Overland RTT Trailer Build (1 Viewer)

[h82crash]

Once I completed the frame-off restomod of my '74 FJ40, I got the crazy idea of a trailer for it to pull.

The idea is it must be light enough for the 40 to tow it.
Have all needs and some luxury for camping.
Have enough water for my wife to go 4 days.
Can't look like a cobbled together POS.

It will have a kitchen slide and a refrigerator slide on the passenger side. Cabinets on both sides and a 38x60 cargo drawer out the back. 50 gallons of water, RV pump, tankless water heater, outside shower. The roof top tent and a 270 awning.

I found a pretty much junk utility trailer for the frame. I was hoping the axle would work for me but, it was bent and the springs were tiny and were sliders, not shackled. So, new axle, suspension, spindles and hubs. The photo is after I stripped a rotted plywood box off of the frame. New suspension and axle.

 

[h82crash]

I had to add some crossmembers to the frame. The spacing was wide. I believe the trailer was once a jetski trailer.

Bought some fenders but they were too narrow for my wheels and tires, so I had to widen them.

 

[h82crash]

Started the box by building the cabinets that are accessed from the sides. Then 2x2 framing around the cabinet. I milled the 2x2s as you cannot find straight ones at the store.

 

[h82crash]

I fit the skins on the sides and cut out the doors. The floor is 3/4 ply, the rest is 1/2 ply. I designed it this way for sheer strength. In retrospect, it might be overkill. But I wanted it to survive on the highway and during hard braking. After the framing was hung, I attached the side skins. All joints are glued and screwed.

 

[h82crash]

The cargo drawer between the cabinets.

 

[h82crash]

Skins on, water tanks in, doing some plumbing. You can see the heavy duty drawer slides for the cargo drawer.

 

[h82crash]

Building the kitchen slide.

 

[h82crash]

I couldn't find/didn't take photos of the fridge slide, but it's in there. Had to lift the box off the frame to apply PMF and final work and paint the frame. The PMF was applied after filling all the screws with body filler. You can see all of the screws in post #6. Had to fit and cover 8 doors, as well.

 

[h82crash]

After the frame was painted and the PMF completed, the box went back on the frame. Door were hung and compression latches installed. The doors are sealed with D shape bulb seals. I also fabricated the roof racks.

 

[h82crash]

Found photos of the fridge slide. I used a drag chain to manage the power cables.

 

[h82crash]

Wired up some interior LED lights, pump, solar, 100 AH LiFePo4 battery. Hung jerry cans to the tongue box. I have space for a 2000 watt inverter gen set.

 

[clrussell]

Coming back to read. Nice work!

 

[70fj40]

Have you able to weigh the trailer yet? I may have missed it if you’ve already said it. Nice job, it looks like you planned it out well and ended up with an efficient trailer.

 

[h82crash]

Have you able to weigh the trailer yet? I may have missed it if you’ve already said it. Nice job, it looks like you planned it out well and ended up with an efficient trailer.

No, but I weighed it before separation and finishing. Was about 900 lbs. I will guess the PMF, drawers, and electrical added another 200. The tent weighs 160 and the 270 awning 60. So, 1300 or so dry. 400 lbs of water, 100 lbs of refrigerator and food, 300 lbs of gear, 2 jerry cans of gas-100 lbs. My estimates are generous but, 2200 to 2400 loaded.

 

[William74080]

That's very impressive! I especially like the way the wires are protected in the drag chain. Never thought to do that one.

 

[spdracr58]

This thread just motivated me to start on mine. Great job. This is the starting position of the trailer.

 

[70fj40]

H82crash
After putting a few miles on the trailer is there anything that you wish you had done differently?

 

[h82crash]

H82crash
After putting a few miles on the trailer is there anything that you wish you had done differently?

Trailer brakes. Even though my 40 has 4 wheel disk brakes, she would be difficult to stop in an emergency situation. If it were a few inches longer designing the compartment layout would be less critical. I would like to find a way to keep rain water from entering the trailer side of the awning. Lighter, thinner style solar panels.

 

[Land Shark]

baddass! nice work.

 

[kirvesmies]

I would like to find a way to keep rain water from entering the trailer side of the awning.

easy, 2' wide piece of tarp hung between awning n rtt as a trough. one end should be a couple of inches lower than the other. we do that betwix multiple pop up shelters