New guy with another Bradley project

[Waygoner]

I just discovered this site after searching for info on expedition trailers. I was really surprised to see another Bradley project on here. I'd been camping out of a pop-up for years and sold it a few months ago. My initial plan was to replace it with a vintage canned ham trailer. After a trip to Australia and seeing some of the cool campers there I changed plans and started working on an expedition trailer. Years ago a friend of mine gave me a 1968 Sears/Bradley for helping him with some construction projects. It had been sitting on two flat tires for years before I started the rebuild. This is what I started with.

 

[Waygoner]

I ordered a 3500 lb axle with a 6x5.5 bolt pattern so it would match my tow vehicles (Toyota T-100 and Willys Wagon - in progress). I also ordered some new diamond plate Jeep style fenders. We started by pulling the axle and fenders so we could strip the paint.

 

[Waygoner]

I picked up some used 33x9.50 BFG ATs to use, they match what's on my Willys. I also found some 15x8 Chevy Rally wheels to match. Now I can carry one spare for both the trailer and Willys. The tub got painted and so did the under side. The fenders weren't big enough to cover the BFGs, so I notched them and spread them out wider. Re-welded the notch and gave them a coat of paint.

 

[Waygoner]

The axle I ordered turned out to be 6" wider than needed. This forced me to move the fenders to cover the tires. I moved them up and mounted them flush with the bed rails. I had to shim the lower part of the fender to compensate. This turned out better than expected. I Herculined the bed and gave it a coat of flat tan spray paint. I rewired it and mounted up some new taillights. I have a diamond plate tongue box to mount and also two gerry can holders. I'm thinking about stretching the tongue for better handling/weight distribution. I'm working on plans for a slide-in camper or some kind of trailer-top tent. I'm anxious to pick up some tips and ideas from this site. More pics to come.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

kool!

 

[Mark Harley]

Looks good!
Off to a great start!
keep the build pictures posted.

 

[Bubblegoose1]

Nice work

 

[Chris Cordes]

Man Im glad to see more people making these into expedition trailers. Im almost done redoing mine. I did a roll on bedliner for the tub as well and am installing 33" TA/KO but havent decided on the color for the outside yet. Im thinking about making all the drill holes/welds before I paint it which would require waiting longer than id like. I guess I should get around to posting mine soon. Great work I'll be looking forward to seeing more!

 

[Waygoner]

Updated pics

Here are some updated pics of the completed trailer. I've decided to sell it so I can fund my next crazy trailer idea! :Wow1:
I'll be posting an ad in the for sale section.

 

[COONASS]

The trailer looks great. I have one in pieces right now. It Looks like we are going to start building a frame tomorrow.

Jacque

 

[XJSuperman]

What did you do with the original fenders by chance?

Love the build looks great. Thanks again for pointing it out to me.

 

[Waygoner]

I kept the fenders for quite a long time, but I ended up taking them to a steel recycling place.

 

[XJSuperman]

NOOOOOO!

Aw thats terrible. Impossible to find, and no one is making them. DOH