DIRTCO

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gary_the_4runner

thanks for the reply dirtco, looks good!!!!!!

jschmidt250

Nice project...Subscribe... love to see more.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

axle plans?

Crimson Yota

Looks awesome, can't wait to see the finished product.

clydehatchet

hopefully rockwells.

DIRTCO

Thanks, that means a lot!

Thanks! At first I was going to build a small trailer like Scotty's, but using the Toyota frame and gas tank didn't allow it. Also, after all the work involved I would rather have it be a little bigger and have extra room than build the thing too small.

It looks big in the pictures but it's really not that bad, it should be a little smaller than the AT Chaser (Drool ).

broncrider

for the hitch are you going to run a 2inch ball or a pindle type?

DIRTCO

Thanks guys!

DIRTCO

I'm going to make my own axle. I ordered some DIY trailer spindles and 6x5.5 trailer hubs, I will get more specific once I build it.

I like your style! While I'm at it I should install a V8 and have it be a "Pusher" trailer!

The front of the tongue is going to have a 2" reciever so I can change couplers and have some theft protection. For now I'm going to have a standard 2" ball and coupler but down the road I want one of these for when I get on the trail.

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/coupler.html

ScottyC

iTrader: (1)

Fill out the paper. Walk in, hand it to the clerk. They will ask you what you spent building it (I said $150). What is it Worth? (I Said $150).

I paid $14 and walked out with a plate and a small VIN plate that attaches to the frame. No inspection, nothing. Piece of cake.

Mine was so damn small, and yet the V6 was still worthless pulling it. When I took it out to CA for KOH 09' it was an awful drive. We were in a head wind both ways. I got 12mpg the entire trip. It sucked, but we made it there and back fine I guess. The new rig is just sooooo much better. It pulls my big pop-up easily. Even with the 37s.

ScottyC

iTrader: (1)

Take a look at the Euro type balls. They are completely different, but will not bind even with a 2" standard ball. And, they are way cheaper. I would have used one of these easily. This is about as stupid easy and cheap as it gets. No banging of the pintle, and it will flex just as well as long as the trailer is upright you have nothing to worry about.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/euro-mount-...wx?filterid=j1

xxxtreme22r

dang if only it was that easy in pa. or cheap for that matter.

RobT100

man oh man I wish I know how to weld like you. Kudos on the project man cant wait to see the finished product

DIRTCO

Thanks for the info! Sounds easy enough, I didn't know if they were going to inspect it or make me get it weighed. Once I get the thing rolling I'll give them a call and get the paperwork I need.

$14.00 !!! Was that before they increased the vehicle taxes? They charged me $85.00 to register the Chief, when I bought the thing for $50.00! I couldn't believe it.

I know the trailer is going to suck to pull on the road, I almost didn't build it for that reason. I think this is a good time to explain my thought process of the trailer, so this is directed to everyone, not just Scotty.

I just don't have room for all my camping gear in the 4Runner, or in my house for that matter. It also becomes a day project to pack / unpack the truck and it wheels like crap when it's full of camping gear/supplies. When I get the urge to go camping it would be nice to grap my personal stuff, load the dog, hook up the trailer, grab some fuel, food and beer, and be on my way.

I'm watching the weight as much as possible while keeping to the budget of "cheap", but I'm willing to sacrifice weight for comfort. If I'm going to put this much work into something I want to do it right. I really hope to keep it under 700 pounds (that's how much the Chaser weighs). What the truck and trailer lack on the road should be made up for on the trail. With the 4.7 transfer case gears, and the option of 2wd low, easy to moderate trails will not be an issue.

Most of my camping will be fairly close to home, but for the longer trips I will try to use backroads and trails. As long as the trailer is easy to use I can add an extra day or two for travel time. Maybe one day an engine swap might be in the future.

DIRTCO

That's awesome, thanks for the idea! Once I get the suspension set-up I'm going to order one of these and see how it works out.

EDIT - It looks like they are only made for 1 1/4" recievers, I'll have to do some reseach.

prorunner

Here in Washington they make you call the state patrol and schedule an appointment if it's a home made trailer.
And they're so backed up it takes about 4 months before they see you, then you have to take the trailer to the state patrol office and get it inspected before they will let you have a plate/tags.

I found this out the hard way, I bought a double axle flat bed trailer, it was home made but was professional.
He told me just take the bill of sale to the dmv and they'll licence / title it. Hah, if only I knew better..

clydehatchet

dont sell yourself short! Mercedes v12 in the trailer. your rig is already like a freight train, might as well come to grips with it.

ScottyC

iTrader: (1)

Sleeve it

DIRTCO

Here's a really basic idea of how I want the trailer to turn out (nothing is to scale). I think the fenders will be made out of bent round tubing, the front storage box will be a mix of expanded steel and normal sheet (on the way to the campsite it will be used for firewood, and on the way home for trash). The smaller section at the front of the trailer (driver side) will be a door to the front area of the trailer, the passenger side (in picture) will have a door to a small compartment that will have the fuel filler, and fuel transfer hose. The back tailgate will swing out to the right to remove the gear from inside, and there will also be a long table that fits in the rear 2" reciever.

The last picture is looking from the front of the trailer towards the back. The red lines are the supports for the tent.