Good starting point? (1 Viewer)

[Acadia]

Acadia's camping/hunting trailer build "in progress"

Well I picked this trailer up pretty cheap. It is roughly 4' x 6'.

My intentions are to turn it into a off road type trailer that I can use to haul hunting and camping supplies in.

does this look like a good starting point or platform?

first on the list of mods will be to swap out the axle to a 3500# axle with 6 on 5.5 to match the 4runner and 60.

 

[KY854RUN]

Yes, it does look like a good starting point.

What's the thickness of the steel in the frame?

 

[Acadia]

the frame is 1/8 thick.

 

[Acadia]

Just ordered axle from abctrailerparts.com $168.58 shipped to my door! That was 1/2 what the local trailer supply store wanted to charge me!

 

[Acadia]

any draw backs to using angle iron to make frame for box?

 

[73fj]

any draw backs to using angle iron to make frame for box?

I think that is probably the easiest way to go. Just don't go too light.

 

[gavman]

Just ordered axle from abctrailerparts.com $168.58 shipped to my door! That was 1/2 what the local trailer supply store wanted to charge me!

Wondering if you ordered brakes with the axle?
Frame looks like a great start, very sturdy.

 

[Acadia]

I think that is probably the easiest way to go. Just don't go too light.

any recomendations?

 

[Acadia]

Wondering if you ordered brakes with the axle?
Frame looks like a great start, very sturdy.

no brakes

 

[cruzzer]

What did it used to be? Just curious what that piece coming up the center from the back is,, Looks like a great start too.. Once you have a heavier axle in place you'll be set..

Steve

 

[NamSand]

Why no brakes??

We run no brakes on trailer when the trailer and load are less than 0.75 t (metric). As soon as the trailer is above 0.75 t, brakes are recommended both for on and off road use.

I had and experience when a dragon boat trailer (approximately 1.5 t) pushed my car on a down hill section when I was trying to stop in front of my house. This is not a nice feeling and the trailer has overrun brakes.

 

[Acadia]

What did it used to be? Just curious what that piece coming up the center from the back is,, Looks like a great start too.. Once you have a heavier axle in place you'll be set..

Steve

the piece coming up the middle is a motorcycle ramp. the guy I bought it from used it for hauling his dirt bike.

 

[Acadia]

Why no brakes??

We run no brakes on trailer when the trailer and load are less than 0.75 t (metric). As soon as the trailer is above 0.75 t, brakes are recommended both for on and off road use.

I had and experience when a dragon boat trailer (approximately 1.5 t) pushed my car on a down hill section when I was trying to stop in front of my house. This is not a nice feeling and the trailer has overrun brakes.

I don't plan on hauling any heavy loads where brakes would be needed. The most weight I would ever see myself loading in the trailer would be 600 - 700 pounds.

brakes would be nice but I don't think they are needed for my application.

 

[73fj]

any recomendations?

Minimum 1/8" and add some bracing you should be ok. I guess it depends on how big a box and whats going to be in it too. Just my opinion.

 

[davegonz]

Great starting point. Do you know if it was commercially made?

 

[Acadia]

Minimum 1/8" and add some bracing you should be ok. I guess it depends on how big a box and whats going to be in it too. Just my opinion.

1/8" is what I was leaning towards. I know the box will be 4' x 6' but I am still trying to decide how deep to make it.

 

[Acadia]

Great starting point. Do you know if it was commercially made?

I believe it started life as a scratch build.

 

[Acadia]

I have not been able to work on the trailer over the past week. The new axle is suppose to ship out Monday so hopefully I can get it mounted this weekend. I'll post up some pics once it is completed.

 

[Acadia]

Axle is here and it looks sweet!

 

[brownbear]

while others say don't build to light, I say don't go to heavy. Especially on a homebuilt. You'd be surprised the the strength of 1/8 angle iron and 3/16 angle iron etc.

The box should not be built heavier than the frame. It's all relative. Pick a design and discuss what you want on here. Hopefully some ok advice will come out.