Jerkeejoe
Member
So I decided to build myself a trailer to pull behind my tundra and thought I'd document the process and expense here.
I checked out about 350,000,000 pictures of different trailers online and started to get an idea of what I want. I will be pulling the trailer off-road pretty frequently, but will likely not do any extreme off-roading with it. It will mostly be for camping and hunting with my family and friends. Honestly, I'm building it as much because I like building things as because I really want a trailer.
After looking for a while I decided on some basic criteria. The frame would be 4'x8' and would include a 1' fuel storage rack in front of the box, which would be 4' wide by 7' long by 4' tall; I'd use the same tires as are on my truck: Cooper STT Pro 295 75 18; I'd use a Timbren axleless suspension; the trailer will have a top rack to accommodate our RTT. And I decided on a basic shape. That's it. I figure I'll kind of wing it from there.
I took to my trusty iPad to do some initial drawings and came up with the attached drawings. I settled on 2x2x1/8 square tube for the main frame and 2.5x2.5x.25 square tube for the tongue and tongue supports.
Next step was purchasing steel, ordering suspension parts, and ordering wheels and tires. I had about 500 questions about the Timbren fitment, install, compatability, etc. so i called and spoke with a very helpful and knowledgeable tech who gave me the correct part number I needed. I also had to do some research and look around to find out how to be able to use my 5x150 lug pattern tundra wheels on a trailer. I found out I'd have to use an adapter, so I ordered the appropriate adapter from USAdapters after a quick and painless call explaining what I'm looking for.
Here is the parts list so far (with eTrailer.com parts numbers):
-Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System - 4" Lift Spindle - Regular Tires - 3,500 lbs - Item # ASR3500S06
-Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 3,500-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 - Item # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K
-Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs - Item # AKEBRK-35R-SA
-Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs - Item # AKEBRK-35L-SA
I got the following wheels for really cheap on closeout from tirerack.com so I went with them. I wanted a decent positive offset to keep the wheels as close to the trailer body as possible given the need for the adapter which will add 1.25" to the wheel setup.
https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=3948950MF30BMF&wheelMake=Granite+Alloy&wheelModel=GV4&wheelFinish=Machined+w/Black+Accent&showRear=no&autoMake=Toyota&autoModel=Land+Cruiser&autoYear=2017&autoModClar=
As I sit here today typing this and awaiting delivery of parts, I'm still not sure that the suspension, hubs, brakes, spacers, and wheels and tires will all work together. Trying to figure all those things out without any experience with trailer builds and without any ability to be hands on before ordering was more difficult than passing the bar exam.
That's it for now. The steel is sitting in my garage and I'm going to start cutting and welding the frame components tonight. I'll post some update pics tomorrow.
Costs:
Suspension/hubs/brakes - $860
Wheels - $215
Steel - $250
I checked out about 350,000,000 pictures of different trailers online and started to get an idea of what I want. I will be pulling the trailer off-road pretty frequently, but will likely not do any extreme off-roading with it. It will mostly be for camping and hunting with my family and friends. Honestly, I'm building it as much because I like building things as because I really want a trailer.
After looking for a while I decided on some basic criteria. The frame would be 4'x8' and would include a 1' fuel storage rack in front of the box, which would be 4' wide by 7' long by 4' tall; I'd use the same tires as are on my truck: Cooper STT Pro 295 75 18; I'd use a Timbren axleless suspension; the trailer will have a top rack to accommodate our RTT. And I decided on a basic shape. That's it. I figure I'll kind of wing it from there.
I took to my trusty iPad to do some initial drawings and came up with the attached drawings. I settled on 2x2x1/8 square tube for the main frame and 2.5x2.5x.25 square tube for the tongue and tongue supports.
Next step was purchasing steel, ordering suspension parts, and ordering wheels and tires. I had about 500 questions about the Timbren fitment, install, compatability, etc. so i called and spoke with a very helpful and knowledgeable tech who gave me the correct part number I needed. I also had to do some research and look around to find out how to be able to use my 5x150 lug pattern tundra wheels on a trailer. I found out I'd have to use an adapter, so I ordered the appropriate adapter from USAdapters after a quick and painless call explaining what I'm looking for.
Here is the parts list so far (with eTrailer.com parts numbers):
-Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System - 4" Lift Spindle - Regular Tires - 3,500 lbs - Item # ASR3500S06
-Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 3,500-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 - Item # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K
-Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs - Item # AKEBRK-35R-SA
-Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs - Item # AKEBRK-35L-SA
I got the following wheels for really cheap on closeout from tirerack.com so I went with them. I wanted a decent positive offset to keep the wheels as close to the trailer body as possible given the need for the adapter which will add 1.25" to the wheel setup.
https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=3948950MF30BMF&wheelMake=Granite+Alloy&wheelModel=GV4&wheelFinish=Machined+w/Black+Accent&showRear=no&autoMake=Toyota&autoModel=Land+Cruiser&autoYear=2017&autoModClar=
As I sit here today typing this and awaiting delivery of parts, I'm still not sure that the suspension, hubs, brakes, spacers, and wheels and tires will all work together. Trying to figure all those things out without any experience with trailer builds and without any ability to be hands on before ordering was more difficult than passing the bar exam.
That's it for now. The steel is sitting in my garage and I'm going to start cutting and welding the frame components tonight. I'll post some update pics tomorrow.
Costs:
Suspension/hubs/brakes - $860
Wheels - $215
Steel - $250
Attachments
Last edited: