Light weight rock crawler trailer

[Woods]

The shocks pivot fairly freely. The bushings have metal liners in them and the liners provide the support between the bushings and the mounts. The bushings rotate around the steel liners. The trailing arms provide a little less than 7" of travel. I think the general consensus it that trailing arms are the best design for expo trailers. In my original post, I wrote that I think a linked suspension would weigh less though. Tough to argue with trailing arm success in Baja racing.

I personally, believe that a better support system than air bags, would be rubber load springs. They would have a more even springrate. I needed air bags on this trailer, because the kitchen needs to be level. The sink is a flat bottom sink and it wouldn't drain if not level.

I like making videos, so Zubicon - this ones for you:

First off this is one the cleanist builds that I have seen and I've seen my fair share. That said though I would think with that suspension that you would have very little up travel and that it would bind like crazy based on the mounting angle of the shocks. Further might I ask why you went with the bags over something more tried, true, and darn bullet proof such as leafs or coil overs? Pretty darn slick on the pull out fold out kitchen. Hows that wood holding up to the twisting and vibration of off-road?

 

[Zubicon]

So you can inflate and deflate the bags individually? That's interesting. What type of air bag kit did you purchase, whats it rated at, do you know thefinal curb weightof the trailer? I just saw that my local State Trailer Supply is now selling bag kits, but I cant help to wonder wth I'll due in the epvent of bag failure

 

[Woods]

The bags can be on a single open circuit or separate. These are firestone bags and rated to around 2,500 lbs. Not sure if that's for one or both. Trailer dry is 830 lbs. These bags are pretty tough. I haven't read about any failures, but maybe others can chime in.

Here are some pictures of my original valve setup. I ended changing to ball valves. The button valves work good in one flow direction, but I need to seal in both directions.

So you can inflate and deflate the bags individually? That's interesting. What type of air bag kit did you purchase, whats it rated at, do you know thefinal curb weightof the trailer? I just saw that my local State Trailer Supply is now selling bag kits, but I cant help to wonder wth I'll due in the epvent of bag failure

 

[Zubicon]

Vehicles suspended exclusively by air are illegal in my state. I'm not sure if that applies to trailers as well. I'll have to check. If my dry weight exceeds 700 lbs it has to be licensed so that could be a most definite issue. Had a bud that spent over 13K on a custom air suspension on a street legal crawler.....so he thought until the highway patrol revoked the plates.

 

[Titanpat57]

Very impressive air system to say the least.

 

[Woods]

Aren't a lot of big rig trailers on air suspensions? I think that many motorhomes are too. I wonder if Martyn from Adventure trailers could answer your question. Not only might he know about trailer air suspension in Utah, but he also offers a sweet (and well priced) ready to roll air suspension kit. I'm pretty tired of our govmnt thinking they know what's better for us than we do.

BTW, my trailer box is removable. Without the box, kitchen, water tank etc., the trailer with deck is about 410 lbs.

Vehicles suspended exclusively by air are illegal in my state. I'm not sure if that applies to trailers as well. I'll have to check. If my dry weight exceeds 700 lbs it has to be licensed so that could be a most definite issue. Had a bud that spent over 13K on a custom air suspension on a street legal crawler.....so he thought until the highway patrol revoked the plates.

 

[bluejeep]

I built a trailer to haul my Jeep to and fro and used air bags. I've never towed anything that rode so smoothly. Empty or loaded, very smooth, quiet. Additionally, I designed it so when I let the air out the back end sits on the ground and I drive off/on. Lovely.

 

[Woods]

That's a great idea.

I built a trailer to haul my Jeep to and fro and used air bags. I've never towed anything that rode so smoothly. Empty or loaded, very smooth, quiet. Additionally, I designed it so when I let the air out the back end sits on the ground and I drive off/on. Lovely.

 

[Scott B.]

Great design!

I've been contemplating building a multipurpose trailer, similar in idea to yours.

How do you secure your kitchen-box to the trailer? I see the tie-down loops on the trailer frame - I assume you have some sort of quick-release fastening system?

Thanks.

 

[Woods]

The aluminum box is fastened to the trailer deck with machine screws. There is a neoprene tape seal between the box and the deck. The fasteners go through the seal. The kitchen is attached to the box via the drawer slides.

The loops are for holding stuff, either on top of the box, or to the deck.

Great design!

I've been contemplating building a multipurpose trailer, similar in idea to yours.

How do you secure your kitchen-box to the trailer? I see the tie-down loops on the trailer frame - I assume you have some sort of quick-release fastening system?

Thanks.

 

[Scott B.]

Thanks.

So there's not a quick-release... Probably more secure using bolts.

 

[Woods]

I was able to come up with a way that was "Quick" that would seal (waterproof) between the deck and the box.

I'd guess that I could have the box off in 15 - 20 minutes. Less with two people.

Thanks.

So there's not a quick-release... Probably more secure using bolts.

 

[TRegasaurus]

Is there a floor on the box?

 

[Woods]

Nope - box uses the trailer deck as the floor.

Is there a floor on the box?

 

[Woods]

More adhesive backed gasket / seal tape for sale

Again, I have to meet a minimum order to get my neoprene adhesive backed tape. This time, I'm ordering 3/8" thick X 3/4" wide neoprene tape. I can sell a 25' role for $12.50 plus shipping. I'll also be doing some 5/8" thick tape. Probably 5/8" or 3/4" wide. I don't know pricing yet.

Post up if you're interested.