[ex m38a1er]

As the title says i'm building a trailer.
Two different tubs.One(tilting) for firewoods ect and when Summer comes
another one(pop up camper).
Here it is were i am so far.[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
No.it's not me in the pics.
I've used some already painted galv rect tubes that i had laying around from another project.I used blck restoleum paint to cover the welded points.
But i have a couple of questions for you more experienced guys.
I'm gonna sand paper and repaint but the're are some parts og galv steel
that need to be painted.What is the best procedure not to have the paint cheaped off in the future?
Oh and another one please!The tub for the pop up part i'm building is gonna be made out of black steel rect tube.I've read somewhere that in order
to get rid off the oil that the steel is covered you have to brush it with chloride.
Is this true?
Thanks a lot in advance

[Unlimited04]

Originally Posted by ex m38a1er

What is the best procedure not to have the paint cheaped off in the future?
The tub for the pop up part i'm building is gonna be made out of black steel rect tube.I've read somewhere that in order
to get rid off the oil that the steel is covered you have to brush it with chloride.
Is this true?

Nice build. I'll be watching closely as I want to make an expedition trailer someday
To answer your questions:
1. clean and prep the surface well, use quality primer and paint. Use multiple coats of paint, and then even more coats of clearcoat. That will provide the best longest lasting finish.

2. hadn't heard that...I always just wire wheel everything with a grinder before welding. when finished I clean & prep before painting with a big tool steel file and coarse sandpaper then a rag soaked with paint thinner or acetone.

Also, be careful welding galvanized. That stuff is toxic and will make you really sick. Don't breath the fumes and only work in a well ventilated area.

[ex m38a1er]

Thanks a lot Unlimited04.I wish i could buy an LJ too but you see they were never imposted in Greece.
I see you have fab skills so building a trailer won't be hard for you if you follow some designing rules.
You can have a world of info in forums like www.ih8mud.com,www.mikencell.com and least but not last in
www.expeditionalportal.com.But you probably know this already...
You can follow my building procedure here http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=22846 and i wiil be more than happy to find out your comments.
(Even bad comments are wellcome too)...

[Unlimited04]

I hope you don't mind...we're big fans of scenery around here...check out our scenic pics thread.

Gawd, I really need to visit Greece:



My only comment is I'd make the box and camper out of aluminum (if you have the MIG or TIG capability). Wood and aluminum will be much lighter when you are done and won't rust. Keep the frame steel, but where ever possible use aluminum and wood since you'll have to drag this thing behind you. Great idea pulling a rear axle out of a FWD car!

[ex m38a1er]

Well, you happen to choose the pic of the beach that is closest to me.Only 2miles away from my weekend house.
If you ever consider visiting i'll be happy to guide you.I've been in SoCa 6 years ago and the weather is pretty similar.I've spend SOME time in your pics and i'm jelous too.I thought about aluminum but i have no access to TIG and the only option is bolt on.It will take too much stress as you will see further on the constraction.Then again i've been told that if aluminum comes in contact with any other metal you will have chemical rust.
We'll see and maybe i'll have to reconsider.This is why i need your opinion anyway.
Thanks alot once more...

[Unlimited04]

Originally Posted by ex m38a1er

Then again i've been told that if aluminum comes in contact with any other metal you will have chemical rust.
We'll see and maybe i'll have to reconsider.

two dissimilar metals touching together will almost always undergo some degree of 'galvanic reaction', especially when surrounded by water - this is what you called chemical rust. However, if you paint both metals and use good grade 5 or 8 hardware it is nothing to worry about. Lots of pop-up camping trailers use aluminum bodies on steel frames. lots of commerical trucks use steel axles, springs and hitches, all in contact with an aluminum frame. Steel and aluminum are used close together a lot.

[ex m38a1er]

Good i know i have to stay uder 2000lbs.So every detail counts.

[ex m38a1er]

Well i know it's been a while and since life is treating me so nice to give me a
second child(a son this time) to keep me off my hobbies, i try real hard to make some progress...
So,it's not a father and son project anymore,but more like a Grandfather,father and son...
All this time i could only invest a couple of hours each time,so this is where i am today...
Assembled the all thing

Painted frame

Enough clearance

[ex m38a1er]

Somewhere along the way my original plans for a pop up-slide out had to change.
I'm going to go for a trailer tent.It's easier,cheaper and i might(?)have it
ready for this summer...
I've found lot's of ideas while cruising on the net but this is what caught my
eye...

Light,modern,plenty of (standing)room etc

[ex m38a1er]

Here is a (bad quality)photo of the tent i plan to convert and place on top of my olive drab coloured trailer.

And a(rough) floor and side plan...

The main part of the tent is 7X7 feet and there is another part(front)7X3 feet.
Height is 4.5 feet and if you add the side heught of the tub(another 2 feet) goes
up to alost 6.5.
Hmmmm it's gonna be tight...

[ex m38a1er]

So with this in mind and after this long break we (dad and I) started building
the basic box using 15mm marine plywood for the bottom and 9mm of the
same material for the sides.
We used polyurethane glue and screws to bond them together...

We used one coat of primer.
After that 2 layers of waterproof laquer.One layer horizontal wait to dry,sand paper and a second one vertical.

Next it was time to fit the wooden box into the metal frame.
Considering the very hot weather we made the wooden box big enough
to snugly fit into the frame.
Heat cause wood to expand...

My father had to use his hummer(using a plank of wood not to hurt the plywood)while i was taking pictures...
At the end we screw the box to the frame and put it aside so it can
completely dry...

[njbowhntr]

The box is coming out nice. I like how you ran the tongue back to center of axle. Definitely stronger that way.

Thumbs up...

[TomSkater]

This is making me want one! i guess i have to start planning my own

[AustinTexasXJ]

starting to shape up man. cant wait to see the final product.

[Goobersbro]

Very nice so far