Great tent trailer and incredible idea moving forward. I've never built one but love seeing everyone's build logs. Maybe one day. Can't wait to see more.jmanscotch wrote:We plan to run basic electrically functions and will be doing everything in 12V, no 120. Maybe wire for solar in the future, but for now we'll charge while at home (and a little while towing with the 7-pin) as that'll typically last us the one night we'll be out camping.
There's also plans for front tongue box, small landing to catch some misc, rock rails surrounding trailer base to keep any basic obstacles from contacting aluminum siding so easily, a rear bumper, custom fenders and side landings behind the fenders, roof rack and some misc storage on the sides (propane tank, water, fuel, jack, etc).
Moving on, I wanted to see what we were working with so I removed the inside paneling and inspected build materials, quality, etc. Here's what I found.
- basic interior setup - 24" on center supports, Z channel supports, aluminum skin, 1" square tube ceiling supports and some cheap board
- Crap wiring techniques and installation (and I've read of them having back quality wire overall) as evident by these crimp on connectors that surely don't last in bouncy environments.
- No protection on wiring going through metal hole (but it is a ground wire atleast, not a hot lead! Second pic is the completely loose ground attachment
No real surprises, except one weld that was horribly burnt through (between the pathetically flimsy horizontal fender support between two vertical supports).
More to come soon...
Jake
McDave wrote:Bearing buddys wont do the trick?
That factory wiring looks just exactly like every other trailer I have seen. You must inspect and correct or flat out replace it all.
Already looks like a badass trailer. Keep up the good work.
McDave
McDave wrote:Well I just lernt something. I went to Bearing Buddies site and I can see your point.
https://www.bearingbuddy.com/
While the buddies do keep bearings lubed and water/dirt free, they don't allow you to change the grease or to push out the old stuff.
Point well taken Sir.
McDave
McDave wrote:That's kind of tough one. I really don't like the way the A frame is mated to the side rail either, but it probably is strong enough for the loads of a 5 x 8. As far as the stress of off road, hard to know. So as long as you have it all opened up and want to burn some wire with that new mig, I'd be tempted to just fab some gussets of all the various obtuse, scalene, and acute triangles out of .125 plate and weld across bottom. I'm thinking keep them fairly small and try to orient so the open side would be toward the aft when possible. Might help to keep from collecting mud etc.. You may be able to hit the underside (inside ) of the c channel on there and it would still be lower than floor. Or tack in just shy of flush. Gussets may help with the strange twisting and bouncing off road.
I wouldn't get too carried away. And just try to provide for drainage.
What do ya got a fat bob dyna setting in the shop? Its hard to tell for sure but looks like a 103?
McDave
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