My Trailer Build

[gowyn]

Hidy ho all.

Gonna chronicle my trailer build here.

I've just come over to the LC world from Landrovers. No jibes please.

So with the transition I'm bringing along my ex military Sankey trailer. Kinda like the little 416's a lot of you guys use, just a little heavier duty.

So the trailer is an ex military 3/4 tonne, and that is a conservative rating. This thing has nine leaves, shocks, anti sway bars, surge brakes, tailgate, fog lights, blah blah blah. The box measures 78 inches long by 68 wide.

For my truck I have the military pintle hitch (swivelling kind.)

So this is what I'm starting with. I've already collected from my Defender days a custom made 68l aluminum fuel tank (may use this for fuel or water haven't decided yet,) fifteen gal water tank with Shur-Flo pump, two NATO jerry cans, five foot Jackall, fuse panels, lights plus some other odds and ends.

Plan

make a hard top either full size of box on rams or permanent top with sides that fold up opening to areas above wheel wells. Any advice on top construction greatly appreciated.

I'll mount the alu tank underneath between frame rails

install deep cycle batt with fuse panel and wiring inside to power shower and lights and install solar panel

will replace present wiring harness and lights with LED's and 7 prong plug with the idea of running rear fogs, rear spots and charging from truck to trailer batt (any ideas on this?)

install roof rack on top of trailer so as to be able to mount rtt

Idea is to make this as self sufficient as possible with extra fuel, water and power.

If I go with a fixed hard top with opening sides I'll build a box the size of the inside of the trailer that will slide out and open up into kitchen area and storage, this thing will have legs on it with the end having a fold out table.

Anyway here is a poor pic of the trailer, still in planning stages here so any suggestions GREATLY appreciated. Waiting for the farking snow to disappear so I can get started.

BTW truck is HDJ-81 with 1HD-T diesel, yeehaaaa

 

[MrMoMo]

You may want to try one of these in your battery charging setup. Lets you not have to worry about killing your main battery, and it's a pretty simple setup.

http://www.bluesea.com/product.asp?Product_id=53476

You could also use a realy that kicks on when the ignition is on, that way your two batteries are only connected when your ignition is on, trailer battery will onlly charge when ignition is on. (i.e., hopefully engine is running) however this will limit you to the amount of current the relay will let flow.

IIRC, pin 30 to main battery, pin 87 to trailer battery. Pin 85 to ground, pin 86 to ignition, or alternator B post. This will reduce a spike load on your alternator when you first start up the engine, with a very low trailer battery, as it will get the bulk charge from your battery, then the alternator will top both of them up.

HTH.

 

[e9999]

IIRC, a 10 gauge wire or so will let you trickle charge the trailer battery from the main one without problem.

 

[Mike S]

However, you should look at the possiblity of an isolator, and see if teh remote sensing Voltage Regulator can handle both the vehicle batt(s) AND the trailer batts. Would be common to have the 2 wildly different in charging requirements.

Just a thot.

M

PS: I put a 3 stage 110V charger in my trailer, and two deep draw marine batts. Overkill, I suppose, but I wanted one for use with a trolling motor. The two are isolated by the charger - one is 'house' the other spare.

Also, I located the water tank to the rear of the axle, the spare tire and batts to the front of the axle. Put the pressure pump near the batteries, plumbed the tank forward.

Four gas cans - two forward, two to the rear.

 

[gowyn]

thanks Mike.

got some pix of yours?

 

[crushers]

i think that trailer has more usable space than the militaries i have seen here.
i have no advice since i have not built a trailer in many a year. it will be an interesting read.
cheers

 

[Mike S]

Sure:

 

[gowyn]

Mike,
how did you make the top? Frame with sheet metal riveted to it?

 

[Mike S]

It's all aluminum, tig'ed with angle stock forming the lip. The cross pieces brace the lid and keep it from pounding. The lid lip fits over the top edge of teh trailer, and is gasketed.

Gas rams help.

M

 

[stevezero]

I wouldnt use the aluminum tank for water...theres a thread in the 80s section that talks about galvanized, aluminum and Stainless Steel tanks. Alum is toxic, galvanized is toxic...

 

[gowyn]

Yes, I seem to have accumulated an excess of gear. Hate not to use something.

perhaps I'll mount the alu tank under the truck for fuel.

I wouldnt use the aluminum tank for water...theres a thread in the 80s section that talks about galvanized, aluminum and Stainless Steel tanks. Alum is toxic, galvanized is toxic...

 

[tarbe]

Any progress to report?

 

[gowyn]

decided to keep the Sankey for utility service, too handy for that. Ended up buying a 2005 Jayco Baja, much more wife friendly.

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

WATCH the weight factor this stuff gets heavy in a hurry

 

[tarbe]

WATCH the weight factor this stuff gets heavy in a hurry

Especially those rocks for the fire ring