Budget offroad trailer build

Years ago, I built a teardrop to haul behind my TDI samurai. I had it about 75% finished, then decided to sell it before ever using it. Door and windows were sourced from an RV part out.

It's been almost 10 years ago now though, and I'm wanting some sort of trailer to haul behind my Yukon and Suzuki. I did a quick google search and see that some of these offroad "teardrop" campers are well over $20k USD. That being said, I'm super cheap. I don't see why a small build should cost more than $2,000.

Here's some requirements I have in mind, will update as I find more things I want/need
1. Queen size mattress, mainly because I have a good used memory foam mattress sitting around since we switched to a king size.
2. Sleeping area for my daughter, if she and my wife are both with me.
3. Diesel heater, 12vdc air conditioning if I can source a unit cheap enough, or build my own.
4. Independent suspension. Timbren makes a kit, but they're quite spendy. I've found some units in China I'm considering trying out. Or I'll possibly build my own like what is pictured below.

I've been looking around for pictures and ideas, I'm thinking that some sort of box with a used cheap or free pickup topper will be a good starting point. Here's a few pix of what I'm thinking. First pic is the old unit I built.

Here's the Chinese independent trailer suspension. I can't imagine it being terrible quality, seems like a huge majority of trailer parts are made overseas these days anyways. This would also probably be pretty easy to duplicate and build myself, but if the price is right, I think just ordering a couple from China would be the way to go.

Found some better looking timbren knockoffs


If price is right, perhaps I’ll order several pairs to test

Let us know what pricing is on both if you can find out.

The_Lobbster said:

Here's the Chinese independent trailer suspension. I can't imagine it being terrible quality, seems like a huge majority of trailer parts are made overseas these days anyways. This would also probably be pretty easy to duplicate and build myself, but if the price is right, I think just ordering a couple from China would be the way to go.



View attachment 172072View attachment 172073View attachment 172074

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I mean, there's made overseas and then there's made overseas. They generally do a good job of showing you pretty pics, but I've ordered stuff on Wayfair and Ali that would make your toes curl.

Be ready to deal with sending it back, is what I'm saying.

True. I’ve ordered enduro joints from China that seemed good quality.

I do know most trailer spindles, hubs, etc are made in China, so hopefully I could find a solid source.

Kevin B. said:

I mean, there's made overseas and then there's made overseas.

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China makes all kinds of awesome stuff like IPhones and Xbox’s. They also make everything that comes from Temu (ok that’s a guess, but seriously Temu?) so be prepared for a new understanding of horrible.

I have a Timbren kit I bought and was going to build an off-road trailer with that I never got around to doing.

I’d sell the kit

Ah darn. Janey Wang no have the products.

I honestly didn’t think I’d even do anymore with this project this summer because I got so much on my plate, and haven’t been able to score a cheap or free trailer anywhere.

Until today. Managed to snag somebody’s abandoned project. Has some sort of FWD rear beam axle. Frame is 3”x3”x1/8” wall, 52.5” wide, 117” long.

The welds look good to go!!! The lady told me her son who is a “mechanic” started building it before moving to Hawaii.

Solid

Mechanic, yes. Welder, no! 🤣

Pass drop waggy 44?

Gravy said:

Pass drop waggy 44?

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Nah, it’s the ‘80’s full size dodge ram charger/w150 unit. It is indeed a pass drop 44, but wider than waggy. I was asking on here about it like a week ago. I just haven’t unloaded it from my trailer yet. For some dang reason I can’t seem to find any solid info on this particular axle. Tons of info on shaft lengths etc for Ford, Jeep, and Chevy, but almost nothing for this.

Oh... That one.

It's too bad the old Mr N. littlekeylime dana 44 website is out of commission.


It had everything you'd ever want

Gravy said:

Oh... That one.

It's too bad the old Mr N. littlekeylime dana 44 website is out of commission.

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I know! I found his links from Pirate, but they were all dead. I was hoping to shorten this to use for my Suzuki (eventually), but I might just try to sell it to make a few dollhairs I can put towards a narrow track 44 and keep that on hand for the future.

Guess what?!
I found it in the web archive!
I win again! I used to have most of this stuff in my head 20yrs ago when I did my first axle swaps.

@Greg we need to find a way to save this stuff. Old knowledge that would be hard to gather again.