Starting my build, from jet ski to expo trailer

[jeepjunky]

Just found the Expedition Portal today. Awesome site guys/gals. I’ve wanted one of these little trailers for some time now. I decided to start the build today! The plan is to build it with little to no cost. Now I know what you are thinking, little to no cost??? Yes I will spend money, there is no way around it, I just want to see how inexpensive I can go...without it looking like it.
So far I think I’m off to a good start, I got a trailer FREE! It’s a little smaller than I wanted but it was FREE. It was a single Jet Ski trailer. The box area measures 36" long x44" wide. Yep it’s small! I’m planning on using a standard sized Colman 2 person tent (about $40.00) they measure 5x7. I just need to build a box...time to go to Menards. I’ve got to run my daughter to an activity, so Ill post a pick of the trailer when I get
Cost to date:
Trailer - FREE
Trailer lights - 19.99
License - 29.00 but really I would have to do that anyway so it don’t count

[jeepjunky]

Ok here is a pic of what I'm starting with. I spent about an hour in Menards and was fairly disappointed. One option was to use wood. But I don’t want to worry about rot and water damage. So I looked at composite decking; it’s too expensive and I don’t like the wood grain look. Next I looked at gorilla racks frames; they are close to the right size only 17" deep I'm wanting 24", powder coated, and inexpensive ($30-40) to build the two side walls. I’ll wait till tomorrow to price bulk metal before I commit to anything. Any ideas?
PICT0009.jpg

[skersfan]

I am not sure of how trail worthy the base unit it. Need more pictures of the actual frame. Awfully long tongue and does not look to be 2.5x2.5 reciever material. Show us more.

[Mark Harley]

Head to the Tractor supply or Farm and fleet to see what boxes they sell
or order the sheet steel and bend it yourself. I would shorten the tongue a couple inches too.
It looks like a nice start. junk yards and metal recyclers are our friends.
Check there for build ideas.

[jeepjunky]

Well I spent the last couple of days looking at things I could "convert" to work. Then I priced the steel to build what "WILL" work. I just spent $84.54 on 3- 20'x1"x1"x1/8" square tube and 1- 20'x1"x1"x1/8" angle. That price is for all the metal + tax AND delivery to the house That will build the frame. I will still have to skin it and put a floor in it. As soon as its delvered and I start fabbing Ill take and post pics.
Cost to date:
Trailer - FREE
Trailer lights - $19.99
metal for frame - $84.54

Total - $104.53

[jeepjunky]

I must ask, when I set the box on my trailer how should I center it? Ive modified my original plans, itd going to be 48" deep instead of the 36" that the trailer is. So should I have the box overhang the trailer 1' per end (front and back) thus centering the axle to the box. Or, am I ok to have the box overhang the front 2' and the rear end with the trailer frame?
Thanks

[jeepjunky]

So I got the frame work and tailgate built. 24" is a little taller than I expected. But it will work fine. I still need to finish the hinges for the tailgate and the tailgate chains. I also need to put the floor and side skins on/in. any ideas on how long or short I should make the tongue?
PICT0012.jpgPICT0013.jpg

[jeepjunky]

itd going to be 48" deep instead of the 36" that the trailer is. So should I have the box overhang the trailer 1' per end (front and back) thus centering the axle to the box. Or, am I ok to have the box overhang the front 2' and the rear end with the trailer frame?
Thanks

Ok so I cant do simple math. Well actually I can. the trailer is 36" deep, When I posted this I was planning on making the box 60" not 48" thus the 2' overhang question. However when I did my measurements I got 48" stuck in my head. So my trailer is now 48." The idea was that the tent being 60" wide I would make the trailer 60" deep. So since I screwed up my measurement Ill need to figure out how to origomy my tent base to fit the lid.

[jeepjunky]

Well all I did today was drag the trailer around and get bids for the 16gauge walls. I was supposed to get a call back today for the final bid, I think it came out to $40.00 for the metal and $8.00 to cut it but I don’t know what the programming fee is for the CNC cutter. My other bid was for the same metal but to shear it...$160.00...ouch...funny both places buy there metal from the same supplier.
I did prime and paint the trailer today. Nothing fancy just semi-gloss black. I bought 2 cans of paint, and had 1/2can of paint and primer left-over from another project.
Cost to date:
Trailer - FREE
Trailer lights - $19.99
Metal for frame - $84.54
Paint - $7.54

Total - $112.07

[bunger]

You're doing good so far at keeping the costs down.
I have spent about $500 on my "free" trailer so far and I'm only about half done with the build.

Good luck