Gordinho80's Offroad / Camping Trailer Build

[Gordinho80]

Cleaned up the main frame of the trailer today... still need to clean the 2 A frame bars and the center reinforcement bar on the frame.

[Trail X]

Nice, probably a ton of work eh?

[Gordinho80]

About 25-30 mins of grinding per bar...

[v7guy]

Looks like you're moving in a good direction.

[Gordinho80]

Today I hope to clean up the rest of the frame and prime it...

[Gordinho80]

Frame is all clean and primed. I began welding it together as well. I ran out of primer and time, so I couldn't coat everything as much I wanted to. I still need to finish welding all the seems, then priming it all again.

My neighbor showed up today with 30 of these...


He suggested I build the cage out of this. I can't weld aluminum, so I might bolt it together. Still debating how I would use those. They measure 7' 6" by about 2.5"x3".

[navigator]

Mario, what is your long term plan. Are you going to have an open tub to haul everything in or a closed tub with a lid and a mount for your bikes?
Does your welder(arc/stick?) not weld aluminum or just not the skills to do the welding yet?
I'm thinking with that much aluminum I would try to figure out a way to weld it.

I found a rod you can use for an arc welder online but I'm not sure how well they work.
http://www.zena.net/htdocs/welders/Rods ... Rods.shtml

[Gordinho80]

I plan on having a closed tub. I eventually want to add a RTT. I've got a cheap Harbor Freight flux core welder.

http://www.harborfreight.com/90-amp-flu ... 68887.html

I kind of like this design...



My neighbor can get me any steel needed at pretty good price... he got me all the steel for my bumper for almost nothing.

[navigator]

sounds like a plan.
Is that the pike's peak trailer? I saw on jeep forum a while back. I registered but of course didn't win it
If you can get steel cheap and can weld it that would be the way I would go I guess.

[Gordinho80]

I don't know what trailer that is, just saw it on Expo.

I'm leaning toward the steel idea as well... its easier for me to work with. Adds a little weight compared to aluminum, oh well.

I'm planning on doing a swing out tailgate door which will hold my trailer spare. I'll make the door out of 1" tube and reinforce the wall where it hinges with some 1" tube as well.

Phase 1 may not have a lid. Depends on time I have to work on this. Maiden voyage will be in early October up to Watkins Glen, NY. So I've got time... we'll see.

[navigator]

here you go man, another source of inspiration.
I imagine for the size you are building, the little extra weight won't matter a huge amount.
You could always skin it with sheet metal to help keep the weight down.

[Gordinho80]

Not sure if you posted a pic or link or something... but not seeing it.

[navigator]

duh....
http://pikespeaktrailers.com/

[Gordinho80]

That is a pretty sweet trailer! Thanks!

[navigator]

yeah, somehow I found the link but forgot to post it.
Feel free to clean up this stuff from your thread if you like.

[Gordinho80]

MORE PROGRESS!

[Gordinho80]

Was talking to my neighbor yesterday... showed him my new inspiration trailer, the Pikes Peak trailer. We talked out a few options and plans.

1: since my trailer frame is 50" x 62", a standard plywood won't fill the entire frame. Answer: lay out the plywood sideways, cutting ~31" X50" pieces and lapping the seam along the center brace. He's supplying plywood since he's got a ton of it.

2: I want the box to be detachable. The corner angle pieces will be bolted to the frame from either side. 8 bolts holding the box down should do the trick. For sake of overbuilding, I'll use Grade 8s. He already had 2" angle in his garage, so I've got that.

Not sure how I will tackle the lighting just yet. I think I might widen the rear and front of the frame and tie in the fender once I get the 3500lb axle on there. This would give me a steps and/or places to mount jerry cans, propane tanks, etc, without taking up space in the box. Something like this...

[onelow1ton]

Looking good so far

[Gordinho80]

Thanks!

I actually used the trailer on Tuesday to transport my Scotts 25HP 54" mowing deck garden tractor 30 minutes away to my in-laws' house. They are out of the country for a few weeks and I had to mow their lawn. I don't like using my father in law's mower.

I used the original plywood that came with the trailer. Strapped the mower down nice and tight. It pulled perfectly, no issues at all.

This weekend, I should finally have some time to start working on the box. I'm going to drill out the angle and trailer frame where it would bolt up, then secure the 4 corners with grade 8 bolts, 2 per corner. Then I'll measure out the new plywood and get that in place as tight to the angle as possible.

I've updated the initial post with a cost breakdown so far. I will keep that post updated with new expenses.

[Gordinho80]

Found this axle locally.... going to go look at it today or tomorrow...







Its old... at least 25 years old... but 6x5.5 lug pattern. The width is perfect. I'd have to move the springs in 3.5" per side, but it will give the H3 wheels lots more clearance. I just hope the lug nuts come off easily and that the bearings are in decent shape.

Seller claims the trailer has not moved in 25 years, it acted as a tool shanty.