Gordinho80's Offroad / Camping Trailer Build

[Gordinho80]

I decided to bring the fender line down a little. I potentially could bring it down anther couple of inches, but the tires I have have are worn down pretty good, plus I do not yet know if I will be taking a leaf or 2 out... that and I still need to add some weight in materials and then cargo.

At this tape line, I have 6" of clearance from tire to top of fender. The fender opening is 38".

[Gordinho80]

I wanted to get some opinions on the fenders...

The fenders will be made out of 3/16" diamond plate steel. I was going to use some angle iron as the frame. I've been thinking... what about using tube for the frame? I could bend some 1/2"-3/4" conduit and weld it to the frame. I could, if I'm careful, make the whole frame out of 1 piece.

[bartonmd]

They could probably come down a little from there, to give you more room for drawers/doors/table or what not above them.

Mike

[Gordinho80]

You're right... I can probably still bring the line down. I'm just not certain if I will be keeping the 6 leafs in the suspension, nor do I know how much more weight I will be adding to the trailer in material, then in cargo.

I think the raise and drop are at a good point, maybe bring just the top line down 1-2"? Again, as pictured, the top of the worn tire is 6" from where the fender would be.

[bartonmd]

Really depends on your suspension and weight, but with short leaves like that, you're not going to have a ton of travel. My 3500# (loaded) trailer only moves down 1" or so with 3000# of wood on it, compared to the 500# empty weight. It just has the standard 3-leaf suspension on each side.

Yeah, I'd move it down at least 2".

Mike

[onelow1ton]

That fender hight looks better but could come down about 2 inches

You should half ass hook it to the truck and find some heavy stuff to pile in it and see what that leaf pack will do , of it does not budge at all pull a leaf and try again then measure your fender hight with it loaded but like mike said I dont think it's going to move much

[Gordinho80]

Time to call a bunch of people and have them stand on the trailer.

Thanks.

[Gordinho80]

Neighbor showed up with 50' of angle (2 25' lengths) last night night.... was finally able to finish the top frame. Tacked that in place and bolted the uprights on 1 side in place.

I need a good day of dedicated time to really get the last bits of welding completed so that I can start painting it!



I've still not had a chance to weigh it down to see how much clearance I need for the fenders... the piece of tape that is placed OVER the uprights represents 2" lower then the last measurement... so its 4" of clearance tire to fender.

[navigator]

You might have a reason not to but I might would make the top of the fender a little longer if it isn't a pain. It might be nice to have a shelf there at times.

[boog2006]

You've got one helluva neighbor!

[Gordinho80]

You might have a reason not to but I might would make the top of the fender a little longer if it isn't a pain. It might be nice to have a shelf there at times.

I'm planning on making or buying boxes for the sides. One will be a camp kitchen who's door will hinge down and act as a counter and will hold the coleman stove.

You've got one helluva neighbor!

He's provided so much steel for me, its ridiculous! Couldn't have built this nor my rear bumper without him.

[Gordinho80]

Finished tacking up the frame. Difuser on the torch stripped and won't hold the tips, have to get a replacement from HF. Drilled out the frame and plywood and took it for a test ride down the street. It pulls perfectly!





When I got back, I started working on the fenders.

[v7guy]

They would be way cooler made out of plywood. Hahahaha

Looks like some mighty fine progress, I need neighbors like you have

[Gordinho80]

Ha! Plywood fenders would be interesting...

I'm thinking about doing something different on the outside lip of the fenders. Instead of using that almost 2" tall piece of angle, what about a 3/4"-1" pipe? Easy enough to bend and strong enough to give the fenders some extra support...

The front flap would end at the bottom of the trailer frame, the bend in the pipe would give me a rounded corner on the front. The rear is going to have a 12" platform level with the top of the trailer frame. One side will eventually hold the propane tank for the kitchen, the other will likely eventually hold a gas can or 2.

MS Paint demonstration of the pipe... it would be under the diamondplate.

[Gordinho80]

Finally figured out a design for the fenders. 1 is all tacked up. I ran out of wire so I couldn't fully weld it.

[Trail X]

Looks good Mario. I like those fenders more than the proposed pipe design.

[Gordinho80]

Thanks James... I do too.
So as you can see from this pic... I'm going to have plenty of space on the tongue of the trailer. I want to keep some space around the 2" receiver at the top of the A frame. What can I do to the tongue? Any suggestion is welcome!

[Trail X]

You guys ever plan to take bikes along? I'd figure out some way to mount a bike carrier back there.

[Gordinho80]

Bike Carrier is an option. Thinking of a receiver mount carrier to mount to rear of trailer.

[v7guy]

Stripper pole?

Maybe some battery boxes for power to the trailer. There should definitely be a bottle opener somewhere on there too.