Texman Build Begins

[texman]

I picked up the frame and axles from a local fab shop yesterday. ready to paint/coat and get wheels and tires coming. Maxx coupler in. planning on a tub type build and waiting on quote from fab shop for that. Axles are 3500# timbren "axleless" I will probably have the shop fab the fenders as well.

I already have most of my components for the actual camping needs: Lion batteries 64 ah, 100 watt renogy solar, 42 gallon water tank, Joolca water heater, stoves, lights, etc, etc...

plan next is to primer coat and then most likely spray on bed liner for coating. Hubs are 8 on 6.5" w/ electric brakes. Thanks for any help.

I built a drawer setup in the pics and then changed my mind to use all the components and build a trailer

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Really nice, original trailer build!

Lovely cabinets too.

 

[high-and-dry]

What does that weigh? Thats a lot of steel, and I would love to know what it cost, pm me that info if you will

 

[Timbren]

Awesome looking project. Welcome to the Timbren family ??

 

[texman]

What does that weigh? Thats a lot of steel, and I would love to know what it cost, pm me that info if you will

by calcs of the steel and axles without tires/wheels/hubs/brakes about 512# price was $1743 with sales tax

 

[texman]

Awesome looking project. Welcome to the Timbren family ??

i have three bolts through the side and two into the gusset. Is that adequate for the axle mounts? see pic above?

 

[texman]

started cleaning and applied etching primer. My plan is the primer then something like Line X coating (bedliner) any recommendations on which product to use for the coating ?

 

[high-and-dry]

Thanks for the price and weight, lighter than I thought it would be.

As for what paint, avoid bed liner on a frame, if water gets behind it, it will rust and you cant really see it. Use something like por15 or eastwoods frame paint. Then top coat with rustoleum paint. ( can or spray ). I just used rustoleum paint and its holds up pretty well and the gallon I bought for 40 bucks can do a lot of frames.

 

[opp]

wow frame more than my whole trailer loaded. Really like the looks of the out Outriggers

 

[texman]

any recommendations for stabilizer jacks? bottom of frame to ground aprox 23" on this build using 235/85 16s

 

[high-and-dry]

I have the bal c jacks, they work great. I think they have one that will do that height.

 

[texman]

finally a little progress. painted, axles mounted, brakes, hubs and wheels and tires. lights and box next. etrailer tires/wheels and timbren 3500# axles

 

[Timbren]

Looks great ??

 

[wandathetundra]

Damn; that’s looking pretty stout and awesome. Thanks for sharing your build! Since my needs are provided by very few builders in the small trailer landscape and even those have things I don’t like about them, I’m debating a DIY build, too.

 

[texman]

Can you fine folks give some guidance/opinions/knowledge about my box build? i can weld, but don't have a welder, so steel box is from custom work or tool up.

1. I prefer steel or aluminum, but material is really high, and my quotes for a steel or aluminum basic box are $3500 -$5000. stupid.
2. plywood could work with fiberglass, but lots of time, materials and questionable results since i have not attempted before. i could also skin with aluminum, but lots of seams and sealing and tin can look.
3. I have a decent quote for enough ¼" hdpe to build with for around $750 delivered. hdpe is great stuff, but difficult to bond, so mechanical fastening is the typical building technique, so waterproofing interior seems problematic.
4. i see lots of good composite panel materials, but really expensive. Coosa, bonded aluminum panels, etc.
5. Thoughts ?