Good starting point?

[Niner]

Use channel that way moisture doesn't collect inside causing rust.

even completely sealed just warming and cooling will collect moisture in tubing.

[Acadia]

didn't get much done yesterday on the trailer. Just finished welding the new supports in.

it was too cold to do any painting, so I will have to wait till it warms up before I can throw any paint on it.

it did give me some time to think about what I was going to do with the box. I think I am going to go with the rectangle tubing for the frame and then skin the inside with aluminum.

the box dimensions will be roughly 6' long x 4' wide and 2' deep. I am planning on putting a tail gate in plus a lid. I would like to make the lid removeable so it can haul some tall stuff if needed. I am still working on the lid design and will probably have to wait till I get the box framed before I can test some ideas.

[Acadia]

ordered tubing for box frame today. I pick it up on Friday just in time for the weekend. So I might actually make some progress on this thing this weekend!

[Acadia]

I couldn't wait any longer, so I hooked the trailer up behind the 60 and took it for a spin around the extended neighborhood.

It towed great behind the 60, nice and straight! I got lucky and it even sits level with the 60.

I can't say the same for the 4runner though. It might be closer to level once I get the OME lift on the 4runner that is sitting out in the garage, but I will probably still have to get a hitch with a couple inches of rise to it.

pick up the steel tomorrow for the box. I might have to sneak out to the garage early and get started on it!

[FlatlandTRD]

Enjoying the write-up and notice your location, cool, which part of the state?

This section is great as I'm searching for a base to start my trailer project, just one question for ya. Is there a benefit to using shorter leaves as opposed to going with a little longer? The reason I ask is because I have some taco leaves taking up space in my garage. Thanks.

[Acadia]

Olathe, KS

I get down to the Wichita area 5 or 6 times a year for work.

I am no expert on leaf spring set ups but the info I had suggested that longer is better because they are less likely to fatigue and break. I don't know if this is true or not?

When I orderd my axle I orderd new leaf springs with it (the standard 25" trailer springs), but I really liked the original springs that were on the trailer better. They were longer (30") and accepted a rubber/poly busing and not the plastic/nylon sleeve like the new 25" springs had. So I reused them and replaced the old worn out rubber bushings with new poly bushings.

I had thought about using leaf springs from a taco as well but decided against it, seemed like they where a bit over kill for the size of the trailer and what I was going to be hauling in it.

[Acadia]

well I picked up the tubing to start making the box for the trailer. I ended up getting 1.5"x1" 16ga tubing.

The neighbors are going to love me tomorrow when I fire up the chop saw

[Acadia]

Picked up a pair of fenders today while I was in TSC. I think they will work pretty well, just need to rough them up and hit them with some black paint.

[Acadia]

The chop saw got a work out today! Started fabbing up the tube frame for the box. one side is done.

[Acadia]

got the other side and the front put together. It is actually starting to look like something. not sure what that something is just yet!

[Acadia]

started framing in the back for the tailgate. I got one side done before I called it a day. I will finish up the otherside tomorrow.

[Acadia]

one more pic just for the heck of it.

[Acadia]

I'll finish up the other rear corner in the morning. Then add some verticle supports for the sides and the front. this will also give me a place to attach the fenders.

after all that is done I need to go back and weld everything up. since most of it is just tacked together.

[Acadia]

Well I didn't make any huge progress today on the trailer. I did get the rear finished and all the exterior seams welded. Plus the two side supports for each side.

I decided to weld the entire verticle butt seam on the rear of the trailer and boy did I hate that decision! It took forever and I probably should of taken more time with it because it didn't turn out as well as I would of liked. I had to stich weld for 2 feet and it doesn't look seamless

[Acadia]

here is a pic showing the side supports.

[REZARF]

Acadia-

Change your Title name on this thread and lets get some traffic in here!

Looks great man, I like it alot. Any idea of where you want to end up, or what you plan on adding to it?

Keep it up, your long butt weld looks nice nothing a little flap disk can't smooth over. FWIW, a tube of seam sealer may help you out in the future if it will work for your application.

Rezarf <><

[Acadia]

Rezarf - Thanks for the comments!

I tried to change the Title but apparently I don't know what I am doing

I have a couple tubes of seam sealer that I am going to use to seal the seams between the steel sheet and frame.

not alot of additions but I do want to build a couple jerry can holders for the sides, a spare tire mount for the front, rocksliders/steps.

I am keeping my eyes open for a set of used top mount truck tool boxes to possibly run down each side of the trailer

[REZARF]

Acadia-

Go to your first post, click on edit at the bottom right.

Then Click advanced.

Then change the title to "My rockin' trailer build that was hidden inside another post"

[Acadia]

Alright either I am a total tard or I don't have the advanced option, because I couldn't find it anywhere!

[REZARF]

Sorry, we'll try again.

Go to your 1st post on this thread and click "Edit" button on the bottom right.

That will launch a text window where you could type again, and it gives you three option buttons again on the bottom right, "Save," "Go Advanced," and "Cancel"

Click on "Go Advanced"

The second line down that you can type in is where you can change the title.

Sorry, it is in there a little farther then I originally thought. Hope that helps.

Rezarf <><

[Acadia]

rather than turn the trailer tech section into a forum tech thread I sent you a pm.

thanks for the help so far!

[Acadia]

well I picked up the sheet metal for the sides of the trailer today. So I thought I would post of a few teaser pics

[73fj]

Nice job turning an old dirt bike trailer into treasure. Looking good.

[Acadia]

73fj-Thanks!


I made a change on the sheet metal I am using to skin the box. I was going to use aluminum to skin it but after pricing out a sheet I changed my mind and went with 16ga steel sheet instead.

It is heavier but at least I can spot weld the steel sheet in and not have to use rivets. I would like to have the skin permanently attached this weekend but I still need to plan out a few more supports.

I was thinking about making it so I could mount two jerry cans on each side. any thoughts on this? probably use two for fuel and two for water.

also what is everyone using for latches on the tailgate?

[Acadia]

I was able to sneak out to the garage tonight and get a little work done on the trailer tonight.

I finished bolting the box to the frame. I decided to use a combination of welds and grade 8 bolts to secure the box to the frame. It seems to work very well.

I welded the brackets on that the fenders will attach to. Used some scrap to make some gussets

[Acadia]

threw the fenders on the brackets and gave it the old if it can hold my butt it should be strong enough test! It passed

need to do some notching on the back side of the fenders before I attach them to the brackets for good. might get that done tomorrow. till then,

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by Acadia

I was thinking about making it so I could mount two jerry cans on each side. any thoughts on this? probably use two for fuel and two for water.

also what is everyone using for latches on the tailgate?

Acadia-

Are you going to have a lid? If not your latches should be easy. I like the De Sta Co latches you can get on McMaster.com or search adjustable draw latches. With no lid I would look at the 90* draw latches and look no further. Tight, adjustable, rattle free, and super strong.

As for the Jerry cans two on each side. I think it could work, it will add significant weight to either side, you figure a 5 gallon jerry can when full weighs in at 40 pounds of fluid, you can see how it could add up quick, but with good supports you should be fine.

Looks good,

Rezarf <><

[Acadia]

rezarf -

I will have a lid on the trailer. That way I can secure everything that is in the trailer. I haven't worked out all the details on the lid yet but I am getting close. my major concern is making it removeable so if I would ever need to haul anything tall I could.

the most logical place to carry the water and fuel seems to be right in front of the box, but then I will need to find a different location for the spare tire.