My Baja Trailer build....

[SavageSunJeep]

I don't know if this is the case, but one reason for such a leaf is to give some over-load capability, yet not cause a sharp increase in spring rate. Results in a more gradual rising rate.

I run the stock yota over-loads upside down under my GM 63's so that they have a nice ramp to lay down onto rather than kinking at the spring perch. Which they clearly were going to do prior to the install of the o/l's.

I thought of that, but it seems like with the spring upside down that it could easily catch on things while off road.

Also, in order to obtain any increase in spring rate the upper springs will have to be loaded and be at an angle of less than 180 degrees, which seems rather harsh and overloaded.

Or so it seems, but I could very well be off the mark in my thoughts.

 

[ntsqd]

Too many factors to guess the exact sitch. from one pic.

 

[J-man]

hey no problem. The leafs are from/for a tacoma. If you ever look underneath one, youll see that (reverse arched leaf) is the overload leaf. Hopefully my springs will never need that support, but i might take it off anyway.

Update: Currently working on the lid doors. Also waiting for my fenders to come in so i can make some steps off the front and rear to be integrated. I need to get this finished cause im headin to baja nov 8 for several days - its maiden voyage.

J,
I am just now getting in on this thread and if this has been addressed, please excuse and give post #.

Springs: You are running a 5 leaf and the bottom spring appears to be reverse bent (downward) on the bottom spring. I do not understand this, shed light please.

 

[SavageSunJeep]

hey no problem. The leafs are from/for a tacoma. If you ever look underneath one, youll see that (reverse arched leaf) is the overload leaf. Hopefully my springs will never need that support, but i might take it off anyway.

Update: Currently working on the lid doors. Also waiting for my fenders to come in so i can make some steps off the front and rear to be integrated. I need to get this finished cause im headin to baja nov 8 for several days - its maiden voyage.

Thanks and interesting.

The spring pack on my M101 trailer is 9 leaves deep. I am not sure what these military trailers are rated at, but it does have a 3,500 lb axle under it and I have seen them loaded to the point they are almost dragging on the ground.

pics here: http://www.savagesun4x4.com/m101_military_jeep_trailer.html

 

[805gregg]

Sorry but I just have to ask a dumb question, if you keep breaking trailers in Baja why take one at all? My wife and I just spent 2 weeks in Baja in a little jeep Liberty and could have stayed longer. We had a surfboard, 2 man inflatable kayak,wet suits and dive gear, two fishing rods 3 reels, 4 man tent,shade awning, 2 cots,2 sleeping bags, stove, table and all kitchen gear,two nice folding chairs and an Engle refer. we were able to do the wash board roads at up to 50 mph. I really enjoyed being small and light but self contained, towing a trailer would have been a slow bummer, so why?

 

[blupaddler]

I can't speak for Jman, but he carries multiple surfboards, and an Eeze Awn. The biggest problem with a RTT and surfboards is just that. They both usually travel on the roof.


I might get a trailer some day for the reason that I hate trying to deal with the RTT and surfboards. Also, I want to pack an inflatable & 25hp motor too.

But, that's my .02

 

[805gregg]

I can't speak for Jman, but he carries multiple surfboards, and an Eeze Awn. The biggest problem with a RTT and surfboards is just that. They both usually travel on the roof.


I might get a trailer some day for the reason that I hate trying to deal with the RTT and surfboards. Also, I want to pack an inflatable & 25hp motor too.

But, that's my .02

Try a Tuffy Tent sets up in less than 5 minutes, the main problem with trailers is they slow you down too much.

 

[J-man]

hey, not a dumb question at all. The problem with standard trailers is that theyre not designed for constant offroad abuse. We could sit here all night and debate either for or against a trailer, benefits and drawbacks, but i have found out that for my style of Baja camping, i prefer to have my roof tent mounted off the car so its free to move, and also keeping everything out of the vehicle in an accessible "box" makes for great organization and others i camp with able to get in/out to get whatever they want without rummaging through the car.

you mentioned a trailer being a slow bummer - not at all. Having built mine the way i did, as well as others who have built their own, actually allows me to drive safer (lighter vehicle) and at the same speed as if i didnt have one.

Sorry but I just have to ask a dumb question, if you keep breaking trailers in Baja why take one at all? My wife and I just spent 2 weeks in Baja in a little jeep Liberty and could have stayed longer. We had a surfboard, 2 man inflatable kayak,wet suits and dive gear, two fishing rods 3 reels, 4 man tent,shade awning, 2 cots,2 sleeping bags, stove, table and all kitchen gear,two nice folding chairs and an Engle refer. we were able to do the wash board roads at up to 50 mph. I really enjoyed being small and light but self contained, towing a trailer would have been a slow bummer, so why?

 

[Rezarf <><]

Jman!

Where are the pics man!? Didn't you powder coat this thing?

Inspire us... won't you!?

 

[805gregg]

I probably drive too fast, I like to drive Mex 1 with a lead car to block the way and have them search for radar. I got behind a Jeep Commander Hemi from San Ignacio to GN. He drove real fast ( I think trying to get away from my little diesel) we made it to GN in about 1 hr. You're not doing that with a trailer.

 

[J-man]

Well, driving over 75 on mex 1 is not a great idea in my opinion, with or without a trailer - you never know when that cow is crossing the road over that next hump in the road or around the next bend and the last 2 trips i have seen 2 accidents involving cars with cows, and guess who wins - the cow.
That being said, my overall time on the last trip from san diego to san juanico (700 miles) took us 18 hours overall, 1 hour longer than usual, and offroad, the trailer didnt slow us down a bit, still hammer down as much as normal. But at camp, the trailer was great to have. Tent up top, vehicle free to use, just what i wanted.

I probably drive too fast, I like to drive Mex 1 with a lead car to block the way and have them search for radar. I got behind a Jeep Commander Hemi from San Ignacio to GN. He drove real fast ( I think trying to get away from my little diesel) we made it to GN in about 1 hr. You're not doing that with a trailer.

 

[J-man]

But i hear you on the lead car idea, i like to duck behind a big rig thats got a good pace cause you know anything they hit will be obliterated, or another car if one presents itself.

I probably drive too fast, I like to drive Mex 1 with a lead car to block the way and have them search for radar. I got behind a Jeep Commander Hemi from San Ignacio to GN. He drove real fast ( I think trying to get away from my little diesel) we made it to GN in about 1 hr. You're not doing that with a trailer.