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Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment.

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Post by Kevin Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:12 pm

So, I've got this little truck bed trailer.  It's been sitting on the side of my house, being used for occasional dump runs, and that's about it.  Sitting next to it was the hardtop that I saved from the '86 4Runner That Is No More.  The other day I got to looking at it, and I took a couple measurements, and I wrestled the top onto the trailer, and "hey" I says.  Kevin has a new project.

The trailer:
Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150110

Fixed up the lights, solder and heat shrink so they don't go out like they did last time:
Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150112

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150113

And the top mocked on:
Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150210

I'll seal off the front with painted plywood, put a chunk of plexiglass on hinges on the rear, throw down some carpet inside, scrounge some 31s, and have myself a camp trailer.  It'll be ugly as sin but that's ok.  It's more of a proof of concept, really.  If I end up liking it, I'll find myself an '84-'88 Toyota bed that matches the 4Runner and start over... custom frame, stabilizer jacks, curtains, house battery and solar charger, etc.


Last edited by Kevin on Sat Mar 07, 2015 12:38 am; edited 1 time in total
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Post by Kevin Wed Feb 18, 2015 10:32 am

The 4Runner bed rails come farther inboard than standard truck rails, which is where the mounting points are on the top.  So I fabbed up some simple brackets and welded them to the trailer's bed rails.

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150214_152433_zpswyjtmf2l

I was going to just wall off the opening in front, but Wifey decided she wants some shelves there.  My carpentry skills are marginally better than my welding skills, so we'll see how this turns out. Here's the start of it:

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150215_173651_zpsn29o5lqm

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150218_102849_zpsaibonilu

One unconsidered benefit - instant playpen!  That'll be SUPER handy.

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150214_171408_zpsbxzuchkc
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Post by dutchman Wed Feb 18, 2015 10:35 am

The kid will have a blast rolling around in there on the trails! rotfl


Finding a Toyota bed would really finish it off nicely.

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Post by Kevin Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:53 pm

They're all over the place. The trouble is finding a clean Toyota bed, which is a much different bucket of fish.
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Post by Ty Wed Feb 18, 2015 11:58 pm

I've been looking into getting my trailer put back together in time for the Swell trip. I think I'm just going to put the box back on and give it a nice coat of paint and call it good until I can afford to build it how I want it. It will be good to at least throw my gear in.

By the way, do you still have those couple sets of lights of mine?? The tail lights and pro comps??
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Post by Kevin Thu Feb 19, 2015 12:41 am

I do, they're sitting on the shelf waiting for a chance to get them to you. Smile
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Post by Kevin Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:29 am

Got the box done - ended up skinning it with fleece and fiberglass resin, and then painting it with Als Liner bedliner. It won't win a fight with a tree branch, but it'll work for now.

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150302_085045_zpseak5scku

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150222_095837_zpsryb5tyju

I picked up a set of worn out 32x11 BFG ATs and dropped them off to get mounted yesterday. I'll find out in the morning if they fit - the trailer is currently spring under, and I'd like to keep it that way if I can. I also ground off the old flat spare tire mount, and I'll replace it with a vertical mount that puts the spare up in front of the box. That'll free up space on the tongue for a propane tank/house battery/cargo box/whatever.
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Post by Andrew Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:04 am

Looking good!
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Post by dutchman Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:09 pm

I like it. Are you planning on mounting anything on the trailer tongue?

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Post by Kevin Wed Mar 04, 2015 1:13 am

It's a definite possibility. I might not get around to it with this trailer, but there will be room for a propane tank, battery box, and cargo tote if I want.
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Post by Kevin Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:45 pm

That's totally not going to rub...

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150305_133500_zps0jpqvbl0

... right?  Right?   scratch

Gonna need flares on it anyway, although I'll probably skip the mudflaps. Anybody got a set of flares kicking around?

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150305_133609_zps64qrotup
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Post by dutchman Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:05 pm

I've got a bit of flexy flare left over after I cut the lengths I need for Het Beest.  You're welcome to it.

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Post by offroad_medic Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:20 pm

Garden edging fleet flare+sheet metal screws. Done!
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Post by Ty Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:08 am

EFF the flares!!!
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Post by Kevin Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:58 am

Ty wrote:EFF the flares!!!  

That's not very nice.  What did those flares ever do to you?

Nah, I gotta hack up the wheel arches to clear those tires. Flares will help cover the raw sheet metal edges. Very Happy
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Post by Kevin Fri Mar 06, 2015 1:34 pm

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150306_125228_zpsyp7cqy3z

That'll work. Thanks Brady!
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Post by offroad_medic Fri Mar 06, 2015 1:38 pm

Much better. Now you can at least clear your worn out tires.
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Post by Ty Fri Mar 06, 2015 1:54 pm

offroad_medic wrote:Much better. Now you can at least clear your worn out tires.

Maybe you can pass safety to with those flares!!!
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Post by Andrew Fri Mar 06, 2015 3:39 pm

I'm happy those flares are finally being put to good use!
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Post by Kevin Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:14 am

Remounting the spare was an odyssey.  The wire on my 110v machine broke, and a snag in the liner wouldn't let me reload it.  So I spent a morning driving around to Praxair and Airgas and a couple other places, nobody had a liner.  So I tried to use the stick machine, but I still suck too hard and wasn't happy with the boogers I was laying down.  So I took the 110 gun apart, pulled the liner out, shoved wire through the liner by hand and then put the liner back in the gun and the gun back on the welder.  It worked, but I need to order a new liner so I don't have to play that game again.

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150309_142017_zpshqmfzrwv

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150309_142004_zpsyjlus4x0

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150309_142048_zpsjsoqpx6s

Kevin's backcountry trailer experiment. 20150309_145012_zpsgrtjt2or


Last edited by Kevin on Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:15 am; edited 1 time in total
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Post by Ty Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:04 am

Looks good!! I was having issues with my 110 the other day. The wire kept tangling on the roll. It was pissing me off something fierce.
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Post by Kevin Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:12 am

Keeping the roll from unspooling and tangling has been the bane of my welding experience to date.  I hate that.
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Post by Ty Tue Mar 10, 2015 2:14 am

I don't know if it got tangle when it was loaded or what, but I have no problem with it unspooling. It just keeps getting tangled.
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Post by Kevin Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:08 am

Maybe we're not talking about the same thing? The wire I buy is under tension on the spool, it'll pop out like a spring if you let it. Once that happens it's almost impossible to coil it back onto the spool tightly without crossing it over itself, and then it tangles while it's unspooling and turns into a mess.
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Post by Ty Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:26 am

I'm sure that's what happened. I didn't load the wire so I don't kno .
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