rebuilt camping trailer and question about wheel adapters

[slickrock]

I was tired of hearing about how my campingtrailer was always getting in the way (from the wife) so I sold it to a local club member. The next day, we were driving back fro a local Indian Casino (after winning 250 smackers, I saw a little trailer that was covered in weeds, flat tires, weather beaten sides, and a for sale sign. I mentioned that that would be a great place to start a trailer build when I decide get one (after I put a side yard in) and the wife was feeling bad about nagging me to sell my old trailer so her is what I turned my new purchase into.

I put on heep springs with FJ40 spring mounts, flipped the axle, gave it a paint job, put a roof on it, and welded on my roof rack. It looks funky with the small tires, but I am going to get a 6 lug trailer axle for it to run my extra set of FJ40 tires on (I have a set of 37s for hard wheeling and 35s for light trail duty).

I welded on side brackets for my fishing poles (in white PVC plumbing pipes with screw on ends) and shoves, rakes, and camping/recovery gear. I plan on building an external box off the back door that will carry my camp stove/fuel/cooking utensils and fold flat into a cooking table. I also wired on some side lights that are wired through the electrical connection. I may also build a type of rack that will hold my Tule roof top carry all if I need more room besides the roof rack. It should be just about right for enough gear for 2 people and a dog or two for at least a week while leaving room in the Cruiser for breathing.

I will either buy an axle kit from some place like Northern Tool and simply bolt it in, or if anyone knows where I can get wheel adapters for a 4 bolt to 6 on 5 and a half I'll just get a pair.

Anyone know a place where I can get that type of adapter or is that going to be a special order? It is kinda strange to go form a 4 lug to 6 lug wheel. Suggestions or would it be cheaper to get a 6 lug kit?

 

[KingBeeIII]

Man, that thing looks it would just hop all over the place. But when you've got it behind the 40, extra space is extra space.

 

[slickrock]

I plan on extending the tongue so it can sit 90 degrees from the Cruiser and not hit it so that will help with bounce along with some spare ProComp shocks I have sitting in the garage.

 

[airlaird]

I had adaptors built for my M416...but I can't remember what the company name was...a search will get your answer. It was about 100 bucks and they did a great job. Again, do a search for adaptors or spacers and maybe my pics will come up.
airlaird

 

[slickrock]

Thanks! I sent them an email. That would be a lot easier than a new axle.

 

[slickrock]

Ordered a new axle with 6 on 5.5 Cruiser bolt pattern and WMS of 60" My cruiser tires have spacers and more back spacing compared to the 37s with less backspacing to even out at the same outside width. I will run my spare 37s on the trailer. Hopefully the wide stance will keep it from tipping and the longer tongue will keep it from bouncing.

Speaking of that, I am also extending the tongue so that I can pull the trailer up to a 90 degree angle from the cruiser, adding a roof top carrier where the roof rack is and building a rack system to hold my roof rack above the carrier. Gas can mounts will be added in front for better weight distribution. The sides and rear will have exterior boxes that fold down into flat tables and an integrated awning up top. OH and installing some cheapo Procomp 10" shocks.

 

[slickrock]

Besides extending the length of the tongue so that it is long enough to clear the back of the cruiser at a 90* angle, is there a formula to find the optimum tongue length or maybe best length, axle placement, track width, and height ratio?

 

[slickrock]

Just got the new axle with 6 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern! The axle with the 37 TSLs will be the same track as my FJ40. Going to install this weekend and then extend the toungue. After that, bulding a roof cage to holt the roof rack so I can mount my roof-top carrier on top of the trailer and have the roof carrier higher for light gear.

Need to do lighting
outside storage boxes that open out as tables, gas cans, water cans, and spare tire mount. Although the trailer box is small, with the extended lenght and wide axles. My Crusier is 4"s wider than stock as is the trailer so it should be nice and stable with enough weight and the full size suspension to keep from bouncing.

 

[alia176]

I'm too late but it would be nice to have an axle with a parking brake!

Project looks good BTW.

 

[slickrock]

got the axle and 37s on, but need to put on the fenders. I will take some pics tomorrow. Looks like the spare will be in the front of the box and then thespare gas tanks so I get more weight ahead of the axle. Maybe even a tool box.

 

[kyot4x4]

the axle placement is for every foot of length [not including tongue length] you put the axle 1 inch rear of center. so on a a 10 foot trailer the axle should be 10 inches rear of center. I have built trailers with the axle centered and havn't had problems but you should have a little tongue weight when empty. tongue length shouldn't matter just as long as it is strong enough to take the weight

 

[slickrock]

It is FANTASTIC with 37" SSRs on it. I get what you said about weight and axle placement. I am going to have a 5' tongue and have my spare SSR in front of the box. That is at least 90 lbs plus either a large tool box or 2, 5 gallons gas tanks. The axle is 4"s rear of center (that is the farthest back I could put it with the springs).

I will also keep 10 gallons of water forward of the axle on the roof rack (for easy use). It is wide enough that stability will not be a problem. The springs are rated for the rear of a Heep plus some stiff Pro Comp shocks. I am going to try for 66%-75% weight forward of the axle.

I still need to fab up supports for the fenders (scrounging what is left of my roll cage). I watched a documentary on the History Channel form the Twin Towers on 9/11 and I lost all motivation to work on anything last night. I will take a pic tonight.

 

[slickrock]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/241396-question-about-length-balance-axle-placement.html

 

[slickrock]

Ok here is the update. Added a new axle with 6 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern, using heep YJ springs and fj40 spring hangers, SUA. added the 37” swampers and forward mounted spare, added a 2X3” tubing for the tongue, added angle support bars and fortified the under side. Picked up a weld on lunette ring.

Plans, add fabricated fenders, front plating for two 5 gal. gas tanks next to the spare, some type of external opening fold down boxes for stove and kitchen type of products and I find a 10 gallon plastic water tank and fab some type frame to store underneath behind the axle. I also need to see about shcoks and figure out what to use. Guess I will have to see what will work by looking at them online and tracking them down locally.

Anyone know of a good source for rectangular or square water tanks that can be gravity fed?

I can rotate the tires between the trailer and Cruiser. It all depends on my flavor for the day.
Total length is 9” and the exact outside width of my 40’s tires so it will follow the rigs tracks.

 

[titanpat57]

She came out dandy...now go slap some paint on that bitch and go get it dirty!! We expect live action shots next time too!!...lol

 

[slickrock]

Well it is as good as it is going to get before Surf in Turf. This winter, I am going to make angled fenders to use as small tables and folding down sides for additional counter space for camping. Still need to mount gas cans maybe a generator. I'll also incorporate some type of awning. It is sitting a bit high in the back right now because it isn't loaded. It should level out once all my gear is in it.

 

[titanpat57]

Good job Slickrock It went from "WTF IS THAT?!?!" to a pretty rugged looking trailer. Looks like you got a few of the other things ironed out as well...keep posting the progress and enjoy!

 

[slickrock]

I tried out the new Google Sketchup for the next few plan steps on the trailer. Unfortunately, I don't know how to convert the file into a picture format to either upload or use a host.

Anyway, I saw a post about the Campausa trailers and the one here is the basic same size as my base. The wheel well fenders are actual storage areas. If I added those to mine, I should have roughly the same amount of storage space but they would open from the top out flat to be tables.

My tires take up so much space on the outside, I was trying to find a way to make fold out storage areas. I think the attached trailer will provide the blueprints for me to gain storage and functionality.

I would not have an external CO2 tank, but I think I could squeeze enough room for 1 Nato style gas tank, leveling legs, and 1 Nato style water tank.

I do need to change my rear door to fold open flat as long as I can still reach all the way to the back without having to turn myself into a contortionist.

Thoughts or ideas about how to make my little trailer better and more functional? (I do have room underneath for additional storage or boxes)

 

[dawsonc61]

I tried out the new Google Sketchup for the next few plan steps on the trailer. Unfortunately, I don't know how to convert the file into a picture format to either upload or use a host.

Anyway, I saw a post about the Campausa trailers and the one here is the basic same size as my base. The wheel well fenders are actual storage areas. If I added those to mine, I should have roughly the same amount of storage space but they would open from the top out flat to be tables.

My tires take up so much space on the outside, I was trying to find a way to make fold out storage areas. I think the attached trailer will provide the blueprints for me to gain storage and functionality.

I would not have an external CO2 tank, but I think I could squeeze enough room for 1 Nato style gas tank, leveling legs, and 1 Nato style water tank.

I do need to change my rear door to fold open flat as long as I can still reach all the way to the back without having to turn myself into a contortionist.

Thoughts or ideas about how to make my little trailer better and more functional? (I do have room underneath for additional storage or boxes)

Export it as a 2D model, that file type can be uploaded as an image at photobucket or the like. post 'em up!

 

[slickrock]

Export it as a 2D model, that file type can be uploaded as an image at photobucket or the like. post 'em up!

Thanks. I'll do that.