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FWP Fab Teardrop Trailer Build / Restoration #overlandAF

Discussion in 'First World Problems Fabrication' started by Zac of all trades, May 18, 2018.

  1. May 18, 2018 at 7:25 AM
    #1
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    886/5100s/AAL/UCAs/360 armor/RTT/295 17s
    First World Problems Fab has a new camp trailer!!

    Ok so its not "new", but its new to me! Built in 1994, supposedly this was built as a kit for use on hunting trips, said it was used 3-4 times and then sat. Someone else bought it as a project and never got around to working on it so now i have it! I actually have a need for this so i plan to get this thing back into presentable condition!

    Welcome to the build and BS thread!

    Current state.... 8MAR19

    [​IMG]
    1st camping trip...
    [​IMG]


    Where it lived for 2 years... What it looked like when i got it!

    [​IMG]
    Has a cool old school canopy and rack already!
    [​IMG]
    Inside isnt bad at all. A little dated but it looks solid enough. More pics to come when i get some time.
    [​IMG]
    Driving it home.... had to rig up some tow lights...
    [​IMG]
    Mods so far... not in this order
      • Exterior Mods
        • All exterior lights swapped to LEDs
        • All new electrical wiring throughout
        • Replaced the rear hatch door hinges with a nice beefy piano hinge
          • Rubber grommet underneath for weather protection
        • Custom built roof rack by FWP Fab
          • quick fists for fishing poles
          • quick fists for tarp poles.
          • 6.6' x 8.2' awning
          • 100w solar panel
        • 3 gang switch panel outside next to the door
          • voltage indicator
          • USB charger
        • Custom built fender wells by FWP Fab
        • New aluminum roof panel installed
        • Repainted the window frame up front
        • Custom length 3500lb axle from Southwest Wheel
          • matching toyota 6x5.5 bolt pattern
          • self adjusting drum brakes
        • 17" tundra wheels on 265/70/17 KO2s (matching spare)
        • Extended the tongue length ~26" by FWP Fab
        • Custom cooler cage by FWP Fab
        • Tongue storage box
        • 6.6' x 8.2' awning
        • Bulldog 2" ball hitch
        • new safety chains
        • New tongue jack
        • 2 100w solar panels
      • Interior Mods
        • It has a 3" mat but i added a mattress topper
        • Removed the old interior cabinets
        • Removed the old interior panels
        • Installed MaxAir Roof vent
        • Custom storage box in the floor inside the cabin.
        • Cabin LEDs are installed
        • all wiring for lights/speakers in rear panel ran
        • 12v/110v RV electrical panel installed to run everything
        • Ceiling and 1.75 wall panels installed
        • Custom cedar headboard installed
        • Custom cedar window frames
        • 110v power strip (4 110v outlest and 2 USB outlets)
        • Dual media receiver radio w/USB & Bluetooth
        • 100mAh Deep Cycle battery
        • reskinned the rear hatch
        • speakers installed in rear hatch door.
        • lights installed in rear hatch door
        • Cedar overhead cabinet installed
    To Do:
        • redo & re model the rear galley area.
          • probably going to cover the rear cook/prep surface with aluminum for easy clean up and sanitation
          • I will install a few shelves and drawers.
          • want to extend the rear surface all the way to the rear of the trailer so i dont have to lean over into the trailer so much.
        • Redo & Remodel the cabin area
          • cabinets on the hatch wall to mount the radio, store headlamps, flashlights, headlamps, charging cables
        • install new aluminum panel on the rear hatch and sides
          • would like to get a new door and side window
        • would like to make some changes to the axle...
          • install new leafs/hangers
          • install struts
    Its small so i can only do so much.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2021
  2. May 18, 2018 at 7:36 AM
    #2
    Shmellmopwho

    Shmellmopwho Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Awesome! Congrats on the new trailer dude! It will be fun to build it up and make it suitable for your needs!

    As for the axle, I’m gonna leave a link here for you where you can get a brand new 3500 lbs axle for like $120 and you can customize the hub face to hub face length and choose the bolt pattern of the axle so you don’t need to run wheel spacers or adapters. If you plan on putting the same size tires on your trailer as your truck, then get a 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern for the trailer axle that way you can swap wheels between truck and trailer if need be. If you run one spare while you’re out wheeling you can use the spare for both the trailer and the truck. Then if you run into the unfortunate event of popping or shredding a 2nd tire on your truck, you essentially have 2 more spares you can steal from the trailer to at least get you outta the predicament you’re in and then go back for the trailer later.

    Run the axle wider than the trailer so you can run the new larger tires outside the trailer walls so you can 1. Fit a much larger tire and 2. Have more articulation out of the trailer for any Offroad application

    Here is the place to get the axle. All you have to do is weld the spring perches onto the axle where the leaf springs land. Pretty easy

    https://www.southwestwheel.com/c-1248-3500-lbs-straight-dexter-trailer-axles.aspx
     
  3. May 18, 2018 at 7:40 AM
    #3
    saundern

    saundern Swerve for nothing

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  4. May 18, 2018 at 7:41 AM
    #4
    Drainbung

    Drainbung Somedays you are the show....

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  5. May 18, 2018 at 7:56 AM
    #5
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    Good looking out on the axle! That is what i need for sure! I for sure want to get matching hubs, not sure about matching tires and wheels though. Probably just pick up a set of stock take offs for cheap somewhere.

    The rear will be where my initial focus will start after i make sure the trailer frame and floor are solid. The axle will wait till i get it to a presentable state. Currently the rear door is held shut with a bungee cord, the lights are duct taped on, and im not sure why but my trailer plug doesnt work, so i had to tap into my brake lights. The only latch that works currently is the door latch. None of the locks work...

    Going to start with the rear door, need to get that to close and seal up nicely. Then i will move on to the storage, probably going to gut it and redo it all. Then repair any damage to walls or what not.

    Need to take a page from @Silverspool and make an spreadsheet to track this build.
     
  6. May 18, 2018 at 8:00 AM
    #6
    Shmellmopwho

    Shmellmopwho Well-Known Member Vendor

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    For sure bro! Figured that would be better since it’s cheap for a brand new one you know?

    Sounds like you got your work cut out for you but at least the trailer has good bones
     
  7. May 18, 2018 at 8:06 AM
    #7
    ETXTacoma

    ETXTacoma Someone gave me a plasma cutter.

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    Dynatrac ProRock 60 Rear Axle, that is important enough.
    Here for the progress.
     
  8. May 18, 2018 at 8:27 AM
    #8
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    Yes i am going to buy that axle simply for the fact that its cheap and i can buy it with matching hubs! Win win in my book! I would have just found the cheapest axle i could find and throw on some adaptors. But new is always better, plus with an extra axle i can build a light utility trailer for a 4 wheeler or something.

    So far from what i have seen the trailer looks solid. I mean i would camp in it tonight if i had to, and i dont think there would be any issues. Wouldnt have very many comforts but you can sleep in it...

    Plugged in the window a/c last night and i think that i could camp in it during the summer as it sits now.

    But yeah i have some work to do, will be a welcomed change of pace from the truck.
     
  9. May 18, 2018 at 10:21 AM
    #9
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    Here is the sleeping area cabinets... needs some work. Also they are way to low! My toes hit the bottom of the cabinets if i lay on my back.

    Also looks like Dude already found his spot! This is his first time checking out the new camper.

    Not sure what that is on the bottom... But there is a plug on the outside for an extension cord to power it.
    [​IMG]
     
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  10. May 18, 2018 at 10:39 AM
    #10
    ETXTacoma

    ETXTacoma Someone gave me a plasma cutter.

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    Magnetek/Parallax Power Inverter/Converter
     
  11. May 18, 2018 at 10:47 AM
    #11
    kevsumac

    kevsumac Member

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    What do you do with the lease once you kill them?
     
  12. May 18, 2018 at 10:53 AM
    #12
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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  13. May 18, 2018 at 11:46 AM
    #13
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    Nice! Yeah i can see myself finding a bunch of info on that site! :fistbump:
     
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  14. May 18, 2018 at 12:05 PM
    #14
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    So is that papier maché or what?
     
  15. May 21, 2018 at 1:38 PM
    #15
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    Haha. Nah man, its acutally pretty strong! Its covered in fiberglass, other than a couple places its still pretty solid!
     
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  16. May 21, 2018 at 1:43 PM
    #16
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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  17. May 21, 2018 at 1:46 PM
    #17
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    I camped in it over the weekend to test out the a/c in the front window method. Actually got cold a couple times at night. Need to figure out something for the a/c though... all the cold air blows out the sides and the vents are way taller then the window...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. May 21, 2018 at 1:47 PM
    #18
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    So i did a few improvements this weekend....

    • Removed all the old lights
    • Removed the old struts
    • removed old fire extinguisher
    • removed old rear door overhead light
    • Removed some of the old wiring
    • Removed the old "door" hinges
    • Installed new "piano" hinges
    • Installed new LED lights in the rear door. Going to take back the larger round red LEDs and exchange them for the smaller LEDs the size of the yellow button LEDs.
    • Added a 1.5" memory foam mattress on top of the 3" pad already in there. Needs to be trimmed to size though.
      • about to buy a new axle as soon as i find out how long it needs to be.
      • Also looking for 2 17" spare tundra wheel & tire combos to put on the trailer. If you know anyone selling them cheap let me know.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  19. May 21, 2018 at 1:48 PM
    #19
    Tacodriver08

    Tacodriver08 To have faith, is to trust yourself to the water

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    Hey @Zac of all trades ive got a 3500lb axle from that southwest wheel company at the house that’s yours for cheap. I bought it for my trailer build but measured wrong and it ended up being to narrow. It doesn’t have hubs on it but it’s wms is 65” with hubs. Also have my old rims from the truck, there’s 4 that you can have to throw some tires on if you want.
     
  20. May 21, 2018 at 2:41 PM
    #20
    Zac of all trades

    Zac of all trades [OP] FWP Fabrication Vendor

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    Hmmmm. Ok let me measure my trailer and find out if that will work. Also what is cheap?

    Are your old wheels 17"s? I plan to throw my used KO2s on the wheels and im buying some more street friendly tires that are lighter and get more mileage/MPGs!
     
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