Contributor I
Overland Trailers
- Thread starter Steve
- Start date
Pathfinder III
He guys/girls i am building a overland trailer. Now my question is a single axle the way to go or is a dubble axle also a way for offroad trailers?
Advocate III
Pathfinder III
Yes i am not here for the easy questions hahaha
Member III
How big is this trailer going to be? Most I've seen are single axle unless you're building something huge.
Pathfinder III
It
It is a narrow track trailer. Europe mountain streets ar narrow. So i can only get a 750kg braked axle and i got a replacement axle so i thought about putting the second one under it, aslo for stabillety resons
The only reason for tandem axles is for load capacity. A single axle will always out manouver a tandem. And a single axle offers less rolling resistance too.
Stability is all about weight distribution.
I drove this for 4 years, 50K miles a year, it handled like a sports car. I love single axle trailers.
Stability is all about weight distribution.
I drove this for 4 years, 50K miles a year, it handled like a sports car. I love single axle trailers.
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Enthusiast II
Enthusiast II
We have been working on our camping trailer for a couple years. It's gone through a couple rebuilds. We started with a standard M101a2 that a friend gave to me. It had the canvas top and we slept on the floor in sleeping bags inside. Phase 1
Phase 2, built benches inside, moved the roof top tent to the trailer and learned how to store more stuff.
Took a trip, learned a lot. Found out wife wasn't too fond of the canvas cover.
Phase 3, A little post about the rebuild on facebook
Hard camper top, subfloor, hidden storage, electric slide for camping stove, slide out for stove video
Built on board 32 gallon water tank with Propane heated water source, built alumiunum 25 gallon fuel cell, separate battery system, 63 qt Element ARB fridge on slide, Generac 3000w inverter generator on slide, added CB and handheld radio to keep in touch with Jeep out on trails, and a RV AC/heater unit that feeds the trailer and the RTT. I added stabilizers to the sides of the trailer and a nifty jack and wheel combo for the tongue. The Rhino Rack Batwing added some extra shade too. We have added some lights on the outside to give some assistance when walking around at night, a reverse light and a third brake light for the trailer
Phase 2, built benches inside, moved the roof top tent to the trailer and learned how to store more stuff.
Took a trip, learned a lot. Found out wife wasn't too fond of the canvas cover.
Phase 3, A little post about the rebuild on facebook
Hard camper top, subfloor, hidden storage, electric slide for camping stove, slide out for stove video
Built on board 32 gallon water tank with Propane heated water source, built alumiunum 25 gallon fuel cell, separate battery system, 63 qt Element ARB fridge on slide, Generac 3000w inverter generator on slide, added CB and handheld radio to keep in touch with Jeep out on trails, and a RV AC/heater unit that feeds the trailer and the RTT. I added stabilizers to the sides of the trailer and a nifty jack and wheel combo for the tongue. The Rhino Rack Batwing added some extra shade too. We have added some lights on the outside to give some assistance when walking around at night, a reverse light and a third brake light for the trailer
Enthusiast II
Enthusiast III
- 1,127
- First Name
- Tim
- Last Name
- Reyes
- Member #
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5320
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- N2BBT / K4OPX
- Service Branch
- US Army Ranger
Enthusiast III
First run with my new rack build. Worked great!
Attachments
Enthusiast III
- 1,127
- First Name
- Tim
- Last Name
- Reyes
- Member #
-
5320
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- N2BBT / K4OPX
- Service Branch
- US Army Ranger
So, I couldn't find a good truck so it looks like SUV it is; so now I want a trailer. I want something like the renowned M416/M101CDN2 Military Light Trailer but I don't want to spend the 6000$ plus dollars for a remake or the 2000 to 3000 or more for an original. I was thinking I can buy a 4'x6' trailer frame good for 1850lbs for about 900$ what can I use for a tub? I was thinking about bolting a 4'x6' fish try or agriculture tub to the frame adding some cleets and calling it done. Thing is I cannot find anything like that. What are my other options aside from buying something like a Manley or trying to buy and restore an original Jeep/Iltis Trailer? FYI I am a little handy but I got no tools or a place to work so less DIY fabricating and more DIY bolt-on and done is better for me.
Member III
I think this might be your best bet if wanting the old military trailer look. I still don't really know the difference between the two (I've never asked them).
www.kaiserwillys.com
www.kaiserwillys.com
You still need to get a suspension for it (not too expensive), and an axle. Springs are easy to find (I think they originally used WWII Jeep front springs), and you can get them in a stock height, or a lifted height. Getting an axle isn't a bad thing; you can get one to your exact specs (width, bolt pattern, with/without brakes, etc.).
They also sell just the tub:
www.kaiserwillys.com
These tubs measure essentially 40" wide by 72" long.
One thing about these military tubs (repro's or originals) is that they aren't that tall (about 18"). A lot of folks go to great lengths (and expense) to get a lid made for them.
I had my tub made by Diamond Deluxe, and the tub they built me was about 27" tall, with a hinged lockable lid to my specs.. It was made out of aluminum diamond plate. For the frame I used a modified Harbor Freight frame.
Link:
You might get lucky finding an old military trailer reasonably priced and in good shape, but if you find one cheap, a lot of time you're dealing with rust, and you still generally will be swapping out the springs, axle, and rewiring it. Costs will add-up.
Before you go spending a lot of time and money on a trailer, read this thread. It is a long read, but when you're done, you should be able to build your own little trailer for a lot less than it would cost to buy one already made. And it will be made to your specs and needs. Don't think a trailer built off a HF frame isn't tough-enough. Mine has lots of thousands of miles on it, and a lot of that was overlanding.
Complete Trailer Assembly Kit Fits 41-45 MB, GPW
New Reproductions Complete Trailer Assembly Kit (with chassis)Original thickness steel assembly with fender wells. Great additional to your military or civilian vehicle. Comes painted in primer.Kit includes:MB Trailer Assembly with ChassisMB Trailer Eye LunetteMB Trailer Leg SupportMB Trailer...
Trailer Assembly (with chassis) Fits 41-45 MB, GPW
New Reproductions Trailer Assembly (with chassis)Original thickness steel assembly with fender wells. Great additional to your military or civilian vehicle. Comes painted in primer.Fits:41-45 MB41-45 GPWNote:Ships truck freight.
You still need to get a suspension for it (not too expensive), and an axle. Springs are easy to find (I think they originally used WWII Jeep front springs), and you can get them in a stock height, or a lifted height. Getting an axle isn't a bad thing; you can get one to your exact specs (width, bolt pattern, with/without brakes, etc.).
They also sell just the tub:
Trailer Assembly (without chassis) Fits 41-45 MB, GPW
Trailer Assembly (without chassis) Fits 41-45 MB, GPW | Kaiser Willys
These tubs measure essentially 40" wide by 72" long.
One thing about these military tubs (repro's or originals) is that they aren't that tall (about 18"). A lot of folks go to great lengths (and expense) to get a lid made for them.
I had my tub made by Diamond Deluxe, and the tub they built me was about 27" tall, with a hinged lockable lid to my specs.. It was made out of aluminum diamond plate. For the frame I used a modified Harbor Freight frame.
Link:
You might get lucky finding an old military trailer reasonably priced and in good shape, but if you find one cheap, a lot of time you're dealing with rust, and you still generally will be swapping out the springs, axle, and rewiring it. Costs will add-up.
Before you go spending a lot of time and money on a trailer, read this thread. It is a long read, but when you're done, you should be able to build your own little trailer for a lot less than it would cost to buy one already made. And it will be made to your specs and needs. Don't think a trailer built off a HF frame isn't tough-enough. Mine has lots of thousands of miles on it, and a lot of that was overlanding.
Mini Harbor Freight (type) Trailer Ultimate Build-Up Thread - JeepForum.com
Lets face it, there's only so much you can fit in the back of a Jeep, even with the rear seat removed. Some folks get pretty creative with Rubbermaid
www.jeepforum.com
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Pathfinder I
- 2,271
- First Name
- Black
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- Tan
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2385
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- Boys brigade
up date on my trailer. , build on going after finishing my campervan build BnT
