pixeldzn's OFFROAD TRAILER buildup

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:49 pm

I laid out all the frame pieces to see how it would look. The length of the A-Frame tongue will allow me to open the tire carrier and tailgate on the Rubicon with nothing on the tongue. With something loaded on the tongue it should still open enough to get something in and out. It's not as if there is much usable space behind the seat anyhow. I normally just keep tools and the winch gear back there:

Here's an updated picture of the lock and roll hitch setup. I bought a 4" drop hitch bar from good old Harbor Freight today to complete the setup.

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:09 am

for added strength wouldnt you want the drawbar setup to run back to the main box frame

forgive my crappy photoshop skills

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:13 am

Fouros wrote:

for added strength wouldnt you want the drawbar setup to run back to the main box frame

I plan to gusset it to give the same effect without having to notch the tubing on the front crossmember and weaken it. I just don't have those pieces cut to size at this point.

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:45 am

you dont notch the RHS box section

you lay the triagular drawbar setup on top of the frame of the trailer ( so when the frame and axle is welded and mounted you flip it over and the drawbar setup is hidden away and it transfers the stresses of the load on the drawbar through to the box trailer frame

i will see if i can find you a photo of what i did with my buildup as an example

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 12:50 am

see how the draw bar runs back and underneath the box frame

and here is a plan i based mine on loosly

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:52 am

Cool stuff. Maybe we need a trailer tech section?

So how much $ dough is tied up into this project so far? (if you don't mind me asking)

chetos · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:16 am

JJsKJ wrote:

8) Cool stuff. Maybe we need a trailer tech section?

So how much $ dough is tied up into this project so far? (if you don't mind me asking)

x2. HF and Menards have trailers that are decently priced and wouldn't take too much to modify but if your way is around the same...

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:52 am

Depends on what you want to do with the trailers. I have built 5 so far and yes I looked at the ones from Menards/ the ones you fold up, Tractor Supply all of them. Most of those are so flimsy that if you step on one corner it twists the frame out of shape due to how they are braced , strenghth of the frame rails etc. Some flex is alright but these flex way too much. Now if you are just going to haul mulch once a year etc then go for the cheap trailers but if you want to really haul some heavy loads or take it back out on the trails then pixeldzn is on the right track!

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:16 am

JJsKJ wrote:

8) Cool stuff. Maybe we need a trailer tech section?

So how much $ dough is tied up into this project so far? (if you don't mind me asking)

Sure, I'll share

Steel: $320
Axle: $175
Rims/Tires: $350
Hitch Setup: $200
Misc: $50

So, I will be right around $1000 for an offroad capable trailer. Not bad when all the commercial ones (textrax, adventure trailers, etc) start at $3000 for a basic unit. Also, less than a surplus military unit that would need lots of TLC and still realy need the rims/tires.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:32 am

Fouros wrote:

you dont notch the RHS box section

you lay the triagular drawbar setup on top of the frame of the trailer ( so when the frame and axle is welded and mounted you flip it over and the drawbar setup is hidden away and it transfers the stresses of the load on the drawbar through to the box trailer frame

I' ve explored a lot of those ideas and I think I can manage the same effect, but have all my steel on the same plane with my idea. basicaly it will look like this:

I may also reinforce by stretching a strip of steel across the front crossmember to link the angled pieces together.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:17 am

Got the rolling chassis complete tonight. It was too dark to take a pic of it hooked up to the Jeep, but here it is in the garage:

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:49 am

Looks Great!!! A small gussett on every interior angle would really do the trick...14 in all...12 inside the "box" and two larger ones inside the tongue. If you bevel both edges of the gussets that are to be welded, you will get more surface contact too. I guess you could add one more in the beggining of the tongue too.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:16 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

Looks Great!!! A small gussett on every interior angle would really do the trick...14 in all...12 inside the "box" and two larger ones inside the tongue. If you bevel both edges of the gussets that are to be welded, you will get more surface contact too. I guess you could add one more in the beggining of the tongue too.

Already ahead of you. That's the first order of business next time we work on it, along with boxing in the ends of the bumper and draw bar.

Milner · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:57 pm

Looks good.

Here's one a friend of mine built. Lots of links and pics of other trailers too.

http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/tech_trailer.html

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:46 pm

we've worked on the trailer a couple more times lately. It's hard to take good pictures becuase my buddy's garage isn't well lit.

We added some bracing to the tongue that goes underneath and to the next interior cross bar, cut the expanded metal for the tongue shelf and began welding up the frame for the box.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:15 pm

Looks great so far keep sharing the pictures :wink:

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:53 am

Again, there have been a few sessions in between pics.

Some finish welding, cutting and grinding has been done, and the frame for the box is almost complete. The tailgate comes next.

It's getting closer, for sure!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 8:52 am

Now that you have one almost done the next one will be even easier :wink:

Looking good though!

Tom

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:33 am

When available please post pics of how this pintle-hook set up looks.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:41 pm

Pixeldzn,

Mig or torch welding it?

I need to learn how to weld.

pixeldzn's OFFROAD TRAILER buildup

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