AZ hunter's Off-road/Overland/Expo Trailer Build

***Update***

Current state of my build.



I recently acquired this trailer and I'm planning to turn it in to an off-road/overland/expo build.

It has a 2000 lb axle and the box is 58x38 (roughly 3x5). As you can see it has a ramp-like overhang off the rear. It doesn't extend much lower than what you can see in the picture. I'm worried about the departure angle, what do you guys think? I could cut it off or I could cut it off, flip it upside down and reattach it. Or I could leave it. Thoughts?

I welcome any other suggestions, feedback, etc. I'm really looking forward to getting started and posting pics as I go.

 

I bet that sucker is hell to back up.

I say if you want the extra room in the trailer you could flip it.

 

Subbed to a good build

 

A few more pictures of the trailer as it sits. I have been super busy, but hoping to get started on the fab work within a couple of weeks. I'm trying to do this on a budget, so I'm planning to stick with the wheels that are on it, which are 15's. I think I'll have plenty of room to fit a 285/70r15 tire. I want to have the fab work and paint done by September if possible so I can pull it up to Alpine, AZ for my buddy's elk hunt.

 

I'd cut it and flip it.

 

A little plan of action I jotted down this evening. Feel free to chime in if I'm missing anything.

 

I made some solid progress this weekend. I picked up a $25 tire to replace one that wasn't holding air. My only goal was to get it to the shop for now, new tires will come later. Here it is hooked up before the work started.



I chopped the ramp on the back off and then pulled the tub off. The floor has some large holes cut in it so I decided to put a new floor in. I got lucky and scored a full sheet of 3/8 diamond plate steel from a family friend! Cut a piece to size with a plasma cutter and in it went.

Before the new floor was laid in.



After



I still have a good ways to go. New week I'll be sandblasting the diamond plate and the trailer and then welding in the floor. After that I'll start fab work on the new tub and rack. I decided I'm going to do aluminum side panels to keep weight down, and I'll be painting the inside with black Raptor liner, and the outside with white Raptor liner. More to come next weekend!

 

Looks like it's gonna be a sweet little trailer. I'd strongly recommend considering upgrading to a 3500# axle. If you're just hauling it around on the road you'll be fine with the axle that's on it but even on these small trailers the 2000# axles commonly fail offroad. I think the shock loads and general harder use they get offroad is just too much for them. I've seen several guys break spindles on their trailers with the smaller axle.

Just a thought. Axles are cheap so it shouldn't be to much trouble to swap it out.

Oh, and I agree with flipping the rear ramp.

 

Here are a couple of renderings I put together.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I've actually been considering that, but it may come after the build is wrapped up. I can't just "flip" the ramp liked I had hoped I could. It didn't work out like i'd thought it might. But I'm good with a 5 foot bed, so I just chopped off the ramp. Check out the renderings I put together and let me know what you think. My rising rack system is inspired by yours!

 

Made some good progress this weekend. Got the new floor welded in and built the frame for the box. I'm happy with how it's coming along!

 

looks good keep it up !!

 

Any updates? @AZ hunter

 

Made a TON of progress this weekend. Got the trailer skinned, built/mounted the bumper and tail gate, and added the platforms in front of and behind the fenders. I'm hoping that I'll have it finished with one more weekend of work, and then I'll spend labor day weekend prepping and painting. It's ugly as hell right now, so I'm looking forward to getting some paint on it, lol. Should be ready just in time for elk season!

 

Dang, I wanna do one of these really bad. I just don't really have a real use for it. looks good so far man! sub'd

 

Ok, big update...

I got some loose ends tied up with the trailer this weekend. I put brand new Laufenn 31x10.5R15s on, skinned the tailgate, and built the latches for it. It's now fully built minus the rack and the electrical. Some things have changed and I've decided to sell this project. Over Labor Day Weekend I'll be sandblasting it, seam-sealing everything, and then priming it so it will be ready for the new owner to paint it if they wish to do so. Once that stuff is complete I'll be officially listing it here and across the interwebs. I haven't settled on an asking price yet, but if you're immediately interested feel free to contact me with offers. I may consider trades for Taco parts or firearms (legal trades only). It is currently located in Willcox, AZ, about 80 miles east of Tucson.

I hate to sell this. I've had such a good time working on it and it's build like Fort Knox, but I just can't afford to finish it right now.

I chopped the excess fender off:


Tailgate latches: