Hello All!
Well, I've decided to convert a small trailer I own into an expedition type camping trailer with a roof rack tent on top. I'd like to paint the body of the trailer red like my Rubicon and paint the top and fenders black. I got the idea from Drew's build on IH8MUD.com:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tec...edition-style-trailer-build-up-thread-28.html
I think I'll be able to accomplish this relatively cheap ( I guess cheap compared to what Drew spent) since I already have the trailer:
I drew up these sketches of what I'm thinking about doing (I don't know how to post PDF's so I just took pics of my sketches!). Anyway, I know the angles are way off and it's not to scale and I suck at drawing but I think you get the idea.
I want to put the same tires and wheels as my 2003 Rubicon so I can rotate all six tires (off the trailer and onto the rig and vice-versa). I need to replace the leaf spring (singular, only one spring per side of the trailer?), and figure out a way to lift it the same height as my jeep. I'll probably do a SOA conversion and hopefully that will give me the height i need. The jeep is stock with the addition of 2" RE coil spring spacers. I plan on replacing the stock shocks with RE gas shocks and a 1" BL. In addition I'm going to run Goodyear Wrangler MT/R 285's on the Rubi and the trailer.
I'll need to fabricate a lid for the top of the trailer and a box to go on the front. I want to redo the tongue so I'll be able to interchange a pintle and traditional hitch. I'm sure there are plenty of other things I'll want to fabricate for this thing later on.
Rough materials list:
a bunch of 3/4" square tubing
1-2 peices of 3/16" metal sheeting (4'x8')
Piano hinges
2 200lb. rated gas struts
new set of springs and mounts
new 62" 5 on 4.5 axle
Here's the rub....I don't have a clue how to weld. I'm looking into taking a class but I'm also trying to find a shop where I can learn from someone there. Any suggestions? BTW I live in Dallas for those in the area with regional knowledge.
I welcome any and all suggestions. I really don't know the first thing metal work. I know a hell of a lot about woodworking because I build furniture in my spare time. But I think that building this thing with wood might look pretty awful!
Well, I've decided to convert a small trailer I own into an expedition type camping trailer with a roof rack tent on top. I'd like to paint the body of the trailer red like my Rubicon and paint the top and fenders black. I got the idea from Drew's build on IH8MUD.com:
http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tec...edition-style-trailer-build-up-thread-28.html
I think I'll be able to accomplish this relatively cheap ( I guess cheap compared to what Drew spent) since I already have the trailer:



I drew up these sketches of what I'm thinking about doing (I don't know how to post PDF's so I just took pics of my sketches!). Anyway, I know the angles are way off and it's not to scale and I suck at drawing but I think you get the idea.


I want to put the same tires and wheels as my 2003 Rubicon so I can rotate all six tires (off the trailer and onto the rig and vice-versa). I need to replace the leaf spring (singular, only one spring per side of the trailer?), and figure out a way to lift it the same height as my jeep. I'll probably do a SOA conversion and hopefully that will give me the height i need. The jeep is stock with the addition of 2" RE coil spring spacers. I plan on replacing the stock shocks with RE gas shocks and a 1" BL. In addition I'm going to run Goodyear Wrangler MT/R 285's on the Rubi and the trailer.
I'll need to fabricate a lid for the top of the trailer and a box to go on the front. I want to redo the tongue so I'll be able to interchange a pintle and traditional hitch. I'm sure there are plenty of other things I'll want to fabricate for this thing later on.
Rough materials list:
a bunch of 3/4" square tubing
1-2 peices of 3/16" metal sheeting (4'x8')
Piano hinges
2 200lb. rated gas struts
new set of springs and mounts
new 62" 5 on 4.5 axle
Here's the rub....I don't have a clue how to weld. I'm looking into taking a class but I'm also trying to find a shop where I can learn from someone there. Any suggestions? BTW I live in Dallas for those in the area with regional knowledge.
I welcome any and all suggestions. I really don't know the first thing metal work. I know a hell of a lot about woodworking because I build furniture in my spare time. But I think that building this thing with wood might look pretty awful!