Overland Trailer

[TheOtherSide]

I've been dreaming of building an overland trailer to haul behind the Jeep. Thought of the military M101 or M416 to buy and modify... but people are asking big $$ for them.

An example of one of them:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/Moab%205-26-08/DSC04640.jpg

Or some serious $$ trailer like this:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/adventure_equip/adventure_trailers/IMG_8775.JPG

Either way... I think it'll be cheaper to buy up something basic and modify it. I want to keep it approx the same track width as my Jeep... maybe slightly narrower.... but keep it small and light weight. Even if it's framed in light steel and then lined with thin plywood or riveted on aluminum to keep the weight down. The trailer bottom frame would be taking the most abuse and the corners... so no need to over engineer the rest. No more than 4x6... and that may be a little long. Maybe 4x5. Just enought to carry equip/supplies to lighten the load in the Jeep.

Any thoughts/ideas?

[BigWhiteFord]

Oh I've got thoughts and ideas on this! Having owned this for a few years:

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/BigWhiteFord/IMG_6174.jpg

Keeping it as light as possible is the way to go. Solid axle, with bolt pattern matching the tow vehicle if possible. Don't make the tongue too short, or it will be a nightmare towing at highway speeds. Brakes are recommended, even for a lightweight trailer, as it would help immensely on slippery slopes.

Building off an existing utility trailer would probably be cheapest and easiest.

[TheOtherSide]

Yeah, I want the bolt pattern to match.... same wheels and same tires. Will likely keep 2 spares as I do now anyhow...

I'd be doing electric brakes if I can... without trailer brake controller... just a toggle or dial to apply them when heading down steep trails etc.

Nice long tongue to avoid hitting my Jeep if it slips a bit etc with a very flexible mounting system.

Yeah... keeping it light light light... no over engineering on this one, it's just holding camping/wheeling equip. Likely the heavy spare parts and tools etc.

[BigWhiteFord]

A brake controller is a very nice feature to have, as you can adjust the powerto suit the weight of the trailer, and surface traction. They're really not expensive either, $149 gets you an adjustable digital controller. The other system to look at would be surge brakes. No electricity required, simple and reliable.

A small utility trailer, converted to pintle hitch, with 15" rims and good tires will be a nice cheap setup that can be modified in stages as desired...

[Jeremy]

The cool thing with the M101 is there desinged to float!! That right there is worth it for you Kelly.

http://www.overlandcanada.com/net/94zj/now/006.jpg

:poke:

[TheOtherSide]

Yeah... I like driving in rivers etc... it's a weakness of mine!! ;)

Found some great photos of a home build trailer.... love the simplicity of it... and also looks light weight for the most part... check it out:

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6201/0011eu7.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6250/01212zs5.jpg

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/443/02121xf8.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/1261/02424mi1.jpg

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3360/trailer2akx5.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3608/trailer4aoj6.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5374/trailer8dh9.jpg

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7218/1001933lc2.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/4395/1002048bi5.jpg

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5051/1002037nx3.jpg

What'cha think?

Link to the build: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22212

[Jeremy]

Thats just the way I would do it! Looks sweet!!!

Want one.......need one......need to get my own house with room for it.

[TheOtherSide]

I like the simplicity of it.... and mostly angle steel, not square tube.

[BigWhiteFord]

garsh, that's beautiful. Who's doing the materials order?!?!

[Jeremy]

garsh, that's beautiful. Who's doing the materials order?!?!

If we do one big order we can do a group buy at a wholesale price.

[Sero]

I'm still wanting to do a solid wall sleep in trailer, I have a few new ideas, just need to design it. We need a shop.....

[Sero]

http://www.trikesaustralia.com/teardrop/off-road_photos.htm

[TheOtherSide]

Yes, we do need a shop! :D

I don't know about a sleep in trailer... but if you make anything like that teardrop one... it sure is small enough I guess. My fear is making something too big that I won't bring it along... or too small that I'll be useless...

Hmmm... guess I'll concentrate on the needed repairs on the Jeep first before trailer fab begins... I think that's a next winter project.

[TheOtherSide]

Can't wait to get a few projects done around the house so I can begin dreaming/building a trailer. I just have to figure out storage for it... or how I can tip it up on it's rear to store it, but not fill up with rain water.

I don't like tarping... looks so messy in the backyard.

[rothelb]

you want steel i get it distibutor prices i work at a steel fabrication shop same price the steel mill sells for...

[rothelb]

come here and build it nearly free..boss is awsome. build what i want at no cost most of the time

[TheOtherSide]

Hmmm... how far away is Sparwood?

[rothelb]

10 hrs i come up that way once a year for fishing....we have some of the best 4x4ing around