My scratch built expedition style trailer build up thread (6 Viewers)

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Arya- You've never played with Hairspray and a lighter have you!

Dude, I'm a boy scout, OF COURSE I've played with hairspray and a lighter. Probably to the point of being unhealthy

I didn't say use a space heater lol, electric heaters work well w/o having open flames.

 

[Exiled]

Henry, is that because you switch vehicles around more?

I started out with a generic color, then decided to paint it to match my wagon. Then I changed the color on the wagon, and again painted the trailer to match. Then I sold my wagon, bought another one to build, and this time I'm painting my trailer a cool color that is NOT the same as the Cruiser, in case there's another one down the line. Painting the trailer was getting old!

 

[partsprofessional@ho]

Dang I'm having trailer update withdrawls!!

 

[gavman]

This thread is kinda like hanging out in the corner of Rezarfs shed, Watching him work and drinking beer,The cool build makes it great fun.

 

[REZARF]

Thanks I am ready to get crakin' again, I just have this little wheeling trip in Moab next week taking up all my time right now!

 

[calphi27]

Yeah thanks man, I am going to put everything consolidated on a website so I can weed out the peanut gallery

Then I think I am going to find a rolled 100 series, chop it behind the front doors and build a "VW" camper out of it!

Seriously... well... maybe!... probably use the trailer for 10 years first!

Drew

You should check out this thread in the 60 section. It has your 100 series camper. Here are some teaser pics.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/204765-has-anyone-done-60-62-a.html

 

[REZARF]

Yep, that is it, it just needs to be smurf blue.

Hey Brad.

 

[REZARF]

To all my friends who have been following/giving advice on this thread, and are heading to Moab this week. I am in slickrock campground #163, please, PLEASE come by and introduce yourself. The trailer won't be there but it would be nice to put a face and name together. Blue 40 and Silver 4 runner will be the clues that you have arrived...

See you there!

 

[REZARF]

Man, I need a trailer!

See you in Moab!

 

[usmcruiser]

Well Cruise Moab '08 has been over for a couple of days now....

Why isn't your trailer done?

 

[sseaman]

we need pics

 

[REZARF]

Trying to let the dust settle from Moab.

I have to make a loft in my garage to hang the top and doors tonight then tomorrow I restart the trailer!

I am ready to get this done.

Drew

 

[REZARF]

Well, here we go again. I am back on it. I got my garage reorganized last night and now I am diving into the body work on the trailer and hope to be painting within a few days or so. Not much to look at, just smoothing out all the grinder marks with some filler and getting the panels straight for paint.

I realized I didn't post up some of my newly powder coated parts yet so here you go.

My lid got a sweet poly-UV-resistant glossy coat on it, and it looks amazing!

I also used an epoxy coat on the interior of my front box to keep the corrosive fumes from the cheap batteries at bay. All in all it is coming along and I am jazzed to be back on it. I hope to be in primer by Sunday but time will tell.

I decided all the interior boxes will be white, ever try to dig around at night for something in a black box? White makes it a bit easier, and if you add a little LED light you get a lot more illumination for the money. Just a tip.

Enjoy the pics!

 

[boss73]

This is one trailer that I cannot wait to see completed !! keep up the good work Drew!!

Tony

 

[sseaman]

sweet drew, so any redesigns after moab?

 

[REZARF]

sweet drew, so any redesigns after moab?

Not really, I saw a lot of really nice trailers. I am still gunning for just getting done with my design. There isn't really anything i would change except maybe to be able to tap into power hook up for my coffee maker, but even then I might accomplish that with an extension cord and not hard wire anything.

All in all, I am happy with my design, it will come up lacking in it suspension, man AT does it RIGHT! Otherwise I am go.

Drew

 

[Degnol]

Not really, I saw a lot of really nice trailers. I am still gunning for just getting done with my design. There isn't really anything i would change except maybe to be able to tap into power hook up for my coffee maker, but even then I might accomplish that with an extension cord and not hard wire anything.

All in all, I am happy with my design, it will come up lacking in it suspension, man AT does it RIGHT! Otherwise I am go.

Drew

What about an inverter, since you have good battery power?

 

[REZARF]

What about an inverter, since you have good battery power?

We were just pampered at the campsite with electric heated blankets, heater in the tent... and all I really care for is a good cup of Joe in the morning. Stove and french press will work just fine for us, I may look into an inverter down the road, this thing is going to be modded down the road too!

 

[REZARF]

Got back on the trailer in full swing. Got the body "straight" this weekend and I am going to spray it in the morning. I thought I would post up a few step by steps for those who haven't done any body work before.

My panels are all new and flat, but everywhere I welded I burned through a bit to warp the backside of the weld on the sheet metal side. No biggie, I was expecting it.

So first off you only need to smooth the welds out with a med flap disk. Then spread the body filler (bondo) onto the newly made divets Bondo isn't hard to work with, one little tip is, if you buy the Bondo brand spreaders, they are a pinkish color... if you mix the bondo hardner and filler to match the color of the spreader you have mixed it perfectly!

Then spread on just as much as you need to fill the recess and leave enough around the edge to feather it into the smooth surface.

 

[REZARF]

Once the bondo has hardened it is time to sand. One a straight panel like mine, I am trying to sand away everything that is lower than the surface of the steel. I used a power sander to level mine though a block would be better if you were painting a hot rod... this is a trailer

I knocked it down first with 60 grit, followed by 100, 150, 220 grit. At this point your fingers will tell you more than your eyes. Keep sanding until there is no transition to be felt in your fingers, then you are set.

Most of my spots are nearly transparent and you can see the bondo filling the deep scratches. This is good enough for me, I will lightly block the primer to make sure I am getting it straight, but again, I have to keep telling myself, "this is for rust protection, not winning a car show"