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High Clearance Offroad Trailer

141724 Views 75 Replies 38 Participants Last post by  total newb, 
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I've designed, built and tested a high clearance offroad trailer that I would like to share with you folks and get some of your opinions. I'm considering producing these to sell and would like feedback on this design from the hard truth forum of Pirate.

This particular trailer is 6' long x 48.5" wide and with the tailgate down, can fit 4x8 sheets of drywall/plywood, fully supported. With the 3500# rated axles, it can haul a yard of gravel. It will have a removable weather tight lid that will have a 4 person tent mounted to it with quick detachable gas struts/removable limiting cable for ease of opening. The tent was purchased by my customer that requested I build him this trailer.

Ever consider getting a high clearance offroad trailer to tow behind your rig when you go out wheeling for a weekend trip? To store all the odds and ends we like to bring with us and never seem to have enough room. Or when you do get it all to fit and you hit the trail, you're so top heavy, your rig has lost it's trail savyness. With the right trailer, you don't have to worry about being top heavy from your gear. The offroad testing done with the trailer attached seems to aid in traction when going over/threw difficult obstacles where you would otherwise lose traction. Added down force on the rear axle. This is contrary to most arguments brought with regards to the extra weight behind you and offroading.

It seems like the few companies I've seen that build these are asking alot of money and they end up awfully pretty. So pretty, I'd be worried to scratch it or wouldn't want to use it for hauling debris. That wasn't the goal with this trailer. Build a stout trailer for offroading and for handling some landscaping around the house as opposed to a cute trailer to camp out of. Something I wouldn't mind hauling a yard of gravel in and could handle it. The tube fenders are built such that you won't have to worry about tweaking them or ripping one off from catching a tree or rock on the trail. Nor do you have to worry about tweaking a fender leaving the gas station after forgetting the trailer was behind you and turning around the pump too early, clipping a fender on the safety poles protecting the pumps. The fenders can easily handle someone standing on them and they help tie in the cargo box structure to the frame. Making the cargo box walls stronger.

All the seams were sealed with 3M's automotive grade seam/body sealer for weather proofing the cargo box against river crossing's, etc.

Specs:

24" ground clearance with 33's
3500# adjustable height torsion half shafts
4' x 6' x 2' tall box
Folding removable tailgate
Weathertite Flip up removabe lid
Eezi Awn 4 person tent mounted to lid
Two 5 gallon water jugs
Two 5 gallon fuel jugs
Pintle style hitch
Led lights and markers (waterproof)
Stainless locking latches keyed alike to lock tailgate/lid
Tube fenders


Let me know if this is a design that would interest you. What are your likes and dislikes?


David

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Usage update. Everyone loves carnage so here's some fun. Nobody was hurt during the making of these clips.

The proud owner of his heavy duty trailer called me last Sunday and explained all the fun he had thrashing his new trailer. It looks like the day starts out harmless enough.:laughing:

The tent suffered damage, the JK hitch twisted open, and the pass side trailer spindle bent slightly. The lid, tailgate, and gas cans all held tight.:)

More pics can be found here.

http://jeepcali.com/trails/hhills/hhills031310.htm


.

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:p

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:laughing::laughing::beer:

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I love your test driver! That is some great product testing right there.
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C
I'm definetily intersted in a cheaper version that what is currently offered out there. I've considered building one but I'm rather impatient!

I'll have to keep an eye on this thread, I'd consider being a tester for you :)

B
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forsakenfuture
Man,some people have more money then sense.
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forsakenfuture said:
Man,some people have more money then sense.
Click to expand...
Ain't that the truth!
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R
unbeleivable! Wish I could just trash my toys like that.

Rick
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8
looks good my 2 cents
move the fuel cans to the outside (mostly looks)
have a customize option so it can be bigger or smaller and handle whatever is needed

my current offroad trailer is an old m101a1 that has 37 ndt treads on it a pintle hitch
its a beast and so heavy duty its un believible if you could make a larger one that is lighter than the 1200 lbs m101a1 but just as strong that would be sweet
but my common sense tells me buy the old millitary trailer for cheap so if you get base cost down and make options cheap it would be a great idea keep it up
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R
Thanks for the feedback. I value anything you folks want to share.
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O
Price would be the catch for me.. I am planning to build my own, but if something like this were affordable I'd be interested. The others (pretty trailers) are way too expensive.

Make a profit, but don't try to get rich on each trailer sold. That alone puts you ahead of the game..

I'm on my way to Henderson NV., in 3 or 4 weeks.. I would drive the 150 or so miles north for a good deal..

good luck, and good prices-- hurry up !!
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o3 Krawler said:
Price would be the catch for me.. I am planning to build my own, but if something like this were affordable I'd be interested. The others (pretty trailers) are way too expensive.

Make a profit, but don't try to get rich on each trailer sold. That alone puts you ahead of the game..

I'm on my way to Henderson NV., in 3 or 4 weeks.. I would drive the 150 or so miles north for a good deal..

good luck, and good prices-- hurry up !!
Click to expand...

I'll see what I can do. It's a slow process but making head way none the less.
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rustynuts said:
I'll see what I can do. It's a slow process but making head way none the less.
Click to expand...


I'm interested in a chassis with 5 on 4.5 inch hubs, tub with tailgate-fenders, and removeable lid. I'll add my carriers and storage provisions.
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o3 Krawler said:
I'm interested in a chassis with 5 on 4.5 inch hubs, tub with tailgate-fenders, and removeable lid. I'll add my carriers and storage provisions.
Click to expand...


PM sent
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R
I like the concept!

I have been looking hard at the adventure trailers. I do like their airbag suspension, and attention to detail (slides for all the kitchen stuff, fridge, awning etc).

I do think starting with a trailer like this would allow for a more economic build.

I would be interested in a design, but I would think a flip down shelf on the side the tent doesn't open up with, along with a hard mounted awning, so you could set the camp stove and such and cook without having a seperate table.

I also like the idea of 8 on 6 1/2" but even adapters should be adequate.
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ramv said:
I like the concept!

I have been looking hard at the adventure trailers. I do like their airbag suspension, and attention to detail (slides for all the kitchen stuff, fridge, awning etc).

I do think starting with a trailer like this would allow for a more economic build.

I would be interested in a design, but I would think a flip down shelf on the side the tent doesn't open up with, along with a hard mounted awning, so you could set the camp stove and such and cook without having a seperate table.

I also like the idea of 8 on 6 1/2" but even adapters should be adequate.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input. The options you listed are not complicated. Keep in mind, the added options means added cost.



The Adam Blaster said:
Have you solidified any pricing yet?
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No, not yet. There's alot of details to work out in order to get it right. Thanks for your patience btw.
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R
To follow up....

I am looking at $20k Adventure trailers.

If yours comes in at $4k for a well equipped trailer, and we add the following:

Camping labs RTT -- $1000
AGM Battery, solar panels, 12v charger, assorted lights, harness, etc -- $1k
ARB fridge (or similar) -- $1k
Camping stove, propane tank etc -- $500
Water tanks, misc harware -- $500
Awning for "kitchen" area -- $250

I am still around half the cost.

If it takes $5k+ to buy your trailer ready to add camping gear, I wouldn't be interested as a big chunk of change on the AT is the $3k RTT, and some high end storage, etc.


I do think that a roll cage of some sort for the RTT would be handy.
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ramv said:
To follow up....

I am looking at $20k Adventure trailers.

If yours comes in at $4k for a well equipped trailer, and we add the following:

Camping labs RTT -- $1000
AGM Battery, solar panels, 12v charger, assorted lights, harness, etc -- $1k
ARB fridge (or similar) -- $1k
Camping stove, propane tank etc -- $500
Water tanks, misc harware -- $500
Awning for "kitchen" area -- $250

I am still around half the cost.

If it takes $5k+ to buy your trailer ready to add camping gear, I wouldn't be interested as a big chunk of change on the AT is the $3k RTT, and some high end storage, etc.


I do think that a roll cage of some sort for the RTT would be handy.
Click to expand...

Hang tight. I need to make sure all our ducks are in a row before proceeding. This sounds doable but until we have solid pricing ironed out, I can't say for sure. Thanks for the interest by the way.
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Z
so what happened here?
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B
Naaaa

Looks like shit
to small
to square
looks to square
and o wait a minute mudpit footage, yep

first run prototype i quess?


just an opinion and sorry if it aint yours,,,,,,,,,
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