[titanpat57]

Hi All,

Picking up a older model on Friday. I'm not a real off roader like you most you guys, but none the less I'm totally blown away by some of the off road trailer designs and the workmanship displayed. I'll probadly end up at campsites with my parade wagon most of the time..but the ingenuity and personal expression everyone uses to make their trailers different is almost addictive to read about . Please feel free to comment, positive or negitive

Thanks a bunch

[OlympiaFJ60]

Looks good. Keep the pictures coming as the build develops. So the batteries and water tank will be under a second floor? Are you going to use AGM or gel batteries instead of lead acid (or just ventilate the floor)?

[titanpat57]

Thanks OlympiaFJ....there are vents in the corners (in the pic, front bottom) so I was hoping to use the big Deka's. Yes, the floor will be raised too. 1-compartment for batteries and water pump in the front, the middle compartment for the water tank, and one in the back for shovel, axe , wheel chocks, tent stakes and any other goodies. I'm planning on using square aluminum frame tubing to construct the area above the orignal trailer walls, covered with 1/8" aluminum skin. As I'm thinking maybe I'll scrap the plastic table and make a 3/4" plywood one that will double as a removable extra shelf above the raised platform (for the awning, chairs, clothes bags, etc.) See how how it happens?...lol...one question and wheels are grinding again!

[sseaman]

this site may give you some ideas also

Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers :: Index

[450 DUDE]

I see you have 2 LPG bottles and 2 batteries proposed?

Thats alot of gas and alot of juice , just courious if your planning a catering wagon.
1/8" skin is seriously thick ?
If you hinge the aft door @ the top you could have instant awning.

I like the small design . are planning to sleep in this thing?

please keep it coming, subscribed.

ken

[chappysfj40]

very intresting for sure

[titanpat57]

Well... got going today finally. The plan has changed a bit due to some time and cost factors. Either way this is going to be a great "warm up" for things to come.

I've decided to keep the project smaller based on the a closer inspection of the trailer I purchased. It appears it would take too much work to get the frame ready to support the loads I have in mind, a fresh build is the only answer to make the design above work. I'm gonna make do with what I have, get some use and some fun out of it this year, then start a winter build. I'm still going with that design in mind, enough gas, water and power to spare.

I'll post some build pics in the morning after I get it shelled in. I'm still liking the idea of having the tent fold out over the back door for loading and unloading in a dry area, I'll just have to modify the rack I built to fit on the back of my truck, to now fit on the 4' x 6' area of the roof

I opted to cover the entire trailer and raise the tent so I could stand under it (don't think the Mrs. is to thrilled about the climb) to get in the back with some overhang.

ORT Addict

[photogod]

I was thinking of giving it a bit of a lift. Not too much, but just enough to make it a bit more off road worthy or gravel road worthy.

[titanpat57]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I didn't update when I said..it's been crazy here. I got some work done, slow but sure, on the framing, sheeting, skin and trim. I'll make the doors tomorrow and windows came in, so i hope to get those in this week too. Wish ol' Rezarf was here with his welder to bail me out!!!

Cant upload pix yet ffs

[titanpat57]

Thanks BTW SSeaman for that link....that is one awesome resource for everything trailer and beyond. As far as sleeping in the back, I guess it would be possible. I'm about 6' and that's what's back there now. I think it would be fine for a shorter person. Right now the area in the back is 6' long, 4' wide and 3' 6" high. I'm toying with a design to incorporate the open doors to see if I can add an "addition" so a big persons feet won't stick out (or get eaten alive by bugs). If I can line up a welder and get the new tongue steel and bumper steel welded on....I'll be almost ready for paint, some wiring and mount the tent. These Off Road Trailers friggin rule!

"Hi..my name is Pat and I'm an ORTaholic"

[titanpat57]

AHH...finally made the bigtime and can DL some pix!! A special TY to Admin Gods that allow this. A few with the shell started and skinned. The plan is to finish doors, prime the FRP and get a coat of Rustoleum silver on this bad boy. If only I had a welder to fix the hitch...she's a bit under-sized, but that will be the next post. More pix Sat. and Sun.

[titanpat57]

Update time boys and girls!! I'm off tomorrow so we get a little prep..some prime and nice Rustoleum finish. She's water tight except for a few cracks here and there. I'm hoping to get the tent on top Monday too. This week should be the new coupler/tongue bar /back bumper with drop down jacks/ reggy and inspection/ hopefully start the lighting and wiring for shore power. Stay tuned!

[Otto Von Squiggy]

Funky !!! in a good way. Keep it up

[REZARF]

diggin' it, keep it up!

[sseaman]

should be plenty strong, the 2x4s might be overkill, but looks good.

What are you doing for the rear door handle?

[titanpat57]

Thanks sseaman, and everyone else too. I'm sure the 2 x's were a little much...but I'm 280, the tent is 120 and the Mrs., well let's just say she's a little more than tent...I just didn't want to wake up inside the trailer looking up...lol

The plan with the back door is to keep it simple, top and bottom bolts on the left door (6") and a deadbolt on the right. I used commercial door hinges to hang the double 3/4" birch plywood doors (about 22 lbs. a/p).
She got a spritz of silver today...looks like a friggin' Coors Light can with windows... I expect to get rode pretty hard for this one. Now the wheels look real butt fugly, but that's okay, I'm gonna take em' this week and get the new rubber installed and then find a poly-razz-a-ma-tazz set of 16' wheel covers . I just hope the newer covers snap on these older rims.
Didn't get to mount the tent tonight, but did get the 3rd brake light mounted and the upper running lights drilled and screwed on.

I'm getting a little concered about the weight of the rear doors, the new rear bumper with the drop down jacks(not installed yet), and tent favoring the rear of the trailer as opposed to the front. I'm gonna need some serious tongue weight to feel comfortable . I keep telling myself with the new tongue and jack, the water bottles, a cooler, and 2 batteries I should be fine (God I hope)
the plan is finish the black once all the welding is finished. If anyone knows anybody with a stick welder in my locale...give me a hollar!

[titanpat57]

Also ordered the changing room for under the tent. I hope its as well made as the tent. Should add a nice area to even set a porta pot if you were way out. After looking inside the trailer it sure make a great place to chuck a couple of kids...but just a bit to short for me I think. I'm still wondering if I shoud glue down a 1" layer of blue foam with a layer of 3'8" smooth plywood glued to it...just to give you some protection on the bottom. If I do the floor I might as well do the side walls...hmmm...spiraling out of contol again!!

[titanpat57]

EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS....?!?!?!

THAT'S RIGHT!! UPDATE TIME!!!!

Well ...outside of the weather kinda sucking a## today (thunder all around) it went pretty well. Got the back bumper and jacks on, cut the rack down thart originally fit my truck and installed it. Then threw the tent up on top and bolted it down. Also cut the tongue steel, modified the front jack and wired some night time courtousy lights in (amber lens installed on the tent frame in the middle) Tonight I'm working on the back door lock. Planning on towing it up in the driveway tomorrow night and cutting of the old hitch and making ready for the new, the welder is coming Tuesday night at 6 , gonna tack on the front jack and hit the rear jacks with a bead to I think. Rear light ordered..cooler ordered, and Should really come together this weekend. Also ironed out the front rack design for the water bottles, cooler and battery. Stay tuned!

[sseaman]

nice progress, keep the pics coming

[Farmer_Fred]

looking good! don't forget to give those wheels a lick of paint!