Camping Trailer Idea/Build/Sketch

[Hilldweller]

I'd love to hit the Lotto and buy a nice trailer but, for now, I can't afford a purpose-built commercial rig....

So I've been sketching and sketching for months. The most recent idea that I've come up with is a very simple plan:
two aluminum tool boxes (2' deep, 2' high, 3' wide) placed back to back on a ladder frame, opening fore and aft. Attached to the sides I'd hang two more boxes, 10"x10"x3' --- they'd act as part of the fender. Weld it all up, put it on a 3500-lb axle, match the wheels to my JK Wrangler. Add a basket on the tongue for jerry cans and cooler.
I'd still use my Columbia ground tent for now and add a RTT later as budget permits and convert one of the side boxes into a galley.

Here's my rookie sketch; looking for advice and sympathy.
I just spoke with a fabricator and they could build it in two weeks for $2200, including non-matching 32" wheels/tires. I'm trying to track down some take-off Sahara wheels...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/billpearlman/Copyofblank.jpg

[Cruiser]

Looking good,, but may I sugest instead of a pintle hoop to go with a lock and roll instead. These are a little nicer and way quieter on the road..

[Hilldweller]

Looking good,, but may I sugest instead of a pintle hoop to go with a lock and roll instead. These are a little nicer and way quieter on the road..
The hoop only costs 30 bananas...

I'm still thinking though, still thinking.

then there's this thing too; combine it with a swivel hitch...?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/96100-96199/96198.gif

[mferrigno]

your plans look pretty good to me. I've been planning a trailer build similar to yours. I'm going to be calling some fabricators to get some ideas on pricing soon.

Anyway, I noticed you're looking for sahara wheels. I bought a full set with 35's, and therefore have my original sahara wheels sitting in my garage. I need 3 for my trailer, but that leaves 2 for you if you want them. I might be willing to drive up closer to you to avoid shipping depending on the time frame. PM if your intrested.

[Hilldweller]

I bought a full set with 35's, and therefore have my original sahara wheels sitting in my garage. I need 3 for my trailer, but that leaves 2 for you if you want them. I might be willing to drive up closer to you to avoid shipping depending on the time frame. PM if your intrested.
I am certainly interested! Do you want/need any stock tires for spares for the trailer? I've got 4 Duelers in the garage.

I still need to talk to the fabricator and see what his plans are exactly. I'll make myself available to your schedule ---- how far north would you roll and when would be good?

[mferrigno]

I am certainly interested! Do you want/need any stock tires for spares for the trailer? I've got 4 Duelers in the garage.

I still need to talk to the fabricator and see what his plans are exactly. I'll make myself available to your schedule ---- how far north would you roll and when would be good?

Well, I have a cousin in atlanta, so I might make a long weekend trip out of it ... which would be really good for you. So I need to check with her. The next long weekend coming up is sept 1 (labor day).

I don't really need the tires, the 2 extra wheels I have still have the stock duelers with have 10k miles on them.

how about $150 for the 2 wheels/tires and I'll drive them to atlanta for you? (actually a little further ... my cousin is in the dunwoody area)

[Cruiser]

If you go pintle and hoop,, one side should rotate,, look for a pintle from a military truck,, way better than the one in the picture,, I have one like the picture and they suck with little trailers,, rattle way too much,, and will wear on the hoop quickly.. The Hummer H1 mil version has a nice pintle that swivels,, or go with a nicer pintle and get a lunette from an m416 trailer.. The lock and roll is a very nice option tho,, http://www.adventuretrailers.com/images/1_L&R5.jpg

A stock jeep pintle from a WWII jeep
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w259/hogcoach/012-1.jpg

[Cruiser]

swivel pintle,,http://www.avettruck.com/Specials/Specials_Continued/Hook.jpg

[Hilldweller]

Well, I have a cousin in atlanta, so I might make a long weekend trip out of it ... which would be really good for you. So I need to check with her. The next long weekend coming up is sept 1 (labor day).

I don't really need the tires, the 2 extra wheels I have still have the stock duelers with have 10k miles on them.

how about $150 for the 2 wheels/tires and I'll drive them to atlanta for you? (actually a little further ... my cousin is in the dunwoody area)

My office is 10 minutes from Dunwoody......
This is sounding more and more like a good thing.

I still have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomache though about my fabricator. Although I know that he builds good trailers, I just don't see how he could build one to my specs for the price he quoted.... ....there has to be a little something wrong....
I'm thinking more and more about a Sherpa from Outlander Trailers. Just spend the extra $$ and get piece of mind....

And, after lots more consulting, looks like a Rack-n-Roll is the way to go too.

[mferrigno]

Hey cruiser ... How does that swivel pintel attach to the vehicle?

[Cruiser]

If you have room,, ot mounts thru the bumper.. That was the only picture I could find quickly,, check on ebay for a pintle from a hummer H1 military.. They mount better.. but the way the JK is built there is little room to put the swivel.. If you go to lock-n-roll directly the prices arent that bad either.. and they are very quiet.. I'm going with one on my ground up build.. Might even put one on my 416 that I'm building.. I'm changing out the "A" frame and might go with that over the lunette.. just for the noise free ride..

[mferrigno]

ah okay, that makes sense. I'm most likely going with the lock-n-roll also.

What are you guys using for trailer axles? I noticed alot of people using a 3500lb axle. Is that really necessary?

[Hilldweller]

Tractor Supply and Harbor Freight sell an adapter for pintles/lunettes and other bolt-ons that just slides into a receiver hole.


Update on trailer build:
My wife has talked (cried) me into agreeing to wait a while. We're going to get a receiver-mount box on a telescoping mount --- maybe go to a trailer next year or possibly a rooftop tent/cargo rack ordeal.

Anybody who is married will appreciate what I've just gone through....

mferrigno, thanks for your wheel offer but I guess I don't need them at the moment. Unless she changes her mind by the time I get home...
:dontknow2:

What are you guys using for trailer axles? I noticed alot of people using a 3500lb axle. Is that really necessary?It's not that much more expensive at all. You probably only need 2000 lb, but you can't beat the upgrade for the money.

[mferrigno]

mferrigno, thanks for your wheel offer but I guess I don't need them at the moment. Unless she changes her mind by the time I get home...
:dontknow2:

No problem, they're were most likely just going to sit in my garage anyway since there's not many people looking for just to wheels. PM me if you ever get your project started, I might still have the wheels by then :thumbsup:

[Rhino64]

I'd love to hit the Lotto and buy a nice trailer but, for now, I can't afford a purpose-built commercial rig....

So I've been sketching and sketching for months. The most recent idea that I've come up with is a very simple plan:
two aluminum tool boxes (2' deep, 2' high, 3' wide) placed back to back on a ladder frame, opening fore and aft. Attached to the sides I'd hang two more boxes, 10"x10"x3' --- they'd act as part of the fender. Weld it all up, put it on a 3500-lb axle, match the wheels to my JK Wrangler. Add a basket on the tongue for jerry cans and cooler.
I'd still use my Columbia ground tent for now and add a RTT later as budget permits and convert one of the side boxes into a galley.

Here's my rookie sketch; looking for advice and sympathy.
I just spoke with a fabricator and they could build it in two weeks for $2200, including non-matching 32" wheels/tires. I'm trying to track down some take-off Sahara wheels...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/billpearlman/Copyofblank.jpg Thats a reasonable price. Ive looked a similar on the net, there asking close to 5K.

[medbender]

heres mine. ive got almost $2000.00 into it and i built it myself. $2200 is a real good price for a fabricator to build it. I'd be all over that

[Hilldweller]

heres mine. ive got almost $2000.00 into it and i built it myself. $2200 is a real good price for a fabricator to build it. I'd be all over that
I admit that I postponed the build partly because I didn't really think that he could build my idea for that price. When I priced out materials, it came to about $2200 ---- and I don't think he'd do a week's worth of labor for free...

Your trailer looks tight; I'm really wanting rear doors though so I can use a RTT eventually.

[mferrigno]

I admit that I postponed the build partly because I didn't really think that he could build my idea for that price. When I priced out materials, it came to about $2200 ---- and I don't think he'd do a week's worth of labor for free...

Your trailer looks tight; I'm really wanting rear doors though so I can use a RTT eventually.

Do you have a base trailer already? or did that price include the trailer?

[medbender]

its got a rear door on it also. there are better pisc on the show and tell section. the rig was built from scratch. the biggest expence was wheels and tires. i likely have 60- 70 hrs into it though so if you tackle it be ready to commit.

[Hilldweller]

Do you have a base trailer already? or did that price include the trailer?
That price included building a ladder frame out of 2"x3" square tube; they were going to take off $300 if I supplied the wheels and tires...
That's why I'm thinking it was too good to be true.

I checked out the new ARB rooftop tent over the weekend; it's a sturdy little rascle. I'm seriously considering just a cage and RTT to supplement my receiver boxes and call it quits there....
So many choices.

[leehoffman]

I am building a M416 Offroad Trailer. I have started a blog to give information to other people hoping to do the same thing. You can check it out here.

http://offroadtrailer.blogspot.com/

Happy building.

[Hilldweller]

Have fun with the build; I copped-out and bought a Conqueror Compact.
More time camping; less time fabbing... :dontknow2:

[tomb raider]

:thumbsup:Have fun with the build, I wish I was talented enough to desighn anything

[allterrain]

A buddy of mine built one a few years back for his Cruiser.
Here is his writeup: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/tech_trailer.html