Cheap utility trailer build

jeepman

jeepman

Rank III
Launch Member

Traveler III

740
Columbia, Tennessee, USA
First Name
Tracy
Last Name
Duke
Member #

18360

I picked up a good condition used 4x6 utility trailer for $100 and turned it into a camping trailer to put my RTT on. Started with cutting off factory fenders, flipping the axle, and building the rack.
 

Attachments

  • AFB28FDE-D50D-49BA-B623-4AB9155BB64A.jpeg
    AFB28FDE-D50D-49BA-B623-4AB9155BB64A.jpeg
    525.9 KB · Views: 246
  • CC74EF23-B2B7-406F-B44E-587B6211A7D8.jpeg
    CC74EF23-B2B7-406F-B44E-587B6211A7D8.jpeg
    591.1 KB · Views: 243
  • Like
Reactions: NCFireGuy, North American Sojourner, AggieOE and 3 others
Even with tent on it I can’t even tell it’s behind the 4runner. Way lighter than our pop up camper.
 

Attachments

  • B4776048-82BD-4713-9A5B-48050DB14D65.jpeg
    B4776048-82BD-4713-9A5B-48050DB14D65.jpeg
    521.4 KB · Views: 220
  • A3A77A1B-18EB-4F6D-809C-2BDF2C2D76AE.jpeg
    A3A77A1B-18EB-4F6D-809C-2BDF2C2D76AE.jpeg
    543.9 KB · Views: 216
  • D8CEC1D0-F3C3-4DF5-A865-2E9A1C7E4C64.jpeg
    D8CEC1D0-F3C3-4DF5-A865-2E9A1C7E4C64.jpeg
    979.7 KB · Views: 212
  • Like
Reactions: pa10spro, JacksonRL, North American Sojourner and 4 others
My rack for my tent is like yours so I took it to a shop that does boat covers and they built my cover. Doubled the useful space , keeps everything dry and keep it from disappearing. It zips on the corners snd rolls up !
 

Attachments

  • media.jpg
    media.jpg
    81.5 KB · Views: 203
  • media.jpg
    media.jpg
    99.1 KB · Views: 179
  • Like
Reactions: North American Sojourner, EXPO_D1 and jeepman
I started with the same trailer and after 10 years it is being rebuilt. The frame had cracked, as I knew it would. We cut the spring hangers off and welded in a 2x2 subframe.
 
I have added a battery set up, water tank and pump, and a diesel tent heater for cold weather camping. Its coming along nicely. My wife bought me a camp griddle for Christmas and as soon as I get a fridge I will make a slide out and covers for them.
 

Attachments

  • media.jpg
    media.jpg
    109.5 KB · Views: 230
  • Like
Reactions: North American Sojourner, Phillysteak, Robert Fullen and 1 other person
jeepman said:
They are out there. Just don’t get in a hurry.
Click to expand...
I'm in no hurry. Been keeping an eye out but I don't have a place to put it right now either ( living in temperary housing) and only 1 of 3 of our vehicles has trailer wiring. I have wiring for my compass but still.nees to install it, and my TJ sits a little high for most trailers and I still need to buy my own drop bitch because I used to borrow one from my old job all the time lol.
 
i have the same 4x6 trailer that i also picked up for $100. I just started working on and doing something similar. How stable is the trailer on the highway with the tent up that high? Any sway?

looks great! What size tires?
 
  • Like
Reactions: boogiedynamite
Purpony said:
i have the same 4x6 trailer that i also picked up for $100. I just started working on and doing something similar. How stable is the trailer on the highway with the tent up that high? Any sway?

looks great! What size tires?
Click to expand...
Thanks! I still have more to do to it. I just drove to Oxford Al and back with no issues. I also ran 600-1 and 600-2 in the Talladega National Forest pulling the trailer. The tires are 30".
 
jeepman said:
I picked up a good condition used 4x6 utility trailer for $100 and turned it into a camping trailer to put my RTT on. Started with cutting off factory fenders, flipping the axle, and building the rack.
Click to expand...
Hey. I am doing a similar build. Did u swap to a different axle? I am looking at timberlen axle less set up. Any advise after your project?
 
jeepman said:
I kept the original axle for now. Going to see how it does before changing it further.
Click to expand...

Hey there, I had a couple of questions about your build as I think I'm about to do the same thing.
1) What all did you do to fit larger wheels and tires? Flipped the axle and... any wheel spacers, lug pattern changes, etc.
2) How has it held up? I read one of MOAK's comments here and elsewhere of the failures he had but was curious if you've noticed any weak points.
3) How's the stability of the trailer with the tent unfolded? Any tipping worries? Any need for stabilizers in the corners?
4) Lastly, overall, do you recommend this idea or would you not repeat it?

Thanks!
 
AggieOE said:
Hey there, I had a couple of questions about your build as I think I'm about to do the same thing.
1) What all did you do to fit larger wheels and tires? Flipped the axle and... any wheel spacers, lug pattern changes, etc.
2) How has it held up? I read one of MOAK's comments here and elsewhere of the failures he had but was curious if you've noticed any weak points.
3) How's the stability of the trailer with the tent unfolded? Any tipping worries? Any need for stabilizers in the corners?
4) Lastly, overall, do you recommend this idea or would you not repeat it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
AggieOE said:
jeepman said:
I kept the original axle for now. Going to see how it does before changing it further.
Click to expand...

Hey there, I had a couple of questions about your build as I think I'm about to do the same thing.
1) What all did you do to fit larger wheels and tires? Flipped the axle and... any wheel spacers, lug pattern changes, etc.
2) How has it held up? I read one of MOAK's comments here and elsewhere of the failures he had but was curious if you've noticed any weak points.
3) How's the stability of the trailer with the tent unfolded? Any tipping worries? Any need for stabilizers in the corners?
4) Lastly, overall, do you recommend this idea or would you not repeat it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

AggieOE said:
jeepman said:
I kept the original axle for now. Going to see how it does before changing it further.
Click to expand...

Hey there, I had a couple of questions about your build as I think I'm about to do the same thing.
1) What all did you do to fit larger wheels and tires? Flipped the axle and... any wheel spacers, lug pattern changes, etc.
2) How has it held up? I read one of MOAK's comments here and elsewhere of the failures he had but was curious if you've noticed any weak points.
3) How's the stability of the trailer with the tent unfolded? Any tipping worries? Any need for stabilizers in the corners?
4) Lastly, overall, do you recommend this idea or would you not repeat it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have not had any issues with the trailer so far. I use the tent mostly with the trailer still hooked to the vehicle and have had no stability issues. I would recommend stabilizing the trailer for use unhooked. I have not had a problem but could see situations where I could. I have run Imogene pass, Cinnamon Pass, Hurricane creek, and American Basin pulling this trailer. I would absolutely do it again. I can’t say why others have issues but properly built it will last almost anything.
 

Attachments

  • 34422B54-F9D7-43DD-8F76-C51210D9DF36.jpeg
    34422B54-F9D7-43DD-8F76-C51210D9DF36.jpeg
    891.1 KB · Views: 119
  • 0100B596-1655-4F05-9DE5-108481590A73.jpeg
    0100B596-1655-4F05-9DE5-108481590A73.jpeg
    847.1 KB · Views: 62
  • C10160EF-0889-44BE-829A-145FC69DF311.jpeg
    C10160EF-0889-44BE-829A-145FC69DF311.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 68
  • 30EA4AF9-1F41-4492-9A61-38C7934E5A9C.jpeg
    30EA4AF9-1F41-4492-9A61-38C7934E5A9C.jpeg
    852.3 KB · Views: 68
  • D5434104-0EA4-4277-8264-4AEE3311081A.jpeg
    D5434104-0EA4-4277-8264-4AEE3311081A.jpeg
    174.6 KB · Views: 66
  • Like
Reactions: AggieOE and North American Sojourner
jeepman said:
I have not had any issues with the trailer so far. I use the tent mostly with the trailer still hooked to the vehicle and have had no stability issues. I would recommend stabilizing the trailer for use unhooked. I have not had a problem but could see situations where I could. I have run Imogene pass, Cinnamon Pass, Hurricane creek, and American Basin pulling this trailer. I would absolutely do it again. I can’t say why others have issues but properly built it will last almost anything.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update! Ironically, we're building it up for a trip to Colorado this summer to do Imogene and Alpine loop.
 
I’ve recently acquired a utility trailer myself, however it’s a tilt trailer. I don’t know if this will be a long term solution for my RTT and overlanding accessories but just wanted to see what you thought of there being any potential issues with using a tilt trailer as an initial build?
 
jeepman said:
I have not had any issues with the trailer so far. I use the tent mostly with the trailer still hooked to the vehicle and have had no stability issues. I would recommend stabilizing the trailer for use unhooked. I have not had a problem but could see situations where I could. I have run Imogene pass, Cinnamon Pass, Hurricane creek, and American Basin pulling this trailer. I would absolutely do it again. I can’t say why others have issues but properly built it will last almost anything.
Click to expand...

One more question, what size wheel spacers did you have to use to account for the backspacing?
 
AggieOE said:
jeepman said:
I have not had any issues with the trailer so far. I use the tent mostly with the trailer still hooked to the vehicle and have had no stability issues. I would recommend stabilizing the trailer for use unhooked. I have not had a problem but could see situations where I could. I have run Imogene pass, Cinnamon Pass, Hurricane creek, and American Basin pulling this trailer. I would absolutely do it again. I can’t say why others have issues but properly built it will last almost anything.
Click to expand...

One more question, what size wheel spacers did you have to use to account for the backspacing?
Click to expand...

I used 3” spacers to clear the factory jeep wheels. If you used aftermarket wheels you could probably use 2.5”
 
  • Like
Reactions: AggieOE
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom