Years ago I built a trailer to pull with my Cherokee that wasn't quite "overland" purposed but was a general utility trailer and meant to be a bug out trailer of sorts if needed. It got plenty of use hauling lumber, appliances, etc. Theory was if we wanted to head to the hills we could load it with whatever gear we wanted or needed and drag it along with the Cherokee.
I purposely built it using an extra Cherokee Rear Axle and same size tires. Also built to the same ride height. I installed an extra set of rear shocks as well. Theory being that one spare tire would cover everything and in an emergency the trailer provided extra axle parts and tires to keep the rig moving forward.
Plan was to mount the fuel cans, an extra driveline, and my extra complete front axle shafts. (My rig used a front driveline in both front and rear so one spare driveline went a long ways. The complete axle shafts took minimal space and made replacing on the trail so much easier. No U joints to mess with, just three bolts.
I ended up totaling the Cherokee on black ice one day, bought a full size truck, and never needed the trailer any more so sold it to a friend.
It started as an old utility trailer that we had sitting around. Probably cost less than $200 to buy if I had to. Did the work myself. Pretty budget. Extra parts were used. I bet I had maybe $200-$300 into it.
Axle mounted. New tongue and bracing with modern trailer coupler.
Decked with 2x6's from home depot.
Since my trailer was being built and I didn't feel like stacking lumber in the rack of the Cherokee I used my minitruck to get the lumber. Of all the shit removed from this truck it still has tie down points in the bed, which is about 4" shallower than a stock Mazda bed. This was on the old wheels/tires.
Threw some deck stain I had on the boards to try and protect them a little.
Just used plywood for the sides. Budget and easy. Painted with a color called "wild rice" that we still use randomly around. My dog's house is painted with it too.
