I did get the old trailer airborne a few times...
CK5
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Camping Trailer Build
- Thread starter r3dd0g
- Start date
I did get the old trailer airborne a few times...
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Curious why the a-frame portion is hinged if you don't plan on folding it up? Whole thing looks cool, would like to do something similar some day.
There's a couple reasons I wanted it hinged. I want the trailer to be more stable and lower (wife is short) when I'm in camp, so I let the air out of the bags and it sits on the bump stops. If the trailers riding level at ride height, it will be nose up with the bags deflated, with the adjusters I can level the trailer without disconnecting it from the truck. Having it adjustable also allows me to adjust it for different trucks and hitch heights.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Ah, I see now. Nice idea.
Loving the build! Subscribed!
Just to change it up a bit, I decided to work on the water tank tonight. It's made of stainless (304 and 316) and should be right around 30 gallons when it's done.
I don't have much experience with the TIG, but it came out OK and should hold water. Hopefully I'll have it finished up and tested by the weekend.
I don't have much experience with the TIG, but it came out OK and should hold water. Hopefully I'll have it finished up and tested by the weekend.
So today's lesson is, tapping stainless steel requires special taps. You can't just use a standard tap, it won't work... 
I ordered some stainless pipe fittings to weld on for fill, drain and vents.
I ordered some stainless pipe fittings to weld on for fill, drain and vents.
Hmm, didn't know that. What happens? Stainless too hard?
It's softer than regular steel. The tap just won't cut. It will start, but as soon as it gets going it just stops...
The stainless taps I found online (1/2" and 3/8" NPT) are spiral cut and run about $80 each. You are supposed to use special cutting oil with them too...
The stainless taps I found online (1/2" and 3/8" NPT) are spiral cut and run about $80 each. You are supposed to use special cutting oil with them too...
Way cool
So today's lesson is, tapping stainless steel requires special taps. You can't just use a standard tap, it won't work...
I ordered some stainless pipe fittings to weld on for fill, drain and vents.
I'm gonna go with....2 standard taps ruined learning that lesson
No, it didn't ruin them, they just won't cut, I'm guessing they'll be fine in steel. I did break a 1/2" to 3/8" socket adapter trying to make it work though...
I put the water tank aside for now and finished up the main box of the trailer today. Ton's of cutting and welding sheet metal...
Yes, that's where it goes. I'll get a picture of it tomorrow.
Saw this thing today and it's going to be a work of art. Well thought out and executed, can't wait to see it finished in Moab.
After the skinning it seems so much smaller than it looked before.
I'll second that.
the fenders really stand out to me as looking awesome for some reason. Not sure why as the whole thing looks great
I think the tires make it look smaller than it is (they're 35" for reference), the main part of the trailer is 5'x6' (minus the fenders and a-frame). The boxed in part is the main storage area of the trailer where heavier stuff will go to keep the CG down. The part behind the main box will hold an 84 qt refrigerator, a 25 gallon fuel cell, all of the electronics, a bit of storage and the kitchen sink. There is also going to be space on top of the trailer for storage buckets as needed. This thing is going to carry enough food, beer, water etc. for two adults and two dogs for a week.
Thanks, they were a pain in the ass to make but they came out looking pretty good.
Thanks, they were a pain in the ass to make but they came out looking pretty good.
you've got nicer tires on your trailer than I have on my truck 
