"The X-Cubed" C.T.T.

[bknowles86]

Awesome build! I'm looking at doing a similar pop-up roof on mine and am curious how you detailed the
edges of the opening roof to be waterproof? Thanks, Ben

 

[zkengle]

WOW its been a while!

2015 was ridiculously busy with new job, and some family stuff. And I just didnt really have much free time. I did manage to go on quite a few short trips, but just haven't been on here at all. Hope everyone is hanging in there!



Since my last post...

I finished the Galley counter with Formica, with granite trivets...

Installed a rear receiver hitch...

Finished the headboard/electrical compartment cover....

Installed a front moped rack....

Built fenders....

And replaced the hatch. I made the same frame rails as before, but laminated 3/16" luaun on each face of the frame rails. MUCH MUCH stronger! I also replaced the hurricane hinge with a SS piano hinge and some aluminum trim. The hurricane hinge was destroyed while trying to remove it from the old hatch.

Oh... and a pull-down movie screen

 

[KCStudly]

Thanks for stopping by with those nice updates and welcome back! I have always enjoyed your unique style and design sense, so it's good to see you back.

 

[aggie79-HILO]

Thanks for stopping by with those nice updates and welcome back! I have always enjoyed your unique style and design sense, so it's good to see you back.

+1!

 

[S. Heisley]

Thanks for stopping by with those nice updates and welcome back! I have always enjoyed your unique style and design sense, so it's good to see you back.

+1!

+2! PS. That movie screen is a terrific idea for treardrop gathering entertainment!

 

[lfhoward]

Make that three of us! Your X-2 and now the X-Cubed are some of the builds that inspired me to take the plunge and begin a build of my own. Both are great trailers and I learned a lot from your build threads. Thanks for that!

 

[capnTelescope]

I'll join the crowd with a +4!

Good to see you back!

 

[Ned B-TNT]

One of my all time favorite builds , I'm hoping my 2nd or third build has some of the same fit & finish if not styling that your trailers have shown. Welcome back!!

 

[zkengle]

Thanks for the warm welcome back everyone! I've updated most of the posts throughout the thread since the images had disappeared. I tink 99% of the pictures are back.

PS. That movie screen is a terrific idea for treardrop gathering entertainment!

That picture was taken at a TearJerkers gathering at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Central PA. I got there the night before everyone, so I had nearly the entire campground to myself! The following night we were watching some old b&w "horror" classics! Great time!

 

[tawright915]

Love the build. I have a question, all you did was paint the outside, no other skin?

 

[zkengle]

Thanks! Yes, it was primed with a couple coats of Kilz Premium, and top-coated with a couple coats of Valspar Anti-Rust Armor (same thing as Rustoleum High Performance Enamels, but can be tinted to any color.) I made sure all corners were sanded smooth so the paint would resist peeling from sharp edges.

Yes, it will need re-painted every few years, depending on how its stored. This one is garage kept, but used quite often. Paint is still as good as the day it went on. I don't expect I'll have to repaint it anytime in the next few years.

A nice thing is that if it incurs any damage, its easy to fix! I had an incident when I went to a friends cabin for the weekend. Backed into my spot and because of the terrain, I dragged the front right corner on a large flat rock. Trimmed out the damaged 3/16" skin, replaced it, puttied it, and primed it so far. No finished pictures yet... havent quite had time to finish it. Just bought a house, so I've been a little preoccupied. As soon as I get a day to finish it, I'll post up a couple more pics.

 

[bdosborn-SMB]

Boy your trailer keeps getting better. I'll be right over to drink a beer and watch a movie.

Bruce

 

[zkengle]

Boy your trailer keeps getting better. I'll be right over to drink a beer and watch a movie.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce! Sounds like a plan!

 

[Alan_H-TNT]

What is your tongue weight with the moped on there?

My wife drives a XV CrossTrek and if I recall correctly, it's maxed at 200#.

Conversely, my Forester XT is maxed at 175#, but same tow capacity of 1500# ... figure that out... lol.

 

[zkengle]

I think the smaller moped is around 95lbs, so tongue weight is probably up around 150lbs with the moped on there. Yeah I was surprised to read the tongue weight for the crosstrek was 200.

 

[zkengle]

FInished my repair 2 weeks ago. As good as new!

And traded Clementine in on a 2016 Crosstrek!

 

[KCStudly]

Looks like the color scheme still works well with the pinstripe tying things in.

Why the upgrade/trade in? Seems like the 2014 should have just been getting broken in.

 

[zkengle]

Had the dealer put the orange stripe on it.

The orange one was just getting broken in, with 32k miles. My local dealer gave me a heck of an offer to trade in for a new one. And the 2016 has a few more bells and whistles compared to the 2014.

 

[Alan_H-TNT]

Hey Zach,

A lot of your images have lost their links. Where do you house them? I was wondering about your torsion axle on the NT trailer. How is it holding up, and would you have reinforced the frame if you do it again? Got pics?

Also, what kind of ground clearance do you have based on the axle/wheel/tire combo? I will be towing with a Forester (same G.C.) so I'm interested in your results.

Also, how about a pic of your tongue extension?

Thanks!
Alan

 

[zkengle]

Man I really need to get back on here more often!

Here's a link to my Facebook album with all the pictures. Sorry I havent had time to revise this thread and reload the pictures.

https://www.facebook.com/zkengle/media_ ... 768&type=3