Good starting point?

[Niner]

Originally Posted by boss73

Just had a thought, how about a roll top. Like a roll top desk?? I am not sure how it will work but I was thinking and it seem it would work. I am not sure but I think that I have seen something like this for trucks.. do you think something like that will work for a top??

To get a demo unit from a retailer might actually be close to the correct size.

[Acadia]

roll top would be nice, but finding one to fit would be the problem. I don't have anything close to a standard size truck box

[Acadia]

Well after a very nice Easter Brunch I made a bee line for the garage to try and get the sheet metal attached today.

I had decided awhile back to spot weld the sheet metal onto the frame. I had concerns that if I used rivets that they might work themselves loose. This may have just been me imagining things

anyway I drilled a line of holes around the perimeter of the sheet to use as my attachment points. Clamped the sheets on the frame one at a time and proceeded to weld them onto the frame. using the holes I had drilled as my spots for the spot weld. 6 hours later I am done

Here are a few pics of the finished product.

[Acadia]

Here are a couple more pics with the wheel thrown on.

[Acadia]

Hopefully I will be able to tackle the tailgate later this week and the frame for the lid.

I am looking into having a custom sheetmetal fabricator make the shell/skin of the lid and then I will attach it to the lid frame I am building. I really want the lid to be one piece with 1.5" legs or sides to come down over the edge of the main trailer box. I should have about .5" of overhang when I am done. this will help keep water out and make it so when I lock the lid you can't open the tailgate.

I am going to use a little different hinge system than everyone else is using. I will keep you posted on the this. I still need to do some R&D on it after I get the lid frame built.

[REZARF]

Looking good!

[boss73]

Yet another good looking trailer build !! People areound here got some skills !!!! Looks great, keep it up...

[Acadia]

Been busy this week and havn't been able to work on the trailer much.

I did manage to sneak in a little garage time though. rear bumper is on. Just need to cap the ends and cut out slots for the lights. I should be able to get that done this weekend plus build the frame for the tailgate. anyway here is a pic

[Acadia]

I managed to get the cut outs for the lights done today and the ends of the bumper capped off. I am debating if I should go ahead and seal off the back of the bumper or just leave it open.

[73fj]

I would seal it, gives it a more finished look, but thats me.

[Acadia]

That is kinda what I was thinking as well.

[Acadia]

I picked up the lid from the fab guy today. I had him make me a basic tray (for lack of a better word) all I need to do is weld the corners and it will be almost done.

I am having second thoughts about the frame I was planning to build to mount the tray to. I am now considering using a sheet of 3/4" plywood and attaching the tray to it with flange head bolts and T-nuts. i think this might actually give it more strength and help prevent some dents. anyone have any opinions on this?

[REZARF]

Depends, what kind of frame did you have in mind?

Rezarf <><

Looks nice!

[photogod]

Originally Posted by 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

Welding is only half the issue. I am a very good grinder which helps cover the fact that I have not yet mastered the perfect bead. Practice, practice and more practice.

[Acadia]

no prodress to report on the trailer. Turkey Season started so I have been busy hunting.

Hope to get some time in on it this week.

Drew- was planning to build the frame out of 1" 16ga square tube and I think I am going back to that idea just to save weight The 3/4" treated plywood is way too heavy!

[Acadia]

made it out to the garage this afternoon and got the frame tacked together for the lid. still have some welding to do on it but I ran out of wire. Looks like I will have to finish it tomorrow

sorry no pics but I throw some up tomorrow.

[pint]

Looking good so far! Wish I could weld...

[REZARF]

Originally Posted by pint

Looking good so far! Wish I could weld...

You can, you just have to decide to do it.

[pint]

Originally Posted by REZARF

You can, you just have to decide to do it.

I'm seriously thinking about it after watching this and your build! WOW! I need something to haul my camping gear this summer so i need to buy or start building ASAP.

[Acadia]

before I started this trailer build I had never welded. you just have to go for it

[Acadia]

I made it out to the garage this afternoon and knocked out a few things.

- finished welding the frame for the lid up.

- tacked the lid to the frame.

- hinges on the lid.

- finially started the tailgate, still need to finish it though.

So hopefully by the end of this weekend I will have the major things done.

[REZARF]

Looking good!

[Acadia]

thanks

[Acadia]

Tailgate is finished

[Acadia]

well it will be time to paint the trailer soon. I haven't been able to decide what color to paint it. I do know I want it to be a lighter color (concerned about it getting too hot inside when transporting coolers full of elk/deer meat) but other than that I haven't been able to come to any conclusions.

I have kicked around painting it tan, white, silver but I don't know? what do you guys think?

[Acadia]

pic update

it is getting close!

added a handle to the lid.

did a paint sampling today. I am leaning towards the khacki color for the entire body, black on the frame and a nice flat white for the lid

[Acadia]

couple more for good measure.

[73fj]

I'd