Just another 6 x 12 cargo conversion
- Thread starter Mischief
- Start date
Mischief
Active member
You're welcome ottsville, sometimes it's hard to wrap our minds around things. Try explaining bicycle steering geometries 
For my own curiosity I measured my spring length. From the eye to the center bolt along the curve of the unloaded spring is 1/4 inch longer than a straight line. So I guess if the spring was compressed flat it would push the tire 1/4" closer to the center and if both springs were compressed flat the tires would move twice that or 1/2" closer together. I still can't quite imagine a scenario where both springs were compressed flat, at least in my application, it isn't a freight trailer. And I still think that both springs being half compressed as normal that when one loads the other unloads so the loaded one would stretch and the unloaded one would contract
For my own curiosity I measured my spring length. From the eye to the center bolt along the curve of the unloaded spring is 1/4 inch longer than a straight line. So I guess if the spring was compressed flat it would push the tire 1/4" closer to the center and if both springs were compressed flat the tires would move twice that or 1/2" closer together. I still can't quite imagine a scenario where both springs were compressed flat, at least in my application, it isn't a freight trailer. And I still think that both springs being half compressed as normal that when one loads the other unloads so the loaded one would stretch and the unloaded one would contract
Mischief
Active member
A little update, I had a water container at the back secured with a strap over the top through the handle. I didn't notice but during a rather rough descent it had moved out from under the strap and landed on it's top so the vent slowly leaked the water out. I built a box to contain the jugs and they can still be accessed with the bed down.
Very very cool rig! This is almost exactly what I have in mind. I'm after a 6x12. I want some sort of off road suspension (independent torsion). I was debating if I needed a tandem axle or not, and still haven't decided. I'm using an unlifted Jeep Wrangler with a tow limit of #3500, and wanted to keep the entire weight under #3000. A tandem axle setup adds another #500. With solar batteries, water, bed, and stuff, I would be hitting that #3000 limit. I was also thinking about mileage. It seems you are hitting the same type of terrain I was planning on. Forest Roads, BLM land, but no technical stuff like rock crawling ,etc. Do you believe a single torsion axle will do, or do you recommend a tandem? thanks
ITTOG
Well-known member
Keep in mind a tandem adds improved angles of departure and if you have a blowout it will be much safer. I went with a tandem because of this.
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dreadlocks
Well-known member
FYI those water containers fit perfectly into milk crates, thats how I keep mine from moving about while still having quick access to em on the road.. I use turnbuckles to hold the crates in place, or you could screw em down.. also gives em a bit of protection if something else comes loose in the trailer and starts sliding around.
edit: PS milk crates also hold LP tanks perfectly too, I friggin love milk crates and cant get my hands on enough of em lol
edit: PS milk crates also hold LP tanks perfectly too, I friggin love milk crates and cant get my hands on enough of em lol
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Mischief
Active member
Lots of 6x12's run on single axles. I like tandem setups. I think tandems transfer less stress to the the tow vehicle from dropping into holes or ruts and lessen bouncing. New tandem axles with springs costs about the same as a single timbren but I also built a subframe to mount them to so, yeah, with the steel the second axle added about 500#'s. The subframe also made it easy to extend the hitch. Mostly just personal preference
Mischief
Active member
So, I have a lock n roll hitch and I like it, it works well and doesn't seem too spendy for what it is. But, I'm a little disappointed that it has worn the way that it has.
The trailer side has a lot of up and down movement around the side to side pivot that seems to come from the wear in the narrow hitch part sticking out from the trailer. I shortened up the truck side of my receiver to take up a little movement and put a little less stress on the truck frame but the trailer side had stumped me. So finally the bangbangbangbang of the hitch got enough for me to attempt a fix. I bought another trailer side and merged the two together to try to eliminate the movement. We'll see how it works...
The trailer side has a lot of up and down movement around the side to side pivot that seems to come from the wear in the narrow hitch part sticking out from the trailer. I shortened up the truck side of my receiver to take up a little movement and put a little less stress on the truck frame but the trailer side had stumped me. So finally the bangbangbangbang of the hitch got enough for me to attempt a fix. I bought another trailer side and merged the two together to try to eliminate the movement. We'll see how it works...
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This looks like an actual normal sized trailer, not the thimble-sized ones you can't tell are there...
How does it do off road? What ae the limitations? Seems the 4wd will struggle with all this weight even on simple situations.