adjustable, it wasn't snug when latched and a ton of dust got into it. Epic amounts really, I should have taken a picture. Quick adjustment on the latch, and it is now nice and snug. Also, I will be adding a tailgate seal to keep dust out of the bed. The fitted tarp/cover worked pretty well but the top fluttered more than I'd like going down the freeway in high winds. Ultimately, I would like a hard cover for the bed which I will either make or purchase down the road.
I currently have a hand full of tie down rings in the bed and am using ratchet straps to secure things which works ok, but can be kind of a pain as well. I purchased some self-retracting straps to try to clean things up a bit in that department. Will also be adding a couple of quick fist products to secure the propane tank in the bed for travel.
I'm will be fabricating a rack to hold our 3-5 gallon water jerry cans, even tied down they managed to shift around a bit. Got keep welding stuff, lord knows I need the practice.
I need to complete the electrical in the tongue box, I've got an ArkPak battery box in there already (not to be confused with the ArkPak Powerpak), and will be adding a Blue Sea fusebox, and a Morningstar solar charge controller. The onboard battery will mostly run some led lighting I want to install in the RTT and on the rack, and be a backup in case there is an issue with the dual batteries in the Jeep.
I noticed quite a few dings on the front of the trailer from rocks kicked up by my jeep, so I am contemplating some diamond plate additions in the two front corners for protection. Will also be adding some diamond plate steps to cover the holes where the old hoisting loops on the side of the trailer used to be.
The Tepui awning I ordered from BoxRocket will be in another week or so, and I will be mounting it on the rack facing rear to cover the tailgate/kitchen area. I've got a semi-unique idea for the tailgate that I will reveal later.
And last but not least, adding a rear hitch receiver so we can bring the bikes along.
All these upgrades shall keep me busy for a bit, while I contemplate future upgrades like actuators for the rack (I blame shack!), a built in water tank with a pump, etc., etc.
Let's face it, this thing will never be done!!!
