What do you think this trailer is worth?
- Thread starter Manuelsv
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #22
Solar Panel + Conroller Install
Well took all weekend, but finally done..
100W solar panel and 10A controller installed.. all going to a deep cycle marine battery took 4 Days to charge up in the Arizona sun! and I think that battery was last fully charged in November
Thanks Phil for the advice on the solar system!
Well took all weekend, but finally done..
100W solar panel and 10A controller installed.. all going to a deep cycle marine battery took 4 Days to charge up in the Arizona sun! and I think that battery was last fully charged in November
Thanks Phil for the advice on the solar system!
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #23
Google is my friend! Found some pictures of the original owner with the trailer!
Original FJ owner with the trailer!
And my FZJ with the trailer!
Original FJ owner with the trailer!
And my FZJ with the trailer!
That's a definite upgrade in prime mover capability with that trailer, as cute as those FJ Cruiser's are.
- Thread starter
- #25
Maiden Voyage!
Took it out to a climbing expedition..
Camped out Friday and Saturday nights near Superior Arizona!
This was not much of a test of the off-road capabilities.. Just functionality.. We had enough reserve for a couple of heated blankets and running the 800W inverter changing up MP3 Players, Cameras.. Etc for both nights with little sun to recharge!! Probably had enough reserve for quite a lot longer than 2 nights!! Charge controller was still reading 12.45 V when we left!
We are into Sport Climbing so we did some nice 5.6 and 5.7 Sport Climbing routes in the Oak Flats and Oak Canyon area!
Enjoy the Pics..
Took it out to a climbing expedition..
Camped out Friday and Saturday nights near Superior Arizona!
This was not much of a test of the off-road capabilities.. Just functionality.. We had enough reserve for a couple of heated blankets and running the 800W inverter changing up MP3 Players, Cameras.. Etc for both nights with little sun to recharge!! Probably had enough reserve for quite a lot longer than 2 nights!! Charge controller was still reading 12.45 V when we left!
We are into Sport Climbing so we did some nice 5.6 and 5.7 Sport Climbing routes in the Oak Flats and Oak Canyon area!
Enjoy the Pics..
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #26
Sport climbing!
If you look really hard you can see one of the persons in our group climbing in the very center middle of the picture!
If you look really hard you can see one of the persons in our group climbing in the very center middle of the picture!
Glad to see the system has lived up to your needs.
A note of caution though, 12.45V could be taking the battery too low depending on it's type. Suggest researching what a 50% state of charge voltage is for the battery in question and never going below that.
I've a friend who is going to be jealous of those climbing shots!
I've a friend who is going to be jealous of those climbing shots!
- Thread starter
- #29
Found the pics Motherload!
Found the pics Motherload! Bild Pics from Pragamtizo!
Here is Pragmatizo's notes on this
"LOOKED ON LINE AND LOOKED A PREMADE FRAMES BUT NOTHING SUITED MY NEEDS FOR BEEFINESS. DECIDED TO BUILD MY OWN. STARTED OUT WITH A JIG MADE OUT OF TWO SHEETS OF 1/2 OSB ATTACHED TOGETHER. DID FRAME LAYOUT AND USED IT TO MOCK UP CUT METAL. I USED 2X2" .120 SQUARE TUBING I GOT FROM LOCAL METAL SUPPLIER FOR $.50 A POUND. NEXT I ORDERED MY AXLE. AFTER REVIEWING POST ON SEVERAL WEB SITES AND TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE I WENT WITH A 3500# LB AXLE AND LEAFS"
Found the pics Motherload! Bild Pics from Pragamtizo!
Here is Pragmatizo's notes on this
"LOOKED ON LINE AND LOOKED A PREMADE FRAMES BUT NOTHING SUITED MY NEEDS FOR BEEFINESS. DECIDED TO BUILD MY OWN. STARTED OUT WITH A JIG MADE OUT OF TWO SHEETS OF 1/2 OSB ATTACHED TOGETHER. DID FRAME LAYOUT AND USED IT TO MOCK UP CUT METAL. I USED 2X2" .120 SQUARE TUBING I GOT FROM LOCAL METAL SUPPLIER FOR $.50 A POUND. NEXT I ORDERED MY AXLE. AFTER REVIEWING POST ON SEVERAL WEB SITES AND TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE I WENT WITH A 3500# LB AXLE AND LEAFS"
- Thread starter
- #30
More frame pics..
More frame pics..
More frame pics..
- Thread starter
- #31
One more of the Frame...
One more of the Frame...
One more of the Frame...
- Thread starter
- #32
And now some of the body.. With Pragmatizo's notes!
"STARTED WALL BUILDOUT. USED 1X3 FOR FRAME KREG SCREWED AND GORILLA GLUED. DID FRAMES . ATTACHED TOGETHER MADE ADJUSTMENTS. WHEN IT LOOKED GOOD. TOOK APART AND SKINNED WITH 1/4 LUAN PLY AND SANDWICHED WITH 3/4 RIDGID INSULATION WITH FOIL BACKING FOR BETTER R VALUE" Pragmatizo
"STARTED WALL BUILDOUT. USED 1X3 FOR FRAME KREG SCREWED AND GORILLA GLUED. DID FRAMES . ATTACHED TOGETHER MADE ADJUSTMENTS. WHEN IT LOOKED GOOD. TOOK APART AND SKINNED WITH 1/4 LUAN PLY AND SANDWICHED WITH 3/4 RIDGID INSULATION WITH FOIL BACKING FOR BETTER R VALUE" Pragmatizo
- Thread starter
- #33
Some more!
"SKINNING THE INSIDE WAS EASY BECAUSE I DECIDED TO USE LOW CUT LOOP CARPET ON WALLS. THE INSIDE CURVES I JUST ANGLED INSTEAD OF FAIRING TO MATCH OUTSIDE. REASON FOR CARPET WAS TWO FOLD. FIRST IT ADDS R VALUE/ SOUNDPROOFING AND SECOND I DECIDED NOT TO RUN ELECTRICAL WIRING BECAUSE COULDN'T DECIDE LIGHT LOCATION. SO INSTEAD I USED LED TAP LIGHTS USING VELCRO. IT WORKED OUT PERFECT. WE CAN MOVE AROUND ANYWHERE BECAUSE INTERIOR IS ALL CARPET. ALSO WE CAN ATTACH VELCRO TO OTHER STUFF LIKE DVD PLAYER FOR THE KIDS." Pragmatizo
"SKINNING THE INSIDE WAS EASY BECAUSE I DECIDED TO USE LOW CUT LOOP CARPET ON WALLS. THE INSIDE CURVES I JUST ANGLED INSTEAD OF FAIRING TO MATCH OUTSIDE. REASON FOR CARPET WAS TWO FOLD. FIRST IT ADDS R VALUE/ SOUNDPROOFING AND SECOND I DECIDED NOT TO RUN ELECTRICAL WIRING BECAUSE COULDN'T DECIDE LIGHT LOCATION. SO INSTEAD I USED LED TAP LIGHTS USING VELCRO. IT WORKED OUT PERFECT. WE CAN MOVE AROUND ANYWHERE BECAUSE INTERIOR IS ALL CARPET. ALSO WE CAN ATTACH VELCRO TO OTHER STUFF LIKE DVD PLAYER FOR THE KIDS." Pragmatizo
- Thread starter
- #34
And more still
And more still
And more still
- Thread starter
- #35
Notes and last pics.. found
" AFTER BUILDING WALLS STARTED WIRING NEW RECESSED LIGHTS IN LIFT TAILGATE (KITCHEN AREA) AND DECIDED ON PAINT SCHEME. DECIDED TO USE ADJUSTABLE TENT POLES HAD LAYING AROUND INSTEAD OF TAILGATE GAS SHOCKS. " Pragmatizo
cool
" AFTER BUILDING WALLS STARTED WIRING NEW RECESSED LIGHTS IN LIFT TAILGATE (KITCHEN AREA) AND DECIDED ON PAINT SCHEME. DECIDED TO USE ADJUSTABLE TENT POLES HAD LAYING AROUND INSTEAD OF TAILGATE GAS SHOCKS. " Pragmatizo
cool
- Thread starter
- #36
Last pics!
Last pics.. and notes:
"NEXT WAS SEALING THE OUTSIDE WOOD. I KNEW LUAN EVEN PAINTED WOULDN'T HOLDUP TO LONG SO DECIDED TO FIBERGLASS OUTSIDE. FIRST SEALER/BONDING COAT. USED POLYESTER RESIN AND ACETONE MIXTURE TO SATURATE WOOD. ONCE TACKY. LAID 6 OZ FIBERGLASS. LAID ANOTHER COAT OF RESIN. APPLIED FINAL COAT RESIN. WASNT TO BAD. LIVED AND WORKED ON MY CRUISING SAILBOATS IN THE PAST. BEING A SURFER DOESN'T HURT EITHER. THAT IS WHY I FINALLY WENT WITH POLYESTER RESIN INSTEAD OF EPOXY. "
Well done Mr. Pragmatizo !!
Last pics.. and notes:
"NEXT WAS SEALING THE OUTSIDE WOOD. I KNEW LUAN EVEN PAINTED WOULDN'T HOLDUP TO LONG SO DECIDED TO FIBERGLASS OUTSIDE. FIRST SEALER/BONDING COAT. USED POLYESTER RESIN AND ACETONE MIXTURE TO SATURATE WOOD. ONCE TACKY. LAID 6 OZ FIBERGLASS. LAID ANOTHER COAT OF RESIN. APPLIED FINAL COAT RESIN. WASNT TO BAD. LIVED AND WORKED ON MY CRUISING SAILBOATS IN THE PAST. BEING A SURFER DOESN'T HURT EITHER. THAT IS WHY I FINALLY WENT WITH POLYESTER RESIN INSTEAD OF EPOXY. "
Well done Mr. Pragmatizo !!
- Thread starter
- #37
Thanks for the advice.
well it's a deep cycle marine battery... Not quite sure of brand, it came with the trailer.. 
From the looks of it, it was probably the cheapest on the shelf.. So once this one dies out I'll probably trow in a Diehard deep cycle marine battery or whatever is best recommended for this type of solar charging standalone system.. For now it all seems working fine..
well it's a deep cycle marine battery... Not quite sure of brand, it came with the trailer.. From the looks of it, it was probably the cheapest on the shelf.. So once this one dies out I'll probably trow in a Diehard deep cycle marine battery or whatever is best recommended for this type of solar charging standalone system.. For now it all seems working fine.. 
That's a nice find, congrats! If you do plan on flogging the crap out of the suspension, I suggest ditching those standard trailer leaf springs and have a shop make you a set with military wraps. A cheap insurance against broken springs while playing in the wilds of AZ!!
- Thread starter
- #39
Hey guys! Sadly 
I must report that I have just put this trailer up for sale on the Phoenix CL.
I paid $3K for it then spent another $1,500 on the multi-axis hitch, fixing various things, new deep cycle battery charge controller and the awesome solar pannel to keep it all charged up! .. resealing many parts, stitching up new covers.. carpeting.. etc.. etc Anyhow I am asking for $4k and will include all the items normally carried in the trailer such as the futon, tire chains, etc.. etc.. I have offroaded this trailer quite bit since I got it, and it is simply amazing offroad as many of the Copper State Cruisers members can attest on our September run I lead the group to the bottom of the salt river canyon with trailer in tow.. And Could go anywhere and as fast as anyone in the group! It tows beautifully and has a greater clearance than my 97 FZJ80 with a 2.5" lift and 35's https://forum.ih8mud.com/az-copper-...-29-monthly-run-bottom-salt-river-canyon.html
CRaig's list Link! --> http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvs/4290513904.html
I must report that I have just put this trailer up for sale on the Phoenix CL. I paid $3K for it then spent another $1,500 on the multi-axis hitch, fixing various things, new deep cycle battery charge controller and the awesome solar pannel to keep it all charged up! .. resealing many parts, stitching up new covers.. carpeting.. etc.. etc Anyhow I am asking for $4k and will include all the items normally carried in the trailer such as the futon, tire chains, etc.. etc.. I have offroaded this trailer quite bit since I got it, and it is simply amazing offroad as many of the Copper State Cruisers members can attest on our September run I lead the group to the bottom of the salt river canyon with trailer in tow.. And Could go anywhere and as fast as anyone in the group! It tows beautifully and has a greater clearance than my 97 FZJ80 with a 2.5" lift and 35's https://forum.ih8mud.com/az-copper-...-29-monthly-run-bottom-salt-river-canyon.html
CRaig's list Link! --> http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/rvs/4290513904.html
Sorry to see you sell her Manuel I know it has been a great go anywhere set up for you.
Make sure you post it over on Expedition Portal.
Make sure you post it over on Expedition Portal.