JKChad
Observer
Well, I've been lurking a little while and finally kicked off my camping trailer build. So, I figured I'd add to all the other great threads on here with what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. I want to start out by saying thank you to all you who have contributed threads and post on here. I've found a lot of great info and some very helpful people.
My trailer build/restoration project:
I recently aquired this trailer from my father. It was originally custom built by my grandfather, some 30+ years ago, and my father has been the keeper of it ever since my grandfather passed away. I started out with the simple idea of just wanting a nice Rooftop Tent to go on my Tahoe. My son is getting big enough now to be able to enjoy the outdoors a little and I've grown up camping with my family since I was a little kid. Once I got the ball rolling, AKA I purchased a RTT, the realities of having a RTT on your vehicle struck me. Having to break down the tent/camp every time I want to move my vehicle or go somewhere would not be ideal with family camping trips etc. So, i immediate shift course with the whole idea and started browsing the web for trailer idea's. I quickly nailed down that I wanted a small, reasonably lightweight and easy to maneuver trailer with a height adjustable RTT rack. Once I made up my mind an the major key points; size, usage needs, etc. I called my dad to have him help me start looking for a trailer, never once thinking he would give up my grandfathers old trailer. Long story, sorta, short; When he realized that the exact size trailer I was looking for what exactly what my grandfather built, he told me to come get it! He said he knows my grandfather would be happy to know it's going to be used for camping/family time. Only stipulation is he want's me to come up with some sort of way to pay respects to my grandfather, I've already got a great idea for this!
Picking up the trailer last week.
Trailer Specs:
The trailer is a simple 4' x 6.5' box with 17 3/4" tall sides. Overall length is around 9' with the tongue.
-frame: 2"x4"x.250" C channel steel, with a 2"x2"x.250" receiver tube. The corner vertical post for the side walls are also the 2"x4" C channel and the centers are 2"x3" C channel steel. The interior floor and side walls are .250" plate aluminum.
-Current suspension/axle: 1750lb oversprung sliding leaf with a 1750lb axles with 1" straight through spindles and 4 lug hubs.
This week I will be ordering a custom Dexter 3500lb axle with 6x5.5 lug hubs, flanges for electric brakes and optional parking brake. Doing a 6 lug to match my Tahoe.
-Current wheels/tires are the tiny 4 lug 8" wheels with 18" tall tires. I recently replaced the tires with new so I could go pick up the RTT.
I'm currently searching from some cheap 6 lug 16"-17" GM truck wheels to either match my tahoe or at least be swappable if the need ever arises. Going to run a 30"-31" tire.
I've already done a few maintenance items to make the trailer streetable and usable till the new axles/wheels/tires come together. I went ahead and replaced the inner bearing and cleaned/repacked the outers and, like I mentioned above, I replaced the tires with the original size to keep things simple. I plan to reuse these wheels and tires on another small trailer my dad has. I also bought a cheap LED taillight kit from amazon and rewired the trailer. Over the weekend, I got started on the rehab of the trailer. I've pulled all the vertical interior aluminum panels so I can start stripping the chassis down to repaint/coat. Next weekend I plan to completed the first phase of the strip down and get the trailer at least primered. I found, what seems to be, a decent self etching primer from Lowes. My dad has expressed interest in see the trailer frame coated with some sort of bedliner material. So, at this point, I will continue with that idea.
Picking up the RTT. I purchased a lightly used CVT Mt. Rainer Extended Pioneer w/annex from a local TN overland guy.
The guy I bought it from gave me a quick tour of the tent before we left. I can't wait to get the rack built!
here's the rehab progress as of yesterday, 2/19/2017
Boss man checking on me!
Caught the boss man taking a nap! He refused to go up to the house and nap in his pack&play. So nap time, in his wagon, close to dad and all the action was the only option!
Here's the current state. I've got the front tongue section and the frame sides stripped and ready to primer. Since I'm having the rack fabbed up this week, I held off on priming. I might get a little surface rust between now and next weekend, but it won't be an issue to knock off comparably to the 2 or 3 layers of paint and primer. lol..
Hopefully by this coming weekend. I'll have a functioning adjustable RTT rack. I also plan to go back out to my parents and tackle the underside of the frame and get everything in primer. Having access to a tractor with a front end loader makes for easy work versus laying on my back, under the trailer, for hours.
If you've made it this far, thanks for your time! I'll have more updated shortly. The Wife and I have our first weekend trip planned for April 8th weekend. I'm running a 5K trail run in Chattanooga, so we're just gonna make a fun weekend out of it. So, i'm shooting to have it camp ready by the end of March. Long term, i'll be adding an awning, onboard electric with solar charging, onboard water, and propane for cooking and/or heat.
My trailer build/restoration project:
I recently aquired this trailer from my father. It was originally custom built by my grandfather, some 30+ years ago, and my father has been the keeper of it ever since my grandfather passed away. I started out with the simple idea of just wanting a nice Rooftop Tent to go on my Tahoe. My son is getting big enough now to be able to enjoy the outdoors a little and I've grown up camping with my family since I was a little kid. Once I got the ball rolling, AKA I purchased a RTT, the realities of having a RTT on your vehicle struck me. Having to break down the tent/camp every time I want to move my vehicle or go somewhere would not be ideal with family camping trips etc. So, i immediate shift course with the whole idea and started browsing the web for trailer idea's. I quickly nailed down that I wanted a small, reasonably lightweight and easy to maneuver trailer with a height adjustable RTT rack. Once I made up my mind an the major key points; size, usage needs, etc. I called my dad to have him help me start looking for a trailer, never once thinking he would give up my grandfathers old trailer. Long story, sorta, short; When he realized that the exact size trailer I was looking for what exactly what my grandfather built, he told me to come get it! He said he knows my grandfather would be happy to know it's going to be used for camping/family time. Only stipulation is he want's me to come up with some sort of way to pay respects to my grandfather, I've already got a great idea for this!
Picking up the trailer last week.
Trailer Specs:
The trailer is a simple 4' x 6.5' box with 17 3/4" tall sides. Overall length is around 9' with the tongue.
-frame: 2"x4"x.250" C channel steel, with a 2"x2"x.250" receiver tube. The corner vertical post for the side walls are also the 2"x4" C channel and the centers are 2"x3" C channel steel. The interior floor and side walls are .250" plate aluminum.
-Current suspension/axle: 1750lb oversprung sliding leaf with a 1750lb axles with 1" straight through spindles and 4 lug hubs.
This week I will be ordering a custom Dexter 3500lb axle with 6x5.5 lug hubs, flanges for electric brakes and optional parking brake. Doing a 6 lug to match my Tahoe.
-Current wheels/tires are the tiny 4 lug 8" wheels with 18" tall tires. I recently replaced the tires with new so I could go pick up the RTT.
I'm currently searching from some cheap 6 lug 16"-17" GM truck wheels to either match my tahoe or at least be swappable if the need ever arises. Going to run a 30"-31" tire.
I've already done a few maintenance items to make the trailer streetable and usable till the new axles/wheels/tires come together. I went ahead and replaced the inner bearing and cleaned/repacked the outers and, like I mentioned above, I replaced the tires with the original size to keep things simple. I plan to reuse these wheels and tires on another small trailer my dad has. I also bought a cheap LED taillight kit from amazon and rewired the trailer. Over the weekend, I got started on the rehab of the trailer. I've pulled all the vertical interior aluminum panels so I can start stripping the chassis down to repaint/coat. Next weekend I plan to completed the first phase of the strip down and get the trailer at least primered. I found, what seems to be, a decent self etching primer from Lowes. My dad has expressed interest in see the trailer frame coated with some sort of bedliner material. So, at this point, I will continue with that idea.
Picking up the RTT. I purchased a lightly used CVT Mt. Rainer Extended Pioneer w/annex from a local TN overland guy.
The guy I bought it from gave me a quick tour of the tent before we left. I can't wait to get the rack built!
here's the rehab progress as of yesterday, 2/19/2017
Boss man checking on me!
Caught the boss man taking a nap! He refused to go up to the house and nap in his pack&play. So nap time, in his wagon, close to dad and all the action was the only option!
Here's the current state. I've got the front tongue section and the frame sides stripped and ready to primer. Since I'm having the rack fabbed up this week, I held off on priming. I might get a little surface rust between now and next weekend, but it won't be an issue to knock off comparably to the 2 or 3 layers of paint and primer. lol..
Hopefully by this coming weekend. I'll have a functioning adjustable RTT rack. I also plan to go back out to my parents and tackle the underside of the frame and get everything in primer. Having access to a tractor with a front end loader makes for easy work versus laying on my back, under the trailer, for hours.
If you've made it this far, thanks for your time! I'll have more updated shortly. The Wife and I have our first weekend trip planned for April 8th weekend. I'm running a 5K trail run in Chattanooga, so we're just gonna make a fun weekend out of it. So, i'm shooting to have it camp ready by the end of March. Long term, i'll be adding an awning, onboard electric with solar charging, onboard water, and propane for cooking and/or heat.
