Long road to start a low budget build

[wisconsinwalter]

Things have been tough the past few months. To keep busy I got a real inexpensive trailer to work on as funds come along

This trailer was a Miller Electric generator trailer that was modded along the way.

The box is 42x72x12. I know it is short but it is what I have to work with right now. I am hoping to create headroom with a lid. The ends are getting welded closed to close the box

It is now getting sandblasted and primed and painted. Then a new axle and some Jeep wheels and tires

Current axle is some kind of old auto axle

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Hardcore Metal Detectors
Multi Line Dealer

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[sgiandubh]

Looks like a sweet platform to work from. Good luck!

 

[Mark Harley]

Good start! Nice room on the tongue for a box, fuel or electric.
The box is a nice size. I would build the walls higher for more storage.
Axle swap is easy after you pick your wheels and length.
Keep posting the progress.

 

[ober27]

Looks like a great starting point, lots of potential.

 

[skersfan]

Why all that salt on the ground, your scaring Septu!!! Anxious to see it develop.

 

[dcollier32]

Subbed, looking forward to seeing your progress

 

[Septu]

Why all that salt on the ground, your scaring Septu!!! Anxious to see it develop.

LOL! Naw I have more of that white crap in my driveway! Can't wait to see how this turns out.

 

[wisconsinwalter]

I have a question for the more experienced here. I have been debating how to raise the sides and a lid.

My looking around has me looking at a custom truck box from highway products.

I can get a box 39 x 72x 20 to fit in the hole exact in diamond plate, locking lid shipped for $1400. I had considered a wood lid but don't want to deal with a series of fails to get what I want.

Looking around, custom lids aren't much less and wood is great if square and water tight.

Only thoughts would be a little taller on the box height. Any suggestions?

 

[Septu]

Your box as is, isn't very tall. Personally I'm all for more space in the trailer that's water/dust tight. Going up 3.5 feet shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[wisconsinwalter]

Thanks Septu, I am struggling with the height. I don't need a lot of height. Maybe a wood box would be the place to start out with and save my money.

Waiting for the sand blasting and paint to be finished to begin the box

 

[wisconsinwalter]

Deleted

 

[wisconsinwalter]

So I started to build up my trailer, today I started with the box. My buddy is is cabinetmaker and wanted to help and his shop was helpful

I purchased some marine grade plywood and we got started. He asked me want I wanted and I told him I am in a learning phase in that regard. I liked the "Bumblebee" build so I chose to emulate that box.

As a pre cursor, I am not doing much off-road so this trailer is a work in progress and may not conform to the requirements of off-road use.

We are framing up the box, gluing and stapling at this stage. I intend to use 1 1/2 IC aluminum angle on the inside and outside corners. We used cedar and framed the hatch and cleated the lid to created larger space to for the gasket to sit

Getting it measured

We reduced one edge along the lid and back hatch 1/8" to receive the weatherstripping better

The box is 39x71. We hinged the lid at 28" with a piano hinge

The back hatch is attached.

Next week, we will start the trailer sandblast and prime as the box is or will be removable

 

[wisconsinwalter]

I am also changing out the axle and hubs to fit these wheels he gave me.

 

[wisconsinwalter]

I got ahead of myself and didn't reinforce the inside corners yet, but have 1 1/2 steel pre drilled and was going to add same size aluminum outside corner.

Will that be over kill? I was able to secure aluminum channel to cover the edges that are exposed

 

[wisconsinwalter]

All done other than a new axle and RTT crossbars.

The box was made by a company the make dog boxes for hunters.