Utility Bed Trailer Project

[damon1272]

Great site and a wealth of information. Love to see some of the nice purpose built trailers and trucks on the forum. Here is a build thread of a project I have using utility bed and frame cut from a 1997 F350 that I received from a friend of mine. My idea is to have a trailer that is good enough to take off road and use more of as a base camp and to use the original gas tanks for fuel storage for ATV's. The use of the locking boxes is a plus but the bed is heavy as it is all steel and their is additional drag from the stock rear end.

Currently I cut the frame behind the cab and used 6" channel to form the tongue. I used a rotating pintle hook with a lunette eye in case the trailer goes over. Most of the hitch is complete just need to add some additional bracing. Things still needed on the trailer is to wire it for trailer lights, install a deep cycle battery and lights, and trim the front of the lumber rack back. Future pans call for paint when the tow vehicle goes in for paint in the next month, slight suspension lift with tires, and water storage. Would like to add a vice to the rear and lighting to hang at night. I also plan on cutting the axles internally and removing the diff.

We will see where this goes but it should make some of the camping trips with the kids a little more enjoyable.

 

[XJSuperman]

I like it. Ive been wanting to do something like this for actual service truck purposes when we don't need a service truck everyday, we can grab the trailer for weekend projects and such. Looks good so far, but Id definitely gut the axle and get it lit up. Worklights on a telescoping pole are a nice addition you should think about.

 

[RagnarD]

Outstanding start. Looks very robust. I have been on the hunt for a service bed for a while. I have had to fight the urge to buy an entire truck several times.

Looking forward to more pics.

 

[damon1272]

Slight update. It has been a while as my son was hospitalized. Doing good now so I jumped on the trailer project. Minor updates. I cut off the over hang on the rack. Looking at making the middle top bar removable like the rear is. Added tie downs to the bed and a 2" trailer stub for a removable vise. Plans are to get it wired tomorrow and possibly make a spare tire mount on the front with mount for a propane tank. Getting ready to head off for paint in a bit. I need to get fenders and tailgate mounted to my Bronco and both truck and trailer will go in for new paint jobs.

Plans after paint are to wire the cabinets for lights, outside work lights, plumb for water and gas tanks, and possibly a fold out kitchen. As this trailer is intended to be "Home Base" for desert trips and camp outs I am planning one side for tools and parts while the passenger side would be cooking and storage for domestic needs. Biggest thing now is to get this done so I can start on the Bronco which will be much more involved.

 

[Ozarker]

Going to be a nice trailer, ever think of putting a tent on it or over it?

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Cool build, ill be following.

 

[damon1272]

Going to be a nice trailer, ever think of putting a tent on it or over it?

I am thinking about it. I really need to get in one and see if myself and my 2 boys would be comfortable to justify the cost. The wife has no interest in camping as all of her campgrounds had numbers on them growing up like Motel 6 and Super 8.

 

[damon1272]

Question here as to spare tires. As I plan on dragging this thing off road is it worth while doing two spares or just one. The trailer tires will not match the lug pattern or the tire size. I tend to think one tire would be sufficient but wanted to see what people are normally running.

 

[damon1272]

Took it for it's first run today. All the trailer wiring has been completed. Pulled great and very little noise from the pintle hitch going down the road. Trailer is heavier than I thought it would be. Some near future plans are to outfit it for cabinet lights and flood lights on the exterior, water system, a jack on the rear to stabilize the trailer when unhooked, and modify the original side fuel tank to fit in the frame. Longer term things will be an awning and a fold out kitchen and stove out of the front passenger side cabinet. Overall very pleased with it. Taking it down on Tuesday to get it registered. Heard a rumor in California you cannot run the original axle? If so I will take this axle and cut the center chunk out and weld in a tube. Will find out on Tuesday.

 

[Curtis in Texas]

I just can't see the practicality of cutting out the diff and splicing the original drive axle. Especially since those axle tubes are heavy wall stuff.

Seems to be a waste of effort and possibly build a future failure issue.
Especially since a new axle is not that expensive.

Unless your rear end is a full floater I'd just buy a 3500 lb axle with brakes and Hubs with a matching bolt pattern of your Bronco.

A full floater axle would be a lot easier to retube all the way across and just to use the outter parts of the hubs. (As in one solid tube all the way across.) But then you'd not have a matching bolt pattern. Or electric brakes!!!!

And yes, that is going to be a really heavy trailer, so do put electric brakes on it since your Bronco will have your family in it sharing the roads with mine.

I see no reason to scrimp on the true safety items just to save a few dollars.

My Motto has always been:

It only cost a little more to go first class, I just can't stay as long.


Always wanted to build a utility bed trailer like this, but think one from a smaller truck would be all I'd need.

Spent my entire career working out of Utility Bed Trucks and have always enoyed have a space for everything.

Subscribed! :clapsmile

 

[XJSuperman]

Thats a goodlooking Mohawk lift in your shop as well as the sweet trailer project. Got a couple of those lifts myself.

I agree, the trailer will need brakes. That thing is gonna be heavy loaded with all of your gear and food and parts. Thats why most trucks with service bodies are between 7 and 13000lbs. I have a buddy who runs an 85 Ford 350 with a 6.9idi and a service body he camps with his family out of. He loves to play in the mud with it too, and the dang truck weighs in around 10 or 11000lbs with the gear he carries, plus nearly an entire kitchen pantry.

I don't know anything about Cali Law, but an axle swap would be easier and more fuel efficient in the long run, because leaving an unpowered diff in there is just a drag. Definitely ditch that and get brakes, one way or another.