Hello everyone. I have decided to start a thread for the build I am planning so that I can get ideas and input. Here are some pictures of the trailer I am working with:
My first step will be to remove all of the old military brackets, reflectors, etc... I will also remove the brake parts and down the road replace the axle with a 3500 lb unit, but I am working on a budget and want to get the trailer usable for camping first.
I also am planning to redo the cobbled together coupler. I found one of the pieces that the lunette ring and brake master cylinder originally mounted on from eBay. I plan to take the landing leg mount off of it and cut an opening to accept a hitch tube. I will be removing the 2” square tubing that is currently on the trailer (it’s crooked and looks like crap) and cutting it down to use for the coupler.
I want to build a box with rear and side doors that will eventually have a telescoping rack for a roof top tent and awning. I will continue ground camping for now but want that to be an option down the road.
I am struggling with what steel to use for the frame of the box that won’t add too much weight, but will support the RTT in the future. There is not much information out there regarding the steel type and thickness, but the few builds I have been able to find on YouTube and various forums, it seems most use 1/8” or 11 gauge but the shape varies between 1.5” angle, 2x2 tubing, 1X2 tubing, 1x3 tubing, and the list goes on.
The trailer bed is 44.25” X 96” and that would be the general size of the box. I plan to make the box tall enough for the doors to have 30” tall openings. The columns for the box will be at the four corners, and at least one extra on each side to coincide with the doors. The RTT rack will probably slip inside 4 of these columns. For design purposes, I think the rack should be able to carry the weight of the tent and awning plus about 600 pounds, so I figure about 750 pounds.
Does anyone have recommendations on steel shape, size, and thickness for the columns of the box?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
My first step will be to remove all of the old military brackets, reflectors, etc... I will also remove the brake parts and down the road replace the axle with a 3500 lb unit, but I am working on a budget and want to get the trailer usable for camping first.
I also am planning to redo the cobbled together coupler. I found one of the pieces that the lunette ring and brake master cylinder originally mounted on from eBay. I plan to take the landing leg mount off of it and cut an opening to accept a hitch tube. I will be removing the 2” square tubing that is currently on the trailer (it’s crooked and looks like crap) and cutting it down to use for the coupler.
I want to build a box with rear and side doors that will eventually have a telescoping rack for a roof top tent and awning. I will continue ground camping for now but want that to be an option down the road.
I am struggling with what steel to use for the frame of the box that won’t add too much weight, but will support the RTT in the future. There is not much information out there regarding the steel type and thickness, but the few builds I have been able to find on YouTube and various forums, it seems most use 1/8” or 11 gauge but the shape varies between 1.5” angle, 2x2 tubing, 1X2 tubing, 1x3 tubing, and the list goes on.
The trailer bed is 44.25” X 96” and that would be the general size of the box. I plan to make the box tall enough for the doors to have 30” tall openings. The columns for the box will be at the four corners, and at least one extra on each side to coincide with the doors. The RTT rack will probably slip inside 4 of these columns. For design purposes, I think the rack should be able to carry the weight of the tent and awning plus about 600 pounds, so I figure about 750 pounds.
Does anyone have recommendations on steel shape, size, and thickness for the columns of the box?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro