Espy’s Off Road Trailita

[espinoe3]

I have always loved tent camping with my family out of my JKU. I also love fishing and recently purchased a fishing kayak. So I made the decision to build an off road trailer to haul gear, kayaks and a RTT. I hope to keep everything on the trailer so I’m not loading and removing heavy items from the rack on my Jeep. This will be my build thread and I hope to get some support and info from folks with more experience than I. My build won’t be perfect but I’m going to do my best to get it right.

I found a frame diagram online of a 4 x 7 frame so I had a local welder start with that. I ordered Timbren axeless suspension, hubs with electric breaks and steel wheels.

My welder took it upon himself to paint the frame to avoid rust. I had plans to use Steelit on the frame so that’s my first issue I’ll need to resolve.

 

[espinoe3]

After a month and a half, we got suspension on, some used BFG Ko2. They are 265/75/17 for now, I’m considering 35 to match the JK, but I’m not sure yet. I went with the Maxx Coupler articulation hitch. We tossed on some led lights as well and I brought it home today.

 

[espinoe3]

Here is where I need advice! I’m unsure if I should go with an aluminum skin on the outside or glue aluminum to 3/4 inch plywood and box inside the frame rails. My carpentry skills are pretty good but I’m worried about the strength of wood over time on rough terrain. If I went the aluminum skin outside of the upright frame, I’d likely need a welder for that work. I plan to raptor line it either way. Let me know what you think.

Also, I hate the high gloss spray paint that was used. I imagine it will be days of work getting it off. Please let me know if you have any products you recommend to easily remove spray paint. There are so many other aspects of the trailer I’d rather work on but this paint is bothering me. Thanks in advanc.