Trailer Talk
- Thread starter lostinafog
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Now you just have to paint the rest of the trailer.
Sure shows the difference between flat black and whatever gloss he used. I'll be spraying it over with the truck bed liner stuff. As for the whole trailer, I'm not too worried on the paint job. The FJ is so pin striped, they'll match soon.
thoughts anybody?
My ideas for trailer have shifted a bit.
Started thinking about building a metal frame, skin it with fiber glass, few windows, 6x7 fold out area for sleeping, TV, storage, small sink, place to put stove.
Of course there would be ventelation fan behind stove. Storage compartments for maybe 15 gallon water container and a propane bottle on front.
The idea is still that it fits in 5x8 utility trailer for versitility. Its only about 5 ft high, so not enough to stand in, but more than enough for a few people to sit in and not feal crampt. I figure it would weight somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 lbs plus the 700 lb trailer. Secured to the top rail of the trailer with U-bolts at various locations. I'd get it on the trailer using my winch (which should get mounted this weekend
). Build some rollers into the bottom of compartment, then drive the FJ up to the tongue of the trailer, hook up and pull it onto the trailer.
So as I've asked about previous designs, anyone see anything obvious that I've overlooked? I'm liking the idea more and more of a enclosed compartment, so I've been thinking about this as opposed to the platform and tent idea.
My ideas for trailer have shifted a bit.
Started thinking about building a metal frame, skin it with fiber glass, few windows, 6x7 fold out area for sleeping, TV, storage, small sink, place to put stove.
Of course there would be ventelation fan behind stove. Storage compartments for maybe 15 gallon water container and a propane bottle on front.
The idea is still that it fits in 5x8 utility trailer for versitility. Its only about 5 ft high, so not enough to stand in, but more than enough for a few people to sit in and not feal crampt. I figure it would weight somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 lbs plus the 700 lb trailer. Secured to the top rail of the trailer with U-bolts at various locations. I'd get it on the trailer using my winch (which should get mounted this weekend
). Build some rollers into the bottom of compartment, then drive the FJ up to the tongue of the trailer, hook up and pull it onto the trailer.So as I've asked about previous designs, anyone see anything obvious that I've overlooked? I'm liking the idea more and more of a enclosed compartment, so I've been thinking about this as opposed to the platform and tent idea.
I'd say skip the TV. Get an IPad and mount it up somewhere. The TV will break if you decide to travel on anything but pavement. Learned this the hard way. I also doubt you'll want to cook while sitting down. Have a table fold off of the trailer with an awning above it. You'll be dry and not cooking where you sleep. I like the idea of a hard shell. But I would make the whole back a roll up style door or a fold down ramp. Make everything inside fold up to the walls so you can still use it as a utility trailer. You never know what you might need to put in there.
Couple ideas: https://picasaweb.google.com/1047143...48981794357394
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/72871-My-cargo-trailer-mods
Couple ideas: https://picasaweb.google.com/1047143...48981794357394
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/72871-My-cargo-trailer-mods
Thanks for the input Brian
TV thought is a good one, but I'd think that a smaller LCD would be okay. Was the one your talking about a tube TV?
The reasoning for stove inside is probably more laziness than anything. I'd just like to be able to make some grits or something in the morning without getting out, especially when its cold. Also, "cooking" to me while camping is basically heating up MREs, but I could definately see where sometimes making something more complex would be a pain. Maybe I'll do something where I can slide the stove/sink section out.
The enclosed cargo trailers I've looked at, like the one you sent me, make me wish I had gone that route, but oh well. I really don't need an encosed trailer for anything, plus I have a friend with one if I need to borrow, so no necessity there. I will however still have the gate on the back of the trailer, its not shown in the dwg though. So once the camper portion is off its just a utility trailer.
TV thought is a good one, but I'd think that a smaller LCD would be okay. Was the one your talking about a tube TV?
The reasoning for stove inside is probably more laziness than anything. I'd just like to be able to make some grits or something in the morning without getting out, especially when its cold. Also, "cooking" to me while camping is basically heating up MREs, but I could definately see where sometimes making something more complex would be a pain. Maybe I'll do something where I can slide the stove/sink section out.
The enclosed cargo trailers I've looked at, like the one you sent me, make me wish I had gone that route, but oh well. I really don't need an encosed trailer for anything, plus I have a friend with one if I need to borrow, so no necessity there. I will however still have the gate on the back of the trailer, its not shown in the dwg though. So once the camper portion is off its just a utility trailer.
Hows yours coming, any big improvements to it lately?
HungryMedic
That doesn't look too hard... What could go wrong?
Love the ideas. You might want to extend the tongue to put propane there. I'd center the water over the axles that s*** gets heavy.
I'm really loving the ideas here. Matt you just gave me the idea for a fiberglass lid. Not sure how hard that would be to fab up and paint. But I'm intrigued
dontcha wanna?
HungryMedic
That doesn't look too hard... What could go wrong?
yep, there are some really nice ones out there. I just could never swing 10 grand on specifically a camping trailer
honestly I hadn't even thought about the weight of the water, thanks
Propane will go on the tongue and I'm going to need to replace tongue anyway so I can put a Maxcoupler or whatever they are called, so I'll extend it then.
I've done some simpler work with glass before on smaller scales. I don't think it should be too hard. Might be a little messy and require some additional clean up after as opposed to someone who is really good with it, but I think its do able.
fab the metal frame so it supports everything, then fill in the skeleton with fiber glass. easy right
For those that didn't know, my wife and I spent 4 months living in our trailer. Our map is below. I can tell you from experience what we needed and what we didn't in terms of equipment on a trailer. The TV was hardly used. I had a PS3 hooked up so I could get WIFI while staying at campgrounds. I only used it for Netflix really. I only own 2 video games. lol. The TV died when I moved from NOLA to Denver. It was a worry all 19k miles. So much that I detatched it and put it in the back seat of the FJ almost the whole trip. A tablet would have been the best way to go in my opinion. We were hardly ever in the trailer. Even with an exhaust fan, I hated cooking in it. The smell would take forever to get out. I used the outside shower often since i didn't want to drag the mud into the trailer. We used the awning all the time. It was our "front porch." Everything except the toilet I could have lived without on this trailer. When planning a trailer build, realize what is MOST important. Like a mattress, awning, off road clearance, water, and storage. The M101a2 for me just needs a water pump, power, water tank, and an awning. I'll be working on it this winter since the snow will stop me from wheelin too much.
- Thread starter
- #193
fyi water 8.35 per gallon & yes al the little things add up quick.
if you are stay at camp sites state parks etc your GVW is not an issue as long as you don`t go over your vehicle caps.
how ever if you plan to off road it it is a non powered weighted anchor trying to pull a dead axle over an obstacle can become a headache.
if you are stay at camp sites state parks etc your GVW is not an issue as long as you don`t go over your vehicle caps.
how ever if you plan to off road it it is a non powered weighted anchor trying to pull a dead axle over an obstacle can become a headache.
HungryMedic
That doesn't look too hard... What could go wrong?
Thanks for the clarification maybe gas is 7.5...
I want the ability to cook, sleep, and potty. With a little storage. My planed build should allow that. I figure ill have the lid build by the end of January if I can get the parts and piece them together. I feel fiberglass is my best bet so that's what I'm running with
dontcha wanna?
I want the ability to cook, sleep, and potty. With a little storage. My planed build should allow that. I figure ill have the lid build by the end of January if I can get the parts and piece them together. I feel fiberglass is my best bet so that's what I'm running with
dontcha wanna?
You want to keep water low to keep your center of gravity low, especially in 416, which can be more prone to tumping over.
HungryMedic
That doesn't look too hard... What could go wrong?
I plan on putting the tank under the trailer if i can fabb a pump system, if not it goes inside. Not sure where just yet. I only have front middle or rear. Who knows...
dontcha wanna?
Got the word today that my trailer is ready. I'm going to Houston on Sunday for work. I'll come back with it on Wednesday. Maybe I should cancel my Hilton reservation and stay in the RTT!
Do it! After work, just keep driving West. Let's go camping!
Bang Bang
Age is a state of mind.
Great news Will. Now you can really look like an expedition rig. 