Mark Harley
Expedition Leader
They are working backwards shackle mount should be to the front of the trailer slider to the rear.
they extend when compressed and are pushing forward when hitting a bump.
My Camping / Rooftop Tent Trailer Build
- Thread starter JKChad
- Start date
They are working backwards shackle mount should be to the front of the trailer slider to the rear.
they extend when compressed and are pushing forward when hitting a bump.
JKChad
Observer
Totally makes sense. Not hurting anything at this point. Been that way for close to 40 years. I do plan to swap out to some newer leaf springs with just a little more arch/lift at some point. Thanks for pointing that out! 👍
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JKChad
Observer
Got another project I can check off my never ending trailer project list. Got the trailer tongue extension welded in this morning.
Went to a local welding buddy of mine to have it done. Being very new to welding, I felt it was a very structurally critical piece that I didn't want to have and 2nd guesses about. Especially once we set out on a 2000+ mile trip in a couple weeks. Had the old custom made 2"x2.25" OD tongue cut out and new 48" Curt 2" ID, 2.5" OD" receiver tube welded in. Then I used a 2"X2"x12" solid bar stock to weld the 2" ball coupler to. Overall I got about 22"-24" of extension to be able to make a little more room for a rack and tongue box. Another big plus to the design is the added security of being about to remove the trailer side coupler when needed.
Next up, I plan to move the jack up closer to the point of the A-frame. I'll be mounting my parking brake lever on the new receiver tube right past the A-frame point. Then on to building my front storage rack for the spare tire and propane tank. Once I'm ready to start my dedicated 12v/110v system, I'll be adding a tongue box for the battery and electronics.
Here's a quick preview of this mornings work. Still need to shorten the chain but it's functional and relatively safe.
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Went to a local welding buddy of mine to have it done. Being very new to welding, I felt it was a very structurally critical piece that I didn't want to have and 2nd guesses about. Especially once we set out on a 2000+ mile trip in a couple weeks. Had the old custom made 2"x2.25" OD tongue cut out and new 48" Curt 2" ID, 2.5" OD" receiver tube welded in. Then I used a 2"X2"x12" solid bar stock to weld the 2" ball coupler to. Overall I got about 22"-24" of extension to be able to make a little more room for a rack and tongue box. Another big plus to the design is the added security of being about to remove the trailer side coupler when needed.
Next up, I plan to move the jack up closer to the point of the A-frame. I'll be mounting my parking brake lever on the new receiver tube right past the A-frame point. Then on to building my front storage rack for the spare tire and propane tank. Once I'm ready to start my dedicated 12v/110v system, I'll be adding a tongue box for the battery and electronics.
Here's a quick preview of this mornings work. Still need to shorten the chain but it's functional and relatively safe.
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JKChad
Observer
Got a few more things I can check off my list. Parking brake system is installed and functional. Also finished up my new trailer wiring system by connecting the brakes. I'll be loading up a video I did of the parking brake system I got from the parts house a little later. I was able to route the trailer brake wires along the parking brake cable guide. Turned out very clean with plenty of clearnace for my tires.
Now to build a front tongue rack for the spare tire and propane. Also going to build one for the front of the tent rack. Then, it'll be time to prime and paint.
For now, here's a few quick shots I got.
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Now to build a front tongue rack for the spare tire and propane. Also going to build one for the front of the tent rack. Then, it'll be time to prime and paint.
For now, here's a few quick shots I got.
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JKChad
Observer
Here's the video overview of the parking brake system and a few other update details. Since this video, I've done a bit more finish work to clean up the loose cables and I finished the electric brake wiring. Also tested the electric brakes with my new brake controller I just installed a few hours ago. Thankfully all tested out good.
https://youtu.be/EJH102-TThs
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https://youtu.be/EJH102-TThs
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JKChad
Observer
Progress update:
Ended up ordering some basic "jeep style" fenders to bolt on before my Colorado trip this weekend. So i fabbed up some brackets and got them mounted. Then, I stripped the whole trailer down and prepped it for primer and paint. Ended up going with the spray can dupli-color truck bed coating due to time constraints and some other issues. It's still a little soft in places but looks pretty good. About finished with stripping the aluminum interior panels, hope to finish that up today. Going to leave them raw for the trip and figure out what I want to do to them after we get back. Going to also fab up a basic rack for the tongue to hold my spare tire, propane tank, and high-lift jack. That'll be my last project before the trip.
Here's a few pics I took over the last few days.
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Ended up ordering some basic "jeep style" fenders to bolt on before my Colorado trip this weekend. So i fabbed up some brackets and got them mounted. Then, I stripped the whole trailer down and prepped it for primer and paint. Ended up going with the spray can dupli-color truck bed coating due to time constraints and some other issues. It's still a little soft in places but looks pretty good. About finished with stripping the aluminum interior panels, hope to finish that up today. Going to leave them raw for the trip and figure out what I want to do to them after we get back. Going to also fab up a basic rack for the tongue to hold my spare tire, propane tank, and high-lift jack. That'll be my last project before the trip.
Here's a few pics I took over the last few days.
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boxcaradventure
New member
Sorry to keep buggin you, do you have that sketch on how you have the gas struts mounted?
Jmanscotch
is wandering
I'm liking it Chad, simple and effective design! Any plans to change the wheels/hubs now to match the JK?
JKChad
Observer
Just figured I'd post as it's been a while. I've put close to 4500 miles on my trailer in the last few months. Did the FJ summit in Ouray Colorado, Overland East, and a few family camping trips thrown in for good measure. The trailer has come a long ways and has many more mods planned for winter.
I'm absolutely loving my trailer parking brake system, it's a god send for moving the trailer around by myself and adds a much appreciated level of safety. Also love having a detachable tongue. I feel far better about leaving the trailer. The new axle setup has been flawless. The telescoping rack system is functional still but will be revamped slightly this winter. Next big project is 12v/110 system with solar and fridge/freezer enclosure.
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I'm absolutely loving my trailer parking brake system, it's a god send for moving the trailer around by myself and adds a much appreciated level of safety. Also love having a detachable tongue. I feel far better about leaving the trailer. The new axle setup has been flawless. The telescoping rack system is functional still but will be revamped slightly this winter. Next big project is 12v/110 system with solar and fridge/freezer enclosure.
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ArkansasDon
Observer
looks good, like the idea you media blasted it. I done the same with my build as I built the chassis.
JKChad
Observer
I Keep forgetting to update this build thread. Finally had some time, over the last few months, to work on the trailer some more. I've done a few projects and have multiple in progress. We've also had two trips out with the trailer so far this spring. We did a 2000 mile trip from Nashville to Tampa FL, then Tampa back up to the Apalachicola area to camp on the gulf for 6 days and back home. We also did a 4 day trip on Memorial Day weekend down to Chattanooga to camp on lake Chickamauga, at chester frost park. The trailer has seen around 7000 miles since the initial rebuild started and has done really well!
This spring, I decided to come up with an inexpensive cargo box for the front tongue. This setup is removable, think modular based on whatever I'm using the trailer for. It's a plastic tool box from a late 90's Ford Ranger that I picked up off of craigslist for about $40. I made a mount for it and replaced a few bolts on the locking mechanism. It's done a great job of keeping water out and offering a little bit of protection for my tools, camp chairs, RTT annex, ect.
I also took on the task of redoing how my rack raises and lowers. I wanted the front and back to raise/lower independent of each other. So I came up with a bolt on hinge mount for the upper legs. I proceeded with cutting the upper legs off of the rack and re-attaching them using the brackets I fabbed up.
My welding it start to get a little better. Not everyone come out quite like this, but it's an improvement!
I'm overall happy with how they turned out and how they function. It exposed a few new challenges, the rear struts have the majority of the weight over them, so they're way over weight now. I could replace them with 80# struts, but i'm likely going to hold out since I'm working on my 12v/110v system build out. Once I have a dedicated onboard power, i'll switch to linear actuators.
Having the front and rear separate definitely makes it a little bit easier to quickly access the cargo area.
Next post will show some of the upcoming projects!
This spring, I decided to come up with an inexpensive cargo box for the front tongue. This setup is removable, think modular based on whatever I'm using the trailer for. It's a plastic tool box from a late 90's Ford Ranger that I picked up off of craigslist for about $40. I made a mount for it and replaced a few bolts on the locking mechanism. It's done a great job of keeping water out and offering a little bit of protection for my tools, camp chairs, RTT annex, ect.
I also took on the task of redoing how my rack raises and lowers. I wanted the front and back to raise/lower independent of each other. So I came up with a bolt on hinge mount for the upper legs. I proceeded with cutting the upper legs off of the rack and re-attaching them using the brackets I fabbed up.
My welding it start to get a little better. Not everyone come out quite like this, but it's an improvement!
I'm overall happy with how they turned out and how they function. It exposed a few new challenges, the rear struts have the majority of the weight over them, so they're way over weight now. I could replace them with 80# struts, but i'm likely going to hold out since I'm working on my 12v/110v system build out. Once I have a dedicated onboard power, i'll switch to linear actuators.
Having the front and rear separate definitely makes it a little bit easier to quickly access the cargo area.
Next post will show some of the upcoming projects!
Attachments
JKChad
Observer
My current, work in progress, project(s) are all unfolding together.
Project A: build side steps
I've gotten as far as mocking up the step design using cardboard(old school CAD!) and purchasing the steel. Hoping to have some time over the next few days to get this project knocked out.
Project B: Build a front enclosure for the fridge/freezer and a camp kitchen chuck box. Planning to do a 50" slide that will slide out on the passenger side. I've only gotten as far as getting the design somewhat out of my head and drawn up in Sketchup. I've been debating if I want to do one big slide that pulls out on the passenger side to be my slide out kitchen or possibly do just a partial slide, just for my fridge, and have the remaining space on the drivers side open up as my electronics box for batteries, charger, ect..
The enclosure will pretty much force me to do 2 other projects I'm planning which is a Raised lid and swapping out my current 6x5.5 hubs for 5x5 hubs so I can use the spare from the jeep and not need to carry a spare on the trailer, for now. That will ultimately be another project to build a spare tire carrier on the back.. lol..
Project C: Trailer lid with front access panels.
I have not gotten much further than sketchup renderings at this point. I plan to purchase the metal for this soon. Just trying to decide how and what i want to skin the frame with. Steel would be the cheapest, but I'm not sure if I can get some thin enough to be strong, but not cause the lid to weight a ton.
Project D: convert trailer to 5x5 hubs to run wheels that match the primary tow vehicle, our 2015 Jeep JKUR.
I have made some progress with this. Unfortunately, I will need to order a new narrower axle, just the tube with brake flanges. As most of us know, the OEM jeep wheels do not have a large enough center opening for the trailer axle hub to pass through. The remedy is to use 1.5" wheels spacers. This will cause my wheels and tires to stick out too far past my fenders, hence the need for a new narrower axles. I have the hubs and matching wheels here. Just need to get my axles ordered. I thankfully found a local trailer builder/supplier that will order me the exact dexter 3500lb axle I need for $100! So, that's a plus!
Lastly, for now..
Project E: Build a shroud with feed and return ducts for my AC unit.
Camping with a 2.5 yrd old boy who's a hot box and so am I, this will allow us to enjoy the trailer all summer long! We just sat the unit, a small 5k btu window unit, up in the front of the RTT on our last trip and it worked surprisingly well! It had zero problems getting our Tent to a nice mid 60's temp inside during the hottest parts of the day. I just want to improve upon the setup by making the unit able to be place away from the tent and duct the cool air in. Also planning to put some time in soon, hopefully this weekend, to make the shroud.
Project A: build side steps
I've gotten as far as mocking up the step design using cardboard(old school CAD!) and purchasing the steel. Hoping to have some time over the next few days to get this project knocked out.
Project B: Build a front enclosure for the fridge/freezer and a camp kitchen chuck box. Planning to do a 50" slide that will slide out on the passenger side. I've only gotten as far as getting the design somewhat out of my head and drawn up in Sketchup. I've been debating if I want to do one big slide that pulls out on the passenger side to be my slide out kitchen or possibly do just a partial slide, just for my fridge, and have the remaining space on the drivers side open up as my electronics box for batteries, charger, ect..
The enclosure will pretty much force me to do 2 other projects I'm planning which is a Raised lid and swapping out my current 6x5.5 hubs for 5x5 hubs so I can use the spare from the jeep and not need to carry a spare on the trailer, for now. That will ultimately be another project to build a spare tire carrier on the back.. lol..
Project C: Trailer lid with front access panels.
I have not gotten much further than sketchup renderings at this point. I plan to purchase the metal for this soon. Just trying to decide how and what i want to skin the frame with. Steel would be the cheapest, but I'm not sure if I can get some thin enough to be strong, but not cause the lid to weight a ton.
Project D: convert trailer to 5x5 hubs to run wheels that match the primary tow vehicle, our 2015 Jeep JKUR.
I have made some progress with this. Unfortunately, I will need to order a new narrower axle, just the tube with brake flanges. As most of us know, the OEM jeep wheels do not have a large enough center opening for the trailer axle hub to pass through. The remedy is to use 1.5" wheels spacers. This will cause my wheels and tires to stick out too far past my fenders, hence the need for a new narrower axles. I have the hubs and matching wheels here. Just need to get my axles ordered. I thankfully found a local trailer builder/supplier that will order me the exact dexter 3500lb axle I need for $100! So, that's a plus!
Lastly, for now..
Project E: Build a shroud with feed and return ducts for my AC unit.
Camping with a 2.5 yrd old boy who's a hot box and so am I, this will allow us to enjoy the trailer all summer long! We just sat the unit, a small 5k btu window unit, up in the front of the RTT on our last trip and it worked surprisingly well! It had zero problems getting our Tent to a nice mid 60's temp inside during the hottest parts of the day. I just want to improve upon the setup by making the unit able to be place away from the tent and duct the cool air in. Also planning to put some time in soon, hopefully this weekend, to make the shroud.
Overland_blakout
New member
Cant wait to see how u duct window unit. I've had the same idea because Ive found myself wanting to camp but wishing for fall since it's so hot. Great stuff man 
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JKChad
Observer
Cant wait to see how u duct window unit. I've had the same idea because Ive found myself wanting to camp but wishing for fall since it's so hot. Great stuff man
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Thankfully the hard part is figured out and the info has been share, on how to build/baffle the shroud. I have the perfect spot for the unit on my rack, in the cargo basket. It will allow me to have a pretty short feed and return line. We just camped last weekend, mid 90's during the day. Just having the unit sitting right on the front of edge of the entry door, with the accordion window filler things pulled out as wide as they would go, only made just slight gap at the bottom of the opening for air to get in/out. I was about to run the unit on low speed and a 5-6 on the thermostat and the tent stayed a comfy 68-70 degrees all weekend! Hoping to carve out some time in the next few weeks to get the shroud built. We're going to a big Jeep event in the smokies at the end of the month and the AC unit will be a must! Would love to have it completed before then to help keep the tent cool, and a little more quiet. Although this unit is relatively quiet, even when we're sleep right next to it.