Expo-Lite

[Backroad Explorer]

REasley nice build so far. Can't wait for the rest . What kind of fuel tank are you going to use? Any pic's of your ExPo samurai :safari-rig: I also drive one!!

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

How about two metal straps just as a safety net. Although I have had ratchet straps (and it looks like you are using some nice heavy ones) last for a long time, under tension, exposed to the weather, a little insurance wouldn't hurt.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

This got me thinking about how I will mount my tank. I was originally going to bend some metal straps, but I wonder is rubber bungies would work? The tank will be sitting on the floor, in a snug compartment so it won't take much to hold it down.

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

This got me thinking about how I will mount my tank. I was originally going to bend some metal straps, but I wonder is rubber bungies would work? The tank will be sitting on the floor, in a snug compartment so it won't take much to hold it down.

On my current tank, which is mounted inside the trailer on the floor, I used plastic pipe strap. I doubled over the ends where I put in the screws and it has all held well so far.

 

[REasley]

Plan on replacing those straps quite often. You'd be surprised how fast the nylon will deteriorate when left under constant tension. My main concern would be where the strap is looped around the tie-down hook. There are lots of better ways to mount a tank that won't weigh much more than the ratchet straps.

Gabe

I have this same strap holding my canoes to their rack. They have been there under tension for the past 7 years (except for the 3 or 4 times a year that we are using them). Admittedly they don't bounce around much on the rack, but they are under tension and still functioning.

 

[REasley]

Backroad Explorer

The fuel tank is from Ace Rotomold http://www.denhartogindustries.com/PDFs/SP0012-****.pdf

I'll see if I can find a photo of the sammy.

OlympiaFJ60
I may crimp up a couple of 1/8" safety cables for insurance.

R_Lefebrve
The rubber snubbers will break down with ozone exposure. If you can find US made snubbers, you can get maybe 3 or more years, while the imports will probably have to be replaced annually.

 

[blue94yj]

Are there any updates?

 

[REasley]

I had to have surgery on my elbow last week so it has slowed my progress on the trailer. I am working on the suspension and will have that part done next week. Unfortunately we have to go to Tahoe this weekend for a wedding, so I seem to be getting further and further behind. I'm heading down to the shop now, so I'll see if I can get a shot of the progress

 

[REasley]

The front spring hangers are temporary, just there to establish suspension height. The rear hangers are in place, but I have not finished welding them. I've also added the lower shock mounts to the axle.

 

[REasley]

Finally back to work on my trailer. I've finished the undercarriage and used Herculiner to coat the frame. It's not finished, but the wife wanted to see how high the kitchen counter (aka door) would be.




The boxes are just sitting there, not attached yet. I still need to do some touch up to the frame and build the fender mounts. Then of course there is plumbing, lights and wiring. I hope to be finished in the next two or three weeks so we can get in a shake down trip before we head to Utah in October.

 

[Backroad Explorer]

REasley; Trailer looks fantastic. Hope the elbow is doing O.K.. Nice looking Sammy thanks for the pic's. Please keep us informed on your progress :victory:

 

[OverlandZJ]

The Coleman cooler cover... does it need to be removed to open the lid? Nicely designed trailer.

Reasley.. looking great!

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

How are you going to do the fenders? It looks like the doors come down pretty close to the tire?

 

[WildSide]

How are you going to do the fenders? It looks like the doors come down pretty close to the tire?

I vote have them hug the tire and float with the axle like a motorcycle fender....

 

[REasley]

Backroad Explorer
The elbow has healed nicely thanks. This was the second surgury. The first was a reassembly after triping over a trailer tongue (appropriate for this forum) and shattering the elbow. The hard part has been the loss of use of my right hand. So this has been a one handed trailer build.

OlympiaFJ60
Highlandercj-7 mentioned the clearance issue some time back. I thought I had it figured out, but last night as I was starting to mockup the fender mounts, I realized that I may have erred. With all of my measuring and calculating I thought I had left enough clearance for suspension travel. The drop down door sets the max height for the fender on the passenger side. When intially measuring the box, I calculated from the door hinge giving me two additional inches, but I forgot to allow for thickness of the door. So as built, the fender might become the bump stop. I've only got about 3" of clearance. Any ideas on how to calculate the suspension travel?

My first thought was to extend the spring mounts and shackles, but I am afraid that load and impact stresses would be too great. I suspect that my best course is to add a layer of thin wall 2" tubing to the top of the frame. Any thoughts?