My Camping Trailer Project

[mudbutt]

I don't know how much more weight you're going to add to the trailer, but you may find the shackle angle is wrong. Guess we'll wait and see.....

 

[F3X]

I don't know how much more weight you're going to add to the trailer, but you may find the shackle angle is wrong. Guess we'll wait and see.....

 

[Dirtco]

Why have the box so high?

That is the lowest I can get the box while still using the Toyota frame section. Once I get some wieght and larger tires on it I think it will look more porportional.

 

[Dirtco]

Sleeved, lap welded & plug welded? It looks like a solid set-up to me, but it's just my opinion.

Nice work, dirtco.

Craig

Thanks Craig, I think it should be more than strong enough.

 

[Dirtco]

I don't know how much more weight you're going to add to the trailer, but you may find the shackle angle is wrong. Guess we'll wait and see.....

Both the spring hangers and shackle mounts are the stock Toyota spring mounts, in the stock location. The springs I'm using were on this very truck years ago. Once I get the rest of the trailer built I'll take a look at the shackle angle and see if it needs to be adjusted. It's easy enough to cut the rear shackle mounts off and move them, but I need the final weight figured out first.

 

[TacoDell]

Nice welds and work...

But I really don't get the chassis principle, ie: body mounts and separation of the cargo box from the chassis ?
would make sense if you were making a dump bed...
But otherwise... I don't get it.

the lesser ground clearance at the forward section of the trailers frame, compared to the hind quarters just looks hokey to me.

I might guess it was because... the material cost (used chassis) was cheap or free ? (yeah probably missed that in the previous posts)

The forward boxed area of the frame should be triangulated with tube, following the lines of the draw bars... and maybe some fishplate at the forward corners of that !?

Think you mentioned you were reinforcing that area few posts back !?

meh... I'm following either way... 'cause it's surely something different.

Good luck with 'er.

 

[granitex1]

Have you given any thought about using the original fuel tank, in its factory location as a reserve/transfer tank? use the fuel pump, hot wired to a switch to pump it out when needed. keeps a low COG, with a great capasity, and cheap if you didnt pitch it all.

 

[Dirtco]

Reply in Red

Nice welds and work...

But I really don't get the chassis principle, ie: body mounts and separation of the cargo box from the chassis ?
would make sense if you were making a dump bed...
But otherwise... I don't get it.

In order to have a flat floor while using the Toyota frame section the floor has to set above the frame by an inch or two. The way I designed the box allows me to use the springs, shocks, and gas tank that was on the truck. If I welded the sides to the frame itself the floor would not be flat and there would be no way to use the stock fuel tank.

Also, (this is a long shot) if I ever build another Toyota P/U I have the option of transfering the box over and having a sweet little camping utility bed that will pretty much bolt on.

the lesser ground clearance at the forward section of the trailers frame, compared to the hind quarters just looks hokey to me.

Well everyone has an opinion... It looks better in person, the pictures are busy with all the tubing, in person everything flows alot better. Second, the front of the trailer does not have less ground clearance, it should work out to be the same frame height as the 4Runner towing it. Yes, the rear of the trailer frame sits higher than your average trailer, but again it will work out to be the same as the tow rig. The center of gravity will be a little higher than your average trailer but all the heavy stuff (fuel, water, battery, etc) will sit as low (if not lower) than your average trailer. The other nice thing is I don't have to worry about my stuff getting wet during water crossings.

I might guess it was because... the material cost (used chassis) was cheap or free ? (yeah probably missed that in the previous posts)

Going back to the first post, the whole reason I'm building this trailer is because I had most of the parts to do it. The goal was to spend as little as possible and still end up with a nice little trailer. I also like thinking outside the box and challenging myself to find solutions to issues that most people that build a basic trailer from scratch would not encounter. There's also the cool factor/nostalgia of towing around the first Toyota truck I ever owned.

If I was going to build a trailer from scratch I would build an off-road tear drop trailer. But, I don't have the funds to build it the way I want and it would be too heavy for my 4Runner. So I'm building something cheap, light and able to store my camping gear.

The forward boxed area of the frame should be triangulated with tube, following the lines of the draw bars... and maybe some fishplate at the forward corners of that !?

Think you mentioned you were reinforcing that area few posts back !?

The frame work for the trailer is not done, it's going to get more bracing when I build the firewoood/trash box, floor supports and tent/roof supports

meh... I'm following either way... 'cause it's surely something different.

Good luck with 'er.

 

[Dirtco]

Have you given any thought about using the original fuel tank, in its factory location as a reserve/transfer tank? use the fuel pump, hot wired to a switch to pump it out when needed. keeps a low COG, with a great capasity, and cheap if you didnt pitch it all.

I went over this earlier but yes, the stock fuel tank is going back into the trailer. It should hold close to 15 gallons, the truck had a carb so I will need to get a small fuel pump to transfer the fuel. It should work out a whole lot better than Jerry cans!

 

[Expedition Key]

I think it's awesome Dirtco. Nice fab skills and it definitely has the cool factor of being your first Toyota frame and matching the clearance of your 4 Runner (with a killer departure angle to boot!. Also the "step" of the frame coinciding with steps up to the tent makes sense.

Don't listen to the guys knocking it, it's the builds like this that make this forum interesting.

 

[Expedition Key]

bump, any progress pics?

 

[SFROMAN]

I love the stock gas tank idea.
would love to see any progress made.

 

[Box Rocket]

Cool little trailer. I like the creativity of using what you had on hand. Coming together nicely.

 

[Dirtco]

I think it's awesome Dirtco. Nice fab skills and it definitely has the cool factor of being your first Toyota frame and matching the clearance of your 4 Runner (with a killer departure angle to boot!. Also the "step" of the frame coinciding with steps up to the tent makes sense.

Don't listen to the guys knocking it, it's the builds like this that make this forum interesting.

Thanks! I think it should work out pretty good, it might not be as fancy as some of the other trailers around here but it should get the job done.

Everyone has an opinion and when you build something that is different you tend to get some negative feedback. It's okay. I'm glad you, and other people like it and I'm sure that as the work continues people will understand my ideas.

bump, any progress pics?

I had some stuff come up and have not been able to work on the trailer for the last couple weeks. It might be a week or two before I can start working on it again. For the time being I have been collecting parts and revising my plans.

 

[Dirtco]

I love the stock gas tank idea.
would love to see any progress made.

I think it should work out really good, I hate dealing with gas cans!