My plagiarized trailer.

[Vitesse_6]

Hi all.
I've been in need of a camp/utility trailer for some time now, I've finally gotten around to building one, I will post up some pic's later, I already have the main frame welded together.
I say its plagiarized, Because I copied Boxrocket's and Wildyoats (and others I'm certain) trailers...
What I have planned is basically what Adam T built with some slight variations, I will be using a #3500 axle with 6 lug pattern, I picked up a matching set of rims that also match my FJ40, I'm hoping to find a decent set of 35" tires, Sometime in the near future I will build a nice metal lid for it and put on my new camping Labs RTT.
I do have a few questions, Some now some later I'm certain.
Would shocks be a good idea, They wouldn't be anything special, Just wondering?

I've read over this trailer building pdf and it seems to have some useful info.
Like I said I will post up some pic's later and I am certain I will have more questions.
I would like to thank Johnny and Adam for their fine work and posting it up for all of us to see.
THANKS!

 

[Vitesse_6]

Here is what I have built so far.

I built the ladder frame first, Then I cut out boxed sections so I could weld in a 10' piece of receiver hitch for the back bone.

I stopped by a trailer supply store on the way home, MAN this could get expensive, They have all sorts of goodies there!

This is what I have cut ready to be welded on, Corners and sides of the bed as well as a cooler spot on the tongue.

Not too terribly exciting, But I hope its functional.

 

[greentruck]

Brian,
Looks like the frame for something out of MadMax.

And you're using fresh steel

 

[Vitesse_6]

Mad max is good right?!? L O V E D that movie

Its all new unused, But the 10' long piece is a scrap piece and was out in the steel yard.
My welds suck, But they are getting better as I go along

 

[Vitesse_6]

Slight update...

I ran out of 1.5" square tube, So I'm off to get more today.
I stopped by Henderson's to order an axle, I made the mistake of asking for a suggestion on the width I decided on(60") and I think I just about made the parts guy's head explode... By asking if my math was correct, Frame width 48", Wheel back spacing 3.5"x2, plus 1-2" leeway 48+7+4= 59!
He finally came around and decided to be helpful, He suggested I go home and recheck to see if I have my measurements correct, So I did, I had the correct width I needed.
I'm going to see if I can get all the mounting hardware today so I can get that welded on as I wait for the axle to be built.
More to come

 

[Vitesse_6]

Here we are again!
I got a little work done this evening, I wasn't able to get and steel today, Wasatch Steel closes at noon on Sat, I arrived at 12:05
So, I wandered back over to Hendeson's to see about that axle I needed, I talked with another guy, He was more than helpful, In fact, He said they had a 60" axle with grease-able hub's in back, SWEET! It even has the brackets for brakes if I wish down the road.

Welds are looking better, I think!

I know its a little premature, But I wanted to see how my $75 set of 4 wheels fit and matched my FJ40's

Not too bad of a match.
I'm kind of at a dead end till I can come up with some metal.
I've been thinking about paint, I think I will see about having it sand blasted at the same place here in SLC that did the work on my FJ40.

 

[Box Rocket]

Looking good Brian. That's a beefy frame.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Thanks Adam!
Its been a few days since I had a chance to work, But this is what I accomplished earlier this week.

I am using 4' square sheets of metal, Cutting them to fit, I had to stitch the floor together.

Tailgate is coming along, Here I have it tacked in place to see how it fits...

Seems to work!

My plans are to get a heavy rubber mat for the floor of the trailer and have it attach to the tailgate.
Today I hope to get the tailgate finished as well as put the front and at least one side wall put together.

 

[Romer]

Wow Brian, I didn't know you had skills. Looks awesome. I wish I had the skills to do something like that!

 

[Vitesse_6]

Wow Brian, I didn't know you had skills. Looks awesome. I wish I had the skills to do something like that!

Thanks Ken, I wouldn't say its skill, A lot of my welding is somewhat questionable

However here is a little bit more of what I accomplished today.

Some captured nuts for the tailgate chains as well a home made hasp.

Notched front steel ready for welding.

There was quite a bit of grinding going on today, I'm certain if I was a better welder there would be much less to grind

But now its movie time.

 

[sirenmoses]

You are lightyears ahead of me, in That you weld, not how you weld.

Tailgate chain seems a bit overkill, unless you're thing about having spares for the tongue. Were you thinking about the old cowboy trick of wrapping it in tubing? Modern version is bicycle, available at any bike shop. Mybeater trailer still sports inner tube and bailing wire to keep the rattle down.

 

[Vitesse_6]

You are lightyears ahead of me, in That you weld, not how you weld.

For some one who brazes metal all day for the last 20 years, You would think I could weld...
It could be my welder, At times I can lay down some sweet welds and within the next pass or so, I produce crap!

Tailgate chain seems a bit overkill, unless you're thing about having spares for the tongue. Were you thinking about the old cowboy trick of wrapping it in tubing? Modern version is bicycle, available at any bike shop. Mybeater trailer still sports inner tube and bailing wire to keep the rattle down.

The chain is just something I found at a trailer supply while I was buying other stuff(it had some odds and ends I needed elsewhere as well), Yes I would love to wrap it like a bike lock, Just haven't gotten around to it or found the right place
Thanks

 

[nat]

Nice job!

 

[Vitesse_6]

Thanks!

I ordered a Max Coupler today, Should be here Mon/Tues. and my lovely wife let me get some new 33" tires

Other than that, I have all the sides cut and ready to weld on, I will get some pic's up later.

 

[Vitesse_6]

I got a few things put together tonight.

I'm liking the height of the trailer so far.

Fenders and front basket tomorrow!

 

[bkfj40]

looks heavy....any idea on the weight?

 

[Vitesse_6]

looks heavy....any idea on the weight?

not yet but I am hoping to keep it under 750lbs, That way I dont have to register it.

A bit more squared away...

I did quite a bit of grinding today as well as made 14 little tie down loops welded them here and there.

Here is the start of the front basket, It fits my cooler and two scepter/blitz cans

some of the cut pieces for the basket

Off to relax for the rest of the day :hi5

 

[MOfj40]

nice work so far.

Regarding the welds, they don't look bad to me considering you're using that little 110 machine. Good technique can help make up for a low end machine, but a good machine makes it easy for a novice to lay down a good bead.

I had an old well worn Millermatic 185 in my shop and those of us that weld somewhat regularly were quite proficient with it but all my new guys struggled. I bought a new Millermatic 252 last year and now all my guys can easily lay a good looking bead. As long as you're getting good penetration without a lot of porosity then you're doing good with that little machine.

Trailer's looking good - I'm jealous.

 

[Vitesse_6]

nice work so far.

Regarding the welds, they don't look bad to me considering you're using that little 110 machine. Good technique can help make up for a low end machine, but a good machine makes it easy for a novice to lay down a good bead.

I had an old well worn Millermatic 185 in my shop and those of us that weld somewhat regularly were quite proficient with it but all my new guys struggled. I bought a new Millermatic 252 last year and now all my guys can easily lay a good looking bead. As long as you're getting good penetration without a lot of porosity then you're doing good with that little machine.

Trailer's looking good - I'm jealous.

Thanks!
I think there are a number of things that can be the issue of my poor welding, ie. amateur, technique, improper surface cleaning, I have a wonky trigger, You need to hold it in just the right position for the trigger to work, Which doesn't help.
I've been working on cleaning the weld areas better, I know I need to be patient, But it is wierd, I can lay down a great weld then the next is a bird s*** weld...
But, I'm giving it hell just the same

 

[Vitesse_6]

WOO HOO!

Fenders are in hand, This may be a fun day, I hope I can get it a little more together.
More pic's later