First shot at an expo trailer

Adventure IQ

Explorer
This all new.... Never really built anything....in fact have just started to learn to wrench on my rig. Most of my mechanical abilities were in expo style mountain bikes (weeks on a mountain bike over trails).

I took an old trailer I had used when racing mountain bikes and decided to convert it to expo after I couldn't find an affordable M series trailer.

Using scrap wood, new welding skills, and free angle iron I have started the project. Having fun learning new skills and trying out new tools. Welding has been the biggest learning curve....

Started by pulling off the rotted bords on the floor. The railing had already been cut off when we were going to modify for a quad runner....

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I measured out a 4' x 4' box centered over the wheels, welded angle iron in place to hold the plywood, and bolted plywood in place

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Welded temporary light brackets on....lights will get moved to the tailgate later
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I got the hinges wrong....but learning, put a tailgate on it
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Tonight I need to figure out fenders....then a hinge set up for the top cover....


Agian....never built anything even close to this magnitude. I know it pales in comparission to thenother great projects on here....but never had an opportunity to learn when younger....so this is my self guided shop class....

Taking suggestions....
 

Adventure IQ

Explorer
Btw....the HF 90 amp welder is doing "ok". Its hard to weld with but I dont have a lot of cash to throw on a Lincoln rig....so doing what I can with this one on VERY limited (couple of weeks) of experience.
 

StumpXJ

SE Expedition Society
Kudos to you for jumping in and just doing it... you will learn the most that way.

~ Stump
 

skersfan

Supporting Sponsor
None of us knew what we were doing when we started. That is the way with life. Accept the challenge, you will be better for it, no matter what it is. You have a great start and all that is important is that it does what you need it to do. And trust me all of us here will help you in any way we can, never hesitate to ask.
 

loren85022

Explorer
Looks surprising similar to my first trailer. BEWARE: trailer build-up is a nasty addiction. My g/f would say it's more consuming than porn, crack or the ponies. Less harmful but nonetheless a never ending infatuation.


Welcome aboard!
 

Adventure IQ

Explorer
Thanks guys

Another night on the build....measure once....cut 23 times.....

Did a "do-over" on the floor....felt too weak so I doubled up my plyboard and braced it with 2x4s on the bottom....then got in and jumped up and down. Note....chalk the wheels when performing this test...not only does it slip out and cause you to fall....but makes for an exciting ride DOWN the drive way! Post work traffic in my subdivision was not nearly as thrilled about the ride as I was.
 

Adventure IQ

Explorer
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added some scrap sheet metal I found today for siding

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. And after last nights excitement while I was playing a floundering Ben Hurr in a chariot race gone bad....I added chocks
 

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