Potential "build" starting points...
- Thread starter jeepdreamer
- Start date
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
That's what I'm hoping... 
Pretty sure they are "as is" which will mean yes.
Pretty sure they are "as is" which will mean yes.jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Hmmm....
So I'm cheap. Really cheap! haha! Plus I hate to see stuff go to waste that could be used. So in my original post I showed a couple prospective trailers I've been eyeballing. Here is just another one from left field that could be interesting. Sorry for the horrific MS paint...lol! This one I don't know much about other than the compressor is bad but the diesel motor for it is good. Hmm... I'd say gut it and lift it then see what kind of crazy stuff can be created.
But with all three of these I see what is likely a well made trailer with potential. Various issues that keep them from doing the job they are designed for mean they will be sold off cheap. In the case of the light trailer and the orange air compressor, both have small diesel engines that work but the rest is inop. The light stuff is pretty much trash/scrap but the motor could become a ready to go generator.
The speed trap one obviously has the solar stuff which is cool. I think its a little less heavy duty trailer wise and it is running a torsion axle under it. The light trailer has more familiar to me leaf springs and a pretty beefy frame.
But since I'm cheap and have more time then common sense... just let me get my hands on one of these and then stick around.
So I'm cheap. Really cheap! haha! Plus I hate to see stuff go to waste that could be used. So in my original post I showed a couple prospective trailers I've been eyeballing. Here is just another one from left field that could be interesting. Sorry for the horrific MS paint...lol! This one I don't know much about other than the compressor is bad but the diesel motor for it is good. Hmm...
I'd say gut it and lift it then see what kind of crazy stuff can be created.But with all three of these I see what is likely a well made trailer with potential. Various issues that keep them from doing the job they are designed for mean they will be sold off cheap. In the case of the light trailer and the orange air compressor, both have small diesel engines that work but the rest is inop. The light stuff is pretty much trash/scrap but the motor could become a ready to go generator.
The speed trap one obviously has the solar stuff which is cool. I think its a little less heavy duty trailer wise and it is running a torsion axle under it. The light trailer has more familiar to me leaf springs and a pretty beefy frame.
But since I'm cheap and have more time then common sense... just let me get my hands on one of these and then stick around.
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jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Winner!!!!!!!
Ok.... Its official, I CAN win stuff occasionally. I have been stupid busy here at work with the upcoming holiday and had almost no time to watch and bid. I tossed in a bid on the last day with the limit of what I was willing to pay and somehow..I won! Wahoo! So now I am the proud owner of my very own personal radar trap! haha! I have to meet with the local rep and figure how I can get it moved before I will start messing with it. But once I can give it a look over and start pulling unwanted junk like the radar enforcement stuff...I'll start a build thread. In this case I guess I'll have to think inside the box! heehee! Stay tuned.
Ok.... Its official, I CAN win stuff occasionally. I have been stupid busy here at work with the upcoming holiday and had almost no time to watch and bid. I tossed in a bid on the last day with the limit of what I was willing to pay and somehow..I won! Wahoo! So now I am the proud owner of my very own personal radar trap! haha! I have to meet with the local rep and figure how I can get it moved before I will start messing with it. But once I can give it a look over and start pulling unwanted junk like the radar enforcement stuff...I'll start a build thread. In this case I guess I'll have to think inside the box! heehee! Stay tuned.
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jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Aspen Trails Trailers
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Looks like a fun project with lots of potential. Will follow your build.
Bob
Bob
wingysataday
Adventurer
solar power already is a huge plus!
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Excited...
I went down to try and find the local contact and see about getting it to the shop but the guy wasn't around. I agree that solar is a big plus and have to admit that is part of why I bid on it. It was more than I hoped to spend on it but I don't think 600 bucks is more than I would spend building my own, plus its already enclosed. Now I just have to hope the solar works.
As for selling the radar stuff.... Who would want something like that? Any ideas would be great because I sure don't need it. haha!
I took a handful more pics of some stuff and a better look overall of it. There is about a 1/4 of the floor done in expanded metal that I will want to replace with steel like the rest. I plan to strip it all to bare metal and prime/paint/bed line it to make it last. I'm also debating cutting a door sized tailgate in the back to allow easier access and loading but I'll do more thought on that.
I have a question about the axle. Its a torsion style but doesn't show the weight rating. The trailer itself says 2200 GAWR and 1200 GVWR. I'm not sure which one covers how much I can load on it....I'm thinking switching to a regular axle and leaf springs or coils and control arms may be a better bet since my tools and stuff are pretty heavy. Anyone have any input and feedback on the torsion?
The only bad thing is that the box isn't long enough to actually sleep in. Otherwise it would make a neat compact camper like a teardrop without the tears. The RTT on my XJ may find a home on here pretty soon though and would be a super easy install. Not my intended place for it but we will see.
Overall I am stoked about getting it and can't wait to start working on it. I'll keep you guys posted.
I went down to try and find the local contact and see about getting it to the shop but the guy wasn't around. I agree that solar is a big plus and have to admit that is part of why I bid on it. It was more than I hoped to spend on it but I don't think 600 bucks is more than I would spend building my own, plus its already enclosed. Now I just have to hope the solar works.
As for selling the radar stuff.... Who would want something like that? Any ideas would be great because I sure don't need it. haha!
I took a handful more pics of some stuff and a better look overall of it. There is about a 1/4 of the floor done in expanded metal that I will want to replace with steel like the rest. I plan to strip it all to bare metal and prime/paint/bed line it to make it last. I'm also debating cutting a door sized tailgate in the back to allow easier access and loading but I'll do more thought on that.
I have a question about the axle. Its a torsion style but doesn't show the weight rating. The trailer itself says 2200 GAWR and 1200 GVWR. I'm not sure which one covers how much I can load on it....I'm thinking switching to a regular axle and leaf springs or coils and control arms may be a better bet since my tools and stuff are pretty heavy. Anyone have any input and feedback on the torsion?
The only bad thing is that the box isn't long enough to actually sleep in. Otherwise it would make a neat compact camper like a teardrop without the tears.
The RTT on my XJ may find a home on here pretty soon though and would be a super easy install. Not my intended place for it but we will see. Overall I am stoked about getting it and can't wait to start working on it. I'll keep you guys posted.
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I would guess the axle is about 2500 pounds, meaning it will carry up to 2500 with the trailer included. 1300 pounds of stuff. Not likely you will get 1300 pounds in it.
I am not a fan of the way they dropped the axle, but it should work fine for you in that weight range. The outer bearing set up should be the same as their 3500 pound axle. This particular style is made from 3500 down to 1800 custom ordered. If I were going to use it off road, I would stabilize the perches they sat the axle on, weld another bar between them or connect them farther up the trailer. If you have questions go to the Kelley build and look at my frame.
This axle is used by the US Military now on all trailers, so it should work for quite awhile if you keep it. Looking at the pictures, it does not look compressed so it is most likely in very good shape. As they grow older with weight on them they tend to push up towards the trailer. This one looks like brand new in that respect. Of course just looking at pictures.
Bob
I am not a fan of the way they dropped the axle, but it should work fine for you in that weight range. The outer bearing set up should be the same as their 3500 pound axle. This particular style is made from 3500 down to 1800 custom ordered. If I were going to use it off road, I would stabilize the perches they sat the axle on, weld another bar between them or connect them farther up the trailer. If you have questions go to the Kelley build and look at my frame.
This axle is used by the US Military now on all trailers, so it should work for quite awhile if you keep it. Looking at the pictures, it does not look compressed so it is most likely in very good shape. As they grow older with weight on them they tend to push up towards the trailer. This one looks like brand new in that respect. Of course just looking at pictures.
Bob
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jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Thanks for the feedback Bob! I'm willing to bet this thing has seen little use in its life as most military/government equipment tends to do. We (the GOV) tend to buy way more than is needed at a high cost and then most of it just sits around. The good thing about this trailer is that its not full of junk which means it has indeed had a pretty easy life. The rust all looks surface and superficial to me. There are no major dents or dings so painting it should be fairly straight forward.
I agree that the use of "spacer blocks" to get the axle raised sucks. I'm thinking that I will just cut all that off and fab in some leaf springs and a regular style 3500lb axle. I can get a "kit" for that for about 250 bucks or so which is pretty reasonable. Then I can save the torsion axle for some other little utility trailer build down the road. Hopefully I can sell that off to recuperate some of my investment.
I agree that the use of "spacer blocks" to get the axle raised sucks. I'm thinking that I will just cut all that off and fab in some leaf springs and a regular style 3500lb axle. I can get a "kit" for that for about 250 bucks or so which is pretty reasonable. Then I can save the torsion axle for some other little utility trailer build down the road. Hopefully I can sell that off to recuperate some of my investment.
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I think you missed what I was saying. It has all the guts of a 3500 pound torflex axle. meaning bearings and spindle, electric brakes and all. Just the rubber inserts are set for 2500. I would bet it works great off road if you correct the spacer problem. It is the same axle I use on all of my trailers, just a little older. I would not dump it until I tried it. Dexter over builds their axles, if it says 2500 they figure you will over load it so has about 300 to 500 over kill built in I think. Awfully hard to overload that trailer is my guess. It may even be a too strong. If it is bouncey when loaded, let air out of the tires to correct it just as you do with the tow vehicle.
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Ahh... I did misread you. Thanks for setting me right. So would it be possible to swap the arms/rubber bushing thingies for heavier ones? I'll try it as is no matter just to see what I have. If I keep the axle as is I will find a way to make it better engineered. I agree that it looks like to much potential for side load leverage for the 2x4(?) blocks. I will have to do something since I plan to step up to some narrow 33s like on my XJ. I may just reinforce the blocks and add gussets and tie them together. Then see about making the wheel wells bigger tire friendly. Lots of options and I am itching to go....
Thanks for setting me right. So would it be possible to swap the arms/rubber bushing thingies for heavier ones? I'll try it as is no matter just to see what I have. If I keep the axle as is I will find a way to make it better engineered. I agree that it looks like to much potential for side load leverage for the 2x4(?) blocks. I will have to do something since I plan to step up to some narrow 33s like on my XJ. I may just reinforce the blocks and add gussets and tie them together. Then see about making the wheel wells bigger tire friendly. Lots of options and I am itching to go....