Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

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Re: Ultralight trailer build March 2017

Postby R. W. Alexander » Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:23 pm

Looks a lot better with a coat of paint on the aluminum.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby ELM » Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:03 am

It looks great. :thumbsup:
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build March 2017

Postby R. W. Alexander » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:44 pm

Added skylight, vent and the front molding covers. I'll start working on the galley area tomorrow.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby friz » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:52 pm

Looks great! What did it end up weighing?

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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby R. W. Alexander » Sat Mar 25, 2017 5:30 pm

friz wrote:Looks great! What did it end up weighing?


I haven't weighed it yet. I still have more to do.

This is the latest work. I did the weather strip covering on the galley lid. I took a piece of J channel a spaced a 1/4" gap between the higher section of J channel. I used a metal ruler that had the required (3/32")thickness I wanted to keep the J channel away from the wood side. I then added some holes through the J channel that were offset from the middle to connect the screws to the galley lid. I also ground off a bit of the screw so the plastic molding fit better. In case you are wondering about water getting in. especially during driving. the plastic hinge extends to the edge of the side. And I will add a bead of rubberized adhesive to prevent water from getting under the J channel at this area.
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Re: Ultralight trailer (Curvey) build March 2017

Postby R. W. Alexander » Sun Apr 02, 2017 2:35 pm

Got some of the interior done. I finally weighed the trailer. the weight was 440 lbs. About right where I :thumbsup: figured when I designed it.
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Inside photo of the finish moldings. The front and top have 1/8" birch ply with 3/4" by 1/8" thick blue pine trim. the skylight and vent are also trimmed in blue pine.
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the shelves and bulkhead wall are built with 1/8" birch ply glued to 3/4 and 1.00" horizontal joists. A very strong and light weight panel.
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The framing before gluing and stapling the birch ply down.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby R. W. Alexander » Sun Apr 02, 2017 2:45 pm

More photos.
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All of the aluminum trim added to the back. along with the bottom galley lid gasket.
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I found the galley lid too light for the springs. So I made a few simple lightweight aluminum hinges. I use some pop rivets to hold the parts together. The galley hinges have a removable linchpin pin, that will stay in place and will not allow the galley lid to fly open in a gust of wind. It's a matter of pulling the pins and putting them into a hole drilled above them about 2" for storage and lowering the lid.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby QueticoBill » Sun Apr 02, 2017 6:18 pm

This is a really a sweet build. Really handsome. Do you know what it weighs?
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby R. W. Alexander » Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:41 pm

QueticoBill wrote:This is a really a sweet build. Really handsome. Do you know what it weighs?

440 lbs.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby R. W. Alexander » Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:58 pm

About done. Here is what I did for the spare tire holder. I cut a circle out of some 3/4" cdx plywood, then sealed it up with some waterproofing. I then got a length of all thread, bolts, and a wing nut. I then made a lightweight aluminum frame to help hold the tire until it was pulled tight against the bottom of the trailer. Originally I was going to put the spare tire at the front, but with the extra height of the torsion half axles I had plenty of room at the back.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build April 2017

Postby R. W. Alexander » Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:06 pm

I needed to keep the doors from flying open from a gust of wind. So I made some leather door holders. I used 2 for each door . They are positioned over the top and bottom hinges. They are compact and do not interfere with getting in or out. And they hold the door at the proper angle. I have a laser engraver so I added some Indian clip art to the leather, as I cut them out.
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Open at 100 degrees.
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Closed position.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby Dirtclod » Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:16 am

Those leather door stops are a great idea. I may have to steal that for my build.
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Re: Ultralight trailer build May 2017

Postby R. W. Alexander » Tue May 23, 2017 2:55 pm

In keeping with a lightweight design. :thinking: I made these adjustable lift blocks out of redwood rems. I can adjust them in 1/2 inch increments. I have 2 for the back of the trailer. And one for the front tongue. Since the trailer is Very light I can just lift with one hand and slide a jack under the trailer. For the trailer jack in front. It slides in place and I lift the tongue to set the height. The extra block on the top of the front tongue jack, allows me to move the trailer without taking off the redwood lift jack.

I also did a small trip to see how the trailer tows, and to get a idea of gas mileage. I went over two mountain passes in a 180 mile trip. I got about 28 m.p.g.
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby pchast » Tue May 23, 2017 9:56 pm

Nice! :thumbsup:

How tall is your trailer from the road in relation to
your tow vehicle?
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Re: Ultrlight trailer build October 2016

Postby R. W. Alexander » Tue May 30, 2017 12:10 pm

pchast wrote:Nice! :thumbsup:

How tall is your trailer from the road in relation to
your tow vehicle?


The trailer is 15 inches from the road to the bottom of the trailer. It is taller than my last one I built. And I prefer the extra height of this trailer.
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