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Off Road Trailer Build

Discussion in 'South West' started by mreimann, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. Jun 11, 2011 at 2:38 PM
    #1
    mreimann

    mreimann [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Matt
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    '15 double cab Limited
    Icon C/O, Fox 2.0, All Pro Expo 2.0 leafs, Total Chaos UCA's, Airflow snorkel, Custom Built Bed Rack, Pelfrey aluminum front bumper and IFS skid, All Pro aluminum rear bumper, SmittyBuilt winch. RTT
    Most Recent:
    DSC_5080_fae2d584ac43db7a55429f96c32e707856b852ef.jpg

    The reason I'm posting in this section is because this trailer will be for sale once I move back up to Colorado. (so anyone in Colorado who's interested, start saving pennies!)

    Specs
    4x6 frame
    1/8" sheet metal floor
    14 ga. Sides
    Max Coupler hitch
    3500 lb axle
    6 on 5.5 hubs
    265/65/16 tires
    Jeep leaf springs
    5" shackles
    6" shocks
    2.5' bucket with a lid on hinges
    Tailgate
    Open tongue box storage
    Jerry cans on each side
    Rear receiver hitch for bike racks/storage racks
    Roof rack (should fit a roof top tent)
    Roof cargo rack
    Hi-Lift mounts
    Quick fists for a shovel/axe

    Frame
    222_77e108d88384caafa9b83c5595e4c5765c393087.jpg

    Leaf springs, they're going to be spring over, this was just to see how they line up on the frame. they actually span a lot of the frame, so hopefully this thing will have good articulation. The shackles are about 5"
    225_d3e14886e24fb01880ae5e09a30d2d0ef8b9ee16.jpg

    Corner Gusset
    DSC_4794_01af0d94245ff501a3c068af1471173d3ce63474.jpg

    Tongue bracing. Still need to add some more
    DSC_4795_afef26d1dc667819c67dafaee3db8461fbbee386.jpg

    I ended up taking the smallest leaf out of the pack because I didn't need it and it was more likely to get caught up on rocks
    Thats about where the springs are going to be mounted on the trailer. About 4" back from center
    DSC_4796_cd3d930a2c9dc9f2a65b6d019b9abf7b4dc229ec.jpg

    Tongue stand that I picked up. It locks down like that or you pull the pin and spin it up 90* and replace the pin. Keeps it up out of the way. Obviously I'm not mounting it there because of the big support right next to it :p
    DSC_4797_0cdccd05f0b58152e0bacab961e3f524df82c0ac.jpg

    Sweet shackle bushings that will be welded to the frame. They have a grease zerk as well. too bad I have to take them apart to weld them on. ooops.
    DSC_4799_519701526fe7dc2c80c484bbecbb677fa1156f5a.jpg

    Spring perches tacked on
    DSC_4801_e185bb2ded9c6f35b00aff997f0a6ace1f7b55b1.jpg

    I picked up a u-bolt kit, but need to make a new plate because the one in the package doesn't fit around the leaf springs.

    Re-painting the springs
    DSC_4802_270c400395bbe7fd32c47d7ecb8f1bc94c5e349f.jpg

    My lamp post painting stand :p
    DSC_4803_5f05d478d67c4d0f33f12fe2724ae8f0069ef9cd.jpg

    :drool:
    DSC_4805_eb5d9e3c438f3810df4ac293c1651faf1df5f2ac.jpg


    These guys are all welded in. Now I can actually assemble the bushings for real haha
    DSC_4807_823c9ee5e3839edc4dc05a24725cafed38f3df70.jpg

    DSC_4809_f05b80bc4f99919e3593841cc71db5794177488c.jpg
     
  2. Jun 11, 2011 at 2:59 PM
    #2
    NaYoung

    NaYoung Well-Known Member

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  3. Jun 11, 2011 at 6:35 PM
    #3
    YumaTRD

    YumaTRD The Church Of @ODNAREM San Diego Chapter 1904

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  4. Jun 11, 2011 at 6:51 PM
    #4
    TanSR5x4

    TanSR5x4 Hold my beer and watch this

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    YES!!! good thread! subd and ready to see the progress

    man ive been wanting to do this for so long! maybe ill get the courage after yours

    oh and 4x6? kinda small? 5x 8 would be badass! like M416 trailer specs
     
  5. Jun 11, 2011 at 10:14 PM
    #5
    mreimann

    mreimann [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Icon C/O, Fox 2.0, All Pro Expo 2.0 leafs, Total Chaos UCA's, Airflow snorkel, Custom Built Bed Rack, Pelfrey aluminum front bumper and IFS skid, All Pro aluminum rear bumper, SmittyBuilt winch. RTT
    it's bigger than it sounds. But I didn't want to go too wide, otherwise it would have problems in tight trails.
     
  6. Jun 12, 2011 at 8:10 AM
    #6
    NYCO

    NYCO go explore...

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  7. Jun 13, 2011 at 1:56 PM
    #7
    mreimann

    mreimann [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Icon C/O, Fox 2.0, All Pro Expo 2.0 leafs, Total Chaos UCA's, Airflow snorkel, Custom Built Bed Rack, Pelfrey aluminum front bumper and IFS skid, All Pro aluminum rear bumper, SmittyBuilt winch. RTT
    Today I picked up a wider axle. I had a 67" but the tires cleared the frame by less than 1.5" so I picked up a 71". Today I'm hoping to fabricate the front leaf springs hangers. I picked up some DOM sleeves and bushings to mount the rear shackle to the frame. Also got some u-bolts. Now all I have to do is line it all up and weld.

    Today I also picked up some sheet metal and other stuff to finish the frame and support pieces.

    I might also work on the little side tables and fenders today.




    I also just took some good pictures of the work I've done so far. So i'll put those up later
     
  8. Jun 13, 2011 at 7:15 PM
    #8
    mreimann

    mreimann [OP] Well-Known Member

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    updated first post.

    I'm preparing the springs for fresh paint and need to pick up a drill bit before I can finish making the spring hangers and get the axle hooked up.
     
  9. Jun 13, 2011 at 7:28 PM
    #9
    YFZ_TRD

    YFZ_TRD 4Runner Pilot

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  10. Jun 13, 2011 at 7:29 PM
    #10
    mjohn617

    mjohn617 Well-Known Member

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    Haha...not doing it...can't make me!
  11. Jun 13, 2011 at 7:38 PM
    #11
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    Mount Vernon, WA
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    6000k HID's, AUX Reverse Lights, 3" Rough Country Suspension Lift, Pioneer AVH-P4200 Double Din, Underglow and footwell Lights, Camo Seat Covers, Duralast Tool Box, Blacked Out Badges, Grill, Front Emblem, Midland CB Radio, Amber Strobes, POWER REAR WINDOW, cup holder LED's, Firestik 3' in bed, console divider, Ultragauge.
    I built a motorcycle/quad trailer in high school last year. Its about 6'4" by 8'. And I also just finished a 12'x8' two place snowmobile trailer. I was thinking of building a smaller offroad trailer like this as well.
     
  12. Jun 14, 2011 at 11:38 AM
    #12
    mreimann

    mreimann [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Right on. It's not as complicated as it seems.

    So I got that u-bolt pack yesterday and found out the plate is drilled for thin leaf springs. So it looks like I'll be making my own :/

    Every drill bit I buy burns out in less than 5 uses. It's really annoying. I even broke down and got a 33$ step bit.....and it dulled out before I could get through all the steps....wtf. I'm only drilling 3/16" metal. This shouldn't be happening. :mad:

    But on the bright side. I almost have the springs finished. I fully welded the spring perches and most the of the leaf spring parts are done with paint.

    Now I just have to finish making the front spring hangers and cut out some u-bolt plates.
     
  13. Jun 14, 2011 at 11:51 AM
    #13
    colinb17

    colinb17 If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    Build thread in sig...
    Nice start!

    I'm just putting the finishing touches on mine. already go to wheel it once to find some of the weak points, and have since made them stronger/given them protection.

    i'm actually running the same size wheels/tires, just on a 6000lb axle and spindles becasue it's a 4x8' inclosed with an exocage which gives it some substantial weight.

    i'll tell you because i tried the same thing.......tacoma rear shocks are going to be really hard to fit with the frame design and ride height you'll be at. if you want to fir them in an affective way (i should have done this), make your axle about 6 inches too wide on each side and make a shock hoop on the outside of the frame for them to mount to.

    i'm excited to see where you take this! keep up the good work.
     
  14. Jun 14, 2011 at 11:55 AM
    #14
    tacomalex

    tacomalex Well-Known Member

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    turn your drill to the slowest setting and take your time drilling the holes. if you got it going too fast it will just burn up the bits, you gotta give it time to actually cut into the metal
     
  15. Jun 14, 2011 at 11:56 AM
    #15
    colinb17

    colinb17 If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    Build thread in sig...
    some cutting oil never hurts either.
     
  16. Jun 14, 2011 at 12:17 PM
    #16
    Drewschyf

    Drewschyf Member

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  17. Jun 14, 2011 at 12:20 PM
    #17
    rab89

    rab89 Well-Known Member

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    ok done deal. I'll sell my crappy utility trailer, and use the money for material to build one like this. mine just needs to haul junk, and my boat..
     
  18. Jun 14, 2011 at 12:25 PM
    #18
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    very nice!

    Use oil when drilling, it will help your bits last.

    I built a jetski trailer last summer using my old tacoma leaf springs (no shocks). I have 2 stand up jet skis on it and some small diamond plate boxes on the front and the springs were WAY too soft for the weight. I ended up flipping the overload leaf over and now they will hopefully be stiff enough. Just a heads up if you intend on putting a lot of weight in this thing.

    Edit: also I made my own u-bots out of all thread. Really easy and cheaper than buying them, plus they are custom fit to the axle.
     
  19. Jun 14, 2011 at 12:30 PM
    #19
    mreimann

    mreimann [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yah, i thought the tacoma shocks would be too long. But I'll see if I can get them in there. If not, I'll find some cheap ones on craigslist.


    I sold my old tacoma leaf springs a while back. So I ended up getting some old jeep leaf springs off CL. From reading a bunch of trailer build threads they seems to work good for what I'm making.

    I'm ganna build this trailer to fit bigger tires than 31"s. I just got these because they were the cheapest tires I could get in this size and hub pattern. Whoever buys it from me will probably end up putting at least some A/T on them. hopefully 33" or 35"
     
  20. Jun 14, 2011 at 12:38 PM
    #20
    colinb17

    colinb17 If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving

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    Build thread in sig...
    that's exactly what i did. got some wheels and tires from a tacoma off craigs list for $80. putting a set of 33'' MTs on it soon. I built it to fit 35s without an issue, but i need to tow it between Virginia and Florida every once in a while and pulling 35s would be a mileage killer. i'll get 35s someday though. it's smart that you're building it to accept that size.
     

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