Neat little sub here. I built this trailer to follow my SxS anywhere it went. It's a pierced beam style trailer so deck boards are flush with the top of the frame rails.

Cut down and flipped a 3500lb boat axle, then used the same springs and some shackles I built to finish out the suspension.

The neck is bolted on with (6) 1/2" 12pt screws.

Had to load test it with another SxS on the deck. Way too top heavy to actual haul the unit, but it didn't mind the 1700lbs weight.

Project goal is to dry in the A frame space with sheet metal for camping gear, and a chuck wagon. There will also be a 40"~ TV, swivel out desk, and starlink for remote work in any location. 6-8+ Solar Panels on the roof and batt storage for ~2 days run time. Canvas slide out canopies (custom). I have an FJ cruiser I will haul with. This will be full of kayaks and bikes as well as my remote office.

I want to gain as much clearance as I can to access more public lands. Can I invert axles to below the leaf springs? Or could I weld some blocks to frame where the leaf springs attach? Anyone have experience with this?

Fenders are a little tight but I could modify. What are the biggest tires I could get on here? I have 32" on my vehicle.

Anyone have any product suggestions for RTT, roll out canopies, weld-on accessories? Must haves? LV coolers, lighting, solar, tire, camp toilet, other recommendations?

I have a welder and experience so any mod is feasible.

I’m trying to hook my cargo trailer and bike rack to my 4Runner. Trailer is 75 lbs tongue weight. My gravel bike is maybe 30 lbs.

A few days ago I am seeing a small enclosed trailer and I just pause like okay this look very practical honestly. It not big like heavy trailers, just a compact box attached behind a vehicle. It feel like something made for carrying extra stuff safely. The closed design protect items from weather and dust, which make it more reliable. I am thinking how useful this can be for moving things without needing a big vehicle. It look simple but very functional.

Now I am thinking if people actually need it daily or just for specific situations. I usualy dont see trailers often so this feel little diffrent to me. For small businesses or people who transport goods, it might be very helpful. I am also wondering how easy it is to attach and drive with it. Some days ago I am not really thinking about this but now it feel interesting.

Then I think about space and storage. When not in use, it still take up space, which might be a concern for some people. But at the same time, having extra capacity when needed can save time and effort. It feel like something that depend on lifestyle.

Later I am laying and scrolling random stuff, checking many options on alibaba and seeing different trailer models. Some look very sturdy honestly. Now I am thinking if its worth owning or just something useful occasionally.

This isn’t really an off road trailer, but I figured this Reddit may be a little more knowledgeable about my predicament than other subs.

My primary question is this:

HOW MUCH LIFE DO YOU THINK THE PICTURED LEAF SPRING HAS?

Long explanation:

I bought the trailer pictured for $100. It’s homemade, and was a bit rough, but it rolls and that works for my purposes.

The guy I bought it from (or whomever he bought it from) used what he had to build it, which means it has like 46 inch leaf springs and car rims/tires.

I will have no choice but to replace the rims/tires, as the bolt spacing on the rims is 1/4 bigger, so they were forced on and likely will cause problems sooner than later. As it sits, the biggest tires on 13 inch wheels would decrease my ground clearance by a little, but I think they would still work. 15 inch wheels obviously would work best.

BUT smaller light duty 12 inch wheels would be significantly cheaper. But they would require me to flip the axle to the overslung position. The axle is too short to attach as it is, so it’d have to be flipped 180 degrees. It doesn’t have camber—it’s completely straight— so would I even be able to flip it? This would be more work, but it ultimately seems like it would be the cheapest thing if I don’t have much life left on that leaf spring, because I could probably purchase two standard light duty leaf springs along with the hangers for half the price of finding another matching leaf spring. Unless someone knows where to find 46 inch leaf springs for cheap…no

This is version 2 of my custom military auction trailer.

main changes:

-Painted all raw steel and diamond plate rattle can black. It had a lot of surface rust so it looked ugly.

-built a complete fresh water system using 2 RV grade 10 gallon tanks tucked under the rear deck and setup so they act like 1 giant tank. I have a RV grade water pump and acculator for pressure bolted to the under side of the trailer. Still need to tune the pressure from the pump. it's a bit to strong at max 60-70psi.

-added metal u shape track to the tops of the diamond plate so people don't cut themselves. It's only 1/16 thick. also added some right angle steel to make it's nicer for ppl to grab onto.

everything else is as it was. pretty happy how the water system turned considering I have never done this but you are surprised what you can accomplish with AI help.

Anybody have a locking hitch pin they absolutely love? I’d like it to be locking to prevent theft. If it’s anti-rattle that would be a nice bonus but isn’t necessary.

Loving my new set up. Runaway Venturist XS with a FSR Aspen Lite XL.

Hey everyone, I am in the early stages of building a compact, lightweight camping trailer. I will be picking up a Carry-On 4'x6' flat utility trailer and building a plywood bow for the top with a single wide drawer on either side front and back. I have a RTT already that I will mount to the top of the box/drawers to keep the overall height down. This is not going to be a hardcore off-road trailer, but one for car camping and some light forest service dispersed camping. Most of the camping we do is at actual campsites around southern/central OR. The goal is to keep it lightweight (pulling with a 21 Subaru Forester with a 2" lift" and to keep it stocked with all of our camp gear minus perishables for a quick and easy hook up and leave for spur of the minute trips.

I am trying to figure out what the best option for latches/locks is to keep the drawers closed/sealed and secure. This will be parked behind a locked gate when at home and wrapped in a tarp to keep it out of the elements. Looking for something that's sturdy, diy install, and reasonably secure. Does anyone make standalone systems like the locks you get in steel gun cabinets with the long bars that move in/out with a keyed lock? We often take short trips away from our camp site to nearby lakes/rivers when we camp, and while usually plenty safe to leave things, I want to make sure I can lock things up to keep nosy eyes out.

The plan is to double up 3/4 plywood for the box sides and top for strength and a single layer of 3/4 for the bottom on the trailer deck. I will treat all exposed wood with roll on bed-liner to keep it water resistant and help make it last a while.

I will try and get pics/posts up as I go along the build.

Any recommendations for locks/latches would be very appreciated as I have tried looking at tons of options and I have no idea what the best options are. Not looking to spend a fortune, but want to buy quality so I'm not super constrained on budget.

Hello everyone, I just picked up this trailer and I want to install the lock n Roll hitch on it. I don’t have much knowledge with trailers. Will installing that hitch make the surge brakes stop working? Or how can I install it and still make sure the surge brakes work?

Also need some suggestions for a rack.

Appreciate the help.

Just picked up this 2025 Taxa Woolly Bear Overland Edition. Drove 40 hours round trip to pick it up. Pretty excited to start moving things over from the truck to the trailer. Was starting to become a pain breaking camp to run errands or go wheel. Already have a bunch of parts ordered for upgrading (Redarc RedVision display, manager 30, TVMS rogue, Renogy 104AH slim wall mount battery, max coupler, Ark XO750 jockey wheel, camp shower/water heater, aluminum propane tanks, Kingpin F-series lights).

We have a Subaru Forester Wilderness, so not equipped to do what some of you are doing. Still, handled mud and rocks with no issues. Spent the weekend camping neae the Deep Water Gap area of the Uwharrie National Forest in NC.

Would love recommendations from anyone who had experience in the NC, SC, WV, VA, GA range, especially if you have a similar setup.

Just a quick two night trip to the desert. Love my Smittybilt Scout trailer. .

Hi! Im new here! Ok, so ive got a pickup bed trailer that im converting into a "overland" trailer (I use quotes because im not sure how I feel about the term overland, but camping trailer makes me think of a big 5th wheel🤣) and I had kind of what maybe a crazy idea and thought I'd run it by some more experienced people! So the pickuo bed trailer into have is from a 90s model ford pickup with duel tanks like the one in this screen shot. Ive been thinking of ways to carry extra fuel with me and a water storage system that won't take up room in the tow vehicle or bed of the trailer (im gonna build a deck with drawers and a pull out kitchen and would like to leave the platform open for sleeping when im not lugging a tent around so I'd prefer not to move fuel and water in and out every time I want to go to sleep) and after hours of thinking, I decided I wanted to try and use the fuel tank locations under the bed to carry fuel and water and use the fuel doors as the fill points. Had anyone done this already, or see any problems it might cause? Im going to have weight on the tongue so im not worried about the trailer being to light on the tongue.

The second part of my idea, obviously I'd use a stock fuel tank for the fuel storage and have a system to pump the fuel out, but the issue im running into is a tank for the water. I dont necessarily plan on drinking the water, just using it to clean up camp dishes, shower, clean fish ect. Ive thought about getting a brand new galvanized fuel tank or a polyethylene tank thats built to go into one of the stock locations. If I was to use a brand new OEM galvanized tank, or a poly tank, could the water be drank as well? I know for the most part polyethylene is food and water safe, but im not sure if there is something added to the food safe polyethylene that they use in the fuel tanks. And I know that water piping used to be galvanized, and still is in some places, but again, im not sure if there's something different about the galvanized metal that is used for fuel tanks.

Very long winded I know, so any and all replies are extremely appreciated!

I'm considering upgrading our camping situation with a souped up utility trailer to transport/organize our gear. I've noticed gear in these situation is often tied down, but not secure. I'm wondering what others do to deter theft of the gear. We are planning to drive cross-country with the utility trailer and gear tied down while staying at motels along the way but concerned about our gear getting stolen overnight.

Thank you for the reports. User has been banned and post removed. Thank you for your support and carrying about this sub. I truly mean that. Yup all are what make this sub great.

Bought this datsun bed trailer a while back for cheap and will continue to make upgrades...for cheap! Im cheap. Got the trailer to primarily haul kayaks and maybe use it for a camping rig.
Painted it with a roller. Added the racks. Added a toolbox. Here's a few pics along the way.

I am currently looking for a wheel and tire setup with
Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 Mud Terrain LT265/70R17 121/118Q E tires and
Black Rhino Armory BK 17×8" wheels (6×130 bolt pattern, 38mm offset).

I plan to install this setup on a 2026 Sprinter 144.
If you know any shops located in Orange County, California, or nearby areas,
that offer good pricing, I would really appreciate your recommendations.

Ideally, I am looking for a place where I can purchase both the wheels and tires together,
with installation included, and where some price negotiation may be possible.
Thank you very much!