Jkny's Bantam trailer build re vive (1 Viewer)

[Jkny]

Hey guys I figured id start a new build thread on my Bantam trailer that picked up and built a couple years ago. I picked it up with plans to build it for longer wheeling trips for more base camp set ups. I never expected to to re build the ENTIRE thing but as I started it kind of took off and in the end I ended up replacing or re building everything except the frame and tub! I got it about 95% finished and used it only a couple times sadly not as much as had originally hoped in the last couple of year.

Anyways I'm going to re registering in a couple of weeks and finish a few last things on it in hopes to get some good use out of it this year so I figured it was a good time to re vive it! I think I started a build thread years ago when I was building it on Expo portal but it was never as busy over there and well Mudd's my new home. So I was looking thru my old photo's ( kind of amazed that I still most of them) and figured why not start a new build to continue the documentation!

The plan is to put a few finishing touches on it, give it a fresh paint job to match my 80 ( before I painted it to match my 4runner) and go on some great camping and wheeling adventures with the family!

Ok im going to flood this thread with a bunch of random pics now and try to walk thru and re live the process learning how to weld, measuring things wrong,Cutting the things wrong that I measured wrong, hurting myself and spending way to much money in the process

Here she is the first day I picked her up, isn't she a beaut with all 5 paint jobs!

First I had some rot in the floor and was just planning on replacing the rear portion but as I got into it more I realized the whole thing was pretty shot.I used a sheet of 16 gauge steel for the new floor. Welded in, Sealed and the POR-15'd

 

[Jkny]

...

Then I moved on to Fabbing up some new fenders. I wasn't a fan of the round style fenders and always liked the M416 style fenders so I started in that direction. But I wanted them to extend to each end of the tub for possible use in the future of mounting stuff to them, Propane,roto pax etc.

 

[Jkny]

Other side.

New fender stance

 

[Jkny]

One of the things I that I always liked about the Bantam's over the M416 is the fact that they have a tailgate. Great for easy loading/unloading gear and the tubs more accessible if you have a lid on top (which was my plan) But unfortunately the Original tailgate was in pretty rough shape ( 70+ years isn't to shabby) So that was next.

 

[Jkny]

Next I wanted to build a nice lid so everything could be closed up nice and I could add a rack for a RTT. After looking at it for a bit the round edges of the tub weren't going to be the best for a new lid to sit flush on so I added some angle iron to make a nice flat surface and it also ended up giving it a nice clean look.

On to the Lid!

 

[Jkny]

...

Sheeted

 

[Jkny]

I ordered a New 3500lb axle with electric brakes and 6x5.5 Toyota matched hubs from Redneck trailer supply.

Also scored these off craigslist for $50

 

[Jkny]

Next I wanted to re do and extend the tongue. My original plan was to match it to the same wheel base as my 4runner but I fudged something up and it ended up being a bit to long. In the end I shortened it and now it's a matched length.

It Live's! First test ride around the block.

 

[Jkny]

All primed up.

Then lights,rack,latches, also made a little bumper, and paint matched.

Fitted up and ready to go on it's first trip. I threw out the old RTT mattress and the new one didn't show up in time so that's why my RTT looks deflated Blow up mattress fit great for the first shake down.

 

[Jkny]

This is all I got for now! Whewww that was exhausting just posting pics of all that work again. But all in all it was a fun learning process.

Future plans are to add new stabilizing jacks to the rear corners. Lock n Roll hitch. Figure out a spare tire carrier and probably a tongue box.

 

[Tommy Argh]

Nice work! It looks awesome!

I say build your own hitch.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Good job on the trailer. Question on the tongue length, how did you figure it? I'm doing the same right now and looking for some input. Are you happy with the length?

 

[half k cruiser]

Good job on the trailer. Question on the tongue length, how did you figure it? I'm doing the same right now and looking for some input. Are you happy with the length?

I second this question. I just finished up the tongue on mine a week ago and have about 37'' from the front of the trailer to the center of the lunette. This doesn't factor in the distance from center of lunette to receiver.

 

[Jkny]

Nice work! It looks awesome!

I say build your own hitch.

Thank you. You mean like the lock n roll style ?

Good job on the trailer. Question on the tongue length, how did you figure it? I'm doing the same right now and looking for some input. Are you happy with the length?

Thanks. So on the tongue length I went off a buddies set up that he was running. He has a 08 FJ cruiser and a older British military style trailer similar to these style trailers but all aluminum (pretty cool) Anyways his tongue length is set so that his tire length from trailer wheel to rear wheel on his FJ is the same length as his FJ wheelbase. According to him this would give you the best results when towing. I'm sure others on here can give you a better more in depth answer but so far its worked great for me. Yes I've been happy with the length and its towed great. I need to add a spare tire ( probably to the tongue ) and a tongue as well if I can figure out how to fit both.

 

[Jim S.]

Nice build. I want to build a similar lid for my M101. What gauge sheet metal and what size tubing ( 1" X 1/8" ? ) did you use?
Thanks, Jim

 

[scrapdaddy]

I've got an old book on trailer building " Trailers... How to design and build by M.M. Smith " now it takes a mech. engineer to do the calculations and I think it's written more for larger type trailers, but basically it comes down to load and what type material for the tongue is used. Square tubing is great for this and our loads aren't much.

My concerns were for driving on some trails making sharp turns where the longer tongue would be at a disadvantage, but if needed to turn around tight (jackknife) it you don't want the vehicle hitting the trailer body either. I backed my 55 up to the tongue at a 90 degree and took a measurement, for me it's @ 51 inches from the trailer body to center of lunette and call it good.

Happy to hear yours is working good.

 

[Tommy Argh]

Thank you. You mean like the lock n roll style ?

Yes. I built one for $44 because I already had some of the parts. Heres a link... Under $50 DIY 3-axis coupler.

So far its worked awesome. Its such a solid hitch that you never feel the trailer when taking off from a stop or coming to a stop.

 

[Tommy Argh]

For what its worth I made the tongue of the trailer long enough to clear the rear door while it was open on the FJ while the trailer is still attached. This also made it long enough to be able to jack knife the trailer 90 degrees for those tight turn arounds or setting up camp. The only downfall to this is that I had to run 44 inch safety chains.

 

[Jkny]

Nice build. I want to build a similar lid for my M101. What gauge sheet metal and what size tubing ( 1" X 1/8" ? ) did you use?
Thanks, Jim

Thanks, Yeah a popular style lid for these kinds of trailers. I have gas struts on the inside to help with the weight when opening it and latches on the out side so I can lock it if I want.

Geez I can't remember exactly thickness and tubing but I want to say the sheets were probably 18-20 gauge and for the tube that sounds about right 1" for sure and you'd be good with 1/8" thickness especially once every things burned in.

 

[Jkny]

I've got an old book on trailer building " Trailers... How to design and build by M.M. Smith " now it takes a mech. engineer to do the calculations and I think it's written more for larger type trailers, but basically it comes down to load and what type material for the tongue is used. Square tubing is great for this and our loads aren't much.

My concerns were for driving on some trails making sharp turns where the longer tongue would be at a disadvantage, but if needed to turn around tight (jackknife) it you don't want the vehicle hitting the trailer body either. I backed my 55 up to the tongue at a 90 degree and took a measurement, for me it's @ 51 inches from the trailer body to center of lunette and call it good.

Happy to hear yours is working good.

Yes I believe the rule of thumb is you need a good balanced weight but you can't be to light in the front or trailer can respond poorly and get squirrelly.(on road)

For off road yes I agree you really need to find the sweet spot for what works best for you and your application id say both the type of off roading or tail riding your doing and the way you have your trailer set up, gear, weight etc.

I have a couple buddies that I've wheeled over the years and I've seen these guys bring their trailers down some of the gnarlest trails you could ever imagine and was amazed ( ones a M416 and ones the Manafree I think) anyways that was one of the reasons I got tis trailer, not my intention but I knew I could do it if need be. I also have another buddy who has a home made trailer that we call the pig roaster well because thats exactly what it looks like haha and I've seen home a more moderate trail and flop his trailer just because its taller and too top heavy.. Oooo now I'm gonna find these old pics I think I have them somewhere