Newbie: Ready to build out an Expedition trailer

[bytehoven]

Greetings Everyone...

I am new to the EP and have enjoyed searching and reading thru a number of the forums.

I am contemplating a trailer build design that would mimic a pick up truck camper, in that I would like to be able to drive the utility trailer out from under the Expedition POD.

Have there been any threads on such a build?

I'm currently sorting thru various new and used trailer options, rather than building the trailer base from scratch.

My tow vehicle is a 09 Grand Cherokee, 4.7 V8 with Quadra Drive II, 265/60R18 Wrangler Silent Armor AT tires and an Air Lift 1000 system in the rear for adjusting tongue weight sag. I may end up adding a 2" BB lift, but I don't see me going any higher or switching to larger tires. I already know my Jeep is an excellent daily driver, with more than enough capability to get me well off-road if I avoid the high degree of difficulty obstacles.

My Jeep has a 6500 lb gross towing weight rating but I don't plan to come anywhere near that gross towing weight.

Ideally, I'd like to end up with an Trailer/E-POD size in between a M416 and M101A2 as far as weight, so I'm thinking a 5x8 2990 GVWR base trailer with around 24" of ground clearance.

As I continue to shape my vision for the project, I'd love to hear any opinions on maximum, "all in" trailer weight for my vehicle, reflecting it's mid level trail capabilities.

I'd also love to hear about fabrication options for the E-POD. I have no experience in welding steel. However, I do have experience working with marine plywood and fiberglass in sailboat cabin construction.

I'm very much a Pitch a Tent camper, so I figure on outfitting the E-POD roof to carry gear rather than a tent system.

Thanks again to all of the contributors and hosts of EP. It's a great site.

RJ
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[rctr03]

welcome to the portal! good luck with your build!

 

[indiedog]

Do a google search for Australian "tray back" or "slide on" campers. Travelander, All terrain, and Challenge are just a few. And numerous fibreglass models to chose from.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

I know I've seen a few tear-drop type trailers built like that over here. They also have a great deal of construction techniques that would be applicable to your plan.

Don

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[bytehoven]

Thanks Indie

Your tip offered up a wide range of options and ideas.

Thanks

 

[ntsqd]

A concept along the same lines:

The Bronco is the tow rig.

 

[bytehoven]

A concept along the same lines: The Bronco is the tow rig.

How is the stability of that camper/pickup body combo? It has to be a little top heavy unless you carry nice size fuel/water tanks down low.

 

[bytehoven]

I know I've seen a few tear-drop type trailers built like that over here. They also have a great deal of construction techniques that would be applicable to your plan.

Don

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Thanks Don...

I have seen that sit and I will dig in further for ideas, as many folks fabricate from materials other than steel.

EDIT: follow up comment: I spent a few hours on the TDT site and found a bunch of great ideas, including some additional ideas for the base trailer fabrication.

 

[bytehoven]

OK... I am ready for some input on the base trailer.

Here is what I have put together so far.

5x8 steel side A frame utility trailer with 4' landscape gate. (matching 12" steel side gate optional)
- 12" steel sides
- pressure treated wood floor (1/8" diamond plate steel floor optional)
- 3500 lb GVWR axle with over slung set up from factory
- leaf suspension
- electric brakes
- interchangeable coupler via a bolt up plate
- 2000 lb top wind jack
- full DOT lighting & 7 pin hook up
- 205R/75R15 tires (trying to see how much bigger I can go from factory, maybe 225/75R15)
- 5 x 4.5 lug pattern (5x5 optional)
- matching spare
- Color Choices (black, equipment yellow, grey, red, regatta blue, tractor green and white)
- 700 lb trailer weight

Regarding the gate, I figure I'll use the trailer without the gate in the E-POD mode, and the landscape gate would more useful for other work duty. I could also order the matching steel side gate if it was of benefit.

I considered a torsion axle but would lose the ground clearance of the over sling leaf alternative.

I could do a 4x8 in the 3500 lb axle, but I would lose some stability from the narrower track.

I could do a 5000 lb GVWR axle, but I don't see the benefit of the extra base trailer weight and cost.

I could make it a dump design, but again there is the extra weight (500+ lbs) and cost ($1000+) without a clear benefit, except maybe resale. I would note the dump setup already has 24" of ground clearance with the under slung axle design.

I welcome all input, including any thoughts on why I should rethink the 5x8 utility trailer concept.

Cheers

RJ
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[ntsqd]

How is the stability of that camper/pickup body combo? It has to be a little top heavy unless you carry nice size fuel/water tanks down low.

I never saw it on the road, but that is an Alaskan Camper so it collapses down on itself at least 1/2 and likely more like 2/3's of the cab-over height.

On the interchangeable couplers, most are designed to fit into a trailer socket receiver attached to the tongue. It is the simplest way that I know of to make the couplers easy to change. Some samples:
A trailer that I saw at Bodie, CA:

My TrailBlazer's extendable tongue:

A friend & mine's "Cheep Utility Trailer", barely visible. We did it here to make the trailer harder to steal:

 

[bytehoven]

Some additional factory install ideas for the trailer build.

- Diamond plate platform welded over the A frame from the tub front to the jack stand.
- Diamond plate running boards from the front/rear body corners angled out to meet the outside fender edges.
- 2" receiver hitch on rear of trailer
- tie down locations cut in and ready for hardware install
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I discussed the option of bolting on the fenders so a future fender mod would be easier.

Thoughts on color?

My tow vehicle is a Stone White Grand Cherokee. I'm not sure I would go with a white trailer, but... Let me know your thoughts on color choice. Black sure is east to repaint down the road.

May I say my local trailer guy has become as excited as me regarding this project. I hope to put my order in on Monday with an early December delivery.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

So who is your "local trailer guy"? I'm in Wilmington also, and could use one. :victory:

If you need any help, I can't be but a couple miles away.


As far as the options, I'd probably keep it pretty simple. Most of the things you've noted won't give much benefit to either the camper or utility trailer. A couple notes though, the side gate would make it nice if you wanted a door to the "pod" on the side. I wouldn't do a dump bed. Way too much weight, and most I've seen require a lot of maintenance. The only other one I saw was a rear receiver, but that's also easy to add afterwards too.


Don

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[bytehoven]

Gary at Four Acres on Newport Pike.

This is the 1st time I have worked with him, but a Landscaper buddy of mine recommended him and Four Acres highly. They have very competitive prices and aren't in a hurry to close you, but rather want to help you to get the trailer right. They also have nice used trailers going in/out, especially in the spring.

I thought of waiting till the spring, but honestly, many of the mods I would have needed are actually cheaper (for me) by having them done at the factory, instead of paying someone else to make them.

I know I might save some $$$ if I bought an old trailer and did the mods myself, or tried to build a trailer from the ground. However, a man's got to know his limitations, right?

I don't weld and I'd rather invest my energy in the next phase, building from a solid base trailer.

I'm off of 202 in Talleyville and I would welcome meeting you. Do you weld?

I will be sure to post the final order form and invoice on the trailer.

 

[elmo_4_vt]

I've been looking there before, and they seem like nice folk. I think the next trailer I get I'll try and build myself though. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. As far as location, I'm off of Silverside rd, so not far at all.

I have a welder, and can make metal stick relatively well, but asking if I weld, is a bit of loaded question when I have family members that are welders by trade, and I know they would laugh at me if I said that I weld.

If you need any help with the trailer stuff... Let me know. I spend a lot of time in my garage playing with my truck and trailer, and there is always room for another.

Don

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[bytehoven]

Don

That's a great point.

It's one thing if you can put together a hand rail or some other light duty metal on metal job. It's quite a different thing to trust the welds holding 2000 lb load stresses at 60 mph. :wings:

What truck do you have?

Drop me an email with your contact info and I will reciprocate.

promo1@blanca.com

RJ
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