Extreme Off Road Bike Hauling Trailer...
- Thread starter Metal Twister
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- Thread starter
- #22
Bob,
Let me say up front, how much I like your ideas. New thoughts on stuff is a good thing. I look forward to the rest. Also, I'm an old school leaf spring guy, so
Questions: What are the main reasons for the new design, over leaf springs. Ground clearance, more travel, etc.
Leaf spring are wonderful as are coils and coil over shocks. They have proven there worth for years in every type of vehicle. The Semi truck and heavy off road construction vehicles moved away from leaf springs to air bag suspensions for a couple of reasons... Weight, Restricted Travel, and Rough Ride when compared to the Air Bag options. All though the air bag is just a air spring it is very light weight and durable, very adjustable, and a great way to absorb huge shocks. Air bags allow you to control the height of the trailer on the fly from side to side or all at once which is Priceless in extreme crawling situations. It allows for easy leveling for sleeping, and did I mention ground clearance is a giant plus as well. Seldom does a leaf spring break, but if it does what do you do? Seriously what do you do? If a airbag should break grab a new airbag out of the glove box and replace the old defective one, add air and your on your way... easy. And I should also add that whenever you can loose the weight of an axle and two leaf packs it most likely is going to improve things weight wise. A long term plus is the smoothness of the ride, we have found that the typical chatter on washboard road can be all but eliminated with the air bag configuration. As a result the ware and tear on your trailer components and trailer fatigue is lessened and the life of those components lengthened. $$$$$ savings
Its one of those things that unless you have experienced the difference you really cant wrap your head around it. I'm almost 60 now and I grew up off roading. I remember when the motorcycles went from shock to the Prolink / Mono shock design .... I couldnt believe the difference in what it could do and how much better it felt. I went from building VW off road race cars to building Long travel sand cars. The difference in suspension is un believable. Its kind of like that. With leaf springs you drag your trailer over the terrain, with air bag trailling arm suspension you glide your trailer over the terrain... sorry it's about the best I can do. It's important you know that I not knocking any other suspension out there. In my opinion this is just a way better Mouse Trap.
Mouse with a coil springs!
Looking at your frame, I can't see the space you have reserved for the suspension. I can see the sink, etc. Please set me straight.
nside and at the front of the trailer there are a couple of strange shaped boxes they cover all the stuff inside. The boxes were originally built to hide the suspension from prying eyes and are about twice the size as they need to be.
Keep it up!
Thanks, Bob
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- Thread starter
- #23
I keep getting the question from different places... Why is there a need to for the trailer to have more ground clearance than the tow vehicle? Well that's a pretty simple answer. Your driving the tow vehicle around the obstacles that can damage the diffs or other components. If the trailer could follow the same driving lines you wouldn't need any more clearance. But your trailer is taking shortcuts behind the tow rig and it is invariably going to straddle the big obstacles.
This give a visual on the ground clearance... 26.5" aired down, 35.5" aired up to the back of the frame. Heck you could sleep down there.
Maybe a snap on skirt?
This give a visual on the ground clearance... 26.5" aired down, 35.5" aired up to the back of the frame. Heck you could sleep down there.
Maybe a snap on skirt?
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That is cool! Are you going to sell this platform? I have been actively searching for an expedition trailer and nothing has really done it for me. I like how modular this is. Like you said, it can be stripped down when wanting to use it as a simple trailer. The suspension is killer. I can't wait to see how the rest progress.
- Thread starter
- #25
That is the long term plan maybe. Kinda, sorta. I'm not sure how long it will be before I can start cranking them out if ever. There is a mountain of red tape and things I need to do to standardize the platform so everything will bolt on later. Nothing planed for sale at the moment. I probably should of held off til it was done before I exposed it to the forums, but the attorney said the patent pending thing was all done and in place so here it is.
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That's great. Can you give me the overall dimensions of the inside portion and the outside. Do you have a design you can show us of your ideas for the interior or outside boxes? How far will you be taking them? Just a shell or fully finished with electronics and all? Do have a timeline for production. I am not pushing or anything. Just really like the size of this trailer, the suspension, that it could be hard shell, could put a RRT on it and have a bed inside (family of 4). I guess I should PM you and get your number to talk...
- Thread starter
- #27
Thanks for your interest in the Bivouac Bravo trailer a PM has been sent to you.
And for everyone else that has been sending me PM's asking individual questions about the trailer... Im flattered and encouraged by the comments and responses about the trailer. I made a huge mistake by posting this up when I did. I should of waited until it was all done then posted up the build thread. With that said I need about a month or so to decide if they will even be sold. I certainly could manufacture them but my work load with the existing business takes priority. If I decide to sell them I will buy a vendor space here and let you all know. So with that please understand if I don't get right back with you on specifics. There is a lot to be done and when it is I will be able to talk intelligently about it, until then hang loose and enjoy the progress.
Thanks for understanding...
Bob Engel
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Have you thought about making a wireless remote steerable trailer to make pulling around tight spots easier?
Something like the one I've got in the works.
[URL="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/IFS%20Off%20Road%20Trailer%20Build/DSC02221.jpg"]
[/URL]
This one is full independent torsion bar suspension with a 26 gallon fuel tank in the back. It's the front suspension from an Isuzu Pickup. Same bolt pattern as my 4X4 and it will have electric over hydraulic operated disc brakes when completed.
[URL="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/IFS%20Off%20Road%20Trailer%20Build/DSC02210.jpg"]
[/URL]
The steering is done by a 12 volt ram attached to the cross over link, with a forward/ reverse winch relays attached to a wireless remote. This way it can be pulled behind any vehicle. There is a lawn mower battery to operate the steering in case I try to pull it with out a hot lead from the vehicle.
Been busy and put this one on hold until I can frame it in square tubing.
[Hijack off]
Something like the one I've got in the works.
[URL="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/IFS%20Off%20Road%20Trailer%20Build/DSC02221.jpg"]
[/URL]This one is full independent torsion bar suspension with a 26 gallon fuel tank in the back. It's the front suspension from an Isuzu Pickup. Same bolt pattern as my 4X4 and it will have electric over hydraulic operated disc brakes when completed.
[URL="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/IFS%20Off%20Road%20Trailer%20Build/DSC02210.jpg"]
[/URL]The steering is done by a 12 volt ram attached to the cross over link, with a forward/ reverse winch relays attached to a wireless remote. This way it can be pulled behind any vehicle. There is a lawn mower battery to operate the steering in case I try to pull it with out a hot lead from the vehicle.
Been busy and put this one on hold until I can frame it in square tubing.
[Hijack off]
- Thread starter
- #29
- Thread starter
- #30
Thanks to the mods for cleaning this up...
Depending on the use of the trailer and the time of year I thought a propane heater might be a nice addition . The problem is that I most certainly wont be using the heater year round and wanted to be able to throw it in the garage when not in use. I made a permanent mount to the trailer for it that will double for mounting other equipment when the heater is not along for the trip. But it is removable with 2 pins and one sheet metal tech screw. The thermostat, 12v, and 115v electrical wiring will be on a QD plug for easy hookups. No ducting to speak of as it will vent hot air directly into the body of the trailer through the 2 holes pictured in the unit. The size of this thing should warm up that trailer in about 2 minutes. The heater is propane operated and yes the exhaust will not be vented under the trailer. The intake and exhaust will be directed away from the trailer. Is the heater needed? Only a few months a year for the desert and mountain trips it might be worth dragging along. Don't know but will sure be glad its there if it is needed. Its surprisingly light for its size
Depending on the use of the trailer and the time of year I thought a propane heater might be a nice addition . The problem is that I most certainly wont be using the heater year round and wanted to be able to throw it in the garage when not in use. I made a permanent mount to the trailer for it that will double for mounting other equipment when the heater is not along for the trip. But it is removable with 2 pins and one sheet metal tech screw. The thermostat, 12v, and 115v electrical wiring will be on a QD plug for easy hookups. No ducting to speak of as it will vent hot air directly into the body of the trailer through the 2 holes pictured in the unit. The size of this thing should warm up that trailer in about 2 minutes. The heater is propane operated and yes the exhaust will not be vented under the trailer. The intake and exhaust will be directed away from the trailer. Is the heater needed? Only a few months a year for the desert and mountain trips it might be worth dragging along. Don't know but will sure be glad its there if it is needed. Its surprisingly light for its size
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- Thread starter
- #32
Nothing too serious has been accomplished these last couple of days. I needed a place to stow the hot water heater so I made a pined mount in the front accessory area. and made a battery mount.
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- Thread starter
- #33
Tonight I had some time to build some mounts for the the rear stabilizers. I had to find something long enough to reach the ground when aired all the way up. I found a set of old school manually operated camper jacks that are going to work perfect I think.
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You got it going now, nice. What brand air compressor, are you using?
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Suspension design is impressive. Interested in the final result. 
- Thread starter
- #36
Ive used these CTS's in the past in the hot rods I build. They seem to hang in there as good as the better known brand named compressors. http://www.airbagit.com/12-Volt-DC-Compressor-p/com-dc2500.htm
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- #37
When I built the rock sliders on the trailer it left 2 open tubes facing outwards from the side f the trailer. One just in front of the wheel and the other just aft of the wheel. I wasn't sure how I was going to cap them. So I ran down to the auto parts store and grabbed some freeze plugs that fit snug in the tubes. I then drilled out a 3/4" hole in the center of the plug. The button clearance bulbs fit nicely in the hole. By putting the bulb in the recessed side of the freeze plug it protects it from getting scrubbed off. I will install them permanently after its painted.
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Nice touch with the hidden and protected lighting...and the stairs really put things into perspective as far as height..
Plus I don't think you'll ever be disappointed to have on board heat already installed.
Very nice!..
Plus I don't think you'll ever be disappointed to have on board heat already installed.
Very nice!..
- Thread starter
- #39
Nice touch with the hidden and protected lighting...and the stairs really put things into perspective as far as height..
Plus I don't think you'll ever be disappointed to have on board heat already installed.
Very nice!..
Thanks, It was really more about cleaning up the unfinished tube ends more than a place to stuff some lights. Just worked out to be a good place for the lighting as well. I really have to watch myself with lights as I tend to go overboard with them. As far as the heater goes Id like to do some exploring in northern Arizona and Colorado... Im a life long So Cal guy and my blood runs thin quickly. I need heat or its just not fun for me. LOL I know Im a Pussy!
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- #40
Started working on the flip out bunk sections of the trailer. The door as it flips out is too narrow to sleep on so I need to make it at least 28" wide from 23" wide. The only place to gain the inches was making the bunk frame so it would stow in side the camper section and not flush with the frame work. Now every thing should nest nicely. The outside skinned door will flip upward. The sheet metal ends will fold out. and the bunk will fall down enclosing the entire trailer sleeping area with exception of the long edge of the bunk. That will be some type of tent material with a cloth screen and privacy flap velcro'ed into place. A few pics of what I'm up too.
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