Hey guys. Been pretty busy the past few months with this build. Now that it's getting close to being done, I figured I'd put together a build thread.
I got the itch to build a trailer back in 2013. I found a beat up old m100 that was titled and registered for cheap. The tub was in bad shape so I made a new one. Got it all done, used it for a couple years and let it go. It was just too small for a fam of 5.
Fast forward to March 2018 and i got the itch again. I got my LX 470 built up, and wanted to do another trailer project. This time a bit bigger. I was checking out teardrop build threads and figured I could pull one off. No plans, just measure, cut, weld...
I had a 5x10 Big Tex trailer I wasn't using much anymore, so I used it to build off of. I know it' not ideal for an hardcore build, but I don't do hardcore and it's still a solid enough trailer, and registered. I can build a new trailer frame if this one doesn't
cut it.
I wanted to keep the budget around $1500, not including the trailer or RTT (still need to buy a RTT). I think I'm just over my budget as of today. I got a lot of things free or cheap, too.
I framed up the skeleton using .065 1"x1" square tubing. Added some X bracing in the front and kitchen/ bedroom wall for strength, and to keep it square. I used some thicker steel at the hinge and jamb for entry and galley door. There are 8 mounting points to attach to the frame.
I used 20ga 5x10' sheet metal for the siding. It didn't cost me anything, but it was left over galvanized sheets in our shop. I used Sikaflex 252 to bond the sheet metal siding to the to the framing. For paint, I used SEM metalock epoxy primer and a 50/50 mix of Valspar MF grey, and low gloss black. Really like the color and sheen. Hopefully it sticks to the galvanized. If it starts to fail then I'll just wrap it.
Interior is mostly inexpensive 1/4" plywood from Lowe's. I used 3/4 ply for the floor and will shoot the road facing side with rubberized undercoating. 3/4 ply at galley/ bedroom wall for extra strength and backing for galley cabinets and flip-up countertop. I also sandwhiched 1" rigid foam insulation in all walls (another freebie).
I made some simple cabinets for the bedroom. More than enough room for all of our clothes for a few days. And there's a spot for a tv. I know..... lol! This trailer is also my dog house, so..... yeah. I'll
Hide all the wires behind some simple crown moulding detail.
The galley! The look on peoples
face when I open the hatch... maybe it's too much, but it I dig it! I found a hunk of laminate countertop on Craigslist for $15. It went with the black/ grey color scheme of the trailer. I got a piano hinge and made it able to flip up to access the storage below. Plenty of room for storing the bbq, stove, canned food, ect. I made some simple cabinets and stained them grey. There were leftover sheets of stainless at the shop, so I bent up a nice backsplash for the front, and flat stainless on the 2 sides. Found some nice little undercabinet lighting on Amazon. There is also a power/ switch station for galley, L & R exterior alley lights, water pump, power to future RTT... still thinking about cutting a small sink.
Now the trailer frame. It was origially
A 5x10. I cut 2' off the rear and left the axle in its original location. I welded up a piece of 3x3 square tube the end of the trailer I cut off. I'll Have a swingout to hold a countertop extension for the galley, and stabilizers when at camp. I bent up some fenders out of 16ga galvanized steel and welded them up to some side armor/ rock deflectors. They're strong enough to stand on to access anything on the roof. I had to extend the tongue on the trailer long enough for my tire carrier to open with a tool box on front of the trailer. I decided I wanted to make the tongue adjustable. I used 3x3x 1/4" , squared it up with the hubs and welded it up. I used 2 1/2x 2 1/2 x 1/4" for the adjustable insert, and a max coupler into that. It tracks and tows great!
I got some tundra steel wheels from a buddy and got some 5x5 to 5x150 adapters. Americas tire had a couple 275/70/18 BFG KO's (same as my lx and wifes sequoia) Unfortunately the axle was too narrow so I had to put in a wider one. While I had everything taken apart, I remover a leaf from the springpack. It'
Still firm, but at least moves now.
Today I bolted up the roof rack, got the tongue basket and tool box mounted, and gave the garage back to my wife!
Still need to wire all the lighting, trim out the bedroom, get power source and solar, and bunch of little things. I am having a ton of fun building this, and learning a lot, too. I'l keep you guys updated with build progress.
-Dave
I got the itch to build a trailer back in 2013. I found a beat up old m100 that was titled and registered for cheap. The tub was in bad shape so I made a new one. Got it all done, used it for a couple years and let it go. It was just too small for a fam of 5.
Fast forward to March 2018 and i got the itch again. I got my LX 470 built up, and wanted to do another trailer project. This time a bit bigger. I was checking out teardrop build threads and figured I could pull one off. No plans, just measure, cut, weld...
I had a 5x10 Big Tex trailer I wasn't using much anymore, so I used it to build off of. I know it' not ideal for an hardcore build, but I don't do hardcore and it's still a solid enough trailer, and registered. I can build a new trailer frame if this one doesn't
cut it.
I wanted to keep the budget around $1500, not including the trailer or RTT (still need to buy a RTT). I think I'm just over my budget as of today. I got a lot of things free or cheap, too.
I framed up the skeleton using .065 1"x1" square tubing. Added some X bracing in the front and kitchen/ bedroom wall for strength, and to keep it square. I used some thicker steel at the hinge and jamb for entry and galley door. There are 8 mounting points to attach to the frame.
I used 20ga 5x10' sheet metal for the siding. It didn't cost me anything, but it was left over galvanized sheets in our shop. I used Sikaflex 252 to bond the sheet metal siding to the to the framing. For paint, I used SEM metalock epoxy primer and a 50/50 mix of Valspar MF grey, and low gloss black. Really like the color and sheen. Hopefully it sticks to the galvanized. If it starts to fail then I'll just wrap it.
Interior is mostly inexpensive 1/4" plywood from Lowe's. I used 3/4 ply for the floor and will shoot the road facing side with rubberized undercoating. 3/4 ply at galley/ bedroom wall for extra strength and backing for galley cabinets and flip-up countertop. I also sandwhiched 1" rigid foam insulation in all walls (another freebie).
I made some simple cabinets for the bedroom. More than enough room for all of our clothes for a few days. And there's a spot for a tv. I know..... lol! This trailer is also my dog house, so..... yeah. I'll
Hide all the wires behind some simple crown moulding detail.
The galley! The look on peoples
face when I open the hatch... maybe it's too much, but it I dig it! I found a hunk of laminate countertop on Craigslist for $15. It went with the black/ grey color scheme of the trailer. I got a piano hinge and made it able to flip up to access the storage below. Plenty of room for storing the bbq, stove, canned food, ect. I made some simple cabinets and stained them grey. There were leftover sheets of stainless at the shop, so I bent up a nice backsplash for the front, and flat stainless on the 2 sides. Found some nice little undercabinet lighting on Amazon. There is also a power/ switch station for galley, L & R exterior alley lights, water pump, power to future RTT... still thinking about cutting a small sink.
Now the trailer frame. It was origially
A 5x10. I cut 2' off the rear and left the axle in its original location. I welded up a piece of 3x3 square tube the end of the trailer I cut off. I'll Have a swingout to hold a countertop extension for the galley, and stabilizers when at camp. I bent up some fenders out of 16ga galvanized steel and welded them up to some side armor/ rock deflectors. They're strong enough to stand on to access anything on the roof. I had to extend the tongue on the trailer long enough for my tire carrier to open with a tool box on front of the trailer. I decided I wanted to make the tongue adjustable. I used 3x3x 1/4" , squared it up with the hubs and welded it up. I used 2 1/2x 2 1/2 x 1/4" for the adjustable insert, and a max coupler into that. It tracks and tows great!
I got some tundra steel wheels from a buddy and got some 5x5 to 5x150 adapters. Americas tire had a couple 275/70/18 BFG KO's (same as my lx and wifes sequoia) Unfortunately the axle was too narrow so I had to put in a wider one. While I had everything taken apart, I remover a leaf from the springpack. It'
Still firm, but at least moves now.
Today I bolted up the roof rack, got the tongue basket and tool box mounted, and gave the garage back to my wife!
Still need to wire all the lighting, trim out the bedroom, get power source and solar, and bunch of little things. I am having a ton of fun building this, and learning a lot, too. I'l keep you guys updated with build progress.
-Dave
