Trailer overlanding

[catortega3881]

Man. This is awesome! Well done.

I built a small trailer for overlanding that can be pulled behind my Jeep. The base of the tub is 40" x 50" (the old WWII trailers were 40" x 72"). It is built off a modified trailer frame I got at Harbor Freight. I had the tub built by a company that makes dog hunting boxes for trucks. It has literally been across the country more than once, and up to Alaska and Canada more than once. The trailer's track width is the same as on the flatty, narrower than the TJ's, and even more so compared to the JLU. Definitely easy to thread between trees - it can go wherever the Jeep goes. I'm running a pintle-hitch set up (I also have a rotating pintle hitch - it is a NATO hitch).

There's nothing fancy about the tub - just a box with a hinged lid. I had it made tall enough so two 8-gallon ActionPackers could stack on top of each other, and the lid still be able to close. It is amazing how much stuff I can put in this lil' adventure trailer of mine.

Build thread (and then some): Mini Harbor Freight (type) Trailer Ultimate Build-Up Thread | Jeep Enthusiast Forums (jeepforum.com)

It is plenty sturdy, and not expensive to build. Send me a PM if you have any questions. If you're in the PNW and want to see it up-close, let me know. The factory slipper springs have been swapped out for real springs with a shackle on the rear, the axle is a 3500lb axle with electric brakes, and it has shock absorbers.

I've yet to pull it behind my new 23 Willys JLU. I've got the towing package, but I don't have a brake controller for it yet (I need to see if the 7-pin connector on the JLU will still work the brake lights/running lights and turn signals if there's no brake controller). But here's a picture of it behind my TJ, and behind my other Willys Jeep.

That's a Cabela's double sized tent-cot on the lid of the trailer.

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[GATORB8]

Hmmm... I'm interested. Thanks! I didn't know this thing existed.

A little more expensive than the redarc controller, but no need to drill into my JL's dashboard and go pulling dash panels.

Autowbrake Electric Brake Controller - Trailer Mount w/ Remote Fob - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional Autowbrake Trailer Brake Controller 3430001

Yup, if you’ve got a junction box already, it’s probably a 10 minute install. Mount with included self tappers , and nut on the 5 (IIRC) wires in the J-box. Calibration takes an extra hand, but it’s just holding the brake pedal and pushing two buttons.

This is mine for size comparison, 2” frame tube. (Excuse the sticker I still need to clean off).

To convert to 4 pin from 7 pin, you simply swap the power wire from the B+ to the running lights and run the running lights when you’re towing.

 

[WhatExit?]

Haven't read all the pages...

Only way I'd ever pull a trailer off road is if I could sleep in it. Otherwise I'll tent camp or, go with a RTT (not a fan of being up that high). Never understood why people would want to pull a trailer you can't sleep in but that's what makes the world go round

 

[BuffaloBill]

My wife and I use this trailer I built a few years ago.

 

[GATORB8]

Here’s my homemade squarish drop, timbrens on 37s.

 

[Rangemaster]

Here’s my homemade squarish drop, timbrens on 37s.

Damn, for a minute I thought I was somewhere I did not remember with my rig. Looks good, love the trailer.

 

[Ratbert]

Haven't read all the pages...

Only way I'd ever pull a trailer off road is if I could sleep in it. Otherwise I'll tent camp or, go with a RTT (not a fan of being up that high). Never understood why people would want to pull a trailer you can't sleep in but that's what makes the world go round

Ours has a king sized RTT on it. A RTT on top of your rig is a pain in the ass if you ever stay for multiple days. It's not fun having to pack it up for every little trip.

 

[ArmyRN]

I finally got the hitch set up how I wanted it, so I hooked up the lil' trailer and took it for a spin. The 2.0T pulls it just fine, and it stops it fine even without a brake controller (which I will get before I take the Jeep and trailer on an adventure).

 

[MaximusW]

I'm so impressed with the custom builds shared on this thread. Wish I possessed the tools, skillset and patience for a custom build.

Based on my past experience, I'll be doing the "drop the trailer off at base camp and go wheeling" approach. Currently waiting on both my '24 Rubicon 4xe and my AntiShanty AS-1 Limited trailer to be built. Hope to be ready to roll by the end of summer.

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