Hello from Kansas

[Forge1097]

I want to say hello and tell you a little about me.

My name is Michael, I'm retired and living in Paola, Ks. I am a welder and have my own shop to work in. I spent almost 20 years building sandrail dune buggies. Now I do roll cages for rock crawlers and bumpers. I have a motorcycle that I ride most days. I also am building a Suzuki Samurai as an Expedition and all around vehicle. I have been watching this site for over a year and am beginning to gather materials for a build of my own. I would like to say there are many very nice builds on here. They have given me many ideas.

Thank you all for the information so far and much more to come.

Michael
Paola, Ks.

[hoytedow]

Welcome to the forum! I went to Kansas once, in fact drove all the way through it. I think I could count all the trees I saw on one hand. It was beautiful though. There was nothing to block my view of the sunset over the plains as a storm system formed behind me.

[canned o minimum]

Well Michael.. we GOTCHA !! There's no turnin back now...WELCOME to the fun !

[StPatron]

Welcome, Michael. There are quite a few here from Kansas, some super folks. If you can find the time, please start a build thread and post lots of pics as you progress.

Hope to see you at a gathering some day.

[mkitchen]

Are you planning on building something to tow behind the Zuk or something for road only? There are a few of us out there who like to do multi-day off road trips as well as road trips. Welcome to the group.
Mikey

[Forge1097]

I'm planning to pull it behind the Zuk. I'm working on the Zuk right now for to finish it up. Any suggestions on the trailer construction for offroad. What will stand up the best.

[Kevin & Sandy]

Welcome, Michael !!!

If you have been welding on offroad stuff for 20 years, you should tell us what holds up best!! I bet you have seen what holds up good.

Here is a link I found before I found this place, this may be of some help.

http://www.outbackteardrop.com/

There are some nice offroad design here too. I nearly did the offroad style, but went with a more traditional style, maybe I will do that on the second one !

Kevin

[Forge1097]

I can build it to with stand me, which is pretty much in my younger days. I'm trying to keep my weight down on this build. I'd like to keep it under 700lbs. if possible. I've looked thru a lot of builds and have some ideas.

[corncountry]

Hello from Iowa,

Have you thought about steel tube framing? Strong and light. Sounds like you can handle the welding and bending. Don't know how this will hold up off-road, as my TDs were built for the road. TD#2 is a little over 900 lbs. It is a 5X9 1/2 ft. I only used about 1/2 as much steel in the framing as I did on my first build and I think I could have used less. Good luck on whatever you build.

Jim

[Forge1097]

I'm thinking it will probably be 3/4" steel frame. I believe it will keep the weight down, plus I've got 100' of it on my steel rack. I had completely forgot it was there, so I might be starting on it in the next few weeks.

[Darren]

Howdy from Shawnee, KS. We camp pretty often in the area, at least once a month in the warm weather, so plan on coming out with us once your trailers ready.

Darren