DIY Adventure Trailer

jrlayden · 07-12-2007, 01:10 AM

Has anyone ever heard or seen of a homemade adventure trailer? I love the "adventure trailer" brand and I think they rock, but I wonder if someone couldn't build one for half the price? I know that you get what you pay for, but I wonder if you couldn't do your own and customize it for your specific needs?

Four Runner · 07-12-2007, 01:30 AM

I have a couple ideas for you...hang on a bit...

Four Runner · 07-12-2007, 01:33 AM

Guy we were camping with bought one of these, and basically fabbed/constructed a collapsable "A-Frame Cabin" on it. Pretty cool looking actually.

Not as "Refined" but has a nice rustic charm about it. Sory, no pics of it, as he's out and about.

This is where he got the idea:
http://home.earthlink.net/~g.teague/
http://funkyjunkfarms.com/john/trailers/
*Be sure to click on the FunkyJunkTrailer Link and see the 1954 Ranger Pop-Up!!

If you can fab something like these, an adventure trailer is even easier. There's always the option of a recycler yard, and backhalfing a rig.

jjrgr21 · 07-12-2007, 09:22 AM

are you talking about the "jeep trailers"? i bought mine for $500 w/bfg muds. i've used it on a couple camping trips and it was great. i leave in 2 weeks on a cross country road trip. what do you think about the wheel bearings, i repacked them, when i got it, and i might have 300 miles on it

Tacoclimber · 07-12-2007, 09:38 AM

Taking a shortbed pickup bed and bobbing and lifting it, and then customizing it to your preference wouldn't really be all that hard... The only thing I think that would be a limitation would be the regular hitch. It might limit articulation to a certain degree. But if it's just for mild to moderate stuff, it's totally doable.

Volcom · 07-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Very nice off-road trailer!
http://www.wildyoats.com/off_road_trailer_build.htm

neliconcept · 07-12-2007, 01:21 PM

search military m416 or m101 canadian trailers, they are built buy guys for expedition who dont go with adventure trailers

expeditionportal.com

check it out

frodin1 · 07-12-2007, 01:59 PM

I had one of the small Coleman popups years ago. When I bought it, I had the axle flipped which raised it 3"and gave it a tongue height of 18" level. The Coleman trailers were unique back then because they were one of the few trailers with a steel frame inside and out. Most have all wood framing on the inside causing it to tweak if you wheel it. I don't know about now, but I bet they still pride themselves on that. I dragged that thing through some pretty heavy stuff and never had any major issues.

jjrgr21 · 07-12-2007, 03:45 PM

this is mine

Mattabilly · 07-12-2007, 04:05 PM

Anybody know a good source for those old military trailers? Been looking for one can't find any.

Tacoclimber · 07-13-2007, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjrgr21

this is mine

That's a great platform to build a nice adventure trailer off of! I'm a bit green eyed and envious!

**aviator** · 07-13-2007, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattabilly

Anybody know a good source for those old military trailers? Been looking for one can't find any.

do a web search for "government surplus" or "army surplus" there is a site that lists all the government surplus auctions around the US and includes items that wil be available...

EDIT: the site I was thinking of is www.govliquidation.com... great site lists everything for sale all over the US by item then base it is located at... make a list of the bases located near you and go to her...
cheers Aviator

GO NAVY!

razrwild · 07-13-2007, 07:34 AM

governmentliquidators.org?

norcalsvx · 07-13-2007, 08:53 AM

http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/endecaSearch?Ntt=USCA|trailer&Ntk=P_Auction_Countr y_State|P_Lot_Title&Ntx=mode+matchall|mode+matchal l&N=0&Nty=1&Ns=Lot%20Number|0&location=US_CA&words =trailer&cmd=keyword

jjrgr21 · 07-13-2007, 08:57 AM

cragslist.com

thats where i got mine

frodin1 · 07-13-2007, 09:16 AM

A friend of mine picked up 2 at an auction. 1 of which had a satelite dish rig in the back of it. Turns out the whole rig was aluminum. 400 lbs worth. It ended up paying for the cost of both trailers.

norcalsvx · 07-13-2007, 09:36 AM

http://www.sprucemtsurplus.com/Trailers.html

Sleeper · 07-13-2007, 09:28 PM

Here's my '25 Model T bed. It's a work in progress but I couldn't live without it on long camping trips.

ocdropzone · 07-13-2007, 10:08 PM

I like the idea of the adventure trailer. Having a Pintle and Leyete hitch would definitely give you much better articulation over a standard 2" ball. The old 1/4 ton jeep trailers are a great base to start with if you can find one... If I ever build one it will have a Toyota truck axle or at least a standard 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern for the similar spare tire. Have seen too many trailers on the side of the road due to someone not having a spare tire or bearing failure...an extra spindle always helps too...

If this one was closer, I would bit on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WWII-...QQcmdZViewItem

Sleeper · 07-14-2007, 06:41 AM

This is probably the best solution for trailer articulation

http://www.locknroll.com/

07-12-2007, 01:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
jrlayden Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4	DIY Adventure Trailer Has anyone ever heard or seen of a homemade adventure trailer? I love the "adventure trailer" brand and I think they rock, but I wonder if someone couldn't build one for half the price? I know that you get what you pay for, but I wonder if you couldn't do your own and customize it for your specific needs?

07-12-2007, 01:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Four Runner Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 204	I have a couple ideas for you...hang on a bit... Last edited by Four Runner : 07-12-2007 at 01:34 AM.

07-12-2007, 01:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Four Runner Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 204	Guy we were camping with bought one of these, and basically fabbed/constructed a collapsable "A-Frame Cabin" on it. Pretty cool looking actually. Not as "Refined" but has a nice rustic charm about it. Sory, no pics of it, as he's out and about. This is where he got the idea: http://home.earthlink.net/~g.teague/ http://funkyjunkfarms.com/john/trailers/ Be sure to click on the FunkyJunkTrailer Link and see the 1954 Ranger Pop-Up!! If you can fab something like these, an adventure trailer is even easier. There's always the option of a recycler yard, and backhalfing a rig. Last edited by Four Runner : 07-13-2007 at 10:27 PM.*

07-12-2007, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
jjrgr21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,412	are you talking about the "jeep trailers"? i bought mine for $500 w/bfg muds. i've used it on a couple camping trips and it was great. i leave in 2 weeks on a cross country road trip. what do you think about the wheel bearings, i repacked them, when i got it, and i might have 300 miles on it __________________ 2003 4WD TRD Tacoma 1986 4Runner

07-12-2007, 09:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tacoclimber Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arizona West Coast Posts: 3,333	Taking a shortbed pickup bed and bobbing and lifting it, and then customizing it to your preference wouldn't really be all that hard... The only thing I think that would be a limitation would be the regular hitch. It might limit articulation to a certain degree. But if it's just for mild to moderate stuff, it's totally doable. __________________ CJ ...<>< 03 DC TRD Tacoma 4wd with a bunch of junk. Just wheel the stupid thing!!! But do it responsibly, ok?

07-12-2007, 01:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Volcom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 505	Very nice off-road trailer! http://www.wildyoats.com/off_road_trailer_build.htm __________________ 1984 Toyota 4Runner EFI swap TG 4" springs Marlin Crawler Dual Ultimate Crawler 39.5" Iroks My 4 wheel drive club http://www.rockfrogs.org

07-12-2007, 01:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
neliconcept Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3	search military m416 or m101 canadian trailers, they are built buy guys for expedition who dont go with adventure trailers expeditionportal.com check it out

07-12-2007, 01:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,069	I had one of the small Coleman popups years ago. When I bought it, I had the axle flipped which raised it 3"and gave it a tongue height of 18" level. The Coleman trailers were unique back then because they were one of the few trailers with a steel frame inside and out. Most have all wood framing on the inside causing it to tweak if you wheel it. I don't know about now, but I bet they still pride themselves on that. I dragged that thing through some pretty heavy stuff and never had any major issues.

07-12-2007, 03:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
jjrgr21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,412	this is mine __________________ 2003 4WD TRD Tacoma 1986 4Runner

07-12-2007, 04:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mattabilly Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missoula, MT Posts: 104	Anybody know a good source for those old military trailers? Been looking for one can't find any. __________________ 1992 4Runner - Aisin Manual Hubs, Sonoran Steel IFS Truss,Marlin shifter seat, JDM Hilux Surf Inclinometer, Yakima roof rack, Manik Brush Bar, 100W KC Daylighters. Airbox mod. 31 x 10.5. Running Boards Removed. www.backcountryracks.com

07-13-2007, 07:34 AM	#13 (permalink)
razrwild Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: dirty jersey Posts: 240	governmentliquidators.org? __________________ 89 4runner 22re 5spd bone stock 224k miles DD

07-13-2007, 08:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
norcalsvx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alpine--GRASS valley, CA Posts: 2,148	http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/endecaSearch?Ntt=USCA\|trailer&Ntk=P_Auction_Countr y_State\|P_Lot_Title&Ntx=mode+matchall\|mode+matchal l&N=0&Nty=1&Ns=Lot%20Number\|0&location=US_CA&words =trailer&cmd=keyword __________________ 1994 toy 22re- http://www.yotatech.com/f86/nocalsvx-s-94-toy-104593/ 2006 Subaru Forester XT -some mods/awd 5spd 1994 Subaru SVX- hwy runner 84 RX7- drag car build

07-13-2007, 08:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
jjrgr21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,412	cragslist.com thats where i got mine __________________ 2003 4WD TRD Tacoma 1986 4Runner

07-13-2007, 09:16 AM	#16 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,069	A friend of mine picked up 2 at an auction. 1 of which had a satelite dish rig in the back of it. Turns out the whole rig was aluminum. 400 lbs worth. It ended up paying for the cost of both trailers.

07-13-2007, 09:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
norcalsvx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alpine--GRASS valley, CA Posts: 2,148	http://www.sprucemtsurplus.com/Trailers.html __________________ 1994 toy 22re- http://www.yotatech.com/f86/nocalsvx-s-94-toy-104593/ 2006 Subaru Forester XT -some mods/awd 5spd 1994 Subaru SVX- hwy runner 84 RX7- drag car build

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07-13-2007, 09:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
Sleeper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SD Posts: 483	Here's my '25 Model T bed. It's a work in progress but I couldn't live without it on long camping trips. __________________ Surf to Live - Live to Surf '95 4Runner 3.slow with some goods '99 Taco 3.4 with some goods

07-13-2007, 10:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
ocdropzone Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 2,287	I like the idea of the adventure trailer. Having a Pintle and Leyete hitch would definitely give you much better articulation over a standard 2" ball. The old 1/4 ton jeep trailers are a great base to start with if you can find one... If I ever build one it will have a Toyota truck axle or at least a standard 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern for the similar spare tire. Have seen too many trailers on the side of the road due to someone not having a spare tire or bearing failure...an extra spindle always helps too... If this one was closer, I would bit on it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WWII-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ ~Robb '81 Trekker SR5 B4Runner Build '89 Tercel 'Project Beater Gas Saver' PIRATE TOYOTA FAQ TREKKER Forum LINK TO ONLINE FACTORY SERVICE MANUALS Wheel Responsibly, Don't screw it up for others... BLue Ribbon Coalition United 4 Wheel Drive Associations[/b] Tread Lightly http://www.ucora.org/ Last edited by ocdropzone : 07-13-2007 at 10:10 PM. Reason: added link...

07-14-2007, 06:41 AM	#20 (permalink)
Sleeper Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SD Posts: 483	This is probably the best solution for trailer articulation http://www.locknroll.com/ __________________ Surf to Live - Live to Surf '95 4Runner 3.slow with some goods '99 Taco 3.4 with some goods