Reaver's DIY adventure box!

[reaver]

A little back story...

For the last few years, my family of three (myself, wife, and 4yo daughter) have been camping using my 2003 Nissan Xterra adventure rig.

Getting everything we need for a 4 day trip into the X is a challenge, to say the least.

Tent, fridge, water, dog, sleeping gear, tools, recovery gear, toiletries, etc.

I've done the best I can to organize the rig, and find gear that packs down pretty compact, but it's still a bit like playing jenga to get everything in there.

Seeing as how we'd like to start doing some longer trips starting next year, I've decided to build an adventure trailer.

I decided something that was about 4ft X 6ft would be perfect. Large enough to carry what we need, but small enough to still be relatively light.

The trailer will need to have on board power for the fridge, on board water, slide out kitchen space, the usual adventure trailer suspects.

With that in mind, today I brought home the bones of my trailer!



The trailer started life as a heavy duty tow behind reader board sign. The trailer has a heavy duty frame, decent tires, and what I think is a 3500lb trailer axle.

First task is to strip all the wood off the trailer, and get a really good look at the axle and frame.

I'm currently working out the overall design using my 3d modeling program, and will post images once I finish the initial basic design.

This should make it much easier to head out!

 

[Trail_pilot]

Looks like an awesome project. Looking at doing the same soon as there isn't a while lot of room in tj for the family.

 

[reaver]

I've got zero experience building a trailer, so I'm going to be doing a TON of research in the process.

I'll make sure to post the info that I learn here as well.

 

[M Rose]

I've got zero experience building a trailer, so I'm going to be doing a TON of research in the process.

I'll make sure to post the info that I learn here as well.

Time to get yourself a welder buddy.

 

[PCO6]

I've got zero experience building a trailer, so I'm going to be doing a TON of research in the process.

I'll make sure to post the info that I learn here as well.

That looks like a good foundation to start with.

 

[reaver]

Time to get yourself a welder buddy.

I probably will at some point. It's hard to say.

I'm very likely to build the box out of wood though. When properly prepped, sealed, and painted, it'll last a very long time.

 

[JLRubiMAtt]

I probably will at some point. It's hard to say.

I'm very likely to build the box out of wood though. When properly prepped, sealed, and painted, it'll last a very long time.

I am at the same crossroads, considering buying a welder. Unfortunately I have zero experience using one!

 

[reaver]

I am at the same crossroads, considering buying a welder. Unfortunately I have zero experience using one!

I'm at that point as well.

 

[Escape_The_Insanity]

A little back story...

For the last few years, my family of three (myself, wife, and 4yo daughter) have been camping using my 2003 Nissan Xterra adventure rig.

Sounds like it's going to be a great adventure.

Getting everything we need for a 4 day trip into the X is a challenge, to say the least.

Tent, fridge, water, dog, sleeping gear, tools, recovery gear, toiletries, etc.

I've done the best I can to organize the rig, and find gear that packs down pretty compact, but it's still a bit like playing jenga to get everything in there.

Seeing as how we'd like to start doing some longer trips starting next year, I've decided to build an adventure trailer.

I decided something that was about 4ft X 6ft would be perfect. Large enough to carry what we need, but small enough to still be relatively light.

The trailer will need to have on board power for the fridge, on board water, slide out kitchen space, the usual adventure trailer suspects.

With that in mind, today I brought home the bones of my trailer!

View attachment 201969

The trailer started life as a heavy duty tow behind reader board sign. The trailer has a heavy duty frame, decent tires, and what I think is a 3500lb trailer axle.

First task is to strip all the wood off the trailer, and get a really good look at the axle and frame.

I'm currently working out the overall design using my 3d modeling program, and will post images once I finish the initial basic design.

This should make it much easier to head out!

 

[reaver]

That's the idea! The goal is to always have the trailer loaded. Then it's just a matter of filling the water tank, and loading up with food. Then we can just hook up and go!

 

[reaver]

I spent a few hours trying to work out the layout for the interior of the trailer. I think I came up with a rather ingenious solution for the kitchen layout.

The kitchen and fridge pull out on a set of 48" slides.



The kitchen then folds out in three sections.

I'm thinking of putting a drawer in the first section that doesn't unfold. Then maybe a sink in the second section, and the stove in the last one.



I've incorporated a longer "attic" that can be accessed from the rear of the trailer. This will allow us to store the tent for now, and for sure my wife's ridiculously long camp rocking chair.





Still working out what will go on the other side, so no images there yet.

 

[freak4life]

I've got zero experience building a trailer, so I'm going to be doing a TON of research in the process.

I'll make sure to post the info that I learn here as well.

Go stay at a holiday inn, I am sure that will help. :) I am looking forward to watching the process.

 

[freak4life]

I am at the same crossroads, considering buying a welder. Unfortunately I have zero experience using one!

Most of the welding supply shops here in Phoenix have classes to learn at, that also gives them future customers. Try contacting some in your area and see if they also have classes.

 

[M Rose]

I am at the same crossroads, considering buying a welder. Unfortunately I have zero experience using one!

I love my Lincoln MP140 pro. It’s a 110 volt 140 amp welder that does MIG, TIG, and ARC. It also has an aluminum spool gun attachment To weld aluminum… and it’s a very easy to use welder for someone without any experience… I had very little knowledge about welding before hand, and with a little help from YouTube, I am OK doing MIG now… next I’m going to try my hand with ARC.

 

[Phillysteak]

I'm at that point as well.

MIG is really quick to pick up and versatile, you'll pick it up quickly. You can get by with a cheap MIG and flux core wire, a bit of cleanup because of the flux but you can achieve some nice welds. Using solid core with C25 gas will give you good welds and limit your cleanup. My Lincoln 140A I got at Lowes has held up for 8 years of abuse.

My TIG is a primeweld brand machine and I'm honestly impressed with the quality, they have a very inexpensive MIG setup that runs around $350.

 

[reaver]

Due to the cost of plywood (which I hadn't looked at prior to the initial design), I've decided to simplify the design.

I'm planning on having 3 doors. One on each side of the front, and a large rear access door.

Think similar to the smittybilt trailer.

Still planning on having a shower setup, rack, and some sort of kitchen setup.

Were planning on taking the trailer next weekend as a gear hauler, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[M Rose]

Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, metal is cheaper than wood right now. Even with the added expense of a quality welder.

 

[reaver]

That's probably true, and definitely something I should consider....

That being said, I know how to work with wood, and already have the tools to do so. Steel, not so much.

 

[Danno]

Looking forward to seeing your build!

 

[reaver]

Just got back from a two day test run with the trailer. Towed it behind my 2013 Frontier Pro-4x.

The combo towed beautifully. The trailer tracks perfectly behind the truck. I discovered that the tires are almost exactly as wide as the Frontier.

Without much weight in there, it's very bouncy. My wife nicknamed it Michael Flatley, which if you know who that is, you'll understand why. I may need to look into shocks if it continues to be a problem after the box is built.

All told, ID say that was a successful test of the trailer.