77 Hilux pick up bed trailer build

[joebattle1]

Last batch… I threw in a pic of the trailer that chopperbob built from scratch. It’s pretty killer.

 

[joebattle1]

I’ve finally begun the new frame build.

First step is cutting the tail light wires and removing the wiring harness. I took a tail light out but I really didn’t need to.

I’d soaked the bolts in PB Blaster a few times before removal. The bed came off the frame pretty easy. We then flipped the trailer over on the tent rack so we could start mocking up the new frame. We’ll build that out with 2x2.

That’s as far as I got on day one. I’ll update as we go.

 

[joebattle1]

Sold the original frame for $100 bucks to make some room. Could have parted out the rear end and the spare tire chain but I just needed it gone. Making more slow progress.

Frame work…

Water tank mock up

 

[ntsqd]

The thing about trailer frames that no one seems to understand or talk about is that the greatest bending moment in the frame is right at the bed's front bulkhead. This is why everything from car haulers & travel trailers down to the little M416's have the tongue parts go under the rest of the frame rather than being butted onto the front of the frame.
Being 2" tall will help you, having 3 points welded on will help you, but better would be for the diagonals to be under the rest of the frame and extend back a ways to tie into a main rail or a cross-member some distance back from the front edge of the bed.

 

[RevISK]

Following along.

Really wanted a Toyota bed but nabbed this Datsun for $200. A few hundred more in axle, shocks, tires and taillights. Everything else I had laying around.

I’d also like to ditch the OE frame and build a purpose built one.

I dig your RTT rack, clean. I like the height I have my HomeDepot special rack at now as I can just stand under the deployed tent, but it is pretty high centered for travel while also catching the wind.

We took this setup over Stoney Mountain pass into Silverton and it survived (my marriage almost didn’t) but I’d rather not tempt fate again.

 

[joebattle1]

Some slow progress...

 

[RevISK]

Some slow progress...

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That’s cool. What is the approach in regards to the suspension?

 

[joebattle1]

That’s cool. What is the approach in regards to the suspension?

Thanks man... It's going to have airbags with a single ARB pump. As of now the airbags will act as a "shock". If that ends up being too bouncy then I'll adjust. This is my buddy @Chopperbobsmith 3rd trailer he's built with this suspension set up so we should be good going this route.

 

[RevISK]

Thanks man... It's going to have airbags with a single ARB pump. As of now the airbags will act as a "shock". If that ends up being too bouncy then I'll adjust. This is my buddy @Chopperbobsmith 3rd trailer he's built with this suspension set up so we should be good going this route.

I was wondering if that was your approach. I like it, seems like a great way to provide a simple yet adjustable suspension.