"Reacher"; A multi-purpose trailer build from Nerve Foundry by Spvrtan

I posted a while back about starting a build for a trailer design that I think is extremely unique and -- from my research across American and Australian trailer companies -- hasn't been done before (ie. going to try and patent the concept if necessary). If all goes according to plan with the prototype, then hopefully I can market it and build these on the side as a hobby for supplemental income but I won't be quitting my job anytime soon.

Well, I finally got around to starting it two weeks ago on my spare time. I'll keep this thread updated as much as possible but feel free to follow along on Instagram: @nervefoundry.

As a precursor, I am just a dude with sub-amateur fabrication skills that likes to make shit. I'm mostly a keyboard warrior by day as a work-from-home full-time software engineer. To add, due to my love of making random shit, I also made a free web app a few months ago that helps people document their builds; check out my Tundra's build page here:
http://buildprint.io/builds/3.pluto?v=m

Goals:
- Handle real offroad abuse apart from dirt roads.
- Standing room yet low-profile to address wind resistance.
- Multiple functions, such as using it for camping, hauling things around town
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Solid construction and no fabrics to tear.
- Targeted toward the more "DIY" owner that wants to make the trailer "their own" via modular mounting options both inside and outside of the trailer.

The last item means that as a requirement the design has to be simple, strong, and spacious. The idea was, like the Go Fast Campers or Vagabond Outdoors truck campers, be an outdoors utility that can be taken anywhere yet withstand rugged abuse.

Amenities:
- Filtered water system inclusive of an interior sink and shower.
- Solar electric system.

I wanted to keep the trailer free of other items, such as a kitchenware, to keep costs low while letting people outfit those themselves; also will be minimal on excessive shelving/storage but modular add-ons are accounted for in the design.

Design:
- 5'x10' Enclosed box with swing down/up ramp/door.
- Steel frames and aluminum walls.
- Interior full-size bed roughly 5' wide and 6' long.
- Plenty of benches and tables inside (ie. rough sketch shows fitting 6-8 adults comfortably and based off me at 5'9" at 165lbs)
- Roof rack.
- Frame built out of structural shapes, such as channel, angle, and tee, for some weight savings but mostly to help with rust management.
- Tongue box with miniature roof rack ..though the electric system would take up most of the space.
- Water tanks under the frame.
- Optional interior storage boxes.
- Optional "slider" storage boxes.

The best part of my design will be unveiled in the future but it's hopefully patentable. Again, I haven't seen any trailers yet with my idea but there is one company that shares the general vision but are a step or two away. They were at Overland Expo West and seeing their trailer in person definitely gave me a boost of confidence in realizing my idea was very much possible.

Third-party products planned:
- Timbren half-axles with electric brakes.
- AT Overland coupler

I plan on modifying the half-axles with a long-arm type augmentation with optional dampening shocks for more clearance, travel, and handling boosts.

The prototype will be a little "extra" compared to what a basic version of the trailer might be because it's going to be pulled by my Tundra that's on 40s. So, naturally, the trailer will have matching 40s.

For those curious about my Tundra; check out my Instagram: @spvrtan

 

Current state of the frame..

 

Looks impressive so far! What welder?

 

Not to many people garage built trailers use C channels but all the commercial trailers are C frame. I like the C channel and angle iron spacing should save quiet a bit of weight but still strong. What welder do you use?

 

Hobart 210MVP w/ 75/25 gas.

 

Yea, typically channel saves weight but I think I'm at roughly the same as tubing or maybe only slightly less because I'm using thicker channel. The main reason I went with channel was because it makes rust management easier and running hoses/wires nicer, too. I'm using a Hobart 210MVP w/ 75/25 gas.

 

My brother runs around in "Black Pearl The Tundra" and have been telling him to build a trailer for awhile now. Base camp off roading vs lugging around all that weight.

 

I'm loving this already!

 

Making progress on my trailer:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpASOfjHH-H/?utm_source=ig_embed

 

I was originally wanting to do aluminum for the whole cab but now I think I'm just going to do a hybrid approach. The top half will be aluminum for weight savings and durability since it also functions as the outer shell when closed. The bottom half will be plywood for durability, and strength but also because it can easily be replaced or modified (ie. drilling holes into it for some future additions).

Now I need to figure out what type of plywood to get. For the sizes, I'm thinking 3/4" thick for the floor and 1/4" thick for the walls. I was going to seal the wood but need to figure out what to use for that, too. The floor piece is going to be covered in rolled truck bed liner on the inside. I think for the underside of the floor I'm just going to coat it with some truck underside liner (ie. that rubber stuff).

 

Trailer progress update via Instagram..

"The framing for the walls and lifting mechanism on the bottom half of the box are tacked in place now.

Also, swipe right for reference photos with me both beside and inside the trailer that'll show the size of it so far. Keep in mind that my trailer is on 40" tires whereas a current "industry standard" offroad trailer is typically on 33s or at most 35s.

The interior is going to have just the essentials -- electricity and water -- but be wildy versatile at the same time. In sleep mode it can fit up to 4 adults comfortably; in lounge mode it can fit up to 8 adults comfortably.

Oh, and.. it'll have a shower inside."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrRN_P5hwJj/