Motoz Expedition Trailer: Urban Escape Unit

[motoz]

Ive finally gotten around to kicking off the transformation of my better halves once loved and well used camper. Its been in their family for the last 30 years, ten of which have been in storage up in the farm shed.

We were talking of buying a trailer when the farther in law said we could have their old one. I took one look and knew it would be a great base to work with.

It started life as a backyard build, then had the tradesman's top put on. Its done two laps around Oz so its proven its build quality. This thing is solid I mean bomb proof. From the chassis to the tub and storage box design everything is folded, seam welded and robust.

Some of the positives are the long drawbar, strong chassis, storage boxes, suspension and same track as the Triton. The biggest downfall is weight, rust and worn out electrics.

Here's some snaps of the weekend we picked it up.




The full length chassis.



The basis of this rebuild is to make a self contained trailer that will house all the items required to setup a modest base camp. It still needs to be small and nimble for offroad use. Features getting incorporated into this build will include:

- rack to carry the KTM
- boxes fabricated on top of base
- the LHS box door to run full length of the trailer. the RHS door to be a length of 1450mm + a door of the remainder.
( this will facilitate access to the clothes storage etc once the tent awning was zipped on )
- all existing locks to be changed to lockable T handles to match the new boxes.
- dust seals fitted as this will be an off road trailer.
- frame made to hold RTT ( Roof Top Tent), height adjustable. Ability to mount an awning also.
- rear draw system for lower storage area
- swing away tire carrier for spare
- 2" receiver for rear of trailer
- levelling adjustment jacks
- water tanks fitted 2 x 80lt
- gas bottle holders 2 x 3.5kg

[motoz]

First up we removed the Tradesman's top that was put on. Man this thing weighed a ton. The internal frame was solid bar and the wall sheets were 4mm thick

Once unbolted it took four of us to lift it off. I'd say it was close to 100kg !!!



Next up is to measure and design. To be continued...

[gls_triton]

Watching with interest!

[mattz]

I'm also watching with Interest.
I know a lot of thought will be going in to this......... and as little money as possible.
Are you going to put the bike rack on the draw bar or above the tent area.
The reason I ask is a couple of mates built identical campers with the bike racks on top and it was a nightmare getting the bikes on and off.
Admittedly they had to engineer it to carry two bikes (450s) so the weight would have been a bit much for the draw bar.

[motoz]

Ha yeah the Missus is keeping a pretty close watch on this build budget. All up we've put aside $5000. For the first time on a 'project' it's full disclosure...

I've got an engineering workshop to fabricate the boxes that will go on top. They will be aprox 500mm high and run the length of the trailer. These have drop down sides with stainless sheeting to act as a bench. The LHS will house the fridge and cooking gear (all on slides) The RHS will be clothes storage.

As far as the bike goes this will be tied to a carrier that mounts into the rear of the trailer via a standard 2" receiver chassis mounted. This bike carrier is duel purpose as it also mounts into the RB6 rear bar.

The 300 is just over 100kg's so it comes well short of the towball weight. It's got it's own number plate, LED tail lights etc and is stabalized via the HiLift jack points on the rear bar. All details to follow.

[motoz]

Here are some images I used to get my design ideas from. My design is a lot different as I'm governed by the existing base though the concepts are similar.






The cooking area will be under cover via a dogleg awning. The LHS via the zip on change room as part of the RTT. The storage areas on that side will be 1450mm wide to enable access via the room when it's all enclosed. The remaining 600mm will house all the electrics etc.

I'd post my drawings though there a little embarrassing

We're after a quick to setup weekend / touring camper that enables the vehicle to be used and not have to pack unpack each day.

[4WD Supplies]

Looking good mate well, not yet but im sure it will

[Snooozy]

Can't wait to see how this transforms

[Steane]

I'm about to do something similar, but I'm contemplating using an ex army trailer as the base. Will be interesting to see how this turns out as the basic concept will be similar.

Nice Defender. Good to see a genuine 4wd on this forum for a change

[trumpy955]

Can't wait to see this come together mate. I'm sure you'll do a great job of it.

[gls_triton]

8-) I'm about to do something similar, but I'm contemplating using an ex army trailer as the base. Will be interesting to see how this turns out as the basic concept will be similar.

Nice Defender. Good to see a genuine 4wd on this forum for a change

There are a few for auction on Grays online at the moment steane...

[Steane]

8-) I'm about to do something similar, but I'm contemplating using an ex army trailer as the base. Will be interesting to see how this turns out as the basic concept will be similar.

Nice Defender. Good to see a genuine 4wd on this forum for a change

There are a few for auction on Grays online at the moment steane...

Yep, this is the third auction from memory. Lots more to come.

[motoz]

So with working soooo much and not having that much spare time I outsourced some of the works. I'm having a local engineering works do all the major fabrication of my design.

The top storage box was fitted and the inside pull out draw fabricated.

Here's a couple progress pics...




The RHS box will house the 60lt fridge, stove and bar all on pull out slides

So far so good...

[boycee]

Looking good mate.

[dan.batto]

Very nice mate, we were told all about it when were over the other week.

[motoz]

So we've made a little more progress. The paint was removed off the trailer base. There's a little bit of cancer under the lights and around the front edge. On the whole it's in great nick for its 20+ years of service.



A pair of HD wind down jacks have been fitted. I rear mounted swing away tire carrier...




The top box is fitted and the first of the slides made. These will fit the 60lt ARB fridge and a Junior Lido two burner gas stove...





The drivers side box has been split into two compartments. The larger rear will act as storage for clothes etc. This will be accessible from the change room that attaches to the base of the RTT. The front compartment will house all the 12v electrics...



Still to come the height adjustable frame that mounts the RTT and dog leg awning. This will be fitted with four gas struts to help raise the frame once the pop pins are released.

[brodical]

That trailer looks bloody heavy...

[motoz]

That trailer looks bloody heavy...

Probably a little over engineered yet it was 600kg with the old Tradesman's top on it. That was pretty heavy gauge steel and weighed a ton. The new top is a lot lighter gauge without being flimsy.

With Offroad soft floors ranging from anywhere from 850kg / 1300kg Tare and 1400kg / 2000kg ATM I don't think it will be too far from the average.

We're not using a traditional canvas fold out tent . Instead I'm fitting a light weight Roof Top Tent (60kg) so there will be a weight saving there.

The main thing was we were given the trailer for free. I wanted a camper to give us more options for extended stays in one spot though just couldn't justify the $16,000 to $30,000 price tag for something that will probably only get used half a dozen times a year.

The objective of the project was to use what we had, think outside the square and come up with something simple, functional and tailored to our style of traveling with a modest budget of $5000.

So yes it does look heavy though time will tell.

[motoz]

Getting hitched...

I've researched hitches till my eyes have started to bleed. I've watched people struggle with the Treg type polly block hitches so knew they weren't for me.

I've decided on the Oz Hitch. There a 3.5t rated hitch with a very simple self locating design. The hitch pin mounts horizontally into a bushing then locks in place.






In General:
• 3.5 ton rated ADR tested, rated and approved
• Connecting guide for easy aligning and connection
• Very low profile to save your tailgate or barn doors when opening
• Very safe once loaded, IE cant slip out of cradle
• Simple robust self locking mechanism
• No fiddly clips or latches
• Dual locking and Lockable for security
• High density bushing so no rattles or vibration
• OzHitch is the only “Hot Dip Galvanised” hitch available as corrosion protection, it is The Ultimate rust prevention.
• Steel cast one piece per section so no joins or welds for max strength.
• Connection from above so visually easy to operate.
• Main tongue bolt can be fitted inverted giving far better clearance under the tow tongue and no damage to thread so easy to remove if need to
• Larger off road angles, close to 85degrees in upward direction and 70deg in downward direction of travel.

http://ozhitch.com/

[motoz]

So the trailer has just come back from paint. We had it done in a silver hammer tone based on the MN cool silver paint.







The rack lifts up via four gas struts. This will support the RTT and Red Dog dog leg awning.

Next up is some more checker plate trim, electric brakes and the power system install.

[Bazzer87]

Looks great!! Where are the water tanks?

[motoz]

Thanks mate. The water tank is in the tray up against the head board. I wanted to keep it low and forward to balance out the weight of the RTT.

[Cowboy Dave]

Wow, that's looking real flash.

[Chef_Dave]

its starting to come together nicely

[motoz]

its starting to come together nicely

Thanks Dave, another piece of the puzzle came together today. I scored a set of four H3 rims for $160 !!!

These will suit the trailer nicely and give me a 16" rim as a spare for the Triton.