Hello ExPo,
First post, first trailer, first a lot of things. First off, I must start by commending some ridiculously talented work being displayed in this forum and the apparent talent behind them. I found the site a few weeks ago by googling "offroad trailer" and literally have not slept more than a few hours a night because I've been trying to get through the "builds" sticky. So I blame my insomnia and workplace low-productivity on y'all!
Anyway, wanted to introduce myself, as I have committed to starting a trailer build and would love to be a part of what's going on here. I'm a DIYer, proficient with most tools but no experience in welding. Have always tried to make things "better" but many times failed to do so. To me, it was always more about the process. A Texan, an outdoorsman, and have always found the most peace while building, doesnt matter what, anything really.
Long explanation on how I ended up here below...
This trailer idea all started when I ordered a conversion kit for my fishing kayak, a sail and outrigger set, which would effectively increase its weight to over 100lbs. I normally cartop the yak on a rack above the truck. The new configuration would need to be disassembled and then mounted every time I wanted to take the boat out. SO, I decided I needed a trailer. Originally I trolled CL for used boat trailers that I could easily mount a saddle on for the kayak. BUT, the more I thought about it, the less appealing it became. I'd have an eyesore of a trailer all the time and most importantly it would need to be heavily modified to even pull it where I wanted to take it....60 miles down rutted and soft beach, known as PINS (Padre Island National Seashore). Thus, the google search for "offroad trailer" because I figured there had to be others lifting trailers and rolling on big AT tires. AND then I found y'all, a community of jacked up hardcore trailer builders ("expedition" is the preferred term, i learned). Perfect, I thought. Two weeks later, maybe a hundred hours, midnight sketches, and a failed download of sketchup, I finally finish reading each build. A craigslist beater trailer just isn't gonna cut it now that my trailer-virgin mind has been tainted by what y'all have done! But could I, would I even be capable of such a project? Definitely outmatched in equipment, my dear table and miter saws cant help me out of this one.
Received the first step to the new "hobby" today. A Millermatic 211. Have acquired a few of the fundamental accessories and awaiting arrival of a few more.
I guess I needed to let that out. If you read through all of it, my apologies and gratitude!
On to the trailer concept: (I understand it does not fit true "expedition" status)
17-18ft enclosed hauler/camper shell on a strong frame with good clearance and matching track width/wheels to my Tacoma. The main objective is to haul two 16ft sailing kayaks, 3-5 day camping/fishing gear, water, gas, and ice. The idea is to be able to keep the kayak rig assembled, and utilize rollers to quickly load unload. Preferably with enough crawl space to sleep inside in bad weather. The trailer will only need to be capable of handling highway speed and slow speeds on soft sand. I'll try to scan some sketches as I cannot use sketchup...yet.
Preliminary configuration:
2x2 steel trailer frame
1x1 steel body frame
Alum or fiber wall panel
Ply floor glassed or sealed in some way
3500lb drop axle on long leafs w/ shocks and elect brakes
Tow Rig: 06 Tacoma dbl cab/longbed v6 trd with tow package. Mods: toytech 2.5 lift on 33" nitto terra grapplers
Haven't figure out a way to calculate the estimated weight yet, but will wait to crunch numbers until after I get it in sketchup
Good night!
First post, first trailer, first a lot of things. First off, I must start by commending some ridiculously talented work being displayed in this forum and the apparent talent behind them. I found the site a few weeks ago by googling "offroad trailer" and literally have not slept more than a few hours a night because I've been trying to get through the "builds" sticky. So I blame my insomnia and workplace low-productivity on y'all!
Anyway, wanted to introduce myself, as I have committed to starting a trailer build and would love to be a part of what's going on here. I'm a DIYer, proficient with most tools but no experience in welding. Have always tried to make things "better" but many times failed to do so. To me, it was always more about the process. A Texan, an outdoorsman, and have always found the most peace while building, doesnt matter what, anything really.
Long explanation on how I ended up here below...
This trailer idea all started when I ordered a conversion kit for my fishing kayak, a sail and outrigger set, which would effectively increase its weight to over 100lbs. I normally cartop the yak on a rack above the truck. The new configuration would need to be disassembled and then mounted every time I wanted to take the boat out. SO, I decided I needed a trailer. Originally I trolled CL for used boat trailers that I could easily mount a saddle on for the kayak. BUT, the more I thought about it, the less appealing it became. I'd have an eyesore of a trailer all the time and most importantly it would need to be heavily modified to even pull it where I wanted to take it....60 miles down rutted and soft beach, known as PINS (Padre Island National Seashore). Thus, the google search for "offroad trailer" because I figured there had to be others lifting trailers and rolling on big AT tires. AND then I found y'all, a community of jacked up hardcore trailer builders ("expedition" is the preferred term, i learned). Perfect, I thought. Two weeks later, maybe a hundred hours, midnight sketches, and a failed download of sketchup, I finally finish reading each build. A craigslist beater trailer just isn't gonna cut it now that my trailer-virgin mind has been tainted by what y'all have done! But could I, would I even be capable of such a project? Definitely outmatched in equipment, my dear table and miter saws cant help me out of this one.
Received the first step to the new "hobby" today. A Millermatic 211. Have acquired a few of the fundamental accessories and awaiting arrival of a few more.
I guess I needed to let that out. If you read through all of it, my apologies and gratitude!
On to the trailer concept: (I understand it does not fit true "expedition" status)
17-18ft enclosed hauler/camper shell on a strong frame with good clearance and matching track width/wheels to my Tacoma. The main objective is to haul two 16ft sailing kayaks, 3-5 day camping/fishing gear, water, gas, and ice. The idea is to be able to keep the kayak rig assembled, and utilize rollers to quickly load unload. Preferably with enough crawl space to sleep inside in bad weather. The trailer will only need to be capable of handling highway speed and slow speeds on soft sand. I'll try to scan some sketches as I cannot use sketchup...yet.
Preliminary configuration:
2x2 steel trailer frame
1x1 steel body frame
Alum or fiber wall panel
Ply floor glassed or sealed in some way
3500lb drop axle on long leafs w/ shocks and elect brakes
Tow Rig: 06 Tacoma dbl cab/longbed v6 trd with tow package. Mods: toytech 2.5 lift on 33" nitto terra grapplers
Haven't figure out a way to calculate the estimated weight yet, but will wait to crunch numbers until after I get it in sketchup
Good night!
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