My first Trailer build.

[Poorboyota26]

There aren't many modifications to my 86 4 runner, but it has a new motor and the coveted r151 turbo transmission. I love to drive off road and explore on camping trips and my wife likes to fish and relax by the campfire, lake, woods etc. I have loved looking at all of your builds (trucks, trailers, etc.) and the exciting expeditions that some of you go on. So I decided to share some of my stuff.

About a year ago I decided that it would be a good idea to have a trailer to hold our camping gear to minimize the load up time so that we could arrive at our destination at a reasonable hour after we got off work. So I began to look for a trailer that I could modify or just plain use for this purpose. It had to be cheap and light. A 3'x3' kit trailer was purchased for a cheap price and after a weekend it was ready for its maiden trip. I got excited about using it and only primed it so there was warp-age and some weather damage from our first trip but it held and after a couple coats of paint and some rewiring it was good to go. We used it many times but it was just “too cheap” as my wife put it. In other words it wasn't sturdy enough and being made of wood it wouldn't last as long as we would want it to.
Here's some pics.

It's simple and we like it enough but the “table top” is too high for my wife and kind of flimsy to boot. We've used it for other things and it has served its $250 build price 3-4 times over.
I am currently back in school and have taken a CAD class. I designed this trailer for my end of the semester project.

The total length of the trailer is still up for debate as I would like a longer tongue than I have in the drawing. I was shooting for a 96” length in the drawing but now I am leaning towards 120” or 10 feet. The main “box” is 46 1/2”wide and 48” long. The cooler/propane basket is 16” in front of that.
I got my inspiration and ideas from these trailers built by people on various boards.
REZARF from IH8MUD
An adventure trailer
SAR Squid79's trailer From TTORA
And Scotty's form Addicted Offroad

I like many things about all of these trailers. I chose to build my suspension like Scotty's, my main “box” like SAR Squid79. REZARF just has one of the best looking trailers out there in my opinion. And then the Adventure trailer, man do they have a lot of great things.

I wish I could just buy an adventure trailer but my little 4 runner wouldn't be able to get up the mountain passes that we have to go over to get to our spots. So I have to keep mine light and simple. (the light part went out the door a while ago but it's still light enough).

I will be copying Scotts Idea of using a Toyota Diff housing for the axle because of all the spare parts that are made available. Diff, hubs, wheels and tires, and springs. This also means that I only need to carry one spare for truck and trailer.
On with the build.

 

[Poorboyota26]

I started it a while ago so there will be a lot of pics of my progress up until now.
phone pic of the main frame. 1.5x3 90 wall

I weld these up for Scotty too.

Starting on the box. The cooler and bottle are there for measurments and size comparison.

Tacking up the main box, made of 1.5" square

The start of the tail gate

 

[Poorboyota26]

Box is done and welded up

I was going to have the lid open to the passenger side but after reading some people's complaints about having to reach all the way across the trailer to get something out, and having a short wife, I have changed my mind about that. It will hinge in the front and open to the back.

This is a pic of the passenger rear. The lid warped on me. the tailgate (on the left) will sit level as soon as I grind the weld down a bit.

 

[Poorboyota26]

I've been thinking a lot about how the tail gate will hinge. I want it to be flush with the rear of the trailer when closed, and between the sides. When opened and in the 90* position I want it to be flush and level with the floor of the trailer bed, so that when I am hauling something other than camping equipment I can slide it in and out with ease.

So I fabbed up some of these.

I think it's too complex though. I have to cut out a recess in the rear frame member to weld them in. There will be a long rod (instead of individual bolts) that would go through all three hinges. Making it so that I can remove the tail gate if I need to.

 

[Poorboyota26]

That's it so far. I need to get my axle ready and the metal for the tongue too. Here's what I was thinking for latches. They lock with the same key and seem pretty neat-o in my book.

http://staging.southco.com/class/m1-compression-latches-7379.html

Let me know some of your opinions!

 

[Box Rocket]

It's a bit smaller but same basic idea as my trailer. Take a look at the link in my sig line. I like where you're headed with it. Gonna be cool.

 

[Poorboyota26]

I read your build. I like your trailer a lot I'm a big fan of simple and effective. I don't always go that route though. Where did you get your tie downs I have looked locally and nada. I need to go look in Denver though there are a lot of places there for this kind of stuff.

 

[Box Rocket]

I read your build. I like your trailer a lot I'm a big fan of simple and effective. I don't always go that route though. Where did you get your tie downs I have looked locally and nada. I need to go look in Denver though there are a lot of places there for this kind of stuff.

I found those at State Trailer Supply in SLC, Utah. They are not labeled as tie downs, but as weld-on safety chain loops.

 

[Poorboyota26]

Sweet thank you! If you don't mind I'm going to steal your idea about the in bed tie downs. I was going to add some on the ouside anyway but I think because it will be a utility trailer as well, tie downs should be plenty.

 

[Box Rocket]

Look at Dieselcruiserhead's trailer build. He stole the same idea from me too, but I'm going to steal the idea back from him. He also used some on his lid which I think is a great idea. Just in case you are full inside and have something you want to tie down outside.

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

Nice build. I wish I could make welds like that. Oh, I get one every now and again but can never remember what I did to get it

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Yup, those are some nice work.

 

[Poorboyota26]

Thank you for the compliments! I love to weld. I wouldn't want to do it for a carreer though (thought I did until I worked at a fab shop part time). Black buggers and the heat in the summer convinced me that I should keep it as a hobby not as a 12hr a day job.

I cut my spring hangers out of some box tubing. Grabbed the wrong one and they are 3/4" to wide. OOOPS! So I cut a section out of the middle and welded them back together. Have plasma, will cut.

I'm really proud of these welds, though.

 

[Poorboyota26]

Well I got the metal for the floor and tongue today. I bought a 12' stick of 2x2 3/16 thick. Now that I've seen it next to the trailer I think that 10 feet is pretty long.

 

[Poorboyota26]

Got a little more done today, before I head out to a batchelor party.

Welded the floor on. I am not too sure that I should have done it this way though. I removed the box (it was only tacked in a few spots) and welded the floor down. Then I'll weld the box to it. I only question myself here for the fact that the box is welded to the floor and not the frame. would this concern any of you pro's?