Trailer Build Idea and Sketch

[Hilldweller]

I'd love to hit the Lotto and buy a nice trailer but....

So I've been sketching and sketching for months. The most recent idea that I've come up with is a very simple plan:
two aluminum tool boxes (2' deep, 2' high, 3' wide) placed back to back on a ladder frame, opening fore and aft. Attached to the sides I'd hang two more boxes, 10"x10"x3' --- they'd act as part of the fender. Weld it all up, put it on a 3500-lb axle, match the wheels to my JK Wrangler. Add a basket on the tongue for jerry cans and cooler.
I'd still use my Columbia ground tent for now and add a RTT later as budget permits and convert one of the side boxes into a galley.

Here's my rookie sketch; looking for advice and sympathy.
I just spoke with a fabricator and they could build it in two weeks for $2200, including non-matching 32" wheels/tires. I'm trying to track down some take-off Sahara wheels...

[BIGdaddy]

sounds pretty good. i find no reason why a trailer needs to be hand-built to the the tune of 10 THOUSAND dollars, when someone could easily source premade containers and attach them to a ruggedly built base/frame, just as you are proposing.

why not make it modular? so that it can be reconfigured to actually do more than just carry a rtt and some rubbermaid action packers.? what about those of us who need a utility or ATV trailer sometimes too? why can't a trailer do all of it?

i think its stupid to have to have three trailers for three different purposes.

its just part of this community that a trailer HAS to cost an arm and a leg to be "quality" or "expo-rated".

why don't we have a friendly competition to build the most economical, flexible trailer that does all trailering duties well. at least it would be something different than being in the "have a 15,000.00 trailer club" or "not" crowd.

[Hilldweller]

Now ya done it...

Good idea though; maybe I'll make the containers removeable so I can use the frame for Home Depot duty...

[TheGillz]

sounds pretty good. i find no reason why a trailer needs to be hand-built to the the tune of 10 THOUSAND dollars, when someone could easily source premade containers and attach them to a ruggedly built base/frame, just as you are proposing.

why not make it modular? so that it can be reconfigured to actually do more than just carry a rtt and some rubbermaid action packers.? what about those of us who need a utility or ATV trailer sometimes too? why can't a trailer do all of it?

i think its stupid to have to have three trailers for three different purposes.

its just part of this community that a trailer HAS to cost an arm and a leg to be "quality" or "expo-rated".

why don't we have a friendly competition to build the most economical, flexible trailer that does all trailering duties well. at least it would be something different than being in the "have a 15,000.00 trailer club" or "not" crowd.

I can appreciate what you are saying, and it would certainly be inventive to have a multi-purpose trailer, but this community is about expedition travel, there isn't any section for utility trailers or ATV's.

Seems like you let some bitterness seep through in your post, and I don't understand why you are here if you don't like what people here value.

[Nuclear Redneck]

i find no reason why a trailer needs to be hand-built to the the tune of 10 THOUSAND dollars, when someone could easily source premade containers and attach them to a ruggedly built base/frame, just as you are proposing.

why not make it modular? so that it can be reconfigured to actually do more than just carry a rtt and some rubbermaid action packers.? what about those of us who need a utility or ATV trailer sometimes too? why can't a trailer do all of it?

As with many things in life there are compromises. Almost any purpose built tool will do a better job at the task it is designed to do than a multi-purpose tool. It is up to all of us to decide what compromises we are willing to make.

One of the main reasons I purchased an AT Chaser was that it was built to do just one thing and that is to support my travels. It does it very well. I like the fact that all it is for is traveling. I leave it loaded up and it is ready to go.

i think its stupid to have to have three trailers for three different purposes.

its just part of this community that a trailer HAS to cost an arm and a leg to be "quality" or "expo-rated".

I disagree with you on this. I think that most of us would rather have a guy who enjoys overland travel in a old 2wd Chevy with backpacking gear than an armchair warrior who owns the latest toys and never goes out in to the wild.

All of us here have budget limits, we all make choices about what we chose to spend our money on. Some people chose to spend their money on a trailer rather than spending their time building one. There is a cost to your time.

why don't we have a friendly competition to build the most economical, flexible trailer that does all trailering duties well. at least it would be something different than being in the "have a 15,000.00 trailer club" or "not" crowd.

I would love to hear or see what you build. A modular trailer may be exactly what works for you and it might inspire others.

Cheers,

[CapelConcepts]

Hilldweller,
I think your trailer is a great idea! I definitely believe that a good quality trailer can be built on the cheap (parts wise) with lots of good planning. I really like the idea of using pre-existing boxes as your storage units...I've actually been designing a similar trailer myself. Good luck on the build and keep us updated.

Nuclear Redneck,
Very well put that a modular trailer (like anything "multi purpose") is a compromise or series of compromises. I was also really happy that someone pointed out the fact that your time should be worth something! I'm constantly trying to rationalize that to people. Even down to the little things like finding parts online....if you spend 2 or 3 hours finding the part to save $10, did you really save anything? Very well stated!

BIDdaddy,
I see your point with people spending way too much for certain things because they have the word "Expedition" in the name, but that is there choice. I believe there are couple of trailers on the market that are in the $5K range that are pretty nice and practical. I've even seen a couple of multi-purpose trailers like you are talking about...and I think they are in the same price range.

[kjp1969]

Good ideas.

Why not cut the backs out of the two 2x2x3 boxes so that you can stick long things all the way through, and wouldn't have to open the front door to access everything? Then you could also use a trailer tongue box up there.

Just for grins, you might work one or two thin, wide poly water tanks into the frame (like these http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=344)

I'd also go for 10x10x48 tool boxes to match the length of the main boxes- it would give a little more "military 101" look to the trailer.

I'd also think about a fuel tank of some kind, with a transfer pump, if you're into carrying extra fuel.

What kind of suspension do you have in mind?

[BIGdaddy]

Now ya done it...

Good idea though; maybe I'll make the containers removeable so I can use the frame for Home Depot duty...

why not? it'd be nice, too, if the trailer (god forbid) was damaged in an offroad accident, you could source a direct replacement, and just bolt it back on. It'd be just like a fender or windshield frame, [insert unboltable common part here] on a 4x4...

i've got a nice ute/military style trailer that i've been peering at ominously, so i'll post up any "nuggets of truth" i come up with..lol.

[BIGdaddy]

Good ideas.

Why not cut the backs out of the two 2x2x3 boxes so that you can stick long things all the way through, and wouldn't have to open the front door to access everything? Then you could also use a trailer tongue box up there.

Just for grins, you might work one or two thin, wide poly water tanks into the frame (like these http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=344)

I'd also go for 10x10x48 tool boxes to match the length of the main boxes- it would give a little more "military 101" look to the trailer.

I'd also think about a fuel tank of some kind, with a transfer pump, if you're into carrying extra fuel.

What kind of suspension do you have in mind?

this is a great idea.

[Hilldweller]

Good ideas.

Why not cut the backs out of the two 2x2x3 boxes so that you can stick long things all the way through, and wouldn't have to open the front door to access everything? Then you could also use a trailer tongue box up there.

Just for grins, you might work one or two thin, wide poly water tanks into the frame (like these http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=344)

I'd also go for 10x10x48 tool boxes to match the length of the main boxes- it would give a little more "military 101" look to the trailer.

I'd also think about a fuel tank of some kind, with a transfer pump, if you're into carrying extra fuel.

What kind of suspension do you have in mind?

You're reading my mind; get out!!!

I originally sketched it with the longer boxes over the wheels but switched to 36" for weight and price --- I figured I could add other touches as I go along.
I thought about an access door on the side of the big boxes, but that adds cost too; my alternative is to mount a length of big pvc with caps to carry tent-poles.

Suspension? Right now leaf and shock; nothing fancy.
I'm hoping to get some hand-me-downs from my friends in the Mini Cooper community; maybe some lightly used Bilsteins.

It's still developing; keep the ideas coming.

We're thinking of taking 3 weeks and heading to Hyder next year...