Trailer Questions - Planning & Forethought

[GOLIGHTLY]

Oh, okay. I've been thinking of a custom camper build, so that is where my head went. We have a commercial "offroad" camper, that looks nice, but I doubt it'd hold up to real rough use. I'd like to take the things I like about this one, and build a beefier version that is suited specifically to our uses.

My welding skills aren't up to the job, so I had been looking into the small companies that do this kind of work, and they are all sitting on huge backlogs and delivery timeframes. Several told me that their sales have skyrocketed since the pandemic started. You're ahead of the game since you can build your own.

One thing that I think I will do with my next one is the Timbren Axle-less suspension. They look like they have great clearance and articulation. I'd want to have thee hub bolt pattern match the land cruiser, so they can share spares and the trailer tires can be swapped onto the vehicle if needed.

I share your sentiments on all fronts here. Looking at the 4" lift Timbren's to clear some big tires, and also want to share bolt pattern and compatibility with the tow vehicle (LX). May take a couple iterations to get there due to budgets, but that's definitely the end goal.

And don't worry, I'm effectively new to welding... happy to be the guinea pig here. lol

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I'm going to go against the consensus and say don't do the DIY trailer approach.

In the last ~20 months we've had 3 trailers (see links in signature) and I spent countless hours researching, scouring classifieds, talking to sellers, etc. I have seen dozens upon dozens of DIY-made trailers on classifieds in that time, and they all have the same story/pitch: someone sets out to build a quality unit, spends $10k on American-made materials, ridiculous amounts of time on labour, and then realizes that the final product doesn't work for them, they can't store it conveniently or whatever other reason. Then they try to sell it for a grand or two less than what they spent on materials. You know what happens? Nothing. These trailers receive zero interest, because they sit on classifieds for 6-8 months without exception. I can think of several such trailers which were, in fact, well built, and still couldn't sell. These sellers all eventually caved, and lowered their pricing to around $3-3.5k CAD before the trailers finally disappeared off the classifieds. $10k in materials, endless hours of work, for a $3.5k ROI?

The fact is that the average buyer doesn't want to buy a DIY product. They want to buy a commercially made, somewhat mass produced item that will have an air of quality to it (even if the quality isn't there).

My advice is to look for good deals on existing, used, commercially-made units. After accounting for all my modifications, I actually made a few grand on the first trailer. The second trailer I had bought brand new, and sold it at a ~$300 loss three months later (and that's after accounting for the taxes I paid on the purchase); not a bad cost for that "rental."

The only time I'd suggest building a trailer is if all these criteria are met:

1. You are damn well skilled and have to tools and space to do the work.
2. You have a boatload of free time and nothing else to do. @TeCKis300's comments about prioritizing spending time with the family vs. building something are spot on.
3. You have been down this particular DIY route before, and know exactly what you want to build, and how you will do it.
4. You are further 100% confident that the end product, both in terms of your design and the quality of your work, will satisfy all your needs for many years to come.
5. You already know where you will get all your materials, and are happy with the costs of those materials.

Is there a chance you won't be happy with your own work? Don't do it.
Don't have a ton of free time? Don't do it.
Haven't ran the numbers/pricing down to the last washer? Don't do it.

 

[CharlieS]

I'm going to go against the consensus and say don't do the DIY trailer approach.

In the last ~20 months we've had through 3 trailers (see links in signature) and I spent countless hours researching, scouring classifieds, talking to sellers, etc. I have seen dozens upon dozens of DIY-made trailers on classifieds in that time, and they all have the same story/pitch: someone sets out to build a quality unit, spends $10k on American-made materials, ridiculous amounts of time on labour, and then realizes that the final product doesn't work for them, they can't store it conveniently or whatever other reason. Then they try to sell it for a grand or two less than what they spent on materials. You know what happens? Nothing. These trailers receive zero interest, because they sit on classifieds for 6-8 months without exception. I can think of several such trailers which were, in fact, well built, and still couldn't sell. These sellers all eventually caved, and lowered their pricing to around $3-3.5k CAD before the trailers finally disappeared off the classifieds. $10k in materials, endless hours of work, for a $3.5k ROI?

The fact is that the average buyer doesn't want to buy a DIY product. They want to buy a commercially made, somewhat mass produced item that will have an air of quality to it (even if the quality isn't there).

My advice is to look for good deals on existing, commercial units. After accounting for all my modifications, I actually made a few grand on the first trailer. The second trailer I had bought brand new, and sold it at a ~$300 loss three months later (and that's after accounting for the taxes I paid on the purchase); not a bad cost for that "rental."

The only time I'd suggest building a trailer is if all these criteria are met:

1. You are damn well skilled and have to tools and space to do the work.
2. You have a boatload of free time and nothing else to do. @TeCKis300's comments about prioritizing spending time with the family vs. building something are spot on.
3. You have been down this particular DIY route before, and know exactly what you want to build, and how you will do it.
4. You are further 100% confident that the end product, both in terms of your design and the quality of your work, will satisfy all your needs for many years to come.
5. You already know where you will get all your materials, and are happy with the costs of those materials.

Is there a chance you won't be happy with your own work? Don't do it.
Don't have a ton of free time? Don't do it.
Haven't ran the numbers/pricing down to the last washer? Don't do it.

That all makes sense. Too bad the vast majority of commercial rvs in the US are mostly crap construction, not made to survive offroad or last a long time. It seems like the Australians have a lot of better options in this space.

I just look at how much luan, low grade ply, fiberboard and MDF get used, and the poor quality of frame paint (like painted over mill scale, not well prepped or coated) on many modern rvs.

There are a few manufacturers out there doing great stuff, but good luck getting their stuff quickly or affordably.

I think for the OP, that kind of trailer is simple and easy. It isn't like a costly one off RV build.

I'd grab a surplus M416 or M101 and go from there if I was in the same boat.

 

[Firemedic831]

Or just buy one of our what i call DIY trailers. all built but you can Finish ( paint or what ever you want ) how ever you would like .

 

[Artie]

I'm going to go against the consensus and say don't do the DIY trailer approach.

In the last ~20 months we've had 3 trailers (see links in signature) and I spent countless hours researching, scouring classifieds, talking to sellers, etc. I have seen dozens upon dozens of DIY-made trailers on classifieds in that time, and they all have the same story/pitch: someone sets out to build a quality unit, spends $10k on American-made materials, ridiculous amounts of time on labour, and then realizes that the final product doesn't work for them, they can't store it conveniently or whatever other reason. Then they try to sell it for a grand or two less than what they spent on materials. You know what happens? Nothing. These trailers receive zero interest, because they sit on classifieds for 6-8 months without exception. I can think of several such trailers which were, in fact, well built, and still couldn't sell. These sellers all eventually caved, and lowered their pricing to around $3-3.5k CAD before the trailers finally disappeared off the classifieds. $10k in materials, endless hours of work, for a $3.5k ROI?

The fact is that the average buyer doesn't want to buy a DIY product. They want to buy a commercially made, somewhat mass produced item that will have an air of quality to it (even if the quality isn't there).

My advice is to look for good deals on existing, used, commercially-made units. After accounting for all my modifications, I actually made a few grand on the first trailer. The second trailer I had bought brand new, and sold it at a ~$300 loss three months later (and that's after accounting for the taxes I paid on the purchase); not a bad cost for that "rental."

The only time I'd suggest building a trailer is if all these criteria are met:

1. You are damn well skilled and have to tools and space to do the work.
2. You have a boatload of free time and nothing else to do. @TeCKis300's comments about prioritizing spending time with the family vs. building something are spot on.
3. You have been down this particular DIY route before, and know exactly what you want to build, and how you will do it.
4. You are further 100% confident that the end product, both in terms of your design and the quality of your work, will satisfy all your needs for many years to come.
5. You already know where you will get all your materials, and are happy with the costs of those materials.

Is there a chance you won't be happy with your own work? Don't do it.
Don't have a ton of free time? Don't do it.
Haven't ran the numbers/pricing down to the last washer? Don't do it.

I just went through your post history with your trailers, looks like you gained a lifetime of trailer experience in 2 years...Wow! So far do you think the most recent one will be a keeper?

 

[Artie]

Too bad the vast majority of commercial rvs in the US are mostly crap construction, not made to survive offroad or last a long time. It seems like the Australians have a lot of better options in this space.

This is the truth! We looked at overland trailers and found that a lot of the off road trailers are rarely
much better. We ponied up for a Conqueror (South African import) and are so glad we did.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I just went through your post history with your trailers, looks like you gained a lifetime of trailer experience in 2 years...Wow! So far do you think the most recent one will be a keeper?

The answer is a very solid maybe. Perhaps swaying towards the probably side of things.

This trailer is somewhat tight on space inside. Once we have kids, the already limited space will be even more precious. But then again, we mostly use the trailer to sleep in, so how much space do we really need? I absolutely love that it fits into the garage - the benefits of this cannot be understated. If we upgrade to a larger unit, it will have to live outside, and will cost 2x as much as this one. My current thought is to keep this trailer as-is (with minimal modifications) for a couple years. At that point, if we decide to keep it longer, I will have a proper frame made for it, and the trailer body will move to that frame. That will also be the time to get rid of the AC, and put together a new fresh water tank inside the body, as well as significant insulation for year-round water transport/use. I expect that'll give us another 5-6 years of solid use.

I am trying to avoid making too many modifications too fast (already regretting having that rear bumper & cross member - neither of which is installed - made), and instead am trying to take it slow, use it, and see what works & what needs changing over time.

 

[GOLIGHTLY]

@eatSleepWoof I appreciate the heads up, but I’m not in a place to be dissuaded. I’m forecasted to spend ~$2600 in materials total, I’m pursuing this BECAUSE I want to put hours of labor into it, and storage is a non-issue. Worst case: it collapses, I chop it up, work on my welding and shoot again. That being said, I appreciate the heads up. If it winds up on Craigslist I’ll be the first to eat my words, and I’ll give y’all first rights on the listing lol.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

@eatSleepWoof I appreciate the heads up, but I’m not in a place to be dissuaded. I’m forecasted to spend ~$2600 in materials total, I’m pursuing this BECAUSE I want to put hours of labor into it, and storage is a non-issue. Worst case: it collapses, I chop it up, work on my welding and shoot again. That being said, I appreciate the heads up. If it winds up on Craigslist I’ll be the first to eat my words, and I’ll give y’all first rights on the listing lol.

Fair enough!

Just to give you another option, Express Custom Trailer Manufacturing from Vancouver Island has some all aluminum options which are ready to go, and realistically cost less than the materials you're considering buying. Even after transporting to you, I suspect it'll be a wicked deal and might be a great starting point from which to build on: Express Custom Trailer Mfg.

4' x 6' 2000 GVW Enclosed Trailer - Express Custom

Ideal For: Moving, Camping, Tool Storage/Transport, etc.

www.expresstrailer.ca

They have lots of cool, custom options, too.

 

[bozochu]

Strongest small sized camping/gear haul trailer hands down Schutt Industry Xventure Line.

 

[GOLIGHTLY]

Fair enough!

Just to give you another option, Express Custom Trailer Manufacturing from Vancouver Island has some all aluminum options which are ready to go, and realistically cost less than the materials you're considering buying. Even after transporting to you, I suspect it'll be a wicked deal and might be a great starting point from which to build on: Express Custom Trailer Mfg.

4' x 6' 2000 GVW Enclosed Trailer - Express Custom

Ideal For: Moving, Camping, Tool Storage/Transport, etc.

www.expresstrailer.ca

They have lots of cool, custom options, too.

As promised, I’ll swallow my pride here lol. Got started on this without properly boxing the lower frame so everything is slightly out of square and level. Basically eyeballed things, and did my practice welds on thicker metal so ran into some issues there too. Not a total loss, but think I’m going to pull crossmembers and tongue for a second try, and chop the others and practice T joints on those. FCAW is tough, and having the appropriate tools is NOT overrated.

 

[TN LX570]

Another option is military surplus, they can be had quite reasonably and there are a few different sizes. I don’t plan to build on mine, but I’ve seen several folks use them as a base to build off of.

 

[Firemedic831]

Plan B would be to cut everything and take it to someone that can weld it for you . Or you could even tack it up first .

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

Another option is military surplus, they can be had quite reasonably and there are a few different sizes. I don’t plan to build on mine, but I’ve seen several folks use them as a base to build off of.

View attachment 2531428

Nice. What model / year is this trailer.

 

[Desmothedog]

So I bought a trailer but I’m planning on outfitting it with a kitchen slide and installing my hot shower and some electrical. I’m hoping I’ll be able to make it finished as the shell is a great start. I bought the trailer used for 3.8k so feel like I did well enough on the shell now it’s just about adding to the interior. This might be the easiest way to go rather than fabing a whole new trailer

 

[GOLIGHTLY]

EASIEST is definitely mil-surplus or pre-owned. Mostly just want to (1) learn as much as I can about the fab side, as I’ve never had an opportunity to take classes or learn from someone when I was young, and (2) have something that I built myself, as an end product. Mid-Rona-Crisis? Sure, let’s call it that.

In that same vane, just hacked up my first shot, will update my documentation thread.

 

[Firemedic831]

Keep at it. If it was easy everyone would do it

 

[Idaho Savage]

Took a surplus military trailer and built an overland rig. Lots of storage, water system, electrical, unbreakable but heavy.

 

[Artie]

Took a surplus military trailer and built an overland rig. Lots of storage, water system, electrical, unbreakable but heavy.

View attachment 2533327

View attachment 2533328

How heavy?

 

[Idaho Savage]

How heavy?

I never actually weighed it but a stock m1102 weighs around 1500lbs, so with steel frame, 30 gallons of water, batteries, roof top tent and kitchen, I'm guessing it was about 2100lbs or so. Not heavy in the scheme of things but way heavier than you'd think a bed trailer to be. It was a blast to build, though. Another thing to consider is their considerable width.