Harbor Freight Trailer Build/Idea

im ready to see some progress pics!!!

 

Coming right up! It was sunny and 50+ degress today, couldnt pass up trying to finish the trailer!

 

So i planned on bolting down the e-track at 5-hole intervals. Im a dummy and didnt measure it out right so every other drilled hole ended up too close to a cross support beam to screw a nut onto a bolt............

..... So i bolted down every 10, and used a little problem solving with #8 washers and rivets to plug the rest. Im pretty confident in its strength.

I cut out strips from a diamond-patterned rubber mat with adhesive backing to stick to the posts to cushion the metal-on-metal contact with the aluminum ramps/sidewall.

Here is a sidewall mounted up, i just passed a bolt through and used an aluminum bar as a bracket, the bar is just from Home Depot, cut with an angle grinder. You can see it bend into dimple a little, i might switch to a slightly thicker bar.

Next up was attaching the front and back cargo nets. Simply used a d-ring bracket with a few washers to add space since i could not find em large enough to fit the Safari Strap ring. The excess strap for adjusting up top will be secured with outdoor rated velcro loops.

Adding the Yakima rack system. Stock bolts that came in the #7 kit were too short, i opted to change the hardware from allen-head to hex-head while i was at it.....

..... To fit the new bolts i had to widen the top portion of the landing pad, so i used a 5/8ths wood-bit to accomplish this, i learned the hard way not to try and hold it firmly on a flat surface with one hand and drilling with the other the hard way, the clamp worked much better.

Teaser pic nearing completion, just popped in the e-track rings to see how they work, i like the system, pretty versatile! You can see the back Yakima bar mounted up.

 

I mocked up the Tool box, and while it looked good on the first build-up sans paint, with the flat black/OD green it looked quite out of place (and too big). So i went another route, ill post the final picture of the entire trailer when i mount the last bits, hopefully tommorow!

 

subd!

 

Here's some comparables:

$1800/585 lbs/1500 lb capacity
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200329599_200329599

$2700/585 lbs/1500 lb capacity capped model
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200633734_200633734

$3150/700 lbs/1500 lb capacity tent model
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200588488_200588488

 

sub'd...I don't know that I'll ever be able to afford one of these but I enjoy reading the ideas and seeing the workmanship people like yourself Op, put into these builds.

 

looking sweet brother

 

Thanks Augie, i appreciate the kind words!

 

Almost done! I am still looking for a better option with the front storage box, i left my options open by loctiting the bolts to the frame so they act like studs. I can run just the tongue plate, attach rings for securing something, or when i find the box i want i can just bolt it on! The bottom nuts act as a perfect spacer since the center spine is slightly higher than the side a-frame rails anways, win/win =)



Still need to secure the loose straps



Ill post up a final pic when its all said and done with the lights on and what not =D

 

lovin it

 

Thanks Reed!

 

Great job.

 

Definitely an inspiration for another build/project of mine. My wife is gonna hate me, lol
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Looks bad ass man. Great job i have been thinking of building something like this as well since i do alot of hiking and camping

 

Awesome build man. ​

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I do not have a Garage unfortunately, so i made a little modification to the fence in front of my carport to fit the Trailer. As you can see the tongue goes a little past the fence, so accomodations were made =D

Removed panel, screwed in new brackets, so panel slides into place

I cut a small panel out to fit the remaining part of the tongue that sticks out

On the backside i installed four Window Bolts to hold the panel in place when the trailer is not parked there.

 

Only consideration that im thinking about in regards to the fence is whether or not to shave the top of the small panel.

It's either flush clean look when trailer is out and uneven on the bottom like it is when its parked.....
Or flush clean look when trailer is parked and 3" gap when its out.....

Think as of right now id rather the clean look when its out, seeing as that means im likely gone and would prefer not to leave any hints about the panel modification.