Offroad/camping/utility-all in one trailer build
 

I started this project over a year ago. The goal was to build an offroad capable camping trailer that I could pull double duty with. Since I had sold my DD truck to help finance the build on my 86' 4runner, I wanted to build a trailer small enough to run trails, yet big enough to haul some lumber (or a sheet of plywood) home from the local hardware store.

The plan, make the inside dimensions 50"W x 72"L with the tailgate down around 96"L)
Also instead of using leaf springs I wanted to do a 3-link suspension with Jeep TJ coil springs. I'm using a 3500lb rated trailer axel, It's actually wider than the Toyota axel width (it's 63" from hub to hub) but I had to run a wider axel to get the 50" inside trailer width I was shooting for.

I bought some brackets from Ballistic Fab to mount the coil springs to the trailer axel and to the frame. I also bought shock tabs, and tabs to mount the links, and some poly bushings for the link ends.

I pretty much got the majority of the trailer frame built last year (minus the tongue/hitch) using 2x3" tubing.

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^^^These are the 33x12.50" tires (gotta love the centerline directional rims!) I'm going to run for now, just scored them today I traded the 31"x10.50's that were on my 83' Toyota for these. Now I will have 2 for the trailer and a spare for the trailer and a spare for the 4runner. I have another set of 31"x10.50's that I'm going to put on my 83'.

I know I'm probably forgetting a lot of info since I started this project last year, so I will try to update and edit adding info as I remember it.

I have followed DIRTCO's camping trailer build and will be happy if mine turns out half as nice!

I am open to suggestions and have never attempted a 3 link setup before, but figure since I don't have to worry about axel wrap on a trailer it should be pretty forgiving, lol.

Here's a pic of my 4runner that will be towing the trailer, with the 302 V8 I should have plenty of towing power over the stock 22re.

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Today I went and bought some steel, I got 8-1/2 feet of 1-1/2" square tubing .250 wall, to use for my 3 link. And I bought some 1" square tubing to use as the frame work for the bedsides. The shop only had one 20' stick, so I had to order the rest and will have to go back and pick up the other 3 sticks in a couple days.

The main reason I decided to use the square tube for my links instead of round tube was because I don't have a tubing notcher, I have notched round tube by hand with a grinder, but it was a pain, I just figured it would be easier to notch the square tube and keep both sides even.

I didn't get very much work done on the trailer today, I got one side of my panhard bar notched.

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Here's a pic of the shock tabs I have and also the axel tabs that I'll bolt my links to

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http://www.sierra4x4trailers.com/wp-...-trailer-1.jpg

^^^This is the basic look I'm trying to achieve when I'm finished, hopefully I can come close, lol.

subscribed! I was thinking of doing something very similiar

Today I got the frame built out of 1" square tubing for one of the bedsides. It measures 73"Lx 24"H. The 1" tubing that I ordered was supposed to come in yesterday, but won't be in until Friday so I cant start on the other side yet.

I still need to order some Jeep TJ coils off Ebay, I will probably use the rear coils, they are a little shorter than the front ones.

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^^^It looks kinda out of square in the pics, but it's just an illusion, lol



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^^^I thought I'd roll a tire in and get a visual of how it might look, it will definitely sit higher than this once the coil springs are installed.

Sweet! Can't wait to see it, sub'd.

Edit: I forgot to say nice 4Runner, that thing is pretty. I'd love to see under the hood, although I don't wanna derail this thread.

Thanks man. I'll try to find a pic of the engine tomorrow.

*EDIT* HERE IS A PIC OF WHEN I FIRST DID THE ENGINE SWAP

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Looks good Ed what kind of hitch are you going to use.

lookin good! that thing would be really nice for long trips, if only i wasn't afraid to drive my truck on long trips....

Haha ain't that the truth!!!

Thanks Tom, I think I'm going to make the trailer hitch with a receiver end so I can switch back and forth between a standard ball/hitch for highway towing and change it out to an offroad style hitch for offroad use. I'm going to try to build my own version of the "Max Coupler" hitch. I just can't afford to spend $250 for one, lol.

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.47831...h=134&c=7&rs=1

Would there be any issue with running the offroad style all the time? I don't know anything about trailer laws...

That's a good question, lol, I don't know, maybe someone else can chime in and answer that one, I'd be interested to know too!

Thanks man, I hope to get it done so I can get to use it this summer, but that was the same plan I had last year, lol, you know how it goes!

I don't think most of the offroad hitches are DOT stamped/legal, that's one possible issue.

The only other I could think of, would be the trailer wanting to wander a bit more due to wind or uneven pavement.

This trailer is going to be sweet. Best of luck!

Ed check out this one http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f...4959&start=165 scroll down 2 posts don't know if it will help but somthing to look at.

That's what I was thinking, not DOT approved, I hadn't thought of the trailer wandering more...

Thanks Chickenman! I hope I can continue to make progress, but I fear once I pay for the 1" tubing that I ordered and buy the Jeep coilsprings, my funds are going to be limited for awhile :(

Thanks for the link Tom! That coupler looks pretty cool and plenty strong! I think I could copy that and make something similar. Maybe use those bushings like I'm using for my link ends (in my first post)....?

Thanks for posting the engine shot, looks good and I like how clean it looks under the hood. Lots of space would be a nice change...

No problem, sorry the pic was so small, I'm in the process of going back and editing some of my post and re-sizing and adding some pics. Yeah it has a lot of space on the sides of the engine, but not in front, it's really tight between the radiator and the waterpump, I had to trim a little bit of the core support to make room for the electric fans to fit.