[Moph]

remydog05 wrote:

Moph would you call yours offroad??

I think so

Weird kinda answer I know. As it was in the earlier pics, no I wouldn't. The 14" rims and tyre combo that were on there (including bearings and hubs) were just too small to take corrugations. I now have a much much stronger 45mm square axle on there with F100 hubs and decent bearings, currently running my stock Zook tyres but awaiting me finding something 31" diameter that will fit the stock rims. Wheel track also now matches the Zook so easier to pull in soft stuff.

The only thing that I'm somewhat cautious of from an offroad point of view is the slipper springs. I have heard people say these can cause problems (such as wearing through the chassis rail) but on such a light trailer, I don't think it's going to cause me any issues.

I'd also love a better hitch but must admit that I haven't had any trouble with the standard one yet. That being said, I wouldn't normally be hauling the trailer through seriously challenging conditions.

[remydog05]

Cheers Moph!

Any ideas what length axle you bought to get Sierra track width?
I think I read your axle is 1500kg rated?

[buzbox]

My kitchen is being made to similar specs to those Drifta kitchens but without the price tag. It should be finished next week.

The idea with mine is that it will be a matter of adding fuel to the car, buy some food, hitching up the trailer and go. Everything I'd need including clothes will be in the trailer. I don't plan on doing extreme tracks with it but will be good enough to get to most camp sites.

[Moph]

remydog05 wrote:

Any ideas what length axle you bought to get Sierra track width?
I think I read your axle is 1500kg rated?

52" WMS-WMS (WMS = wheel mounting surface of fitted hub). Actual axle length ends up a bit more because you then have the threaded end with crown nut, but your trailer mob should work all that out for you if you give them WMS-WMS measurement and specify F100 hubs with Ford SL bearings.

My axle is 45mm square axle with Ford SL bearings and F100 hubs. 1500kg load rating sounds about right but that's with smaller 13-14" rims. Running a 15" rim with larger tyres increases the leverage of the wheel on the hub and the rated capacity therefore drops, but I'm pretty confident that it'll do for a trailer that would never weigh more than 500kg loaded absolute tops (target more like 400kg).

You can get higher rated capacity bearings (SLM, VT, TF9, VC) but they're apparently tricky to get hold of when out bush. Ford SL's are available at every parts centre and are rated to 1.8T. Holden LM's are rated to 1.7T but the axle spindle is quite a bit smaller diameter and is only rated to 1.3T.

[remydog05]

Cheers Moph thats great info. Will make some calls when the trailer joints open again after new years.

[remydog05]

Thought some of you may enjoy reading these Ive found.

I searched on google "offroad trailer plans" and went to images

http://www.wildyoats.com/off_road_trailer_build.htm

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f69/off-r ... iler-7639/

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... ad-trailer

http://www.rme4x4.com/content.php?4-Wil ... -Conundrum

And for anyone on Pirate
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdis ... rune=&f=30

There is LOADS more but this will keep you busy for a while.

[atari4x4]

got a price for an axle to suit the Vitara be made up today, 62" 39mm round axle LM bearings & F100 hubs fitted for $211 & a 3 day turnaround, sounds fair to me?

there is an online mob in QLD that can do the same for $165 + freight

i can go up in bearing/axle sizes but is it necessary for something under 500kgs?

[christover1]

A common bearing size/type is more important.
Most stock trailer bearings are in most shops, even in the bush.
A car weighs much more than a low weight zook trailer.
I don't think big bearings are needed,
unless you make trailer too heavy for a Zook anyway.

Too many heavy duty parts can bump weight too high

That is a good price

[atari4x4]

that's my thoughts as well, common, cheap & not over too engineered... the only extra load would be from the offset rims & 31" tyres.

after speaking to a few trailer mobs today, the listed axle widths are from end to end, then the WMS is usually 44-45mm inset from that taking into account for the hubs/bearings.

[Moph]

christover1 wrote:

I don't think big bearings are needed, unless you make trailer too heavy for a Zook anyway.

I'm not sure about this either. I just went with the line of thought that the bigger inside race diameter of the SL bearings should reduce stress on the bearings for the same loading and hopefully extend bearing life. The bearing that chewed out completely on me when I did my Karijini NP trip was in good nick and packed with grease only 1000km prior, and it was less than 4000km old, so I wanted to minimise the chances of this happening again

[buzbox]

The 62" axle is a common size through ARK, they have a nice selection of axle widths and usually they cost about $100 or so, I have been quoted about $120 for F100 hubs incl bearings so that price you got seems about right.

Personally I'm sticking with Holden bearings mainly because you can get them at practically any auto store, If you keep them serviced, you shouldn't have the pleasure of replacing them when your out there but it's always handy to keep a spare or or two.

[atari4x4]

buzbox wrote:

The 62" axle is a common size through ARK, they have a nice selection of axle widths and usually they cost about $100 or so, I have been quoted about $120 for F100 hubs incl bearings so that price you got seems about right.

Personally I'm sticking with Holden bearings mainly because you can get them at practically any auto store, If you keep them serviced, you shouldn't have the pleasure of replacing them when your out there but it's always handy to keep a spare or or two.

i've looked at ark & they only list a 60" & a 63" it actually worked out to a bit over 62" and depends on the offset of rim i run, the guy was super helpful.

Moph, do you know how heavy your trailer is with the tent on it?

i spoke to the guys from Modern Trailers told me to call SA Trailer & Chassis as that's who makes their custom axles.

http://www.satrailer.com.au/

[remydog05]

Cheers for the website, some great info on there.

[zooky08]

this is my trailer I'm building ATM.
Will have folding lid with a roof top tent on it.

[atari4x4]

christover1 wrote:

Hey Chris, any chance of getting the measurements of the mounting plate for the hitch?

[remydog05]

zooky08 wrote:

this is my trailer I'm building ATM.
Will have folding lid with a roof top tent on it.

Whats the Steel used. Tub dimensions, Drawbar length??

[christover1]

atari4x4 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Hey Chris, any chance of getting the measurements of the mounting plate for the hitch?

Yep, will go out and measure it shortly.

[christover1]

christover1 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Hey Chris, any chance of getting the measurements of the mounting plate for the hitch?

Yep, will go out and measure it shortly.

Approx 100mm x 95mm x 6-8mm

[zooky08]

remydog05 wrote:

zooky08 wrote:

this is my trailer I'm building ATM.
Will have folding lid with a roof top tent on it.

Whats the Steel used. Tub dimensions, Drawbar length??

chassis and up post is 40x40x4mm shs steel. Top hoop is 25x50x3mm rectangle box steel. Drawbar is 50x75x4mm I think is was.
Tub is 5x3' draw bar length I can't recall long enough for the Jimny back door to open and clear a toolbox on the front of the trailer.
Also long enough to hook the trailer 90 degrees and clear the side of the car.
Can get dimension when I finish puting the hitch on the drawbar.

[atari4x4]

christover1 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Hey Chris, any chance of getting the measurements of the mounting plate for the hitch?

Yep, will go out and measure it shortly.

Approx 100mm x 95mm x 6-8mm

cool, thanks heaps.

my mounting plate is 160x100... is yours welded or bolted down?

[christover1]

atari4x4 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Hey Chris, any chance of getting the measurements of the mounting plate for the hitch?

Yep, will go out and measure it shortly.

Approx 100mm x 95mm x 6-8mm

cool, thanks heaps.

my mounting plate is 160x100... is yours welded or bolted down?

Both. As I don't trust my welding.
2 bolts thru plate and draw bar.

[stockman]

Painted the trailer?

[christover1]

stockman wrote:

Painted the trailer?

Old photo.

It is still cherry red

[Polar_Bear]

i was under the impression hitches shouldnt be welded on, only bolted?

[stockman]

Polar_Bear wrote:

i was under the impression hitches shouldnt be welded on, only bolted?

I believe that law came in many years ago, but trailers built prior were excepted.

[Joe]

stockman wrote:

Polar_Bear wrote:

i was under the impression hitches shouldnt be welded on, only bolted?

I believe that law came in many years ago, but trailers built prior were excepted.

Pretty sure that only applys when it states "not to be welded" on the hitch, my treg hitch doesn't say anything on there and it went over the pits welded on.

[Polar_Bear]

Joe wrote:

stockman wrote:

Polar_Bear wrote:

i was under the impression hitches shouldnt be welded on, only bolted?

I believe that law came in many years ago, but trailers built prior were excepted.

Pretty sure that only applys when it states "not to be welded" on the hitch, my treg hitch doesn't say anything on there and it went over the pits welded on.

i think you're onto something there

googled for trailer adr's and it says

A coupling body complying with AS 4177.3 must be marked with:

the manufacturer's name or trademark;
the mark '50';
the maximum rating for the coupling body in one of the following, as applicable,
750 kg; or
2000 kg; or
3500 kg;
a code to indicate the serial number, batch, production date, or similar;
the words 'DO NOT WELD' if the coupling body is manufactured from nonweldable materials;
the words 'WELD ONLY' if the coupling body is specifically designed to be attached by welding only


so i guess that answers my question

[Joe]

Polar_Bear wrote:

Joe wrote:

stockman wrote:

Polar_Bear wrote:

i was under the impression hitches shouldnt be welded on, only bolted?

I believe that law came in many years ago, but trailers built prior were excepted.

Pretty sure that only applys when it states "not to be welded" on the hitch, my treg hitch doesn't say anything on there and it went over the pits welded on.

i think you're onto something there

googled for trailer adr's and it says

A coupling body complying with AS 4177.3 must be marked with:

the manufacturer's name or trademark;
the mark '50';
the maximum rating for the coupling body in one of the following, as applicable,
750 kg; or
2000 kg; or
3500 kg;
a code to indicate the serial number, batch, production date, or similar;
the words 'DO NOT WELD' if the coupling body is manufactured from nonweldable materials;
the words 'WELD ONLY' if the coupling body is specifically designed to be attached by welding only


so i guess that answers my question

That means i was right twice about something today

[Moph]

atari4x4 wrote:

Moph, do you know how heavy your trailer is with the tent on it?

Haven't had it over a weighbridge so don't know exactly sorry. Original trailer in stock condition was 220kg - fairly heavy for a 5x3, but that was due to the beefier frame, thicker panels, higher sides and extra bracing I spec'd for it.

Since then I reckon the 45mm square axle + F100 hubs + 215/70R15's have added probably 25kg, and the ply top + tent is about 50kg. So all up just shy of 300kg for the trailer as it sits.

Add 2x20L jerries of fuel, 2x10L water containers and our junk and total laden weight is probably around the 450kg mark which is what the Sierra's rated to tow.

It tows it with ease for the most part, though headwinds are a challenge on the highway. Will happily slipstream a truck at 110kph or do 100-110kph with a tailwind, but generally down to 90 in 4th or 80 in 5th in a headwind. Also chews through fuel ... about 15L/100km when towing it laden. Go the mighty G13B

[atari4x4]

Mr Moph, just wondering what thickness ply you used & did you have any issues with the back of the tent getting damp where the lower flap is resting on the ply during that wet Easter weekend away?



I'm going to have to do something similar due to the tent only being 1400mm long & having to cover the full 5 foot (1524mm) of the box. I'm guessing you used the supplied rails that are used for the roof rack mounts to raise it up off the plywood?