Buckles' Trailer Build
- Thread starter Buckles
- Start date
Trailer place in Georgia. I ordered through their eBay store.
Buck,
Looking real good...you want believe this, but 8 months ago I ripped two by fours in half to use for the steel to make a mock up trailer and what I put together looks very similar to yours. On the right side of my model I am extending two of the side uprights above the top rail by about 4 feet to make a side support for an awning and lighting when camping.
Since your design is about 90% of what I am planning, can you give me some critical dimensions I don't have to compare to what I have on paper:
The size of tire you are using, I assume it is a 16" rim, as it came from a FJ
The distance from the inside of the widest part of the tire to the metal side rails
The height of the top of the 2.5" tounge rail when the trailer is level.
Is the axle centerd on the main box frame? Or is there a bias towards the rear? ETA: looking at your picture of the trailer standing upright, looks like you are biased to the rear for a tounge preload, I calculated using the 2" steel tubing weight to have the axle 60/40, for my 6.5' long main trailer box, the axle center line is 2' 8" from the back.
I am planing to run the main tounge member all the way down the center to the back and having a receiver hitch on the back side.
I am having trouble finding wheels. I want a bolt patter to match the 4Runner. I found some new rims at Pep Boys that look like an old American Racing Outlaw, made by a company called Ion, never heard of them, but if I go with a 16" I will need to set my spring pads such that the 17" 4Runner spare will fit with out rubbing the side rails.
My other concern is having the trailer ride level or slightly above when unloaded. So that is why I need the tounge height, I don't have a mock up axle yet.
I even thought about getting a Toyota tail gate for the rear gate, and building the trailer around that.
Sorry for the questions, but if I lived near you, you would have a lot of free help on this project. I actualy designed the trailer before I purchased my 4Runner!!
Thanks,
77
Looking real good...you want believe this, but 8 months ago I ripped two by fours in half to use for the steel to make a mock up trailer and what I put together looks very similar to yours. On the right side of my model I am extending two of the side uprights above the top rail by about 4 feet to make a side support for an awning and lighting when camping.
Since your design is about 90% of what I am planning, can you give me some critical dimensions I don't have to compare to what I have on paper:
The size of tire you are using, I assume it is a 16" rim, as it came from a FJ
The distance from the inside of the widest part of the tire to the metal side rails
The height of the top of the 2.5" tounge rail when the trailer is level.
Is the axle centerd on the main box frame? Or is there a bias towards the rear? ETA: looking at your picture of the trailer standing upright, looks like you are biased to the rear for a tounge preload, I calculated using the 2" steel tubing weight to have the axle 60/40, for my 6.5' long main trailer box, the axle center line is 2' 8" from the back.
I am planing to run the main tounge member all the way down the center to the back and having a receiver hitch on the back side.
I am having trouble finding wheels. I want a bolt patter to match the 4Runner. I found some new rims at Pep Boys that look like an old American Racing Outlaw, made by a company called Ion, never heard of them, but if I go with a 16" I will need to set my spring pads such that the 17" 4Runner spare will fit with out rubbing the side rails.
My other concern is having the trailer ride level or slightly above when unloaded. So that is why I need the tounge height, I don't have a mock up axle yet.
I even thought about getting a Toyota tail gate for the rear gate, and building the trailer around that.
Sorry for the questions, but if I lived near you, you would have a lot of free help on this project. I actualy designed the trailer before I purchased my 4Runner!!
Thanks,
77
Last edited:
Answers are in bold above.
Buck,
Thanks, this is perfect. I was thinking 3" between the tire and the trailer and calculated 22.5" tounge height.
Please keep the photos coming. I went shopping this afternoon to look for rims, I found some at Pep Boys, will call Toyota to see if they have any used rims. I really want to go with a 17", but 16" may work. I will fit the trailer and fender to make sure I can put my 17" spare on the trailer if needed.
Many, many thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I am also considering drilling access holes in the tubing to run the wires.
77
Try Craigslist or a junk yard for the wheels.
I bought pre made fenders from tractor supply and they are the perfect size for my tires.
michaeljtomey
New member
I love the progress! Looks great and very inspiring. You already have me planning mine!! Wondering if you have any concept sketches that you drew prior to starting the build. I'd love to see how those compare to the progress. Thanks!
Sketches were in my head. I pretty much bought an axle and then started building around it. I knew that I wanted a 6' long box and went from there.
Today we decided to add a Hi-Lift mount and two places to strap down jerry cans.
The Lock N Roll hitch came in today as well. Tomorrow the fenders should be on and hopefully the hitch. Id like to take it to work Thursday and get it weighed.
mikey's2010SR5
New member
I wish I knew how to weld so I could build cool things.
It started as a 61/46 but because of the wheels and tires I used, I cut the perches off and welded them at 43 instead.
LockeLamora
New member
Looks great, how many hours has your uncle put in?
