ROAM 1

[Caddis]

I have a feeling that my trailer will be like the Winchester Mansion (It'll never really be finished).

 

[Overland California]

Slower is better, it lets you be more thorough and thoughtful on the small stuff. I wish I had more time to work through some of my little details that popped up on me and I just blasted through to meet my deadline.

The most common complaints I’m finding myself wish I would have spent more time on is regarding day to day packing and unpacking. The kitchen slide out is great, could be more optimized with another drawer, but it’s close. The rear area however is a lot of unloading and reloading. We have a huge 70q ice chest and we’re using 7 gallon water jugs. A slide out refrigerator/ ice chest would be awesome as well as an onboard water tank. Just those two things would simplify a lot of moving stuff.

Other than that, everything is pretty good. Paint and bed liner haven’t held up perfectly, as to be expected. I guess you get what you pay for with paint.

Seems like those are easy changes after your trip. Glad to hear its working out well though.

 

[Etoimos]

Very nice build. I wish I had the fab skills to do something like this.

 

[Junktj]

Awesome trailer, and very well done build!

You should be proud of your work, and hope you enjoy it for many years to come...

 

[pyrotyro]

Seems like those are easy changes after your trip. Glad to hear its working out well though.

Yup, no problem!

Very nice build. I wish I had the fab skills to do something like this.

Thanks! Its not rocket surgery, just some practice and a lot of winging it!

Awesome trailer, and very well done build!

You should be proud of your work, and hope you enjoy it for many years to come...

Thank you, it is extra special traveling around with something I made myself. Hopefully it holds up for many years haha

 

[pyrotyro]

Some more camp photos for ya.

Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk

 

[Etoimos]

Thanks! Its not rocket surgery, just some practice and a lot of winging it!

This past fall we bought a new place that has a really nice shop for me to work in and a buddy gave me an old welder. So I guess it is really just a matter of teaching myself how to weld and to weld good enough to trust it going down the trails! So practice time is what would probably be the hardest for me come by right now. If you don't mind me asking (you can PM the answer if you prefer), roughly how much money do you have invested in your home built trailer?

 

[pyrotyro]

This past fall we bought a new place that has a really nice shop for me to work in and a buddy gave me an old welder. So I guess it is really just a matter of teaching myself how to weld and to weld good enough to trust it going down the trails! So practice time is what would probably be the hardest for me come by right now. If you don't mind me asking (you can PM the answer if you prefer), roughly how much money do you have invested in your home built trailer?

Didnt add it all up. But almost 1k in metal, and almost that again into the rest (axle, suspension, hitch, lights, etc etc). Thats not including wheels, tires, tent, battery because I re-used all that stuff.

 

[Etoimos]

Didnt add it all up. But almost 1k in metal, and almost that again into the rest (axle, suspension, hitch, lights, etc etc). Thats not including wheels, tires, tent, battery because I re-used all that stuff.

Thanks. I'd be able to reuse most of those items as well (minus wheels and tires). My biggest concern is getting the frame and axle all squared up. My step-brother runs a welding school down in OK, I might hit him up to build the frame and then I could weld all the vertical and sub sections up.

 

[Caddis]

These are some great pictures!

 

[Etoimos]

View attachment 46310

How are the steps in front of your side door/slides working out? Do they get in your way some times?

 

[pyrotyro]

Thanks. I'd be able to reuse most of those items as well (minus wheels and tires). My biggest concern is getting the frame and axle all squared up. My step-brother runs a welding school down in OK, I might hit him up to build the frame and then I could weld all the vertical and sub sections up.

Yea, getting square is fun. Maybe if he could help you with that? Its a great learning experience!

How are the steps in front of your side door/slides working out? Do they get in your way some times?

Steps are great. Nice to have a little extra horiz space for setting beers and what not. But they are perfect for stepping on to do the tent. Cant say they were ever in the way.

These are some great pictures!

Thanks! Your trailer is coming along nicely!

 

[Etoimos]

Thanks for the step info.

My step-brother lives about 15 hours from me, so just helping out is not much of an option :(

 

[Caddis]

Thanks. Just need to find some extra time to finish it. I did find a place that will powder coat it for $450.