My set up

[PaulC]

To let others know that I do actually get "out there" here's a pic of my set up:

This is a very loose copy of Larry Sorensens outback trailer.
2"x2"x1/8" tube chassis, 3"x3"x1/8" draw bar, leaf sprung suspension and weighs in at about 1250 pounds.
Cheers
Paul

[mikeschn]

Do you have any good shots of your chassis? And do you have shocks, or a torsion axle?

Mike...

[PaulC]

Here's a pic of chassis number 2. Yes, I've started building my second one This chassis is lighter than the original and shorter. Number one is 9x5 and this is 8x5. Both trailers run a leaf sprung suspension with an anti-rebound leaf(no shockers) and a normal axle. No brakes as the weight is under our limit over here.


Cheers
Paul

[Sonetpro]

Ya'll are going to make me start a new one.
Been in the back of my mind and now you have me thinking about it real hard. The fish in is semi offroad. High clearance but built for rough beach. The next one will be a 4x8 OFF road.
For those in Texas a PINS trailer.
Heres my setu 3000 lb axle 2000 lb spring and Jeep shock's.

[jagular7]

Guys, with a taller and heavier TD, couple of questions:

- Do you dfind the balance of the trailer fine?
- Do you actually need stabilizers at 4 corners? (Lift the weight off the axles)
- Would you prefer a parking brake?

[PaulC]

Mike,
I've towed mine at up to 80mph and it travels nicely.
I have found that having four stabilisers is a bit of overkill but it does come in handy when camping on uneven ground. They tend to stabilise the trailer more easily.
As for a park brake, I use wheel chocks as I do not have brakes fitted to mine. This system works okay for us.
Cheers
Paul

[jagular7]

Thanks for the quick answer. What time is it there? 9:45pm CST in the US so I'm figuring morning for you - 12 hours difference.

You do have high clearance and I did notice the long stabilizers, but the military (US) trailers have a fixed tongue stand and an adjustable rear stand. Both swing and lock into place. I understand the necessity of the 4, and was curious of the 'real' need.
With a higher trailer and center of gravity, there is usually a little more pull/push from winds and
My driveway is 23* steep and my street is a hill and it's 15*. So any weight, I definately need a parking brake. I've had the lot of military trailers from 1/4 ton to 1.5 ton. All had working parking brakes. That was wonderful. My 4x6 utility trailer doesn't and I've had 3 incidents that I wished I had. Last one required my Jeep's winch to pull it back up the rock wall it went half way over.

Thanks.

[angib]

Both trailers run a leaf sprung suspension with an anti-rebound leaf(no shockers) and a normal axle.

Paul,

Can we see a picture of an 'anti-rebound leaf' as I (at least) dunno what one of them is....

Andrew

[PaulC]

Note the two small reversed leaves at the top of the spring keeper. These minimise the bounce we normally associate with trailer towing. I like it because it employs the kiss principle. One less thing to break.
This system has been tested all over outback Australia. More info can be found at http://www.industrialsprings.com.au

Cheers
Paul

[PresTx82]

For those in Texas a PINS trailer.

Hey Steve, could you clarify this for me please? What do you mean by "PINS"?

[Sonetpro]

For those in Texas a PINS trailer.

Hey Steve, could you clarify this for me please? What do you mean by "PINS"?

Padre Island National Seashore. 70 miles of beach with no roads around.

[asianflava]

PINS is where we usually go for our annual "Guys Only Fishing Trip", we usually go to around Mile marker 45 where the beach is wider. They just sent me the e-mail for the dates but since I'm burning up all my vacation now, I won't be able to make it this year.

Yep you'll need the clearance once you get to little shell. It gets really soft there.

[PresTx82]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm out West and I'm not sure if Texas claims El Paso or not!