First new build expedition trailer need some advice

[Duckkiller208]

New to the site so excuse me for any wrong jargon and such. This is my first build for an expedition trailer. I started researching them and became fascinated with them. I'm handy with a welder and tools, I'm working up the blueprints right now and the specs. First thing first steel or aluminum and size? I'm pulling it mostly with my 06 Tacoma single cab 4cyl 4x4 so it has to be somewhat light for that.

 

[tgreening]

Steel. 4x6 is a pretty good size/match off-road for your Tacoma. Don't go overboard on the thickness of your steel. Most people do, and then wonder why so heavy, and you really don't need it.

The reason I say steel is because if by chance you break something or need to patch something, especially while on a trip, steel will be a whole lot easier to find. And there's a lot of weld shops that just don't deal with aluminum. Almost no one will be able to make an aluminum weld repair on the trail.

Keep your steel dimensions under control by engineering for what you'll carry and do, rather than engineering for surviving a nuclear bomb, and your weight savings aren't going to be that significant anyway. At least not at the size I mentioned.

 

[Duckkiller208]

I believe steel is the best decision for what you mention about repairs and the accessibility to do them. I was thinking 2x2 1/8" wall. I'm not going to get real crazy with a roll out kitchen and such. Two deep cycle group 24, Honda 1000 inverter, cvt 2 man top tent, 26 gallon water tank, tank less water heater, Afb awning, and the rest of the miscellaneous camping supplies. Those were the big items weight wise. I was going to get 2k axle for this, and then upgrade to timber axles if the trailer works.