JBurt

any updates? Are you done for the winter?

DIRTCO

Thanks! Let me know when your ready and we'll find a trail to hit. I try to get out as much as possible.

I worked on it for a couple hours this last Sunday but I forgot the camera. I didn't get much done, just some bracing for the floor and a couple misc other things. I will take pictures the next time I work on it. The goal is to have the trailer ready by late Spring, so I will be working on it through the Winter.

DIRTCO

I spent a couple hours working on the trailer this weekend (and a couple last weekend). Nothing major but every little bit helps.

I added some bracing for the floor. I will be adding more, this is just the basic structure.





I plan to have a slide out tray for the front section of the trailer, this will hold a cooler or maybe two. I added a section of tubing to keep stuff from sliding all the way to the front of the trailer.

DIRTCO

I found this really cool stainless steel electrical box that used to be part of a carwash. It fit the trailer, (was Free!) and seemed like a good place to house some of the random electrial and other misc stuff I have planned.

DIRTCO

I also built the basic frame work for the storage box.

DIRTCO

And I test fit the gas tank to make sure it fit, and did not create any issues.

irab88

iTrader: (4)

wow! nice progress!

matchan420

Nice work, I would consider putting the spare under the trailer. You could always get a nice spare tire hoist from a pick up to hoist in under the bed...

DIRTCO

Thanks! I really need to spend a solid day or two working on it, I've been too busy to get more than a few hours each time.

DIRTCO

Thanks, the trailer is going to have the same wheels and tires as the 4Runner. I have a full size spare on the 4Runner, so I don't really need another spare on the trailer (I want to keep the weight as low as possible). I also carry a plug kit with extra plugs and glue, along with CO2 and a back up compressor. If I were to get more than one trashed tire on the truck I can rob the tires off the trailer (I plan on having four extended leveling jacks) and find the nearest town to get replacements.

dannomite

Looking good. I really like the cooler drawer idea.

DIRTCO

Thanks! I think it should work out pretty good. I really hope to have room for two smaller coolers on the slide out; it would be awesome to have a standard cooler that gets used most of the time for drinks, snacks and food that does not have to stay super cold all the time. The other cooler would have extra insulation and be used for stuff that needs to stay cold for longer.

I know someone is going to suggest a fridge instead, and maybe one day I will get one. But right now that is out of my price range, so I'll give the coolers a shot and see how it works out.

DIRTCO

I was finally able to spend more than a couple hours working on the trailer!

I started by welding all the vertical supports for the side skins, then all the flat steel for the edge of the flooring. The shop welder was broken so I was stuck using my little Lincoln 110 with flux core wire, after 20ft of bead I really wanted to vomit. That stuff is NASTY , but it did it's job and the welder is my trusty little stand by, so I can't complain too much.

I didn't bother taking any pictures in the process, but I'll get back to that in a minute...

DIRTCO

I have come to the conclusion that this trailer is like a huge puzzle without a picture, I have to to make the pieces and picture how it will all go together. On top of that, there is a certain order that everything has to be assembled for the whole thing to work. It's a challenge, but quite rewarding!

With the floor supports in place it was time to add some paint to the frame, and the lower section of the camper frame work.

First I lifted the body off and worked on painting the frame

DIRTCO

Then I painted the lower section of the trailer body, and bolted it back in place.





Here is the vertical support for the skins, I welded the back side for a cleaner look.



And here is the steel that the floor will bolt to, I still need to drill all the holes for the bolts.

DIRTCO

Floor bracing

DIRTCO

With everything in place I test fit one of the skins to see how it would look and fit. It's galvanized steel sheet that used to be part of some shelving, it's a little thin but not too bad.

DIRTCO

It looks a little dirty but the galvanized steel should clean up okay, the red circle is the test spot where I cleaned it.



The sheet will be riveted and glued in place, there will be an extra support in the middle of the skin (on the inside) for more strength and to keep stuff from contacting the skin. It will also have hold downs for the cargo.

Red lines are where the rivets will attach the sheet



Blue line is the support for the back side

DIRTCO

While I had the trailer in the shop I test fit the shocks, they were on the truck so I knew they should work. I have some new lower shock mounts and wanted to see how everything would line up. The shocks and mounts should work fine, the lower mount will set another 1"-2" higher.

irab88

iTrader: (4)

shoot, this is gonna look sweet...

(looks like you could use a link to this build in your sig)