Longbed Stepside Expedition Truck Trailer

[That One Guy]

Just to let you know... You can't weld that aluminum angle on there. Aluminum and steel don't work unless you have TIG, and even then you need an experienced welder to do it. Also, something I do to prevent thin sheet from warping while welding is to weld a little aand drip water on it and let it evaporate before welding again. More time consuming, but works great. Or you could just let it cool if you've got the time. Sweet idea for a camper trailer though, I like it a lot. Especially since it's a stepside.

EDIT: Also looks like you could turn your voltage up a bit.

 

[Pooch72]

Just to let you know... You can't weld that aluminum angle on there. Aluminum and steel don't work unless you have TIG, and even then you need an experienced welder to do it. Also, something I do to prevent thin sheet from warping while welding is to weld a little aand drip water on it and let it evaporate before welding again. More time consuming, but works great. Or you could just let it cool if you've got the time. Sweet idea for a camper trailer though, I like it a lot. Especially since it's a stepside.

EDIT: Also looks like you could turn your voltage up a bit.

Thanks for the comment! I didn't know about the aluminum/steel issue until this last weekend. You are the second person to point out the flaw in my plan. DAMMIT! Oh well... I'll figure out something else. Glad I found out before I messed it all up though.

It's a fun project. Hopefully it turns out as well as the picture in my head.

 

[That One Guy]

Sure thing, looks like a lot of fun:bike_rider:

 

[Pooch72]

So, it's Sunday night, and I've spent the better part of the entire weekend working on the trailer again. I've accomplished much, so I thought I'd update again. Here we go...

Mounted the rear cross-supports...

The front cross supports didn't line up with the strips, so I had to get creative. Here's my solution...

kind of a crappy picture, but this is with all of the cross supports installed.

 

[Pooch72]

Next step was to cut the wood for the bed floor. it was a terrible, and pain-staking process. I HATE WOODWORK! Not to mention that it didn't turn out nearly as well as I expected, considering how hard I worked on it. Anyways, I took more pictures after they were installed...

These pictures don't show them bolted down, so they look "crooked" and all. Hang on, it'll look better shortly.

 

[Pooch72]

Wheeled this sucker out onto the driveway, and got to work putting it all together.

That's side one... now for side two.

The entire thing got put together before I picked up the camera again.

 

[Pooch72]

Now, for the final stage, I got some of the finishing touches on it, and parked it back in the garage before the rain started.

The entire thing fits together, so now it needs lights, and wiring. Once I get that done, I can get it registered. And once that happens, I can actually USE it!

 

[OverlandZJ]

Congrats on your progress, will look great behind the Truck.

It's looking awfully familiar...

 

[ajsmith]

Great build, I'm looking forward to watching your progress. Keep the pictures coming. I'm working on a long box trailer to. It's a '78 Ford, I kept the fleet side for the extra room inside. I don't want to hi-jack your thread but if you like I can post up some pics of what I've done, It may give you some ideas.

 

[Pooch72]

VERY interested! Thanks!

 

[ajsmith]

I started with a striped down pick up that a gal I know said I could have if I took the garbage that had been setting in the bed for 7 years with it. Once home I cut the frame down, welded in a tongue and a hitch. My brother gave me an old canopy. Then I built a frame for a tool box a friend of mine gave me and now I'm building a rack for two propane tanks and gas and water cans. I have big plans for lots of other stuff, so this thing is far from being finished. I don't know how to organize the pics in order but you can figure it out

 

[jeep-N-montero]

That thing looks heavy! But looking good nonetheless. I actually thought of something similar until I found out how much they weigh, the Jeep 4.0 is a bit sensitive about that.

 

[Pooch72]

actually, I'm concerned with it being too light!!!

First of all, the springs I got from the 4x4 swap meet are the right height an all, but I'm afraid they're too stiff and strong. There isn't any flex at all in this thing.

As far as weight? The wood is just pine, and there isn't much of it. The sheet metal doesn't weigh much at all. The frame isn't boxed, so that's pretty light. Honestly, I think the heaviest thing is the freak'n TIRES!

Which may prove to be troublesome as they're so big and "balloon-ey". I hope this trailer doesn't bounce down the road behind me!!!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

actually, I'm concerned with it being too light!!!

First of all, the springs I got from the 4x4 swap meet are the right height an all, but I'm afraid they're too stiff and strong. There isn't any flex at all in this thing.

As far as weight? The wood is just pine, and there isn't much of it. The sheet metal doesn't weigh much at all. The frame isn't boxed, so that's pretty light. Honestly, I think the heaviest thing is the freak'n TIRES!

Which may prove to be troublesome as they're so big and "balloon-ey". I hope this trailer doesn't bounce down the road behind me!!!

Well, a popular setup is a 3k axle with 1.5k springs, some even add shocks. Another option for you is to remove one leaf at a time until it rides the way you want it to.

 

[ajsmith]

Pooch, any up dates? keep the pics coming.............