Got some progress made on the trailer this weekend...the rear brackets are made and I'm waiting on the front brackets to get bent. Here is what I have so far:
Rear 1" square tubing bent to 90 degree w/ a gusset. Round tube at the bottom that has a solid steel bar through it to allow it to tilt back and come off so I can use it as a table, a place to keep items off the ground, etc. I think the kids can tarp it up and play under it, or I can store other stuff under it (like wood) to keep things dry if it were to rain while we were camping.
I removed the water/gas can carrier up front until I could get the front rail mounts figured out. I'll put it back on when I'm ready, it keeps good tongue weight up front and is great for carrying water/gas. I had originally thought I'd make it a cooler space and put gas cans to the side of the cooler, but I got the rack and I'll put the coolers up there instead.
I was going to do a 45 degree bend for the front bars, use it as a place to attached a spoiler like a Thule bike rack, but they couldn't bend that tight of a radius so I just went w/ a 90 like the rear.
My original thought was to have the rack fold back and remove the bar to let the rack go loose, flip it around and use it as a table or dry storage area...but the bar does not easily slide out (I think one of the mounts is crooked or the bar is a bit bent) so I'm thinking of just putting a 1.25" tube over the bottom portion of the bar, just above the round tube, and putting a pin in it so it slides out and when I take it off I'll just pin the feet back on to use it. It'll still tilt back for removal though, so one person can do it.
I was thinking of a way to make a hard door mount off the back of it too...somewhere to put my doors when I pull them off the Jeep. I could put a cross bar between the two down bars and add a latch so each side to the doors would essentially 'shut' on them just like the Jeep. However, I believe the weight would be too great and it would be a lot of work to accomplish. Sux, cuz now that they are painted I can't just toss them up on the rack like I used to do.
Anyway, I have a lot of ideas, but it feels good to have this particular mod come together, finally.
Has a ways to go before I'm done, but this is the progress to date.
Oh, couple updated shots of the 8 as well...now that I've had it out on some sunny days:
Laytah,
B