Benroy on a utility trailer

[fourbtgait]

For the past year I have read and researched this site.
If people had problems with their hatches, it is because they "opened" up upon sheathing.
Mine has contracted.......
Built using templates, in place. Inner and outer skin on and the radious became tighter.....
Have it in place now with winch straps on it pulling tight to see if it "relaxes"
If not, then plan B....

[fourbtgait]

Little things.
1st coat exterior of hatch.
Sliding drawer for ice chest.

[Mushin]

Looking very nice! Can't wait to see finished product

[fourbtgait]

Thanks.
Neither can the wife, she wants her garage back.
I was aiming for March 1st, but have now pushed it back realisticaly to April. It is the little things that take the most time.
I still need to source the trailer shocks since it seems Monroe quit selling the kit.

[fourbtgait]

Hatch installed, wired, gas springs on.
The gas spring calculator did not work for me. It said 42 pounds works, bought 50 pounds, wouldnt hold hatch.
100 pound springs work perfect.
Triple, quadruple checked numbers.

[Mushin]

Man that trailer is sweet!

[fourbtgait]

Thanks Mushin.
It is coming down to little things. Varnishing small parts takes several days.
I did not like the angle of the rear hatch lights, laminated circular bases, cut out on an angle, etc.
Doors built for interior, hanf tomorrow.
Found a leak in roof of the house in garage, had to investigate that.
Need to wash it, sand exterior and put a final coat on.

[fourbtgait]

Two weeks busy doing other things.
Sanded, repainted the outside grey today. Thought it might be to light and once hitched to the 4runner, it was. Only takes 30 minutes to unbolt, lift off of trailer.
Lot of little things to finish, door knobs, coat/towel hooks, drip caps, etc.
The bare trailer had a tongue weight of 275 pounds. Bare box on the trailer with matress inside, 60 pound battery in tongue box has a tongue weight of 224 pounds. As set up now, trailer weighs 1450, so 15%. Not bad.
Once set back down, I will load up all gear that will stay in trailer, recheck. I will use the 7 gallon water jug and the ice chest as movable ballast. Need more tongue weight? Put those in front of box when traveling.

[fourbtgait]

Here is the combo before sanding it down and going darker

[fourbtgait]

Finally took it out camping once life settled down. Major storm blew through as we headed to the mountains, no issues of leaks. Pulled behind the 4runner like a dream, followed in our tire tracks. We got 16 mpg at 60 mph max on rolling hills 2 lanes. Going tent camping, same road/vehicle gave us 21 mpg. So lost 5 mpg, not bad but hoped for less. Very short list of upgrades, simple things like magnetic pistol holders and such.

[KCStudly]

Good deal.