My Latest Build - Small Expedition Trailer for $500

[UKCRD]

Just spent Easter building this and I'm pleased with the result. I set a very small budget of $500 as this is not something I'll use daily but it's already done a couple of trips and it's been brilliant to have along. I blogged the build here:

http://4wdx.com/a-functional-expedition-trailer-for-under-500-can-it-be-done/

and here I installed on-board water:

http://4wdx.com/on-board-water-tank-for-the-expedition-trailer/

 

[UKCRD]

Here's the water tank installed:

The bracket allows the front to drop down and the tank slides out but the trailer can also be tipped backwards which allows the tank to be 3/4 filled without removal.

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Hello Duncan,

Nice in many ways. Just one thing I would have done different. The Water tank, as when you are off road, you will go into mud and rocks and then that spot is a bit tricky.
See my little adventure

If I had a water tank down there, it would have been gone. Or damaged.
Advice, make it not that deep, get two and put them between the wheels and above the axle.

I love the rack. And the Jerry can.

Greetings from Robert

 

[UKCRD]

Cheers Robert!! Yes, I did think about that. My plan is if we're off-road in rough terrain or deep mud etc.. I'll just take it off and pop it in the trailer or on the rack. Very few of our trips will take us into that kind of terrain, though, so for the most part it should work fine. I'd originally thought of mounting a much slimmer and longer unit but the expense would have been ten times more and this was very much meant to be about keeping the costs down to a minimum whilst building something functional. The good thing is the bracket is fastened using 4 wing nuts and can be removed in less than a minute.

Looks like you were heading through a ploughed field in the pic!!

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

Yes, it was a farmers road, but ploughed with the rest of the field. So we had to turn. And I thought I could make it. Forgetting to put in the difflock and that I was towing the trailer.
Both mistakes did us get sunk in very very deeply.
At the end we needed the winch, Sand Tracks (sand ladders) snatch block and more to get us out. Our bumper died there. But will be revived.
Lucky me I had the General Grabber AT2 tyres on the trailer. Otherwise it would have been sunk in more deeply as it was now.
Well you can see it all in my little video I put in my report.

Yes, your comment make sence. For me it wouldnt be a option, as I will go were ever I like and the trailer has to follow. That is why I made it with a longer arm and bigger wheels.

Still liking yours much.

Greetings from Robert

 

[UKCRD]

Yeah, I wanted to put on a new axle and the same wheels as the Jeep but with this budget it was never going to happen. That said, I may well get round to that next year. I have a few ideas I'd like to do but I promised the wife $500 and a week of evenings to build this one so that's what she got! LOL! What's the saying? "Slowly slowly catchee monkey" or something like that..

 

[expeditionnorth]

nice looking trailer & a good read, thanks

not to sound rude, my only concern is that small support tire that hangs underneath

can or does it swing up out of the way by any chance?

 

[SLO Rob]

@mike That's a very cool lil trailer! I bet you don't even feel it back there. Nice!

 

[UKCRD]

nice looking trailer & a good read, thanks

not to sound rude, my only concern is that small support tire that hangs underneath

can or does it swing up out of the way by any chance?

Mike, when you hook the trailer to a vehicle that wheel just lifts up and out of the way.

 

[UKCRD]

Just installed the $28 webbing cargo net. Absolutely great kit and did exactly what I wanted it to.

http://4wdx.com/1-webbing-cargo-net-for-expedition-trailer/

 

[Cappy410]

Slap some 33's on that trailer! @administrator

 

[UKCRD]

LOL! I may well do eventually but probably not until next year now.

 

[Jorrie]

Good build. I like that you kept it nice and flat. Had a few calls with large trailers and angles. Verry impressive!!

 

[Adventure Bully Rig]

Nicely done!

 

[Bouncer]

This being a few years old now I'm curious how its holding up, but since your last log in was over a year and a half ago I assume that's not something we will find out.