hey guys a buddy will be getting me the rear half of an 88 yota short bed pick up..... I want to turn it into a trAILER. Any one have any comments or experience doing this?
rear half of toyota truck as a trailer
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didja search? saw a setup like what you're talking about somewhere on her.
you see lotsa this type of trailer here in new mexico.
you see lotsa this type of trailer here in new mexico.
MaddBaggins
Remember the KnightRider!
LOL, I just snagged an 85 long-bed Toyota mini bed for $100. I'm formulating my plan for a sweet offroad/expedition trailer with rooftop tent. I couldn't resist keeping it Toyota.
I know I'm gonna shorten it, maybe narrow it, then figure out the frame for it and springs. I'm thinking maybe some OME Dakar springs and a HD trailer axle with the same bolt pattern, rims and tires as my 80, but first I'll pick Kurt's brain at Cruiseroutfitters on that application for the springs. More than likely I'll Durabak the trailer and rattle can the frame. I plan on using the hitch system that Adventure Trailers uses on theirs. They sell them for $180. It can rotate 360deg and has 3 axis of movement. I'll be getting an Eezi-Awn 1800.
My frame will probably be 2x4x1/8 tube, maybe 2x3x1/8. It'll have a utility box on the tongue and mounts for 2 gas cans. Down the road I would like to hook up a yellow top with solar and alternator charging system and a 45qt fridge, but first I need to get the basic trailer with tent done. My preliminary $$ figures are $4k for a sweet trailer with tent(fridge and all that stuff later). That includes the money I just blew on a cutting torch to shorten the bad boy. The welder I already own.
I'll be starting a thread soon with updates as I make progress. I'll be real interested in what you come up with on yours. Keep me informed.
I know I'm gonna shorten it, maybe narrow it, then figure out the frame for it and springs. I'm thinking maybe some OME Dakar springs and a HD trailer axle with the same bolt pattern, rims and tires as my 80, but first I'll pick Kurt's brain at Cruiseroutfitters on that application for the springs. More than likely I'll Durabak the trailer and rattle can the frame. I plan on using the hitch system that Adventure Trailers uses on theirs. They sell them for $180. It can rotate 360deg and has 3 axis of movement. I'll be getting an Eezi-Awn 1800.
My frame will probably be 2x4x1/8 tube, maybe 2x3x1/8. It'll have a utility box on the tongue and mounts for 2 gas cans. Down the road I would like to hook up a yellow top with solar and alternator charging system and a 45qt fridge, but first I need to get the basic trailer with tent done. My preliminary $$ figures are $4k for a sweet trailer with tent(fridge and all that stuff later). That includes the money I just blew on a cutting torch to shorten the bad boy. The welder I already own.
I'll be starting a thread soon with updates as I make progress. I'll be real interested in what you come up with on yours. Keep me informed.
glad im not the only 1 that is in the midst of undertaking this project, mine will probly be a little more low budget that yours MaddBaggins but none the less fit the general idea.
my plan: preferably a long bed but, well see what i can come up with, probly scratch build the frame and put a mild body lift on there so i can tuck a water tank under there (some where in the 50-100 gal range) to accomidate drinking, dish washing and showers (im looking into a small water heater cause y not travel in style, also intending on fabbing some kinda shower, probly a frame for a shower curtin that will attach to the trailer frame and be easly removeable and fold down pretty small) not sure how it will work out just yet but im thinken of keeping the gas tank under the truck as a larger gas storage, i actually stole this from another thread on here but, someone mentioned actually some how linking the tanks so it would actually be a functional aux tank but, ill leave all that as one of the final projects. find some kinda decent camper shell, preferably one of the tall ones with an actual door for ease of entry and exit when im grogy. fold down supports so i don't tip it when im in it. a swing out bumper with tire and gas cans. as far as tires what ever i decide on when i by new tires for the 60 ill get a total of 8 and do an 8 tire rotation (ant body have 3 stocker 60 rims they wanna sell, those will probly go for something a bit wider when i get some cash) build a drawer system like im planing for the back of the 60 for the trailer for more sleeping space. some kinda on board batter to power lights in the shell, water heater, water pump ect. a storage box up front, more than probly a pintle hitch with a long enough tongue to make a jack knife turn and not hit anything other than the bumper.
probly a bunch more stuff by the time its actually finished but well see how far i get b4
tells me im spending way to much money on it. but make sure and post progress pics and notes so i don't hafta think as hard.
my plan: preferably a long bed but, well see what i can come up with, probly scratch build the frame and put a mild body lift on there so i can tuck a water tank under there (some where in the 50-100 gal range) to accomidate drinking, dish washing and showers (im looking into a small water heater cause y not travel in style, also intending on fabbing some kinda shower, probly a frame for a shower curtin that will attach to the trailer frame and be easly removeable and fold down pretty small) not sure how it will work out just yet but im thinken of keeping the gas tank under the truck as a larger gas storage, i actually stole this from another thread on here but, someone mentioned actually some how linking the tanks so it would actually be a functional aux tank but, ill leave all that as one of the final projects. find some kinda decent camper shell, preferably one of the tall ones with an actual door for ease of entry and exit when im grogy. fold down supports so i don't tip it when im in it. a swing out bumper with tire and gas cans. as far as tires what ever i decide on when i by new tires for the 60 ill get a total of 8 and do an 8 tire rotation (ant body have 3 stocker 60 rims they wanna sell, those will probly go for something a bit wider when i get some cash) build a drawer system like im planing for the back of the 60 for the trailer for more sleeping space. some kinda on board batter to power lights in the shell, water heater, water pump ect. a storage box up front, more than probly a pintle hitch with a long enough tongue to make a jack knife turn and not hit anything other than the bumper.
probly a bunch more stuff by the time its actually finished but well see how far i get b4
tells me im spending way to much money on it. but make sure and post progress pics and notes so i don't hafta think as hard.
Short bed is really a exercise in fixing weight distribution. You are going to have to make a long frame sticking out the front and put a lot (heavy)storage containers on the tongue to make it work.
You need to figure about 10% of the total weight should be on the tongue to give it good road manners. That means empty you have to have enough weight in front of that bed to balance the tail. If you fail to do that they the trailer with get squirrely on you and is dangerous.
I looked at this long and hard once myself and a Long bed made more sense because it would take less to get it balanced correctly. Bob the back down to short bed length was what I though of doing. That would keep the weight bias in front of the axle where it needed to be.
I also thought about taking a short bed and cutting the ends off and swapping them so you could run the bed backwards to help move the weight bias forward. In the end it seemed like more work then it was worth and went with a conventional trailer.
The problem is a truck bed is a LOT of extra weight that you don't need is what I finally figured out. It needs a frame to support it and depending on the bed you use it may be double wall. A conventional trailer with a well designed rail is a monocoque chassis. The frame is the body so you can make it pretty light with a little planning.
I have a 4x6 enclosed trailer (it was a fixer upper) that I picked up for $200 off craigslist that doesn't weight 300lb empty and I can sleep in it. You would be VERY hard pressed to get a truck bed trailer balanced correctly (empty) under 600lb.
They do look good when done right. If you got the bed cheap or free thats a plus. If looks isn't a major concern you might want to look for a 4x6 or 4x8 conventional.
Remember...weight is the enemy. The lighter it is the less power it takes to move it.
So you plan to pull 400-800 pounds of water? Just how long do you plan to be away from a water source that you need to pull half a Honda CRX with you?
Just what were you planning to pull this with and to where? Might want to modify that plan a little. 
20 gallons conservatively used is enough for 2 people for 3-4 days. My Airstream that is set up for boon docking only carries a max of 40 gallons (and you could sneak an extra 6 in the water heater) and that is considered a 3-5 day supply for 2 depending on how conservative you are and that is with a toilet using it as well.
Zodi makes a nice small water heater you can pick up for around $100 at Walmart. http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihottaptravelshower.html
Showers are: quickly wet turn off water, Soap up and wash wet hair then quickly rinse. Should be able to do it with about 2-3 gallons for a woman with long hair and 2 gallons for a man with short hair if you are being conservative. If you have somebody that cant control the amount of water they need to take a shower with (my 5ft 90lb wife is one of these and can wipe out our 40gallon water heater no problem) you want to get this. http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodiextremeshower.html and make sure they understand thats all they get so they don't wipe out your water supply. That will fix the let the water run while the suds problem REAL quick.
You need to figure about 10% of the total weight should be on the tongue to give it good road manners. That means empty you have to have enough weight in front of that bed to balance the tail. If you fail to do that they the trailer with get squirrely on you and is dangerous.
I looked at this long and hard once myself and a Long bed made more sense because it would take less to get it balanced correctly. Bob the back down to short bed length was what I though of doing. That would keep the weight bias in front of the axle where it needed to be.
I also thought about taking a short bed and cutting the ends off and swapping them so you could run the bed backwards to help move the weight bias forward. In the end it seemed like more work then it was worth and went with a conventional trailer.
The problem is a truck bed is a LOT of extra weight that you don't need is what I finally figured out. It needs a frame to support it and depending on the bed you use it may be double wall. A conventional trailer with a well designed rail is a monocoque chassis. The frame is the body so you can make it pretty light with a little planning.
I have a 4x6 enclosed trailer (it was a fixer upper) that I picked up for $200 off craigslist that doesn't weight 300lb empty and I can sleep in it. You would be VERY hard pressed to get a truck bed trailer balanced correctly (empty) under 600lb.
They do look good when done right. If you got the bed cheap or free thats a plus. If looks isn't a major concern you might want to look for a 4x6 or 4x8 conventional.
Remember...weight is the enemy. The lighter it is the less power it takes to move it.
So you plan to pull 400-800 pounds of water? Just how long do you plan to be away from a water source that you need to pull half a Honda CRX with you?
Just what were you planning to pull this with and to where? Might want to modify that plan a little. 20 gallons conservatively used is enough for 2 people for 3-4 days. My Airstream that is set up for boon docking only carries a max of 40 gallons (and you could sneak an extra 6 in the water heater) and that is considered a 3-5 day supply for 2 depending on how conservative you are and that is with a toilet using it as well.
Zodi makes a nice small water heater you can pick up for around $100 at Walmart. http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihottaptravelshower.html
Showers are: quickly wet turn off water, Soap up and wash wet hair then quickly rinse. Should be able to do it with about 2-3 gallons for a woman with long hair and 2 gallons for a man with short hair if you are being conservative. If you have somebody that cant control the amount of water they need to take a shower with (my 5ft 90lb wife is one of these and can wipe out our 40gallon water heater no problem) you want to get this. http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodiextremeshower.html and make sure they understand thats all they get so they don't wipe out your water supply. That will fix the let the water run while the suds problem REAL quick.
reaper nice point i really hadn't looked into water tanks yet im still in the planning stages at this piont, but yeah im gunna try and keep it as light as possible and still have everything i really want, a 20-30 gal tank is probly reasonable and i can always cary extra h20 in the trailer and re fill when if i run low, and yeah my could easily wipe out a small tank for me i just need enough to wipe off the buck blood and poison oak oils. thaks for the advice poit well taken.
could easily wipe out a small tank for me i just need enough to wipe off the buck blood and poison oak oils. thaks for the advice poit well taken.
Water is 8.4lb per gallon so keep that in mind.
If you need to wash off the truck while boon docking then you really would be better off with a 5 gallon bucket and the nearest creek. It doesn't need to be potable just wet. You can always boil water if you need it to be clean for washing dishes so a clear stream with no funny odors can provide dish water and shower water.
In the dry area if the blood is still wet soaking up the blood with a shovel of sand is also a good way to get most of it then a little water to get the last of it.
Really have to watch water habits when away from a spigot. When it is so easy to turn a knob and have water you tend to be wasteful ( I know I am). Got to break that habit quick when you are away from it.
If you need to wash off the truck while boon docking then you really would be better off with a 5 gallon bucket and the nearest creek. It doesn't need to be potable just wet. You can always boil water if you need it to be clean for washing dishes so a clear stream with no funny odors can provide dish water and shower water.
In the dry area if the blood is still wet soaking up the blood with a shovel of sand is also a good way to get most of it then a little water to get the last of it.
Really have to watch water habits when away from a spigot. When it is so easy to turn a knob and have water you tend to be wasteful ( I know I am). Got to break that habit quick when you are away from it.
MaddBaggins
Remember the KnightRider!
You also have to be careful not to have to much weight forward of the wheels. You want to be in the neighborhood of 60% forward and 40% rear. The truck bed does have un-needed weight, but a lot of things can be trimmed off. I haven't done anything to mine yet and I can still turn it over, stand it on end and drag it around on my own. I haven't weighed it, but I'll venture a guess at around 300#. When I'm done with the trimming I will have gotten rid of about 25% of the weight of the bed itself.
It will be a lot of work and thought put into it, but for me it's about building it myself and the sense of pride and accomplishment I get from that.
It will be a lot of work and thought put into it, but for me it's about building it myself and the sense of pride and accomplishment I get from that.
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Well... The bed will be free! My buddy is charging me 1000.00 to change out the engine on my runner.. Blow two holes in the block. and He will throw in the back end. I will be cutting the chassy about 3' passed the bed so I can place propane tanks... or a tool box. For now... I will focus on getting it to work. You know wiring/weight balance/ axel... etc. Then after I will decide what to do next.
My buddy is charging me 1000.00 to change out the engine on my runner.. Blow two holes in the block. and He will throw in the back end. I will be cutting the chassy about 3' passed the bed so I can place propane tanks... or a tool box. For now... I will focus on getting it to work. You know wiring/weight balance/ axel... etc. Then after I will decide what to do next.
Check with your local DMV if you are planning to use a rear axle with a Differential. Some states it is against the law to use that on a trailer. Mobile Home axles are also illegal some places. They are considered one time use.
reaper i realize is on here in refferance to a rig but i was talken about my girley my self as long as i can get the blood and poison oak oil off my self im good to go and as far as washing my rig thats futile its just gunna get dirty again besides i think Rooth is happier dirty
is on here in refferance to a rig but i was talken about my girley my self as long as i can get the blood and poison oak oil off my self im good to go and as far as washing my rig thats futile its just gunna get dirty again besides i think Rooth is happier dirty
