Project cHEAP Trailer

[SWITAWI]

No insulting puns intended, my 4WD brethren. I bought a heap of a trailer so I could build what I wanted for pulling behind my FJ Cruiser. My priorities are probably 90% hauling **** and 10% camping. Hard part was finding the size box I wanted with deeper than average sides. This is what I ended up with...

Gonna have to cut out & replace some of the solid panels due to perforations. The last owner had it blasted & painted, rust holes and all, and then just dropped a sheet of plywood over the floor, so the metal is still thick right up to the holes. The PO also said it could be 'lively' when empty but towed nice with a couple of dirt bikes in it. Well 'lively' was an understatement because once this thing starts bouncing side-to-side you have to coast down to 45-50mph before it smooths out and tracks straight again. Part of my plan is to emulate others on here with an extended tongue and platform forward of the box, and I'm hoping the extra length will help quell the nervous empty behavior. After combing the general specs of all the offroad trailer manufacturers I figure an overall length of around 12'-13' is my goal with enough drawbar length to park it at 90deg to the FJ which would allow me to open the side-swinging rear door fully without interference. As I will continue to cull ideas from here and learn from your experiences (as well as my own mistakes) I welcome any comments or suggestions anyone might have.

 

[titanpat57]

Looks like it built by a welder fo' sho'

The flaw in the design is the tongue...and it sounds like you have it under control...good luck with it.

Pat

 

[SWITAWI]

Thanks, Pat. I knew it was a 'homebuilt' before I saw it in person, but I was somewhat suprised to see there was no square tubing in the frame construction except for the drawbar. The rest is 100% angle.

I have already seen your R.O.A.M. build and wow, just WOW. What program were you using to design your layout?

 

[titanpat57]

Thanks, Pat. I knew it was a 'homebuilt' before I saw it in person, but I was somewhat suprised to see there was no square tubing in the frame construction except for the drawbar. The rest is 100% angle.

I have already seen your R.O.A.M. build and wow, just WOW. What program were you using to design your layout?

Thank you...the program I used is called Google Sketch Up...and the best part?!

IT"S FREE

Google SketchUp

There tons of tutorials, and if you have any drawing experience, you'll be drawing everything! I always say this is the program I waited my whole life ...if you can think it, you can draw it

good luck with it

Pat

 

[SWITAWI]

Thank you AGAIN, Pat. This sketch program will be a wonderful time-eater.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Looks like it's begging for a springover and an extended tongue.

 

[SWITAWI]

Looks like it's begging for a springover and an extended tongue.

Amen to that. With the current wind and 20deg temps locally I'm just planning in my head and playing with Google Sketch (Thanks to titanpat).

So far I've decided on a 14' overall length with half of that being forward of the box. It's gonna be a major change. A platform will be 48" of the overall 7ft tongue, start to angle in towards the drawbar about 30" forward of the box, and terminate in an 18" flat front face. The drawbar will then be 36"L and have pins at both ends (Thanks to Mike/partsprofessional@ho). I haven't entirely figured out what to do with the fenders yet. I'm trying to keep from cutting anything that's not rusted because everything is pretty heavy gauge. You simply canNOT flex the fender lip by hand, but they barely cover the crappy tires on it now. I'll probably end up replacing the fenders completely or trying to extend them out to at least 12" so I can mount some utility boxes over them. We'll see. No hurry, no money, and lots and lots of time to kill. I'll update as I can.

 

[Combat Chuck]

your title made me think of a tub trailer made from an old heep. I'd live to see a Cruiser lugging gear around in the dead hulk of a heep.

Good luck, looks like you've started with a fine piece of hardware!

 

[SWITAWI]

I was thinking of asking for the thread title to be edited to Project cHEAP Trailer, lol. Here's the beginnings of my electronic scratchings.

I'd like to have a sturdy, lockable tongue box for somewhat secure storage of tarps, straps, etc that would also serve well for the addition of electrical accessories later on like brakes, lights, maybe a small pump. See what you guys have started? I took the tongue box dimensions from the Tradesman Model # TST21TTB/BK which is 21" across the front, 34" across the back, is 22.5" tall, and weighs 50lbs empty. It better be sturdy at that weight.

The two 'plates' at the back corners of the platform are 15"x15" and I figure that's just enough real estate set aside for a dual upright jerry can holder on each side. Problem is all the dual can holders I can find are the lay-down style...

...like ARB...

...or Frontrunner.

Has anyone ever even seen a dual upright carrier or is this something else we have to make for ourselves?