Dirtco’s Camping Trailer - Version 1.2

[Dirtco]

After several years building my camping / expedition trailer (and taking it on a couple trips) I’ve decided to change a couple things around and make a few additions. A lot of this is stuff that never got completed the first time around, and some of it is modifying the existing design. I know this isn’t 4Runner tech, but it is towed behind my 4Runner, and is why I built my 4Runner the way I did!

A little background, and cliff notes for the build…

The whole build can be found over here in a lot more detail: My Camping Trailer Project - YotaTech Forums

I built this trailer mainly using parts and materials that I had lying around, if I was going to do it again there are several things I would change, but I have too much time in this one to just start over. (At least for now)

I started with this, what was left of my first Toyota Truck (85’ Long Bed). I cut it up to build my first 4Runner after I rolled it hard; the frame had been setting for around eight years in my parents backyard before I grabbed it.

I cleaned up the frame, bobbed it, built a bumper, and extended the frame rails

Built a frame work that utilized the factory bed mounts…

With more frame work

 

[Dirtco]

I built an axle from scratch

And installed the old suspension that was on the truck (4” Superlift springs with new shackles)

I skinned the sides of the trailer with some light weight galvanized pallet shelving (free) and some 16 gauge sheet metal on top.

Interchangeable trailer tongue (street coupler and multi-axis trail coupler)

Tailgate / Lights

 

[Dirtco]

When I first built the trailer I planned on using a Tent-Cot, but that plan didn’t work out and I bought a Tepui Tent for it instead. Upgrading to the Tepui tent might be the best choice I made for the trailer, well worth the money!

And I swapped out the wheels to some MT Classic Lock’s that had close to the same back spacing as the 4Runner wheels, and were a better match to my TR Beadlocks.

 

[Dirtco]

To be continued...

 

[Imperial4runner]

Awesome man cant wait to see ur upgrades. wish I could bulit my own trailer. But....Aint got no time for that.

 

[JWaldz]

This sh!t is ridiculous Jeremiah..


Love it

 

[KidVermicious]

Sweet build, I dig it. Do you like the Tepui? Have any pics of it set up?

 

[Fishwerks]

It's so beautiful...

 

[Hepar]

Geez. You definitely don't do anything halfway!

 

[Dirtco]

Awesome man cant wait to see ur upgrades. wish I could bulit my own trailer. But....Aint got no time for that.

Thanks man! It's really time consuming, I've been working on this for around three years.

This sh!t is ridiculous Jeremiah..


Love it

Haha, it really is John! But who wouldn't want a "little" camping trailer on 35's?

Sweet build, I dig it. Do you like the Tepui? Have any pics of it set up?

Thanks! I really like the tent, I'll post pictures of it set up once I finish getting everyone up to speed on the rest of the trailer.

It's so beautiful...

Thanks! More to come...

Geez. You definitely don't do anything halfway!

Thank you Hepar! At first thought it would take me a couple months, it's now been a few years. I never thought that it would become this much of a project!

 

[Dirtco]

Continuing on…

The Fenders are pre-fabricated units that I trimmed down to fit. The trailer will have tendency to cut corners, so I built some side deflector / rock sliders to keep the trailer from getting caught up in a tree or rock. It also has a nice flow from the frame up to the body of the trailer.

 

[Dirtco]

If you didn’t notice in the above pictures, I kept the factory gas tank to carry spare fuel when on longer trips (it holds 15 gallons if I remember right). I installed a factory fuel filter, along with a fuel shut-off valve and electric fuel pump that will transfer the fuel over the 4Runner.

 

[Hepar]

That trailer can go places my 4Runner can't. Not sure whether to be impressed or cry.

 

[Dirtco]

Side door and cooler slide out

 

[Kurtis]

How about that new snow wheelin' video?

 

[Dirtco]

Lights and wiring!

This was a huge undertaking, I have a ton of lights and electrical equipment.

I installed the stock battery out of the 4Runner, but I would like to upgrade to a Die Hard Platinum down the road.

I picked up a stainless steel box for free, so I used it as my electrical control box. Here is the front of the control box; switches w/ waterproof boots, indicator lights, shore plug and digital voltmeter.

Shore plug in use, it connects to the batter charger/maintainer

Back side of the front panel

Inside the control box

Spare fuse block and master on-off switch/circuit breaker

Voltmeter

 

[Dirtco]

I figured if the 4Runner has rock lights, the trailer might as well have them too. They are one watt LED flood lights and there will be a three-position switch on the trailer that controls the lights:

Truck ON – The lights will turn on when I turn on the 4Runner’s rock lights, they will feed off the trucks electrical system. Great for night wheeling to camp, and situating the trailer in a good spot after dark.

OFF – Enough said

Trailer ON – The lights turn on, feeding off the trailer’s electrical system. Great for setting up camp, finding stuff under trailer, and making people think there’s a UFO hanging out in the woods.

The HID reverse light works the same way.

 

[Dirtco]

How about that new snow wheelin' video?

I'm still working on it, but it's getting close. I'll let you know when it's ready.

 

[Kurtis]

Is all that wiring done by your hand?

 

[Dirtco]

Is all that wiring done by your hand?

Yes, all from scratch. I don't know how much time I have in wiring the trailer but it's got to be at least 40 hours, probably a lot more. All the wiring exposed to the elements is double heat shrunk and loomed. There's two different electrical systems that come into play; the truck, and the trailer. Some accessories have the ability to be switched between the two.