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

[alia176]

Any idea on the manufacturer/brand?

Thanks

Here you go:

Also, couple of pics of the Treg hitch receiver. This hitch and others like it are worth the money. There's no noise to speak of and the trailer behaves exceptionally well while wheeling.

Not trying to hijack, just giving Drew some food for thought (and to part his money from his wallet )

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

HURRY UP!!!! What is taking so long!?!? I need a fix, er, I mean an update!

 

[REZARF]

I have been working a lot, and I have been sneaking some time in on the trailer, but no pics

Pretty boring stuff. Got the pintel mounted, and have been messing with the draw arm. I should be towing the chassis around the block this weekend. I will post after that

 

[REZARF]

Well, I got a lot of work done today and I have to say I am having a blast building this thing. My job's busiest season is over, so life will look a bit more routine, and that means I can get some regular saturdays of building on this little trailer.

First up today was to fit and finish the removeable ball hitch sleeve. This will slide into the drawbar when on the highway or around town, and then the pintle gets slapped in for the offroad stuff.

My decision is still up in the air about if I should drop the coin on the Lock-n-roll yet or not. I will have to see how the budget works out.

Here is the ball setup...

 

[REZARF]

Next up, I needed to see how much drawbar material I needed to be able to jack-knife the trailer on a tight trail. I put 6" of clearance in there for now but, I can go up to 10" if it proves to be too close. The idea here is not to tangle the body up with the trailer when turning at full turn, especially when backing up.

The drawbar slides into the main chassis tube about 14" and can slide in and out.

 

[REZARF]

Next I needed to reinforce the front of the draw-bar with a section of 1/4" tubing slipped over the end of the draw-bar to keep the end of the draw-bar from "fish mouthing" or opening up the end of the tube due to the forces put on it in all the different directions.

I welded up the leading edge and then ground it smooth, but I left my scrub welds on the backside

I plan on doing the same thing to the main chassis tube of the trailer as well, I just have to track down the correct size tubing first... and no one wants to sell you 1" of tubing! Off to the scrap yard I guess.

 

[REZARF]

Once the draw-bar was strengthened up I turned my attention to welding on the swivel mount for the bulldog jack that I have for this thing. Having it lay there on the ground is no way to keep your trailer in one spot.

Welding the mount on was pretty straight forward, but I did have to knock it off a few times after tacking it up a little crooked. Remember kids, tack welds are your friends!

 

[REZARF]

Forgot the pics...

 

[REZARF]

So with the draw-bar cut, drilled, reinforced, and with the jack mounted... I am nearly done with the "heavy" work of getting this thing done. The chassis is ready to go around the block tomorrow, but I need to burn in the spring perches and the spring hangers before I do any real driving!... remember kids, tack welds can kill you if you forget to burn them in!

From the front it looks like a cannon!

I will try to snap a few pics tomorrow if I can get it behind the cruiser for a short pull... wish me luck!

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I dunno where you could buy a 1" piece of square tube, but you can buy 1' long sections from www.onlinemetals.com Their prices are a bit high, but after you consider the time, energy, and gas to track down what you need, it may be cheaper to just order it online.

Just an idea. Trailer is looking great! How are you planning to build the box? Planning to fabricate it yourself or have someone do it for you?

 

[Section 8]

http://www.speedymetals.com

They will sell you material by the inch.

 

[REZARF]

http://www.speedymetals.com

They will sell you material by the inch.

Yeah, I think www.allmetalsinc.com will too, thanks for the link!

Rezarf <><

 

[REZARF]

Trailer is looking great! How are you planning to build the box? Planning to fabricate it yourself or have someone do it for you?

Thanks Arya-

You know I can't leave well enough alone! I will be doing EVERYTHING on this trailer, I want to make it from scratch in my garage with my two hands.

I plan on using light gauge steel tubing and skinning it out with sheet steel. I am not going to make a lid that opens, and that means I can get a lot of strength without adding a lot of weight. This goes back to I could make one style trailer nice or make a bunch of compromises. I am going to use a drawer system to access the cargo... since I am better in wood than metal for sure. The tent will be mounted on permanently by using a yakima rack, and if I ever need plywood or sheet goods I can mount it up top on the cross bars.

I have to start shopping for more steel now! WHOO HOO!

Rezarf <><

 

[Grim Reaper]

I was going Steel (again, I am rebuilding and the worst part was the skin) and then I thought better of it and going Aluminum on mine to replace the rusty steel that was on it. I can buy a prefinished sheet of .030 for $$60 or so a 4x8. No painting and light. Pop riveting it on with 9/32 rivets.

this is the place I am buying from. They also have tread Brite.

www.wrisco.com


DO NOT use Silicon (Bathtub caulk) for a sealant. It sucks. It will come loose and then wick the water in and hold it and cause corrosion. Then it leaves a residue that you can't get anything to stick to till you grind it off. Use a product like Vulkem or Sikiflex. That stuff will become structural and never let loose. These are products used for assembling campers including Airstreams.

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/category_s/24.htm

 

[AxleIke]

Drew, your welds are looking PHENOMENAL! I will need to hire you do do my bumper and sliders now! You have gone FAR beyond what I'm capable of!

All I can say is WOW!

Wanna take me camping!?!??!

 

[REZARF]

Phase TWO!

Well, I went from this to this...

 

[REZARF]

And now a new set of steel! We'll see if we can make this turn into this...

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

The way you went about the trailer, I'm sure the box will turn out just as nice. I'm almost motivated enough to restart mine.

 

[AxleIke]

Where are the pics from this weekend?

Can't wait for the rest!

 

[REZARF]

Where are the pics from this weekend?

Can't wait for the rest!

Somehow, I managed to delete them... first time ever eating the pics. Poof all gone!