There is a place near me that regularly gets the little military trailers in for sale. I've come close to buying one a number of times except that I start adding up what it would cost to fix one of them up. The boxes are usually pretty rusted. The tires and bolt pattern would not match my truck. Probably have to rewire the thing. Etc, etc, etc.

Think that it would be easier to take a spare Toyota axle, build up a tube frame, and fabricate a box of some sort. Real easy way is take the whole backend of a Toyota truck and weld a tongue onto the front of the frame. Problems there are that most of the frames around here are rusting out, most of the beds are rusting out, and that whole pickup bed trailer looks is just a bit too redneck for me! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

but it`s an "offroad" trailer so does it really matter? i`ll only be using mine for camping out during the hunting season. i certainly don`t plan on cruising around with it on a sunny sunday afternoon where all the lowriders <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> hang out. i say as long as no one is riding in it...build cheap and simple but capable.

Naw, 'Redneck' is when you slide a camper into the back!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I haul a lot of stuff (like I 'should' get my leaf packs rearched), so a full frame trailer would have its uses for me; plywood, bullwinkle, firewood, gravel, you name it. AND-- good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, a garage and a house (in that order thank you) will be on the horizon in the next 5 years, so I can justify hickin' it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

we`re on the same boat my friend!!! my wife and i are gonna be in the market for a new house within the next couple of years. i made the point that i need a huge garage/shop. we`ll be renting out our three bedroom house to help with the payments so it works out pretty well. anyway...she`s out looking for a big house(we have three kids) with a decent size garage, i`m out looking for a big garage with a decent size house <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

24 x 32, 10 ft walls, 2 bay. Opposite wall will have a header for the future as a 'drive thru' bay.

2 deadman rings in the floor, so you can rig a snatch anchor with the overhead hoist to bring in a rig under your own power.

Light tubes for passive lighting

Pre-plumb the floor for slab heat and a john for future use; to include a washer hookup (keep peace in the house).

Utility closet for air compressor/generator with exhaust, also for battery bank (off grid configuration)

That's what I've got so far; am stackin' the rebar. Not too shabby for a lady wrencher methinks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Drifts a bit O/T, but I'm excited.

Another reason I don't want a pickup bed trailer is sheer size. Just to dang gigantic!!

Here's another option I'm looking at
http://www.specialops4x4.com

or if I can one a military M101 or M416 1/4 ton trailer. I've found places that will make them for about $1400 and I'd rather build it myself at that price. Sheesh, it can't be that hard to fab up a frame, axles, & hitch (pintle).

The hardest part would probably be the tub and then I could make it a simple cube w/ a hinged top.

Before you commit to the idea of building it yourself for COST reasons, you probably out to price out the steel. I got a quote on some steel this week, and the cost was outrageous.

Most steel prices are up close to double or more from a year ago.

Hi Jim,

I know they went up after afghanistan & now Iraq because supposedly alot of the steel's going there to help them rebuild.

Ray

The bigger player in the problem is China.

Given the price of steel, you cheapest starting point might well be an existing vehicle frame that nearly matches your specs.

Since you drive a Mitsu, it might be cool to start with a junked 1st gen that has a good frame. Cut off the front, fabricate a front cross member and tongue assembly, and you have a good start. It will have a suspension in place, immediate wheel exchange with your tow vehicle, etc.

Nope, CHINA is buying up all the world's scrap metal for their infrastructure. Learned about this at the local home show this past spring while at a seminar. Prices have gone up 210% this past year, no end in sight. I couldn't even buy a 1/2" piece of rebar over 3 feet long during construction season last summer.