I got bored today...........Camping trailer fab!
 

So, I got bored today and started fabbing. After my last camping trip, I decided that I needed more room for gear so my dogs can go too. Not to mention I have an upcoming Rubicon trip coming. So:

I had a bunch of .090 wall square tubing lying around. Perfect for a small camping trailer. I also had some spare rear yota springs, and even a spare 84 axle. So, I got the frame, spring hangers, and springs mounted today. I'll get the axle under it tomorrow, build the hitch setup, and tongue tomorrow. Then I just need to grab some 1/8" sheet to build the rest.

The main frame measures 48"x36". I'll pull a leaf or two as well. I'm also going to modify the 4runner rear axle and basically modify it for a flat bottom even with the axle tubes. I should be able to build this for next to nothing out of pocket with stuff I have laying around.

http://www.toyotaholics.com/support/...8_PICT7912.JPG

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nice this is gonna be a good build..your work is nice and i cant wait too see this finished..
props for the yota parts!

wish I had your skills, nice work!

looks good how much weight are you going to carry on it?

when it is done do they make you get a vin for it and plate it

Should just need to take it to have it inspected(brake lights/running lights) and get a DMV plate for it.

Chances are they won't even look at it, you will just have to explain what you've got (it will of course fall under the home built category)and they will issue you a little colorado VIN number plate. Very nice, what size tires will you run on it?

I have some old 35" Goodyear M/Ts. Like the old directional ones. I'll just run those for a while.

Very nice, I've always wanted an "off-road" trailer. Jamming the 4 runner full of camping stuff can be a PITA.

Very nice.
I have been following trailer builds over on Mud and Expo.

Looking to get one in the future to mount my roof top tent to it and store gear.

My brother and I have been tossing around the idea of throwing the old springs from his 60 under a tent trailer we have. It sucks dragging the beam axle through the sand.

Nice work.

Okay, I may end up re-thinking the axle, but for now this is what I have. I have decided to (for now) run the 3rd point straight up for more clearance. Its already got a diff cover skid on it and based on measurements allows for more clearance that running it the standard way. It also will allow me to build a spare 5.29 3rd and run it there just case for a trail-spare.

I plan on making some brackets that will bolt to the outer axle flange that will allow me to run front axle outers on it. Mainly just the spindle/hub assembly. It will also allow me to run dual wheel bearings and an extra set of locking hubs. This way I won't have to run axle shafts in the rear nor need to drain fluid and pull shafts to pull the spare 3rd on the trail. It also keep the COG low with a 75lb 3rd nice and low.


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I'm drooling on my keyboard right now...

Excellent work, Scotty!

I am really looking forward to watching this build!

I have all my steel together to do the same thing but i need to figure out what axle to do. I want to have a standard solid traielr axle but run either 6 lug or 5 on 5.5. The yota axle is nice to have. Looks like a nice solid project there. After I restored a M416 a year or so ago I realized how simple they were that i really did not wan to buy another because it wouldnt be that much to build.

I got the front A frame built and the hitch welded on. Its just a 3500lb rated 2" ball hitch. A whopping $9.99 from Harbor Freight. I have decided that I am going to try out a little different ball setup than most people use. We'll see how it works on some mild runs before I decide whether to keep it or not.

This is the new design I am going to try out.

http://www.toyotaholics.com/support/..._hitchball.JPG

http://www.toyotaholics.com/support/...hitchball2.JPG

Anyway, the frame and body skeleton is mostly built. I just need to skin it which will likely take place next week. I plan to add my CO2 tank setup on the front. The front A frame is built from 2"X2"x1.88 wall square with some 1-5/8 .134 wall tubing.

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that trailer has sicker suspension then all my rigs!

Very slick!

got to thinking--with the third mounted at such an angle will the pinion bearings etc get enough lube?

You didn't read the following part::bigok:

awesome build!

I'm picking up an arc welder on Monday, and I'm gonna work on perfecting with it! I'm stoked, though it will be a LONG time until I can consider doing something like this...

thumbs up dude, nice work, and I'm now subscribed!

Most impressive. You could prolly sell plans for DIYers here. Nice work, beautiful beads, someday I'll learn to weld.

Finished the main body. I still need to finish a couple more things, but for the most parts its pretty close to done.

It will get a lid as well, but not before the jambo. I'll paint it, wire it up for lights and get it ready to tow tomorrow. It might need some fenders too.


http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attac...9&d=1216860679

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attac...0&d=1216860679

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attac...1&d=1216860679

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attac...2&d=1216860679

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attac...3&d=1216860679

pics?

yep I missed that about the axles, my head must have been up a dark smelly place at the time:saw:


it is wierd, all the pictures in your threads here and on pirate are hosed...
only way to see them is to do a quote of your post and copy the link, wonder if colorado4x4 is screwed up tonight...
work looks great..I would love have a small trailer like that..

edit: cutting out the [IMG] code and just the links seems to work...
edit part II, never mind that did not work, now I get this:
Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /vbb/attachment.php on this server.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

I'll confirm what ocdropzone said haha.

I know. My server got hacked a couple days ago. It should be back up within the next couple days. Hopefully the pics will be too.

Okay, I decided that the axle was too far forward, so I went ahead and re-drilled the leafs to move the axle back and center it on the tub itself. I also pulled the overload leaf because there is no way it will need it. Then, I added some breakaway cables, the shocks, and will add the tool box seen on the front. However, I have also decided that I need to extend the front tongue section for more room for the tool box. I also finalized the fender design and just need to build them next week.

It has an extremely thin coat of paint just in case it rained. I will be rolling on the hammered tone and then repainting gloss black tomorrow as well.

https://www.yotatech.com/attachments...b-pict7960.jpg

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got any pics or details on how you are running double bearings and hubs on that axle housing? I'm really curious how that works.

nice work, btw! but IMO, the SR5 rims look better than the black steelies.

Yes, but the SR5 wheels and tires are BALD. Besides the currents are only temporary until I can get the 35s mounted on decent wheels.

Quick update. She is getting very close now. I will be taking it up Poll Hill Rd tomorrow to go camping for the night. We'll see how the coupler/hitch works in a mild trail.

I do still need to wire in lights, but my flat towing lights will work just fine for a quick trip.


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Wow nice work. I wish I could make stuff like that. It looks very sturdy and well made.

I went camping this weekend with it and towed the trailer up a couple good sections on Pole Hill Road just to see if it would bind or give me issues. I think it did around 12mi of 4wd trail use. I checked the coupler and ball when I got home and saw no issues with fatigue on either.

For the purpose of this trailer, I should be just fine with what is on there. This trailer will never see anything significantly hard (like the Rubicon). The main plan is to have something light weight that I can tow to camping spots around Colorado. For any hardcore wheeling it will stay in camp.

There are a couple things that I need to address on the trailer though.
1st being the shackles. They invert from time to time, so I will be adding some longer shackles to it to keep that from happening.
2nd being the length of the front tongue. I need to extend the tongue at least 12". I will eventually run a rear tire carrier, so I will definitely need to extend the tongue. I will just cut and sleeve it with some more square tubing.

All in all, it tows great behind the 4runner. I can still set the cruise at 75mph and while I know its there, I am still able to hold speed on flat ground no problem.

I would put some fold down T clips around the outside of the box to provide some attachment points and tarp the contents for security but it looks pretty sweet.
I would have gone for a ring and pintle hitch set up for max. off-road ability and theft prevention as well.

What is the tub dimensions? I have my steel laid out and am planning on welding up the frame this week. I am looking at 46 inches wide by 5 foot long. The M416 is 6 foot long. Probably bout 18 inches deep. what did you do for the floor? I am debating on just using wood for the floor and skin the sides with steel.

Upper portion is 48"x48". Lower is 48"x36". Its 18" deep.

I wanted it small and lightweight. My old M416 was still pretty damn heavy. And with either a 3VZ or 22RE anything bigger would be pushing the limits on drive ability.

Do you have any more pics of you skinning the sides and bottom?

I am amazed! You make a project like this look easy tho i know its can not be :) You must be having such a great time with a this project.

Awesome! I love the extra hubs and diff...can never have enough spare parts!

Just FYI you can pick up Pintles for cheap at the farm supply store. nice work! :hillbill:

Very nice trailer .....and Runner! ... Windsor huh. I lived in the Fort for eight years up unitl '03. Me and the wife are planning moving back in the next couple of years. The terrain out there is epic. I miss the poudre canyon !
Have fun with that trailer.

Looks awesome!!! but towing that or anything at 75 mph :saw:

Whatever! CA's towing laws bring the SUCK.

Its the only state with a 55mph towing speed limit(that I know of). It slows traffic down, and actually causes more traffic and accidents than it helps.