Home made Budget trailer build Ep 1 - learning to weld - offroad camper - overlanding trailer

[@trainstrains1]

I've thought about doing something similar myself and I've just finished a welding course through TAFE so I'll be following the build. Just remember, the welds don't have to look good to be effective and an angle grinder can make most things look better.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Haha. Do you best and grind the rest 😝

[@michaelhermans4753]

That’s the quickest and cheapest 4” lift I’ve seen lol Great fun getting out of your comfort zone all the answers are on U Tube Being a draftsman I nut everything out on a computer in 3D right down to the details, there’s no guesswork With that skill I built an ALI boat and trailer and just finished a whole house except plumbing and wiring, every day your doing stuff you have never done b4 I would get a frame welded up and rivet Ali sheet to the frame similar to T Van Looking forward to the series

[@deanrobinson2149]

Hell yea theres an audience for this content! Been talking about it for at least 12 months and had so many ideas! Keen to see your ideas too

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Hahaha. Well I’ve got the content for you then 😝. The inside fitout is where I’ll shine as it’s back to my skill set 😝

[@GTFOadventure]

I done similar had to upgrade axle and add electric brakes 750kg isn’t much when u add frame roof tent battery water fridge etc they get heavier fast, good luck mate always fun making it ur way

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Yeah I’m ganna struggle to keep it light

[@warreng3142]

Welding steel is one thing, welding gal is another, if you plan to do so, wear long sleeve shirt and gloves because it will spit everywhere, secret is to remove the top layer of gal first, use lots of anti-spatter and recoat with cold galv 😎😎 easy as, yes I am a boilermaker by trade. Good luck mate 👍👍

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Luckily for me I don’t have to really weld to the gal trailer part. It’s mostly the canopy I’m making on top of it really. But there is some so thank you for the tips.

[@andrewlong7852]

I've just started to do exactly what you're doing. Just about to go and buy my first welder. Really looking forward to seeing how you go.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

You can do it! The full series is out now for you to watch.

[@richnegs5828]

My brother-in-law is a boiler maker and has done this. Fab and all. 12v, the bells and whistles. He makes me sick.😂

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Haha. I’m sure I’ve got nothing on your brother in law. Mines ganna be a simple design on the outside

[@worthy_escapes]

So, I had a very similar 8x5 that I had planned to do something similar with for nearly 6 months. But with Covid, a lot of people started selling off camper trailers with damaged tents on top. I sold my trailer for more than I payer for it (5yrs ago) and bought a camper for less than I sold mine for. Then through the tent out. The advantage here is it came with water tank and pump, off road suspension, over ride brakes, tailgate kitchen and gas/jerry holders. Still in the build and will be taking it to BRB as well.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I did think about doing the same in regards to the trailer itself but decided to just stick with what I had. Only time will tell if I’m right or not. Come say hi if ya see me at the bash

[@NasTimeAdventures]

Now I know how to change an axle for the kayak trailer I'm building. Thanks mate. Can't wait to see this build.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Surely a man of your talents already knew how to do that 😝

[@NasTimeAdventures]

@Australian 4x4 Adventures Nah. I just look smart.

[@Pumped-koala]

I’ve just finished mine. My trailer is a 7x5 off-road from bonanza trailers. Mine is based around the dot trailer, one of my mates said it’s a MOT 001 as most of the parts and materials came through the mail. Hence mail order trailer

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Hahaha. MOT for the win 😂. Most of my parts are coming in via the mail as well.

[@OnCountryWithMick]

Im slowly working on an old Traidies Trailer that I picked up a few years back. Had 31's when I got it with steel rims, have put the same wheels and tyres onto it that are on my Pajero so I have extra spares on the trailer when using it. Maybe something to think of, same wheels and tyres you run on the car (when it arrives). My plans with storage is similar with a false floor but not the full height of the trailer body (My side walls are taller) with a fridge and water tank inside but over the axle and batter over the front. I hope to have a spare on the back (Doesn't have a drop down tail gate) to balance the weight. I'm going to make hatches in the floor to store things under it and access things like the water tank and pumps but still be able to carry things like fire wood, tent, camp chairs etc on top strapped down.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Weight will be the biggest key in any build. Keen to see how you go with it.

[@OnCountryWithMick]

@@Australian4x4Adventures cheers mate. Hopefully get it done before too long. Might have to teach myself to weld lol

[@coleEmmm96]

Great video Steve and toby

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Thanks mate.

[@shanenorwell8580]

Great idea mate. At the end of the day if your changing hubs it’ll cost bugger all more to put electric brakes on at the same time. Worth doing it now rather than buying stuff you won’t use later.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I’m 99% sold I’m ganna upgrade axel with elec brakes Eps 2 I say that.

[@mitchellmurrell7469]

Im super keen to follow this series as im about to start doing up my car for BRB

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I’m prolly going to do a separate video for car and caravan prep for the big red bash.

[@mitchellmurrell7469]

I'm doing up my ally canopy so it'd be good to steal some ideas and stuff for the bash

[@garrywright6643]

Love the idea and the step by step guide. Maybe show a drawing of the finish product.

[@baumie461]

Looking forward to watching this series mate. 👌🍻

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Thanks mate. Hopefully I don’t make a fool of my self with the welding 😂

[@bradkark]

You need to keep an eye on the U bolts once they have been off. The spring pack will settle over time, especially on bad roads. After doing this on my caravan I used to tighten the nuts every week or so. Eventually they stop moving.

[@benmorrison9004]

I will be at the 2023 big red bash too. I will definitely want to come check out your trailer as I’m wanting to build something similar to tow behind my SAS’d fj cruiser. Looking forward to seeing your build series 😍😍😍😍

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Yeah definitely come say hi. I’ll have some stickers and patches for ya.

[@benmorrison9004]

Excellent, ive been wanting some merchandise 😍😍😍😍

[@scottbeattie6645]

Great build for those with a box trailer kicking around and some inspiration to move us along. Looking forward to seeing some sparks.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Sparks start in ep 2. Prolly 2 weeks away

[@troythompson5346]

Thanks for the content. I have been thinking of doing the same thing for years. Also loved the 200 series drawers and fridge slide.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

The inside of the trailer will be an interesting vid. It’s ganna be a big fitout.

[@palletwoodcamper]

great video , im sussing out how to weld frame for my trailer , very useful video :)

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Brilliant. Hopefully it can help you

[@paulhudson4481]

Exactly what i was thinking but more from the flexibility of just 1 trailer not two ! Who has the room in modern house blocks

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I am fortunate enough to have a bit of space at home thankfully

[@just_dave]

I did a similar build with a 6x4 box trailer The biggest asset changes I did was Changed slipper springs to double ended same weight And extended the drawbar Did the Gibb and everything else I want it to do no worries 👍

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I’m definitely looking into a suspension upgrade once it’s all finished and I can see the overall weight

[@WheelsNdrills]

Can’t wait for this build 🤙

[@nosignal88]

Good to be proud mate

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Thanks buddy. I’m definitely happy with how it’s all come out

[@bushmagpie3312]

Great economical project. For your welding try a ‘Mens Shed’ around you. There are lots of them and some great skills you can latch onto.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Yeah I’ve thought about a little course. There’s a place near me that does a weekend thing.

[@BonesFPV]

Ohh man. I'm at the 4 minute mark and this is me. Here we go... Don't let me down. :)

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

😂. Enjoy the ride buddy. It’s a roller coaster of a series 😝

[@DannyLeekong]

Hey mate, great series, wondering what size steel tube your using for the main frame cheers mate 👍

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

It was a 40x40 3mm

[@DannyLeekong]

@Australian4x4Adventures Perfect, exactly what I'm using, thanks mate! 👌

[@jarrodwareham4565]

Can't wait for part 2 I wanna do the same thing was thinking a tradie trailer but I don't have the 7k for one an already have a 7x5 sitting at home so will be looking forward to ur build

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

That’s pretty much where I was at with it too. Make the most of what I already have .

[@jarrodwareham4565]

@@Australian4x4Adventures well I'll be watching for the rest of the build

[@shreckm6470]

Before you leave mate replace the cheap Chinese bearings they will fail l have the same trailer and cooked one within 1500 km an that was after repacking them when I got the trailer.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

In episode 2 I say I’m 99% ganna change over the axel and hubs with elec brakes. So will order it with some good bearings too.

[@smallaam6191]

you could put the stock Y62 rims and wheels on it

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I did think that but I plan on keeping the stock wheels for the car for a while.

[@blackshroud]

Great project mate! Hope it goes well. Just be aware that flipping the axle like that is going to ruin the camber on your axle (theres a bend the axle)

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I do plan on upgrading the axel to something bigger and with electric brakes soon enough. So I will either get ones that suits being that way or maybe even get a drop axel

[@blackshroud]

@@Australian4x4Adventures good plan :) Complete axle kits with brakes are cheap as chips these days.

[@louiskudlak2241]

Looking forward to the build buddy, love to learn welding myself, so handy when building, good luck

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Don’t follow me for welding tips hahaha

[@darrenjordan841]

Looking forward to the build mate. /Subscribed.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Thanks mate. Hopefully I can pull off the ideas I have and it works for me 😝

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Great project! You have around 350 kg of payload to play with (750kg all up weight allowed for an unbraked trailer, and allowing 400kg for the empty trailer). This means you want to think carefully about what you put in it (stay legal) and also where you will put it - for stability. Robert Pepper has a few great videos on trailers and towing you may want to have a look at. I have the exact same single axle trailer, except mine has brakes and is rated at 1400kg (I think the difference is the brakes, tyres and springs), so I've started building it as a camper trailer...unfortunately, I'm too old to do much these days so the project has stagnated. Maybe I'll simplify it to something I can achieve? In any case, watching you build this may spur me on! 🥴

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I do plan on getting a axel upgrade which will include brakes. I figured that out in episode 2 haha.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@Australian4x4Adventures Ah ha! A peak into Ep 2!! :)

[@Australianzwayne]

You’ve got this...

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Haha. Thanks mate.

[@kevinryan7649]

Absolutely stocked your doing this as I would like to give it a go, just one question how much weight are you able to add to the trailers tare on this one

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I don’t know the original weight so not sure how much I can add legally. I plan I weighing the trailer once it’s finished to make sure it’s legal or if I need to upgrade stuff. It will all be explained in a future vid so keep an eye out.

[@Australian_Outdoor_man]

Great build. 🍺🇦🇺❤️👍

[@timdunn2387]

It's a good idea for you and Leanne to sleep in the rooftop tent and leave the kids down at croc/dingo height. Hopefully, their bellies will be full enough to leave you alone by the time they're finished the little'uns😀

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

😂. Feed them the young

[@patrollocal]

Nice project Steve. I've done similiar with a 6x4. I don't have your skills when it comes to cabinet making nor is mine as fancy as what you plan to build :) Not sure where you are located but I found Melsteel in Hallam was excellent pricing on steel supplies if you haven't purchased anything yet. Good luck with the build!

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Hahaha. I’d hardly call mine fancy but thank you anyway. I already got the steel from steel solutions near me in bayswater.

[@sjb7339]

As another has stated in the comments get an axle with the next weight category it will save you money in the long term which is what I have done with my M416 mil trailer here in UK and I know you said you have your steel already but there is some box section thats stronger and lighter rather than your bog standard 40 by 40 by 1 or 2 mil if I could remember the name I would tell you perhaps someone out there knows what it is got a UK sub

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Yeah I do plan on upgrading the axel and bearings. That way I can get elec brakes as well. In ep 2 I say that. ( out in a few weeks )

[@nicklongo449]

Great idea for a series mate. Lots of people can't go out a spend big buck's these day's. Looking forward to your idea's/plan. Don't need mega buck's to have a fun weekend. One thing i notice with Tobbs in the back, you are putting the fold down struts in right? 😃👍 Keep it up mate, gonna follow along. Congrats for taking on this project.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Thanks mate. I was going to do a fold down strut but I think I’m ganna go lift up doors with pull out drawers/tables. Then the doors act as awnings as well

[@nikkimolloy7210]

So do we

[@peterryan7340]

Would you use a Duoetto MK2 for hot water since no gas on board???

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I had thought about a hot water service but I don’t think I wanna go that far with it. The trailers being built for quick weekends not extended trips where a lot of hot water is needed. Having said that I’m not ruling it out for a future upgrade

[@SHOCKcustoms]

Have done this same mod convert a box trailer for offroad use. Quick tip but Essential, add red locktite to your u-bolts on the Axel. The nylock nuts will come loose as they've been removed and retensioned a couple of times. 29 inch tyres work well I've found and load rated tyres are a bonus

[@newport5504]

Wats the trailers tare weight? And trailers max weight didn’t see you mention it out of curiosity

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Max weight of the trailer is currently set at 750kg based on the axel load limit. The trailer construction is too for 1.6t but it’s a grey area in the law due to there being no real regulation on it. It just gets classified as “ home made “. As long as the axel , tyre and rims meet regs you’re in the clear ( in Victoria)

[@newport5504]

@@Australian4x4Adventures okay thanks mate great idea can’t wait to see the progress

[@sdrhodes82]

Question : Won't the weight of the springs/on the springs damage the axle once it's under load or if overload once you have put the axle beneath the leaf springs? Isn't that the reason the axle is above the spring and not below? I don't claim to know, genuine question...

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

It’s the same both above and below for stress on the axel. Where it becomes difficult is some axels have camber built into them so it will throw that out.

[@timdunn2387]

Let's just see if it can be done.👍

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Yeah I’m thinking the same 😂

[@mehdimusa6327]

The greatest joy for a man is to see his son

[@davexstuntman]

Get a cheap tub and bolt it on 👍

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Thought about that but wanted somethings more challenging

[@bazradventures]

Great first episode Steve. I did pretty much the same thing with my box trailer. 10 part series is on my channel, if you want to check it out. Good luck with it.

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I’ll have to go check it out.

[@martywatto3005]

Ummm, did you just literally flip that axle over? As in the mounting plate that was on the bottom of the axle is now on the top? Axles are bowed with the high point in the middle, so that when you add load the wheels are straight. Flipping the axle the other way leads to poor handling and premature tyre and bearing wear. Probably should have welded new plates and kept the axle the right way up.

[@jamiefookes1579]

It just takes time and practice to learn a new skill set. You should be fine

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

It’s not going too bad for me. Few bad welds and a few good ones.

[@TimTamRipple]

Your thumbnail heading is wrong. You said you didnt want an off-road trailer, but the heading says Off-road trailer??? What,???? Which is it - offroad or not?????

[@deebee5236]

Good luck staying under 750kg

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

I’m 99% sure I won’t hahaha 🤣

[@deebee5236]

@@Australian4x4Adventures you didn’t sound so sure in your last vid. I recently turned a wind up camper into an off-road version. I was gobsmacked by the increase in tare weight. If you put bigger drawbar and axle under it, it be silly not to increase the gtm and atm as much as possible

[@mrc25381]

Longest bloody intro ever! 😡

[@Australian4x4Adventures]

Can I see your evidence to prove it’s the longest intro ever? And why you’re angry about the free content you’re getting? 🤐😉😬😬😬