my trailer build

[BigDaveZJ]

What about mounting the spare up under the frame?

Other than a lower COG, I really don't see a benefit for it under the frame. It would kill ground clearance, and be a PITA to get off if I needed it. I may eventually build a swingout carrier for it and mount it on the rear bumper, but for now that's cost prohibitive.

 

[REZARF]

Other than a lower COG, I really don't see a benefit for it under the frame. It would kill ground clearance, and be a PITA to get off if I needed it. I may eventually build a swingout carrier for it and mount it on the rear bumper, but for now that's cost prohibitive.

A full size tire up high on a trailer might be a bit more of a COG factor than you might think. On your rig, or any rig for that matter, your drivetrain really anchors the vehicle and keeps the COG low. However, on a light ladder frame trailer, stuffed with gear, and articulating on rough terrain, a 100lbs on top now makes a HUGE difference. I bet you'd be fine most of the time, but it might be worth considering.

Just my .02

Rezarf <><

 

[BigDaveZJ]

REZARF,
I definitely agree with you that having it up top is certainly not ideal. I would never even consider it on the Jeep itself actually. One other option, that could even be cheaper than a swing out, would be a "swing-DOWN" tire carrier on the back that mounted to the frame or bumper, and then had a latch on each side of the box so it would swing down, allowing the tailgate to be opened without having to worry about the spare being in the way anymore. I might put it up top to start, and if I don't like that, then move it to a swing-down.

 

[REZARF]

Totally agreed, if I waited to make sure everything was JUST right before jumping in and building I would still be a year away from using my trailer. I really agree with you, but keeping things low is a BIG deal when it comes to weight, especially if your trailer will see the trails your rig does.

I like the drop down idea a lot, but for how often you are going to really NEED the spare (I have not used mine in the 3 years it has been out back) I would suggest an under the trailer mount or move the spare to the back of the rig... which is how I run.

Drew

 

[BigDaveZJ]

I seem to have a thing with tires . . . so the more spares the better!! LOL

Although this project may get put on an indefinite hold. Went up to Wheeler Lake and there's a decent chance I smoked the tranny in my Powerstroke . . . . . .

 

[Exiled]

Do some measurements, if you mount the spare tire forward of the axle but tucked in close to the frame, and depending on what spare tire you use, you might not get as much clearance issues as you think. Sure, it's not easy to get to, but you can always tilt the trailer backwards to get to it, and it's not like you'll be accessing it all the time. Personally, I think a top-mounted tire is not a good idea, not only does it throw off your COG but you'll also need to reinforce the box design to account for the weight/mount.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

This is now definitely on hold, who knows for how long. Tranny is indeed shot, not sure if it's salvageable or not, but I doubt it.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Well it's time to resurrect this. The tranny in the tow rig was completely shot, so $5,000 later it has a kickass BTS tranny in it. I've also been working to make the ZJ a little more road friendly over the last few months, and must say I am seriously impressed with how it has been doing on the road lately. Have some plans to enclose the back end that are in progress, which should make expedition stuff a bit more comfortable.

Then I was bored at work earlier this week surfing CraigsList. Picked this up last night for $350.

No major mods planned so far as the Jeeps are still taking up some cash, but will be getting some basics out of the way pretty soon. New axle with 5x4.5 hubs to match the Jeep, tires and wheels to at least kinda match as well. Definitely needs to be blasted and painted. Main focus right now is just getting it usable as we have a 300 mile trip planned through the CO backcountry this summer, and only about 20 miles of it will be on paved roads.

I've got a few things to finish up on the ZJ before I start tearing into this thing, but I'm really anxious to get it apart and get to work!

 

[smileyfish]

nice find!!

and love the rigs btw.

 

[KY854RUN]

Then I was bored at work earlier this week surfing CraigsList. Picked this up last night for $350.

No major mods planned so far as the Jeeps are still taking up some cash, but will be getting some basics out of the way pretty soon. New axle with 5x4.5 hubs to match the Jeep, tires and wheels to at least kinda match as well. Definitely needs to be blasted and painted. Main focus right now is just getting it usable as we have a 300 mile trip planned through the CO backcountry this summer, and only about 20 miles of it will be on paved roads.

Hi Dave,

I'd be interested in the old axle and wheels when you swap in the new axle.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Shipping on that might be quite the PITA. You coming to CO anytime soon?

 

[KY854RUN]

Shipping on that might be quite the PITA. You coming to CO anytime soon?

Dave,

I live in northeast Arizona and the wife has family in Denver. Also, I am currently looking at a vehicle for sale in Pueblo. So yes, I could be coming to Colorado soon.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Cool, I live in Castle Rock just south of Denver so it shouldn't be hard to work something out.

 

[KY854RUN]

Dave,

My brother-in-law lives in Castle Rock. Please PM me when you are ready to get rid of the original axle and tires. Then if I can't come right away, he could store them for me.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Got some work in on the trailer today. Got the tub separated from the frame, and spent some time grinding on the frame before laying some primer. Gonna get the tub blasted within a week or two, and a new axle on the way soon to go with the tires I picked up today and the wheels I'm gonna grab tomorrow.

Also Kevin, I'll PM here soon too in case you don't see this, but the axle, wheels, and tires are off and loose now. There's quite a bit of rust on the axle tube, and one of the tires doesn't hold air. Let me know if you're still interested.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

It's almost done. We got a LOT done this weekend. Last weekend we worked on some of the wiring and finished painting the frame. We got the tub media blasted at Blast Tech this week, they did a great job and the price was great too. Finished up the SOA this morning and started painting the tub. The exterior is pretty much set, but the inside of the tub needs another solid coat. We frantically put the tub on the frame in the garage earlier this afternoon when it started sprinkling down here. Not quite how we wanted that to go down, but the paint was dry enough where it wasn't too bad. It sits a LOT higher than I expected it to with the SOA and 33's. I'm hoping with some weight in it that it will come down a bit. Also there's like 40lbs of air in the tires which is way too much. I'll try to grab some pics later.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Here she is! Couple small details to tie up still but nothing major.

Trailer sits a little higher than the Jeep. I've got some spacers for the back I might throw in, also hoping some weight in the trailer lowers it a bit.

Been really happy with the lunette/pintle so far. Also mounted the trailer plug receptacle into the back bumper to keep from getting damaged.

 

[KY854RUN]

Your trailer looks great. It will squat a little when it is loaded, but not much. I have not weighed what I have carried, but my trailer seems to be at almost the same height as when it is empty. These trailers can carry more weight than what the data tag says they are rated for.

 

[yooper]

Nice color choice.

I just returned from a 6700 mile trip with my trailer and I learned that having the tires sticking out from the fenders is not good if you are on dusty roads or on higher speed gravel roads. The trailer made about five times more dust clouds than my truck and also threw gravel forward and put about 50 chips in the paint on the back of my truck by throwing gravel forward.

 

[davegonz]

Yooper, your rig and trailer look good. Did you size the axle to match the truck? Just wondering why your tires stick out so much.