Mr. Tolman,
Moab? Possibly bringing the trailer?
No mention of it so I'm assuming no unfortunately
?
Moab? Possibly bringing the trailer?
No mention of it so I'm assuming no unfortunately
?
Box Rocket homemade trailer build (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Box Rocket
- Start date
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Box Rocket
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- #162
Mr. Tolman,
Moab? Possibly bringing the trailer?
No mention of it so I'm assuming no unfortunately
Yes, and no. I will be down there, but I'm riding as rio for Ryan Davis and toting all my camera gear. I couldn't pull it all together to bring the whole family and I couldn't leave my wife home without the 80 since she and the 4 kids won't fit in the evo. So since I'm not driving the 80 I won't be bringing the trailer either but I look forward to checking yours out.
Sweet Adam, see you there! I'll be arriving late Friday camping with Kurt. Cheers! A
Box Rocket
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- #164
I finally got the trailer out for a shakedown run this weekend. We spent most of the week looking at different places to camp and had narrowed it down to Left-hand Fork up Logan canyon, Norway Flats in the Uintah mountains and near South Broons Canyon in Skull Valley. Cody Morgan a local cruiser-friend who lives in Logan was extremely helpful with information about Left-Hand Fork. He even drove up the canyon thursday night to check it out for us before we made the drive. It was a good thing he did as he found out that the canyon was packed with campers for the Memorial Day weekend and we'd be hard-pressed to find a place. We would probably have a similar issue with Norway Flats as the Uintahs are a popular place for camping as well. Additionally Norway Flats ran the risk of still having snow. Normally the snow wouldn't be a big deal, but not only was this a shakedown run for the trailer but a bit of a shakedown run for our new twins.
We had twins (boy and a girl) in November and this would be a test of probably the most time in their car seats they've had since they were born, along with camping. So the snow and possible cold-temps at the higher elevations in the Uintahs helped us decide on Skull Valley in Utah's west desert not far from Tooele, Utah. Desert camping is not my wife's favorite so this would be a bit of a challenge. My two older boys, Bjornn and Liam were just excited to go.
First things first, as we prepared to leave it became painfully obvious to me that this trailer project was indeed a must for our family. Now that we are packing for 6 plus the dog, there is no way we would fit everything inside or on the truck, even for a short trip like this would be. We got the trailer packed with the majority of our gear with just a few items going in the truck.
Packed up and ready to leave on the first real test of the trailer.
We headed west out of Salt Lake City toward Tooele and exited off of I-80 at the Delle/Iosepa exit onto Skull Valley Road and headed south past Lone Rock and Horseshoe Springs. We got off the pavement just east of Horseshoe Springs and headed up into the foothills as the base of the Oquirrh Mountains.
We found a nice spot in a small wash that secluded us from the road and gave us a nice view up the canyon and also back down into the valley.
We set up camp and had some tasty tin-foil dinners and crossed our fingers that the forecast of thunderstorms would stay away long enough for us the have a good night and following day.
Here's what I woke up to.....Bjornn and Liam still crashed after working hard to help setup camp.
This too....Michelle snoozing away but the twins (happy as clams) just laying there wide awake after their first night camping. Sleeping in their carseats actually worked out quite well.
This was our view up South Broons Canyon from our campsite.
Liam out on a morning walk with me while we waited for everyone else to wake up.
We had twins (boy and a girl) in November and this would be a test of probably the most time in their car seats they've had since they were born, along with camping. So the snow and possible cold-temps at the higher elevations in the Uintahs helped us decide on Skull Valley in Utah's west desert not far from Tooele, Utah. Desert camping is not my wife's favorite so this would be a bit of a challenge. My two older boys, Bjornn and Liam were just excited to go.
First things first, as we prepared to leave it became painfully obvious to me that this trailer project was indeed a must for our family. Now that we are packing for 6 plus the dog, there is no way we would fit everything inside or on the truck, even for a short trip like this would be. We got the trailer packed with the majority of our gear with just a few items going in the truck.
Packed up and ready to leave on the first real test of the trailer.
We headed west out of Salt Lake City toward Tooele and exited off of I-80 at the Delle/Iosepa exit onto Skull Valley Road and headed south past Lone Rock and Horseshoe Springs. We got off the pavement just east of Horseshoe Springs and headed up into the foothills as the base of the Oquirrh Mountains.
We found a nice spot in a small wash that secluded us from the road and gave us a nice view up the canyon and also back down into the valley.
We set up camp and had some tasty tin-foil dinners and crossed our fingers that the forecast of thunderstorms would stay away long enough for us the have a good night and following day.
Here's what I woke up to.....Bjornn and Liam still crashed after working hard to help setup camp.
This too....Michelle snoozing away but the twins (happy as clams) just laying there wide awake after their first night camping. Sleeping in their carseats actually worked out quite well.
This was our view up South Broons Canyon from our campsite.
Liam out on a morning walk with me while we waited for everyone else to wake up.
Box Rocket
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- #165
We came back from out walk to make breakfast and my 40 year old Coleman white gas stove decided it had finally had enough and I couldn't keep any pressure in the fuel tank so I couldn't use the stove. So I pulled the grill off the stove and threw it over the fire since we'd be cooking over the fire for the trip.
Bjornn and Zetta waiting for some bacon and sausage.
After breakfast we just relaxed and hung out. The weather cooperated and the boys played cards with Michelle while I took a nap.
Finn (our Welsh Corgi) had a good time too.
As the day warmed up the flies began to show up. It didn't matter what bug spray we used, by early afternoon we were fed up with the flies in this camping spot. Liam also began to suffer from severe allergies. Must have been all the sage since we haven't spent much time in the desert with him before and had no idea it would bother him. So we packed up and headed out.
Michelle and Zetta helping us get packed.
Finally all loaded back up and ready to head out. Michelle got me that Coleman cooler on the front of the trailer last week. I built a rack for it the night before we left and it worked great other than the latch is a bit weak.
Bjornn and Zetta waiting for some bacon and sausage.
After breakfast we just relaxed and hung out. The weather cooperated and the boys played cards with Michelle while I took a nap.
Finn (our Welsh Corgi) had a good time too.
As the day warmed up the flies began to show up. It didn't matter what bug spray we used, by early afternoon we were fed up with the flies in this camping spot. Liam also began to suffer from severe allergies. Must have been all the sage since we haven't spent much time in the desert with him before and had no idea it would bother him. So we packed up and headed out.
Michelle and Zetta helping us get packed.
Finally all loaded back up and ready to head out. Michelle got me that Coleman cooler on the front of the trailer last week. I built a rack for it the night before we left and it worked great other than the latch is a bit weak.
Box Rocket
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- #166
Headed back down the road into the Valley with plans to check out White Rocks.
Dave Connors had suggested we check out White Rocks as a possible place to camp but it can be a popular place and we thought it might be crowded on the holiday weekend so we didn't camp there the first night be we wanted to check it out anyway yesterday and let the boys climb around on the rocks. It turned out to be a great suggestion from Dave. After driving through the Goshute Indian reservation toward the Dugway Proving Grounds we saw the sign for White Rocks and headed west. It is a really cool place as a huge peak of sandstone with a couple smaller sandstone hills rise up out of the valley with no other formations like them in the area. There are caves all over White Rocks so we stopped to let the boys enjoy it.
Rounding the last bend with White Rocks in the background as the thunderstorms finally begin to develop.
Parked at the base of White Rocks watching the storm roll in.
Liam was still suffering badly from his allergy attach so he was crashed out in the truck on Benadryl. Bjornn and I hiked up to some of the caves while he slept.
My one complaint about the trailer right now is the DIY Raptor liner that I sprayed inside and underneath it. I was not abusive at all with it but did have coolers and camping boxes sliding in and out of it while we set up camp. It chipped in a few places and I worry about it's long-term durability. It held up ok, but I believe the extra expense of a professionally sprayed bedliner would be worth it. The Raptor liner which I believe is still superior to other DIY bedliners would work well on other applications such as I've seen with people spraying fender flares or rocker panels to protect from brush scratches. But under heavier use in a truck bed or trailer I think it is still lacking in durability.
Dave Connors had suggested we check out White Rocks as a possible place to camp but it can be a popular place and we thought it might be crowded on the holiday weekend so we didn't camp there the first night be we wanted to check it out anyway yesterday and let the boys climb around on the rocks. It turned out to be a great suggestion from Dave. After driving through the Goshute Indian reservation toward the Dugway Proving Grounds we saw the sign for White Rocks and headed west. It is a really cool place as a huge peak of sandstone with a couple smaller sandstone hills rise up out of the valley with no other formations like them in the area. There are caves all over White Rocks so we stopped to let the boys enjoy it.
Rounding the last bend with White Rocks in the background as the thunderstorms finally begin to develop.
Parked at the base of White Rocks watching the storm roll in.
Liam was still suffering badly from his allergy attach so he was crashed out in the truck on Benadryl. Bjornn and I hiked up to some of the caves while he slept.
My one complaint about the trailer right now is the DIY Raptor liner that I sprayed inside and underneath it. I was not abusive at all with it but did have coolers and camping boxes sliding in and out of it while we set up camp. It chipped in a few places and I worry about it's long-term durability. It held up ok, but I believe the extra expense of a professionally sprayed bedliner would be worth it. The Raptor liner which I believe is still superior to other DIY bedliners would work well on other applications such as I've seen with people spraying fender flares or rocker panels to protect from brush scratches. But under heavier use in a truck bed or trailer I think it is still lacking in durability.
Box Rocket
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- #167
We thought about staying and camping there since it was such a cool place but with Liam's allergies and the storm moving in we decided it was best to not test out luck with the twins, and the weather. So we headed for home just as the storm moved in on us.
We made it home just as another heavy thunderstorm hit us from the north. I was glad we weren't stuck out in the desert getting rained on. But all in all it was a very successful trip. The trailer performed perfectly. It tracked extremely well on the highway and on the trail. The simple leaf-spring trailer suspension worked out better than I had expected and I currently have no more plans to change the suspension. In the future I'll add some propane mounts so I can cook with something to replace my old Coleman stove.
We made it home just as another heavy thunderstorm hit us from the north. I was glad we weren't stuck out in the desert getting rained on. But all in all it was a very successful trip. The trailer performed perfectly. It tracked extremely well on the highway and on the trail. The simple leaf-spring trailer suspension worked out better than I had expected and I currently have no more plans to change the suspension. In the future I'll add some propane mounts so I can cook with something to replace my old Coleman stove.
I've been following this for a while and it turns out to be a nice "conclusion" to a great build. I have plans for my own home build, and yours definitely inspires me. Sure looks like you and the Fam had fun.
Excellent report!! Nice dog too. My grandparents bred Cardigan Welsh Corgis for the majority of their life, so I've had one or two since I was born.
VFRMAN
SILVER Star
Coming from a guy that does just about everything with 4 boys along for the ride, that picture of the twins in the tent, in their carseats, is priceless. Awesome! Great build/thread/trip report. Jealous as usual. 
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
Very cool pics Tolman. Surprised you didn't get into the storms. Check out Troy's post on WC, the wind folded his RTT over!
Clutchee
I'm fun sized!
Adam great pics.........
Cool dog.
Cool dog.
You have a good looking family, Adam. Your posts are very inspiring. Hopefully I can get my ass in gear and finish mine.
any updates on the lid??
Beautiful family Adam, you should be proud!
Glad to see your toys promoting family time, instead of taking away from it!
Glad to see your toys promoting family time, instead of taking away from it!
Box Rocket
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- Thread starter
- #176
No update on the lid yet. It's been crazy busy lately and the trailer's been way down the list of priorities. Probably won't get to the lid until the first part of August.
k thank you and that is a very nice trailer
good job
good job
Newbie here:
I was curious about your project and ended up here on the last page to see your wonderful family and the "adventures" you're having and will have....
I have two boys 6 and 8 and I recently bought my wife an FJ-40 for mothers day. My plan is to show my boys the great outdoors while enjoying WHY I got into 4x4's in the first place, the adventures.
I work at www.PJF4x4.com and it's hard to stay focused on "real" off-roading adventures when everyone around you is focused on 47" tires and propane injected big block buggies!
Your post made me think about what I'm missing out on....
Happy Fathers day and thanks for the reminder
PS I'm a a die hard Suzuki guy and most likely will always be. My first experience driving a 4x4 off road was a FJ40 when I was 17. I'm going to be 50 in a few short weeks and my wife and I will be "sharing" her gift
I was curious about your project and ended up here on the last page to see your wonderful family and the "adventures" you're having and will have....
I have two boys 6 and 8 and I recently bought my wife an FJ-40 for mothers day. My plan is to show my boys the great outdoors while enjoying WHY I got into 4x4's in the first place, the adventures.
I work at www.PJF4x4.com and it's hard to stay focused on "real" off-roading adventures when everyone around you is focused on 47" tires and propane injected big block buggies!
Your post made me think about what I'm missing out on....
Happy Fathers day and thanks for the reminder
PS I'm a a die hard Suzuki guy and most likely will always be. My first experience driving a 4x4 off road was a FJ40 when I was 17. I'm going to be 50 in a few short weeks and my wife and I will be "sharing" her gift
Box Rocket
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- #179
Thanks Danny! Happy Father's day to you too. Good luck with your adventures and post up some pictures of them when you can. Good work getting the wife an FJ40.
We had a 40 for many years and my wife loved driving it. She drove it on many trails in Moab and even most of the Rubicon. We had some good time in the 40 but I just needed something that would fit all of us.
Here's my wife at the alligator pit on the Rubicon.
We had a 40 for many years and my wife loved driving it. She drove it on many trails in Moab and even most of the Rubicon. We had some good time in the 40 but I just needed something that would fit all of us.
Here's my wife at the alligator pit on the Rubicon.
That's the picture that made me buy a Land Cruiser instead of a Jeep! (right click save as) I've been digging around here and on Pirate looking for that pic and the one of her on a steep vertical climb in Moab(?)
The trailer build thread was great Adam. I can't wait to get to mine eventually.
The trailer build thread was great Adam. I can't wait to get to mine eventually.
