Senior Thesis off-road trailer build

[my_jk]

In the process of designing and building a 5x9 off-road trailer for my Jeep.The build is scheduled to start mid December, but in the meantime I'm looking forward to hearing feedback on design, technics ect.

Specs
length 9'
body width 5'
overall width 6'6
body hight 5'
overall hight 6'6-to 7' depending on trailer choice
cabin 1.25 x 1.25 x 1/8 square tubing

trailer a.jpg (11.25 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

trailer b.jpg (16.39 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

trailer c.jpg (12.99 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

[my_jk]

1/4 scale model

trailer photo.jpg (21.13 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

[noseoil]

If it's for off-roading, I might use a frame rail setup which is a little bigger than what you have shown. Maybe a 2x3 section would be a bit better for bumping around off the beaten track. I look at a frame as the foundation (like in a house) of the build. If it's well built, the rest stays in good shape. A couple of dollars more spent on the frame steel isn't a deal breaker, and can really help when bouncing around over rocks, ruts & pulling out of thick stuff. With a larger section, you could drop to a thinner wall and not gain too much weight or cost.

That having been said, a properly made & designed frame out of the sticks you're looking at will probably do just fine. I would rather err on the side of caution for off road use and hard knocks. Welcome & nice stuff you've had in the last 9 years. Best, tim

[KCStudly]

I like where you're heading with this!

I agree with Noseoil. While the structure of the cabin accounts for the main strength, you will definitely need heavier stock to tie that through the tongue to the coupler (unless you were referring to a steel cage cabin structure and not the trailer frame itself, then 1-1/4 is probably overkill... 1 inch x 12 ga or thinner would do).

Is it a sleeper, or just a gear hauler? The bulkhead looks to be in the middle and the side doors look to be too for forward for an easy "sit and spin" entry.

Looks like maybe a rear entry sleeper for one with your feet up under the front storage compartment? If so, you may want to consider going a little higher on the storage deck; leave room for a mattress, your feet, and some tossing and turning.

Got any cutaway shots of the interior?

[my_jk]

I like where you're heading with this!

I agree with Noseoil. While the structure of the cabin accounts for the main strength, you will definitely need heavier stock to tie that through the tongue to the coupler (unless you were referring to a steel cage cabin structure and not the trailer frame itself, then 1-1/4 is probably overkill... 1 inch x 12 ga or thinner would do).

Is it a sleeper, or just a gear hauler? The bulkhead looks to be in the middle and the side doors look to be too for forward for an easy "sit and spin" entry.

Looks like maybe a rear entry sleeper for one with your feet up under the front storage compartment? If so, you may want to consider going a little higher on the storage deck; leave room for a mattress, your feet, and some tossing and turning.

Got any cutaway shots of the interior?

Thanks for the feedback KCStudly. The trailer frame is going from a utility trailer that I will modify to make more structurally sound while the cabin structure is going to be made from the 1-1/4 tubing. The trailer is going to be a sleeper that you enter from the back into a 4'8x6'6 sleeping area. The door to the passenger side is a foldout kitchen nook while the one on the drivers side is dry storage.

[my_jk]

If it's for off-roading, I might use a frame rail setup which is a little bigger than what you have shown. Maybe a 2x3 section would be a bit better for bumping around off the beaten track. I look at a frame as the foundation (like in a house) of the build. If it's well built, the rest stays in good shape. A couple of dollars more spent on the frame steel isn't a deal breaker, and can really help when bouncing around over rocks, ruts & pulling out of thick stuff. With a larger section, you could drop to a thinner wall and not gain too much weight or cost.

That having been said, a properly made & designed frame out of the sticks you're looking at will probably do just fine. I would rather err on the side of caution for off road use and hard knocks. Welcome & nice stuff you've had in the last 9 years. Best, tim

Hi Tim, yes the trailer is going to be for off-roading the frame if going to be made out of 2x3 while the cabin is going to be made from the 1.25 square stock. Sorry for not making myself clear.

[KCStudly]

1-1/4 x 1/8 wall square tubing for the cabin is by far overkill, unless you are into very extreme rock crawling and plan to put it on its side.

I would be more concerned about puncture resistance of the side walls.

Have you seen Alaska Teardrops steel cages?

$.02

[capnTelescope]

I third the motion that your steel cage for the cabin is an overabundance of overabundance. Remember that steel is heavy and the off-road gets soft or steep from time to time. If your Jeep has a Hemi, then never mind. There's hardly a complaint on the forum that one's tear is too light. Good solid wooden construction should be good to go for the cabin.

Also, from my own build, I've learned that oversizing the suspension (too stiff) will shake the Dickens out of whatever is in the trailer.

Your build looks interesting. I'll be watching.

[rowerwet]

I would look into walls made of a sandwich of 1\4" plywood skin bonded to 1" or thicker foam. The plywood\foam is tough, strong, warm\cool, and super light. Coat it with duraback for a tough finish.

[my_jk]

It has been awhile since I have posted here, but since last November my build took a complete 180 and I ended up building a small tiny house style trailer. The trailer cabin measures 10' by 5'8" and was constructed using steel tubing covered in 1/2 ply then t&g cedar. Here are some photos of the completed trailer. (sorry for the image sizes I am trying to figure out how to size them properly)

back.jpg (86.36 KiB) Viewed 1923 times

drivers side .jpg (101.59 KiB) Viewed 1923 times

inside.jpg (107.34 KiB) Viewed 1947 times

[my_jk]

Some more photos

solar.jpg (95.46 KiB) Viewed 1953 times

kitchen.jpg (81.76 KiB) Viewed 1953 times

Outside.jpg (223.1 KiB) Viewed 1953 times

[Gettin Started]

Looks fantastic. Congratulations.

[my_jk]

Last of the photos

jeep.jpg (107.34 KiB) Viewed 1944 times

first trip.jpg (74.93 KiB) Viewed 1944 times

[my_jk]

Looks fantastic. Congratulations.

Thank you

[tony.latham]

I think it's a classic.

Tony