T-Rey's Expedition Trailer Build

[T-Rey1]

I guess I can get around to my trailer build finally after reading so many awesome builds here. I was going to look for an old M416 and restore it, but after searching and what it was going to take I decided to look for new or used condition. There are many companies offering expedition trailers with a wide price range. I came across Ruger trailers on the internet and thought it was a good start. I got into contact with Steve from Ruger and he was very helpful. I decided to pull the trigger and buy from him. Steve was very helpful and getting me what I wanted. Here is the trailer when I got it
http://www.rugertrailers.com/



It had the 2 water cans, tongue rack, locking lid, LED lights and a 4 pin connector.

The first thing I did was change the hubs to 6 lug so I could get matching wheels to my Tacoma. The rims on it were 16" jeep rims. The axle is a 3500lb and easy to change the hubs out. Here it is with the Tacoma wheels. If anyone wants to do this the hubs are called idler hubs. I found a set on Ebay for $49. I only bought 1 as a spare. Steve had given me a set to change when I got the trailer home. This was one way I knew Steve and his trailer was an awesome choice



On to the RTT. I saw one of Steve's trailers with one mounted and that was exaclty what I wanted to do. I purchased the Thule roof rack kit and mounted the tracks to the lid of the trailer. I got a Mombassa RTT and mounted to the Thule foot pads and cross rails. Here it is mounted





Next thing I needed was some power for lights and phone charging. I purchased a battery box and a deep cycle battery. I mounted the battery to the front rack between the 2 water cans



I purchased an inverter and had it on the battery box when I used it



This set up worked, but was also work to set it up. I wanted something more permanent so I purchased a tongue box from Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/231-cu-ft-steel-trailer-tongue-box-61602.html
I mounted the inverter and battery inside of it. This worked out much better. I also changed the 4 pin for a 7 pin connector. This way I get charging voltage from the factory tow harness when in tow





After looking through other post I saw where a member had mounted his kayak next to his RTT. When I saw it I was like what an awesome idea. Here I go looking on how to do mine. I found longer Thule cross bars (65")
http://www.amazon.com/Thule-LB65-Ro...=1407344332&sr=8-10&keywords=thule+cross+bars
I off set the RTT to fit the kayak. I bought a set of J-Cradles from a friend and mounted them. Here is is with the kayak mounted

 

[Xrunner]

Looks great! Did you get the expedition frame upgrade? After using your setup is there anything you would have ordered different on the trailer itself?

 

[T-Rey1]

2013 Trips with the trailer

I took the trailer on some of it's first excursions. First was the Lonestar Jamboree in Gilmer texas
http://www.lonestartoyotajamboree.com/
Having a trailer with RTT is very nice and easy to use. Even the wife was please with the set up.







Awesome event put on by some awesome people.

the second trip was to Colorado for FJ Summit
http://www.fjsummit.org/
This was the furthest and longest I towed and stayed in the trailer. 6 days and 2,000 miles. trailer pulls awesome and sometimes I forget it's back there



View attachment 239241

Third one was to New Mexico and TOTH

 

[T-Rey1]

I have the standard frame. The only thing I would change is not getting it sooner. I have been very happy with it and get many compliments.

 

[Dennx]

Congrats. Ruger makes great looking trailers.

 

[T-Rey1]

Thanks. Yes they do

 

[T-Rey1]

Water Jugs

So having 2 water jugs is great, but having to remove one every time to pour water got old fast. Got this idea from another member. Added a spout and laid one of the holders on its side. I got the spout here
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/col...d-26081?N=933739030+10001&Ntt=coleman&Ntk=All
Just drilled a hole and tightened it up. Works very well and allot more useful now.

 

[T-Rey1]

On-Board Water

I was walking around northern tool one day and saw a sale on some 10 gallon ATV sprayers. I thought this would make a good set up for my trailer so I purchased it.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578542_200578542
That is regular price. Still not a bad deal

Here it is for the first run in the trailer. I just laid it in there and was held in place by my totes.



It was nice to have this, but again it could be easier to use. I also wanted a more stable way to secure the tank. I had extra pieces of wood laying around and made a platform to hold the tank I also do not want to make lots of holes in the trailer so I wanted to secure it using existing holes from the water jug holders. Here is what I came up with









Now that that is done I need to get water without having to open the lid of the trailer so a quick trip to Lowes and installed this



Ran the wire to the battery and left the switch on. The pump shuts off automatically when at certain pressure so easy to use. I bought a garden hose and sprayer nozzle and good to go.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_417888-1596...e&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=garden+hose&facetInfo=

This hose is easier than a 50' but nees to be stored and space is a premium in the trailer. I thought about one of these, but when you are using it that is 50' of hose you have to keep out.
http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Hose-6...F8&qid=1407431642&sr=8-1&keywords=pocket+hose

 

[ikk]

I had one of those pocket hoses. didn't last to long, started to leak where the connector met with the hose in about a month. Now I was using house pressure so maybe with the pressure that sprayer creates you may not have a problem. Do you use the water in the sprayer to drink or just to clean with? Not sure if that plastic is suitable for drinking.

 

[T-Rey1]

Good to know on the hose. No drinking water in the tank. I only use it for washing and cleaning. I keep drinking water in the 2 jugs

 

[EMrider]

Good looking trailer and very helpful to see these build pics and details.

Thanks.

R

 

[T-Rey1]

Found more pics of the trailer when it was new

 

[T-Rey1]

New RTT

My RTT is a Mombasa expedition series tent and was a good tent. A friend of mine purchased a trailer that came with a Tepui RTT so he sold me his Mombasa overland series tent with the annex. I like this one much better and the ability to have the annex. Even wothout the additional changing room it is better to have the door hidden instead of beinf in the open like my old RTT



Here is when the trailer stays at home or I am just going for an overnighter

 

[T-Rey1]

Family vacation in my Ruger

Here is a link to the thread of my vacation
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/131179-2014-Family-Road-Trip?p=1660907#post1660907

 

[T-Rey1]

Put Some Work In

So since my trailer is parked outside it is always exposed to the elements. That being said it was time for some maintenance work. There were spots I notices rust and didn't want it to get any worse. I also wanted to add a box for my water heater and better use of the tongue rack. I so I pulled it into the garage and tore into it. I removed the tongue box, fenders, lid to prep surface. There were a couple of spots where the rust was under the paint so that had to be taken all the way down to bare metal. I used a Valspar spray paint that was almost a perfect match to the original color. Once everything was painted I mounted the tongue rack and used the 2 water can holders as a base for the battery box. For the main box support I used heavy duty shelf brackets bolted to the front of the trailer. I also moved the propane holder to the front of the trailer. I also remade the shelf of my water tank which was just something that annoyed me about my first design. I am very happy with the way it turned out and look brand new again. These Ruger trailers are very tough and easy to work on. Still need to finish the water heater box, but just about there.

Prepped for paint


Side view of the battery box support and water can holders


Front view


Side View


Back View