My scratch built expedition style trailer build up thread

[KOWBOY]

Toss a cooler of beer in 'er and take 'er for a spin.

Looks nice sir.

[tiovtec]

hey, I just started reading this whole thread today and I totally love that trailer! Going to start my own project too!! I'm glad I found this thread to finally make my decision about buying or building a trailer!! Keep up the good work!! As soon as you have some wheeling pics with it post them!!
Take care.

[sseaman]

Hows the tailgate coming along? we need pics

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by KOWBOY

Toss a cooler of beer in 'er and take 'er for a spin.

Looks nice sir.

Thanks Cowboy... I love your HUGE setup as well.

Originally Posted by tiovtec

hey, I just started reading this whole thread today and I totally love that trailer! Going to start my own project too!! I'm glad I found this thread to finally make my decision about buying or building a trailer!! Keep up the good work!! As soon as you have some wheeling pics with it post them!!
Take care.

Thanks man, be sure to start a thread and post up lots of pics!

Originally Posted by sseaman

Hows the tailgate coming along? we need pics

Did you look at the last page? I just have to add the strikers and I am home free. I have all weekend to work on the trailer, so I hope to put the welder down at the end of this weekend and start prep for paint.

Thanks!

[OlympiaFJ60]

Drew, looks awesome. Tried to scan all 20 pages of the thread but didn't find it. What is the height from the ground to the top of the lid?

Great job on the design and execution of your plans. Any thoughts on making a detailed plan available for the for sale section?

[sseaman]

Drew, i don't know how i missed the finished pics of the tailgate. First class as the rest of your build has been

[cruzzer]

The trailers looking great man,, cant wait to see it in smurf blue!

Steve

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by OlympiaFJ60

Drew, looks awesome. Tried to scan all 20 pages of the thread but didn't find it. What is the height from the ground to the top of the lid?

Great job on the design and execution of your plans. Any thoughts on making a detailed plan available for the for sale section?

Actually, I have no idea... The box is 24" high, and the frame sits at least that high off the ground. I will measure it today and get back to you. It is getting tall, but I am not too worried about it. Again, I am not going to try to run trails any harder than 3 with it, but I want to use it out here where I live in Colorado on our backcountry excursions and when we jump over into Utah.

Hadn't thought of making plans but it could happen if there was enough interest.. and it actually works on the trail

Thanks man!

Drew

[pint]

This is the most bad ass trailer build I have ever seen! Keep up the great work man!

[Mendocino]

Drew,

It's great that you are keeping up with your fans. Where is the progress? When does the body work crew scheduled to show up? Jake and I are ready (although he may sleep through most of it).

Cheers,

Jeff

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by Mendocino

Drew,

It's great that you are keeping up with your fans. Where is the progress? When does the body work crew scheduled to show up? Jake and I are ready (although he may sleep through most of it).

Cheers,

Jeff

Thanks Jeff-

We are getting close to paint, but I am still trying to drill all my holes and stuff before I squirt it, I am installing most of the accessories today and I will start to strip it for paint this week!

[AxleIke]

As long as your less than bright friend doesn't come over and break your tailgate again.

[Mendocino]

Originally Posted by REZARF

Thanks Jeff-

We are getting close to paint, but I am still trying to drill all my holes and stuff before I squirt it, I am installing most of the accessories today and I will start to strip it for paint this week!

We can provide some help this week in the evening. I have to take my General Ham test on Tursday night so I need to study. Also, I leave Saturday to work abroad for two weeks so if you want my help (as if its worth anything) the time is this week. I want to help and CM '08 is approaching fast!

[REZARF]

Thanks Jeff-

I probably can't use you this week. :(

[REZARF]

Well, I got a lot of work done this weekend, not too much to show for it though. I finished the welding of the floor, front of the tub, axle spring perches, spring mounts, and hangers... etc.

All the structural welding is complete!

Axle Ike built me a sweet batter tie down system for me on Saturday, thanks again Isaac! It came out awesome!

FWIW, I started drilling holes in the sheet metal for all the accessories that will be attached to this bugger. I got as far as both vents, and three 12v waterproof outlets on the front box. Tomorrow night I will mount the shower, rack system, and water fill holes, as well as the power inlet for the battery charger... I hope

Once my last box shows up from McMaster this week, I will hinge and install the gas struts onto the lid.

Getting closer, I bought about 20bucks in stainless hardware today to mount everything up with. Man, hardware is expensive.

Here are a few shots from the weekend again, not too much to show for a 13 hour day of work.

Rezarf <><

[REZARF]

And one little test drive spy photo...

[Mendocino]

Drew,

This is beautiful; i'm all misty

Sorry we can't help this week.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Acadia]

So, how did it pull behind the 40?

[spressomon]

...Getting closer, I bought about 20bucks in stainless hardware today to mount everything up with. Man, hardware is expensive.


Rezarf <><[/quote]


So you bought two SS bolts with washers and nuts?! Everything metal has gotten alot more expensive. And the darn hardware comes from China too...can't seem to avoid it even if you want to .

Are you planning to install 12V outlets elsewhere on the trailer besides the nose box? I have them on the back above the door...they come in handy when your light/appliance doesn't have a really long cord.

[sseaman]

looks nice behind the 40

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by spressomon

...Getting closer, I bought about 20bucks in stainless hardware today to mount everything up with. Man, hardware is expensive.


Rezarf <><

So you bought two SS bolts with washers and nuts?! Everything metal has gotten alot more expensive. And the darn hardware comes from China too...can't seem to avoid it even if you want to .

Are you planning to install 12V outlets elsewhere on the trailer besides the nose box? I have them on the back above the door...they come in handy when your light/appliance doesn't have a really long cord.[/quote]

Thanks and yes, steel is crazy right now, actually I got about 120 peices total. All stainless, washers, nylocks a few other things like grade 5 nylocks and stuff too.

I am going to install 2 more outlets on my kitchen counter later on, but these are already over kill for what I need. I want a few out back for exactly what you described.

Thanks! Rezarf <><

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by Acadia

So, how did it pull behind the 40?

It pulled fine for a trailer with no wieght on a 3500# axle

Just wanted to double check that it was going to track straight before burning in all the suspension welds, they were just tacked before. I am excited to get it on the road!

[Acadia]

Originally Posted by REZARF

It pulled fine for a trailer with no wieght on a 3500# axle

Just wanted to double check that it was going to track straight before burning in all the suspension welds, they were just tacked before. I am excited to get it on the road!

I did the same thing, even before I started building the box. bounced alittle but pulled straight

[REZARF]

Well, time is running short so, you are going to get shorter write ups as we close in on our date...

Here is what I came up with for catches for the tailgate latches. These are really simple but allow me to adjust the catch in all the directions I could need them to adjust. Pretty simple. I used the nut-serts to bolt to in the frame. Seems super strong and they close oh so nice!