Trailer build project intro

[malenurse]

Hello campers, we are building a trailer for camping and out door stuff, and I wanted to start in intro to the project. I was gifted a welding trailer, and decided to convert it to a thing instead of a rooftop tent on the jeep for several reasons. This trailer will have storage, 30 amp hook up, ac/heat for extreme temps, hot water and storage. We decided to make an enclosed area to keep contact boxes, coolers and a grill in that could double as a sleep area if need be. I am repurposing a lot of stuff that I have in my connex and learning to weld along the way. I have an electric heater, a 5000 btu A/C unit, a 2.5 gallon hot water heater, contico boxes, a portable grille, some PVC storage kits, and several random LED lights and electronics floating around so the bulk of this build cost is metal and wood and the materials to put it where it needs to be. I have done a lift on the trailer and sourced new wheels and tires (with a spare) from FB Marketplace and with some help from my GF have been making good progress despite the world going nuts at the moment. The plan is to Raptor liner the box and to paint the frame work.... So this is where I am at now. I am waiting for the 30 gallon tank to get here now. We would like to be able to plug up at improved camp sites or run off a quiet generator if in a more rustic area. This isn't intended to be towed while doing major off roading, so I am not concerned about the added weight. We have the jeep, the scout, the titan and a few Honda 4x4s for the offloading part.

Thanks for looking and any input or lessons from experience are appreciated, happy camping!

 

[malenurse]

Of note, I built that 2x4 frame as a template/jig for the 1.5" box tubing that the subframe and the roof racks will mirror.

 

[malenurse]

Got a little work done today on prepping for a water tank in the frame. Also got the bike rack hitch bolted up...oh, and I worked on cleaning up one of the old metal fenders to be cut up and used as mud flaps.

 

[malenurse]

So I was able to get the frame cleaned up and coated and to find out that my water tank tray is too wide. So today I will be narrowing it, running trailer wires for subframe lights, mounting the reverse and "rock lights", and bolting the floor down. Time permitting I will start the frame for the box... Stay safe this weekend y'all!

 

[malenurse]

got a TON of progress done today while the lady was out trail riding with her brother... got the tank mounted, the plumbing jigged up, the rock lights wired about mounted, a lot of the other wiring done, the floor bolted down and most of the box frame done... man its time for a beer and a shower...

 

[malenurse]

Today I cleaned the shop, picked up the paneling for the walls and the roof, did some staining and prepped for tomorrow

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi,

Interesting project. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Bjoern

 

[malenurse]

got the main part of the box mounted today. just have to cut the windows, build the door and build the "dog box"... then glass and Rhino line the whole thing....

 

[malenurse]

Well I got a bit more work done. got the windows and the A/C unit test fitted and got the initial frame and first two layers of glass for the nose extension done. got a bit more work to do to that then I can glass the roof and prep for the raptor liner...

 

[malenurse]

I got the outer shell of the "fireplace" mocked up last night, today I'll glass it in and insulate it. Should be on track to spray the outside with Raptorliner this weekend.

 

[Prerunner1982]

Looks like a beefy trailer, but it is coming along nicely.

 

[malenurse]

Looks like a beefy trailer, but it is coming along nicely.

It’s actually super light, I move it around my hand.

Looks like a beefy trailer, but it is coming along nicely.

 

[malenurse]

Well... Long time no update... between fighting COVID and all of the other things that came along with it, the lady and I have been busy to say the least... but, I did get the trailer completed. After some trial and error and changing direction almost completely. But I am happy with how it has turned out, now to just get some more time to camp in the damn thing. I scrapped the box and went with a frame and a roof mounted tent. I also wired it's own battery and made the storage area lockable with bars. I was able to mount a spare and still have a receiver for my bike carrier. All in all we are very happy with the way it has turned out. Oh, and I got rid of that POS Titan...

 

[Gr8 Hortoni]

How high does the trailer deck sit off the ground and how high is your rack when it’s extended?

 

[malenurse]

How high does the trailer deck sit off the ground and how high is your rack when it’s extended?

I think that the deck is 38", but it has been a minute since I did that measurement. As for the rack, are you referring to the height for when the Kayak mounts are open or the rack itself? If its that latter, that is as high as that rack goes, I dont know an exact measurement but I would estimate about 76" no more than 80".

 

[Gr8 Hortoni]

I think that the deck is 38", but it has been a minute since I did that measurement. As for the rack, are you referring to the height for when the Kayak mounts are open or the rack itself? If its that latter, that is as high as that rack goes, I dont know an exact measurement but I would estimate about 76" no more than 80".

At first when I looked at it it looked like the tent rack extended, but now I think it’s just that the trailer is that high off the ground. Trying to decide which direction to go with a build and I really liked this. Simple yet effective. I like it. Thanks for the info.

 

[Gr8 Hortoni]

Just out of curiosity, what’s the rack dimensions?