My Camping Trailer Project

[Dirtco]

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

Thanks!

 

[Dirtco]

I've been really busy, but I was able to spend a couple hours working on the trailer this weekend (and a couple last weekend). Nothing major but every little bit helps.

I added some bracing for the floor. I will be adding more, this is just the basic structure.

I plan to have a slide out tray for the front section of the trailer, this will hold a cooler or maybe two. I added a section of tubing to keep stuff from sliding all the way to the front of the trailer and contacting the coolers.

 

[Dirtco]

I found this really cool stainless steel electrical box that used to be part of a carwash. It fit the trailer, (was Free!) and seemed like a good place for some of the random electrial and other misc stuff I have planned.

 

[Dirtco]

I also built the basic frame work for the storage box.

 

[Dirtco]

And I test fit the gas tank to make sure it fit, and did not create any issues.

 

[Dirtco]

I was finally able to spend more than a couple hours working on the trailer!

I started by welding all the vertical supports for the side skins, then all the flat steel for the edge of the flooring. The shop welder was broken so I was stuck using my little Lincoln 110 with flux core wire, after 20ft of bead I really wanted to vomit. That stuff is NASTY, but it did it's job and the welder is my trusty little stand by, so I can't complain too much.

I didn't bother taking any pictures in the process, but I'll get back to that in a minute...

 

[Dirtco]

I have come to the conclusion that this trailer is like a huge puzzle without a picture, I have to to make the pieces and picture how it will all go together. On top of that, there is a certain order that everything has to be assembled for the whole thing to work. It's a challenge, but quite rewarding!

With the floor supports in place it was time to add some paint to the frame, and the lower section of the camper frame work.

First I lifted the body off and worked on painting the frame

 

[Dirtco]

Then I painted the lower section of the trailer body, and bolted it back in place.

Here is the vertical support for the skins, I welded the back side for a cleaner look.

And here is the steel that the floor will bolt to, I still need to drill all the holes for the bolts.

 

[Dirtco]

Floor bracing

 

[Dirtco]

With everything in place I test fit one of the skins to see how it would look and fit. It's galvanized steel sheet that used to be part of some shelving, it's a little thin but not too bad.

 

[Dirtco]

It looks a little dirty but the galvanized steel should clean up okay, the red circle is the test spot where I cleaned it.

The sheet will be riveted and glued in place, there will be an extra support in the middle of the skin (on the inside) for more strength and to keep stuff from contacting the skin. It will also have hold downs for the cargo.

Red lines are where the rivets will attach the sheet

Blue line is the support for the back side

 

[Dirtco]

While I had the trailer in the shop I test fit the shocks, they were on the truck so I knew they should work. I have some new lower shock mounts and wanted to see how everything would line up. The shocks and mounts should work fine, the lower mount will set another 1"-2" higher.

 

[Dirtco]

I was able to spend some more time on the trailer this weekend. I started by adding the middle roof support for the tent, along with the rear tent supports.

Then some tabs for the side bars.

And the side bars.

 

[Dirtco]

Then it was time to attach the main side panels. I didn't bother taking any pictures during the process, but here is the end result.

 

[Dirtco]

The inside