My scratch built expedition style trailer build up thread (4 Viewers)

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Go for your design. That's what makes it unique and attractive. Take the high road!
X2, and the angle on the box should help it navigate those trees that jump out on the trail. More likely to push itself around it that get hung up!

Ed


Sexy trailer:beer:
 
Drew: Do the sideboxes! And I like, your angled approach (no pun intended...well actually pun intended :D) from a cosmetic perspective even though you loose function on the interior with the mitered corners...what would it look like if you left the front side as mitered but made the rear/trailing side of the box 90 degrees to gain a little more use of the space?

FYI: I REALLY like the stove set-up mounted on my AT Horizon side box..try to incorporate it if you can. Didn't think it mattered that much in the beginning...but it is a great convenience all the time!

You probably already are planning to do this but be sure to thickly (1/4") Rhino/Line-X/whatever all the front sides of your trailer, frame, box, etc. My AT has just gotten beat to snot from gravel/sand/rock spray!!!

One last FYI: Be sure to consider your RTT height if you do add sideboxes...you may need additional height for your RTT mounts...if you go with a side hinged top as your latest pic depicts (a side opening top will be more useful to you than a rear/front hinged top).
 
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I was pondering some changes to my own trailer yesterday and my mind kept going back to those angled boxes...Drew, here's a thought...the angled corners would be *perfect* for storing wheel chocks for the trailer! If you store them sideways, you can maximize your storage capacity! I've always had an issue with storing mine, that's how the idea came up.

This is the kind of thing that drives my wife nuts, I can be watching a show on TV but really thinking about this kind of stuff...! :)
 
My vote is angled front and keep the rear ends square.
If you have to pull it through the trees and scratch it up a bit, then well good it will mean you're using it and getting outdoors.
Thats what this is all about isn't it:)
FYI i think you are carrying a lot of people through the winter with this build, which is great. (Maybe a little funny too but who cares)
Keep up the great work and merry Christmas:beer::beer::beer:
 
Go angled both ends. That would look KILLER.

Have you considered using the cornered ends for "tuck away" stuff. As in, box off the inside of the cornered area, put a small hatch on the angled end, and put the water pump/fuse box/whatever/ there. It would seriously free up space in your front box, and be SUPER easy access.
 
I must ask,, who make that pipe bender?? I've seen the cheap ones at harbor freight but that looks really nice.. Wouldn't mind getting one of those myself!
Steve
 
Drew: Do the sideboxes! And I like, your angled approach (no pun intended...well actually pun intended :D) from a cosmetic perspective even though you loose function on the interior with the mitered corners...what would it look like if you left the front side as mitered but made the rear/trailing side of the box 90 degrees to gain a little more use of the space?

FYI: I REALLY like the stove set-up mounted on my AT Horizon side box..try to incorporate it if you can. Didn't think it mattered that much in the beginning...but it is a great convenience all the time!

You probably already are planning to do this but be sure to thickly (1/4") Rhino/Line-X/whatever all the front sides of your trailer, frame, box, etc. My AT has just gotten beat to snot from gravel/sand/rock spray!!!

One last FYI: Be sure to consider your RTT height if you do add sideboxes...you may need additional height for your RTT mounts...if you go with a side hinged top as your latest pic depicts (a side opening top will be more useful to you than a rear/front hinged top).

The top will still open at the rear and hinge on the front. This allows me to access the things I need from either side and it eliminates the heavy flexing forces on either side of the trailer, I can brace up the front with little effort to make it rigid.

I will be making a drawer for a kitchen that slides out the back see page one of my sketches. My wife likes that hieght better than where it would need to be on a side box... and that works for me :D

The line-x or similar sounds like a great idea, I will have to see where the budget is at that point. But I have heard this from a lot of folks. Seems like a near necessity. thanks!

I was pondering some changes to my own trailer yesterday and my mind kept going back to those angled boxes...Drew, here's a thought...the angled corners would be *perfect* for storing wheel chocks for the trailer! If you store them sideways, you can maximize your storage capacity! I've always had an issue with storing mine, that's how the idea came up.

This is the kind of thing that drives my wife nuts, I can be watching a show on TV but really thinking about this kind of stuff...! :)

Henry, I have a placed all worked out for the rubber style chocks... stay tuned! :D

Go angled both ends. That would look KILLER.

Have you considered using the cornered ends for "tuck away" stuff. As in, box off the inside of the cornered area, put a small hatch on the angled end, and put the water pump/fuse box/whatever/ there. It would seriously free up space in your front box, and be SUPER easy access.

Isaac, we definatly think alike! Thanks, I like the side boxes, I am going to use them for more things that won't be accessed as much like the electrical components, charger, junction box, water valves, pump, fuses block, spare fluids, recovery for the trialer, one will house the shower... things like that.

Oh for a bit more time to crank on this thing. Christmas travel now, but I might get a few days on it after the first of the year.

thanks guys! All your imput has been super helpful, and I appreciate it!

Drew
 
trying to decide to work on the trailer tomorrow or install the ice maker on the fridge...

:D
 
All right here is your fix :D

I spent today and got one fender figured out. When it came time to design these fenders I had a few things in mind when designing them:

1. I wanted to have a solid fender that would take mild hits or even a flop on the trail with minimal damage. 2. I also wanted them removable for the same reasons.
3. I wanted a flat surface to mount things onto, hi-lift, ax, shovel... etc.

Here is what I ended up with...

pic 1: Figuring out placement and leveling the fenders to the frame. I used a few pieces of scrap and a level to figure out how much space I wanted between my tire and fender. FWIW, I used the same curve on the fenders as the rear of my fj40 :D

pic 2: This makes marking the fenders true for cutting really really easy. Just hold the fender tube up against the frame, suspended from the level and mark.

pic 3: I mated up the tubes and took good measurements and reference marks so I can line up the support tubes in the exact same spots. This had to be exact and square to allow the sheet metal to fit the fender tubes flush, and not look like a crinkled turd.
prep1.JPG
prep2.JPG
prep3.JPG
 
Next I took the inner fender tube and drilled 8, 1/4" holes to bolt them onto the sheet metal. This was made easy on the drill press.

Then it was time to tack everything up square and true. I only had to redo one weld as the tube sat above the flush line on the top surface of the fender. No biggie.

Lastly is what it looks like kinda mocked up on the trailer.
prep4.JPG
prep5.JPG
prep6.JPG
 
One more to keep the peanut gallery satisfied! :D

I am debating if the fender is covering too much tire, as I do want to be able to see them in my rear view on obstacles. However, much narrower and they may throw rocks back at me in the cruiser...

...any opinions? I have about 1" of tire hanging out, where on my cruiser it is more like 2"

Thanks!
pre7.JPG
 
One more to keep the peanut gallery satisfied! :D

I am debating if the fender is covering too much tire, as I do want to be able to see them in my rear view on obstacles. However, much narrower and they may throw rocks back at me in the cruiser...

...any opinions? I have about 1" of tire hanging out, where on my cruiser it is more like 2"

Thanks!


after seeing some of the damage rocks can do to the rear windows of the 80 when a trailer catches one id cover as much as possible with out hindering off road use
 

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