Semi scratch built off road trailer project

[macinsac]

The tub is made from 14ga for the sides and a 12ga bottom. Please contact Chris at Sierra trailers directly for the current price.

On the cabinets. I had them made in Loomis, Ca at a local shop. They are similar to the “We’re Organized” brand.

 

[macinsac]

Some new progress. Frame welded together. Axle with 3" tube, electric and parking brake options. Heave duty tounge jack with large foot.

 

[ScottReb]

Last I saw on the tub price was about $575 IIRC. Takes a sheet and a half and 2 easy bends. Spoke with a local shop said he could bend the 6 ft pieces for $20. Then all you have to do is weld about 25 ft of beads... oh and the top reinforcing rail. You could do it cheaper but there is a fair amount of work in it.

Your build looks great! Been looking at the same idea.

 

[chappysfj40]

i like the tub, makes life much easier with super clean bends and metal to work with

 

[air sierra]

Very nice...

 

[macinsac]

Last I saw on the tub price was about $575 IIRC. Takes a sheet and a half and 2 easy bends. Spoke with a local shop said he could bend the 6 ft pieces for $20. Then all you have to do is weld about 25 ft of beads... oh and the top reinforcing rail. You could do it cheaper but there is a fair amount of work in it.

Your build looks great! Been looking at the same idea.

It may be a little more complicated than it looks. There are actually 5 bends on each side and 3 bends on the ends. I also think it will take closer to 3 sheets of steel (you will have leftovers), along with about 20 feet of 1X1 square tubing to build the bed. Then you will have to weld everything together and keep it all square. In any case, I didn’t think I had the necessary skills and tools to build it properly, so for me, buying a pre-made bed made my life much easier and I really don’t think I could have saved that much money.

 

[macinsac]

Some further progress includes: Tounge Jack welded on frame. 14 outside tie downs welded to tub. Jeep YJ springs, hangers and shacklles. 33" BFG's with black rock crawler wheels to match my Jeep.

 

[womacje]

Great looking build! What is your plan? top, canvas cover, etc. I'm assuming you aren't going to cut into the tub. I know I couldn't bring myself to do it.

 

[Dezdan]

Looking great! No shocks, just sprung?

 

[macinsac]

Great looking build! What is your plan? top, canvas cover, etc. I'm assuming you aren't going to cut into the tub. I know I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I am going to use a 5’ X 7’ tarp for a cover. You are correct about the tail gate. On some of the trails I go on, I go through some pretty deep water crossings, so I need something that is water tight. I feel a tail gate, though very practical, would allow water to get in the tub.

Looking great! No shocks, just sprung?.

Funny you should mention the shocks. I plan on welding the shock mounts on this weekend. I’ll then need to figure out what shocks to use. Hopefully I’ll get a few more items finished. I have a trip planned for late October. So I’m under the gun to get a lot of things completed before then.

 

[Dezdan]

Axle with 3" tube, electric and parking brake options.

Is this a Dexter? I've been looking at a Dexter with the parking brake option and was curious how the cable attaches; single drum or does the cable 'Y' to both drums?

 

[macinsac]

Is this a Dexter? I've been looking at a Dexter with the parking brake option and was curious how the cable attaches; single drum or does the cable 'Y' to both drums?

Yes this is a Dexter axle. I have not hooked up the parking brake yet and doubt I will get to it before my trip in October. The axle does not include any cables to hook up the parking brake. I was planning on going to Pick-N-Pull wrecking yard to find something that would work. I did pick up a surplus parking brake handle at an Army surplus store. Here are a couple of pictures. Hope this helps.

 

[Dezdan]

Yes this is a Dexter axle. I have not hooked up the parking brake yet and doubt I will get to it before my trip in October. The axle does not include any cables to hook up the parking brake. I was planning on going to Pick-N-Pull wrecking yard to find something that would work. I did pick up a surplus parking brake handle at an Army surplus store. Here are a couple of pictures. Hope this helps.

Thanks! That helps out a lot! Does that cable bracket face forward or back? Or could it go either way by rotating the axle?

 

[macinsac]

Safety chains welded on.



Upper and lower shock mounts welded on.

 

[macinsac]

Work begins on the fenders. I wanted to make them match my TJ, similar to what Kowboy has done on this website. These are turning out to be a lot of work. Hopefully when complete, it will be worth the extra effort.

Sides being cut out of 12ga steel.



1X1 square tubing welded between the sides.

 

[titanpat57]

I think "a lot of work" is putting it mildly...


Great creativity!!

Can't wait to see the finished project!

 

[macinsac]

Ongoing progress on the fenders.

 

[macinsac]

I received the Monroe Sensa-Trac Light Truck shock's. They fit perfect and should work well. You can also see in this picture the Jeep YJ springs I used for more suspension travel, than the normal trailer springs. I also have been making more progress on the fenders. Pictures to follow.

 

[macinsac]

The following is more progress on the fenders. I don't think I said before, the reason the fenders are more complicated than most, is I am using stock Jeep TJ fender flares to match my Jeep. As you can see, I am welding in square stock steel to both protect the fenders and also provide a step.

 

[macinsac]

I’ve been working on several items on the trailer at the same time. This seems to help me be able to analyze each step, before proceeding. I will work on one item and before finishing, I will start the next. Hopefully it will all come together in the end. The following is my version of the shelf’s I will use while camping. Like the rest of the build, these are not completed yet. I still need to attach the aluminum molding, sand and paint the brackets, then sand and clear coat the wood.