My scratch built expedition style trailer build up thread (9 Viewers)

[REZARF]

Next up, I started to wire up everything. The first shot is of everything going into the wiring for the trailer.

7 Pin RV Connector
7 Pin RV Receiver (vehicle side)
7 Pin RV Receiver mount
7 wire pig tail
Trailer wire 4 flat
Junction box for easy hookup of all things wire!

I started off by punching a hole through the front box and installing a 5/8" ID grommet for the pig tail to pass through. With just a little water I can get it to slide in and out. Could be handy to tuck it up into the box at camp or on trails that it could get damaged on.

The second shot shows where I pulled the pig tail and under-carriage wires into the box. The two black rectangles are rubber sheets that insulate the batteries from causing corrosion (hopefully) and to help vibration dampening a bit.

 

[REZARF]

Here is a shot of my fancy-schmancy battery hold down that AxleIke made me! THANKS Isaac! Powder coated as well In fact, the white interior of the whole front box is epoxy powder coated to combat the corrosion issues.

The next pic is of my junction box lower half, the upper half has a nice grommet seal to keep it water tight, however, mine is going to be installed inside the box so it isn't as much an issue. I like how the tips of the posts are color coded to the 7 pin connector so it makes wiring and diagnosing problems a snap!

Here is a shot of the under carriage wiring, all wires are run inside loom and through rubber grommets at every metal pass through. I used a few stainless self drilling screws to hold them in with insulated wire loom holding clamps. I like my wiring to be nice and clean. I ran the wires----->to the rear inside the side rails------> to the rear bumper for the tail light wiring. I added a few extra wires to light up my aux lights out back while I was running the 4 flat wire. I still need a "3 to 2 converter" to make the fj40 tail lights work off the 4 flat wire.

 

[REZARF]

I thought I would give 3M's VBH Tape a try. I almost taped my trailer together with this stuff but this was application is less of a gamble to see how well it works.

This place will get a lot of vibration and tugging on it from the wiring so I thought I would lay down a few strips and give it a go... here is where the junction box will live.

I can't tell you the adhesion of this tape, I was able to shake the whole trailer trying to rip the junction box back off after taping it in place. This stuff might be cool to play with in other applications too!

 

[REZARF]

Now all I have remaining is:

Weather stripping
Latches
Mount RTT
Finsih wiring tail lights and it is usable.

I still want to:

Make a kitchen slide out/drawer (search Photogod's setup)
A cargo drawer.
Add turn signal/clearance lights
Plumbing
Add shocks

 

[pint]

Kick ass trailer! Keep up the awesome job!!!

 

[cruiserdan]

WOW, just WOW!

What an incredible piece of work. After over a year and a half in the oven your baby is BEAUTIFUL!



D-

 

[REZARF]

Thanks Dan!

 

[2badfjs]

is that legal to carry propane there?

STILL THE BEST HOME BUILT TRAILER I'VE EVER SEEN!!!!!!


BTW, did you make patterns for everything

 

[REZARF]

Thanks Jim-

I have tossed around the idea of making plans for folks so they could use them in building one... I'd sell them for about a gazillion dollars each though!

Sure I can carry propane there. It is there isn't it!

Drew

 

[usmcruiser]

Drew,

I was down in Louisville today, picking up my boys from my moms. Anyway I drove all over Louisville looking for your house, I was planning on crashing your garage with my pig (read raaammming speeeed!!!) and make off with you trailer. But alas I could not find it.

No but really I'd just like to bring you some beer and check out the build in person. It looks amazing so far.

 

[REZARF]

Nick sounds good, hit me with a PM so we can figure out some details.

Drew

 

[photogod]

Drew,

If your interested in some close up photos of the Camp Kitchen I made let me know and I will email you some along with dimensions. They might help you figure out the size and shape of the thing.

TF

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

Drew,

If your interested in some close up photos of the Camp Kitchen I made let me know and I will email you some along with dimensions. They might help you figure out the size and shape of the thing.

TF

I would be interested in seeing this too, as well as many others I'm sure.

 

[REZARF]

Drew,

If your interested in some close up photos of the Camp Kitchen I made let me know and I will email you some along with dimensions. They might help you figure out the size and shape of the thing.

TF

Thanks photogod, I am using your idea as a rough start. My kitchen will be a slide out drawer with stove and sink mounted towards the trailer, then the rear half of the drawer will be the "pantry" area with storage for cook ware and food. I will make mine similar to yours in that it will "close" up nice and clean looking. I plan on making all my sides be able to flip down for "counter" space.

I will post up a sketch of a few of my ideas, then I might hit you up for a few details of you setup man. Thanks, your kitchen is a work of art. Maybe post a few pics of it so people can get an idea of what it looks like. It is really something to shoot for!

Drew

 

[photogod]

Roger that. I'll start a thread in camping.

 

[OkieRover]

You know you are going to be badgered by people asking you were you bought that sweet trailer...you could avoid all that by selling it to me for a couple of six packs and then no one would bother you about who you bought it from.
Just let me know when to come pick it up.

 

[Planojeeper]

All I can say is SWEET!!! I have followed this from start to finish. You really do great work.

 

[EVILSPOTTER]

X2- I have really enjoyed watching your trailer go together, good job man!

 

[camcruiser13]

all i can do is wish



wow

ihearturtrailer

 

[STB Power Systems]

Looks good Drew, thanks for sharing your build with all of us. It helped me get motivated to start one of my own. Your build is very well documented and contains a wealth of information for all of us following in your foot steps. There is a lot of little things to consider when building a useable trailer, and you have very well thought out trailer behind your cruiser now.

Enjoy it the hard part is done,

Scott