Expedition trailer made from FJ40 tub

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Very nice I Love it

Sent from outer space via my mind
 
More pics.

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After Returning home, I began inspecting the trailer. Frame had cracks where tongue tube mounted to FJ40 frame. Aparently there is a lot of stress at that point with no body mounts in front of that area. So I took the tub off and will be reinfocing that whole area as well as adding some body mounts both to the tub and frame. I knew I should have done this to begin with, but I am impatient and I wanted to use and test the trailer. This was a great shake down trip. It really gave me the motivation to dive back into the project. Kitchen is ready to be mouned so that is next on the list.

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I love the red doors on both

Sent from outer space via my mind
 
Sorry for the biassed opinion, but I am in love with this trailer! I was able to fit all the gear I wanted ( 4 camp chairs, 2 dutch ovens and cooking gear, portable BBQ, Dutch oven propane burner, 10 gals. water, coleman 2 burner stove,13LB propane bottle, cooler, 3 small action packers, Large pelican tool case, toilet, shower tent, 2 milk crates w/gear, Sleeping bags & pillows, food for 10 for 3 days Etc.). Everything on the Inside, protected from weather and thieves. This kept the tow vehicle availible for passengers. Track width is identical to the 40 so I know, if the 40 fits, the trailer fits. Identical departure angles as well. Most comfortable bed in camp (real queen mattress) without a bulky wind resistant RTT. Low CG. Pulled easily behind the 40 over any terrain I chose. I can see over the top of it in the rear view, and everything is still accessible with the tent up. Cant wait to get it fully assembled and put back together!!

Short Video of me turning around on a steep road.
http://s1235.photobucket.com/user/volcanic_iceberg/media/IMGP34772.mp4.html
 
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Thanks for all the positive coments and encouragement. It really makes a guy feel good about his project.
 
The Arizona strip expedition was litterally a shake down trip. Near the end of the trip I noticed that the tongue jack seemed to be angled back towards the tub. When I looked under the trailer I found that several cracks had apeared where I had joined the landcruiser frame to the tongue structure. :bang:

It was my fault for not building a more robust structure and reinforcing that joint. I also failed to make any body mounts forward of that point, and didnt install the ones over the rear cross member, which added to the body rocking which ulimately fatigued the metal and caused the cracking.

You know, I was just so excited to get out and use this thing! I knew the body was'nt going to come off, I just didnt know that the frame would fail. It was a good lesson.

So the last few weeks, instead of installing the kitchen like I would have liked to do, I got to pull the body off and fiinsh what I started on the frame. While there I also welded on a reciever tube at each rear corner. These can be used as stabilizer jack mounts, a good Hi-Lift jack point for tire change, or on the kitchen side, I imagine sliding in a platform for the fridge to sit on.

Pictures of the frame cracks below:

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Here are pictures of the frame repair/Mods. NOT pictured are the body mounts above rear cross member. All together I went from 4 mounts to 8. Body is now fully integrated with the frame. Incidentally, this week end, I took it out on a 150 mile off road Az. strip expedition again. This time to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon Toroweap look out. Bounced it around a lot. 50 MPH over washboard roads most of the way with some crawling near the rim. Trailer perfomed flawlessly. No signs of metal fatigue. :clap:

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A few more pics. First is the reciever tube on left rear corner. Second is looking up under at forward body mount. Last one is mocking up for kitchen install.

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Wow what a crazy turn of events! Glad it wasn't fatal on the trail and it looks stout now. That is going to be a sweet kitchen setup!

-Daniel Kent
 
I agree, that kitchen is a awesome layout. I may have to copy some of that.
 
Here are a few from the Toroweap expedition. The boy in the first pic was my room mate. The other 2 kids bunked in the 80.

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Adventure Copan said:
Wow what a crazy turn of events! Glad it wasn't fatal on the trail and it looks stout now. That is going to be a sweet kitchen setup!

-Daniel Kent
Click to expand...

Awl_TEQ said:
I agree, that kitchen is a awesome layout. I may have to copy some of that.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I really like the form factor. Lots of storage since the drawers are deep and full extention. Lots of counter space with the fold outs. And there is the bonus platform that pulls out the end for the bbq. Construction method was a pain however. Very stout but it took a long time to put it together. Need to finish it up and install so I can actually get to using it! Once its complete I'm going to reward myself with a partner stove that will sit flush with the counter top. :D
 
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Trying to decide what to call this trailer. Any suggestions? I have a vinyl cutting machine and can cut a decal, but I have been scratching my head on a clever name.
 
Volcanic Iceberg said:
Trying to decide what to call this trailer. Any suggestions? I have a vinyl cutting machine and can cut a decal, but I have been scratching my head on a clever name.
Click to expand...

The 40TT (The 40 Trailer Tub).

-Daniel Kent
 
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