Ted's XTrailer

[Ted_Z]

I cleaned up the build thread a bit.

I'm down to the final stretch on the parts procurement front. I found some rear TJ flares for $25 and bought a storage box for the tongue (big steel ammo box). If I can find some tires, I'll just have to finish the actual building part. Looks like I'm going to blow my budget by $100 when it’s all said and done, but $600 for a nice trailer still isn't bad. I've got Saturday laid out for a build day, should have some more pic's soon.

[Ted_Z]

My axle showed up at my office today. It a good thing I warned the receptionist that it was coming. Everyone was like WTF. Its rated for 3500 pounds, 62" wide, 5x5.5 pattern. What surprised me was how light the axle is, less than 50 pounds. I guess the brakes, gears and shafts add a lot to a standard axle.

I also got the floor extension in and started closing in the front of the TJ body.

[Ted_Z]

Well I've about given up trying to find some good used narrow 33's. (Craigs list people are idiots.)

So I picked up a pair of 15x8 soft 8's to use rather than the 15x7 d-windows I had planned on using. I can fit 33x12.50r15's on these new wheels plus they match my ZJ's wheels. Well another $30 spent, but I should have better luck finding tires.

[Bort62]

Ted,

Where did you order the axle from?

Thanks.

[Ted_Z]

http://abctrailerparts.com/axles.html

[Bort62]

Thanks, are you happy with them? I had looked at what they had previously.

Any reason you picked the 3500 over the 2000?

[Ted_Z]

Thanks, are you happy with them? I had looked at what they had previously.

Any reason you picked the 3500 over the 2000?

The axle looks great, I'm very happy dealing with them.

The 3500# axle has larger bearings, larger spindle and axle tube. The 2000# axles will not hold up to off road abuse. Also the the 3500# lets you have 5x5", 5x5.5" and 6x5.5" bolt patterns.

[Bort62]

Thanks! I guess that settles it for me then.

[97TJGUZZY]

trailer is looking good, these things are great for camping. we finished ours in may. I like how yours is a bit longer, one of the tubs we were working with was in pretty bad shape, so we didnt get much out of it.

[Ted_Z]

Great looking trailer there! I've read your build thread, good stuff.

[Ted_Z]

Being unemployed allowed me a build day. I made some good progress.

Pulled the body off the frame.
Cut off the unused brackets off the frame (going with leaf springs).
Notched and bent the frame for the tounge.
Banged the dents out of the body (turned out ok).

[Ted_Z]

Sorry I haven't updated in a while.

I got the spring hangers welded to the frame and the pearches on the trailer axle. Got the frame rolling and I thought I had reached a mile stone until I realized I put the front spring hangers 4" too close to the rear (I misread my notes). With any luck I can cut them off and reuse them, fingers crossed. The shackle angle is all screwy as it is now.

[zjrog]

I love these TJ/YJ tub trailers... How about something different?

I had a parts XJ I cut up and gave the back half to my buddy...


And this is what he came up with...


He has some finish work yet, but the top is on and hinged, and I watched it rolling down the highway at 70MPH and rolling down a bumpy twisty trail. Looked good, carried a ton of stuff and apparently tows nicely... And yeah, its a little different!

[Ted_Z]

Some frame pic's from a few weeks ago (finally got them off my phone camera). Despite the spring hangers in the being correct location now, the shackle angle is still off. I'm hoping it settles down once there is some weight on the frame. As it sits now the frame is all most level with the tow hitch, maybe 2-3 inches higher. Once I get the tub back on the frame I'll be able to tell if I need to pull a leaf out of the pack or start looking for some different springs.

[Ted_Z]

Installing the water tank.


Closed in the sides, threw on some bondo.


I know its been forever since I updated my build. I'll put some more pics in the near future. I did add trailer brakes to the axle.

[Mtn WJ]

I like the water tank location.

Looking good.

[K2]

Do you have a skid for the water tank?

[Ted_Z]

I plan to add one, but didn't have any plate on hand.

[K2]

Back from the dead:

Do you have finished pics of this somewhere? I was trying to describe it to my dad.

[Ted_Z]

Here you go

[K2]

Thank you sir.

[JohnBoulderCO]

It's just collecting leaves in your backyard. You should sell it to me.

[K2]

I have dibs!

[black_zj]

If you do ever decide to sell it make sure you list it on expedition portal to get top dollar for it, guys would go nuts over there for a matching Jeep trailer.

[Ted_Z]

I keep going back and forth as to if I should keep or sell it. Plenty of time invested. My wife doesn't feel safe taking my ZJ out with the kids, so the trailer will never get used for its intended purpose (unless I ditch the ZJ and get a more tame rig). In the mean time I built a smaller trailer on a HF trailer frame. I towed this behind my Jeep Patriot without any issues.

I was thinking about asking $1500 for the trailer above, with all the extra stuff (electric water pump, tonneau cover, full size spare, etc). I'd like some feedback as to if that number is reasonable.