My take on a utility/expedition trailer.

[LOBBS]

I've been lurking in the threads for awhile reading y'all's amazing builds but first post here.

Been killing time on my lunch hour waiting on my Bronco to show up some time next year. I've been ground camping since I was a kid and this is the first 4x4 I'll have had in awhile. Decided it was a good time to jump on the RTT bandwagon. I'm going with the 2 door so the larger RTT I need isn't really going to fit even if I were to brace the top up properly. A trailer just works better for what I want and need. I do work in the automotive aftermarket so I can order materials thru work and our best welder agreed to handle that end of things. It's just easier for me to work out the details in Solidworks.

This is if I go the combo utility/expedition trailer route. I really do need both if I'm being honest. So, I drew this up to have the rack anchor in the stake pockets and be removable in the case that I need to haul taller items. 4' x 6' between the rails. The receiver tube, A-frame, front, side and bumper rails are all 2"x3" .188". Three cross members under the floor are 2"x2". The rack is 1.5"x1.5" to slip into the 2"x2" stake pockets. I had drawn everything up with much heavier stock but after reading here went with slightly thinner wall material and took 150-200 lbs out of it. It's still probably way over designed. Instead of a tailgate I did a drop rail for loading in the rear. Floor and bedsides are 3/16th diamond plate (couldn't find a pre-built texture for that in Solidworks). Still trying to sort out the voodoo around where to properly locate the axle to get the proper tongue weight range. Then I can sort out what I can do for fenders. Currently leaning towards 3500# Timbren axles, 31" tires and a lock n rock hitch.

So this is the practical option. Will tear everything off north of the frame and start playing around with ideas for some of the wilder, more dedicated expedition trailers in short order.

Or, I may find a M416 trailer or similar between now and then and render this all moot.

 

[Timbren]

Welcome back to the 4x4 game! And congrats on the new Bronco! We love these utility and expedition combo trailers, they’re super practical, and your design looks great. If you ever want to chat through your project or talk suspensions feel free to give our suspension techs a call, they love this stuff. Have fun ??

 

[LOBBS]

Did get a chance to finish this up as far as I needed to get the fabricated pieces sorted for the utility/expedition combo.

 

[gatorgrizz27]

I like everything about it besides the tailgate setup, assuming I’m interpreting it correctly that nothing removes or hinges down.

How do you plan to load a riding mower, dirt bike, anything with a forklift, or unload dirt, gravel, etc?

If you want the rigidity of a fixed tailgate, I’d at least make it bolt on with 4 bolts so it can easily remove when desired. There’s no reason to use diamond plate over smooth sheet, it’s not something you’re going to be walking or driving on, and 1/8” is plenty for the floor, I’d go thinner on the sides.

I’d make the internal dimension around 50”, there’s a lot of 48” wide stuff that is a pain to fit in that exact width, and I’d add a tongue box for straps, wheel chocks, a 12v battery, and whatever else you might want on the trailer at all times. Also add some holes to the bedrails for tie down points that won’t rattle like bolting D-rings will.

Consider building the middle legs of he top rack shorter with a spacer inside the sleeve so you’re not fighting 6 of them at once, and flush mount the lights in the rear tube so they won’t get destroyed when you hit stuff.

 

[billiebob]

Very cool, are you sloping the sides to match the Bronco profile ?

 

[LOBBS]

I like everything about it besides the tailgate setup, assuming I’m interpreting it correctly that nothing removes or hinges down.

How do you plan to load a riding mower, dirt bike, anything with a forklift, or unload dirt, gravel, etc?

If you want the rigidity of a fixed tailgate, I’d at least make it bolt on with 4 bolts so it can easily remove when desired. There’s no reason to use diamond plate over smooth sheet, it’s not something you’re going to be walking or driving on, and 1/8” is plenty for the floor, I’d go thinner on the sides.

I’d make the internal dimension around 50”, there’s a lot of 48” wide stuff that is a pain to fit in that exact width, and I’d add a tongue box for straps, wheel chocks, a 12v battery, and whatever else you might want on the trailer at all times. Also add some holes to the bedrails for tie down points that won’t rattle like bolting D-rings will.

Consider building the middle legs of he top rack shorter with a spacer inside the sleeve so you’re not fighting 6 of them at once, and flush mount the lights in the rear tube so they won’t get destroyed when you hit stuff.

I appreciate the advice and may make some tweaks. I'm planning on adding a tongue box but will more than likely buy one than fab one. Some of the details I was planning on purchasing I didn't model up like that and the axles tho I did place the wheels to the dimensions for the Timbren axles I plan to use. I don't have a riding lawn mower or dirt bike/ATV so no vehicles to load. Most of the time I've needed a trailer has been for building supplies, hauling brush or rubbish to the dump or moving/helping friends move. An actual tailgate does have its advantages for hauling longer items so may have to revisit doing something different there.

 

[LOBBS]

Very cool, are you sloping the sides to match the Bronco profile ?

As close as I could by eyeballing it but trying to follow the same profile, yes. I'll put an angle finder on the truck when it gets here and dial it in. Where I'm at in line it could be September/October of 2021 before it arrives so the trailer will be an over the winter project.

 

[billiebob]

An actual tailgate does have its advantage

Could be just making the "tailgate" a lift out gate, simpler, quieter and solid when dropped into place.