Nd4SpdSe 2001 Frontier turned Expedition Trailer - "The Frontrailer"

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Nd4SpdSe's 2001 Frontier turned Expedition Trailer - "The Frontrailer"

Apparently there's a trailer section, so I might as well post up about mine. She's been rolling for less then 2 weeks now, but I've had this idea floating around for a good few years. The hard part was finding a good shape and afforable truck to tear apart.

I put all of my pics and progress on the Facebook Page for it.
https://www.facebook.com/NissanFrontrailer
And I'm also on Expedition Portal. Was a long time lurker on there until I could finally start this project
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ox-Off-Road-Trailer-The-quot-Frontrailer-quot


It kinda jumped up as a priority cause with the girlfriend, we both love camping, but it's a more complicated camping with an RTT on the truck as opposed to being single. I want to keep camping the way I/we do, but make it easier, more comfortable, and have a "base camp" setup so we don't need to tear it down to use the truck.
The irony is that my buddy's truck that I kind of based my idea off of ended up for sale for a good price. 350'000kms on it and she would no longer start. Here's our trucks together 6 years ago. My X up front, his Frontier in the back.

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And I got it towed to my grandmothers to get it rolling (as a trailer) so I can bring it back to Quebec, which should should of been at the end of December, but got pushed back. From there I'll start working on getting the details and accessories done. FYI, I've never welded, so this will be my chance to finally buy a welder and learn.
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And the rough concept would be this:
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And as for the plans for the build:

Rack + Top
A bit complex, but it’s for both style, form, security and function. I plan to keep the tonneau cover on the box, but remove the hinge and have the cover lift up with either pressurised hydraulic cylinders and/or electric actuators, inspired by “Luke111”, “bikemanx2” and “Box Rocket” trailer builds on EP. Under the tonneau cover, a frame will be made for the lifting mechanisms and to support weight for on top, where the OEM roof rack from the Frontier will be used and bolted through the cover and into the frame. The roof top tent will get mounted to this of course. There will be locking pins used to secure it in its up position. One thing I want to do is to have the point of the rack joining to the posts, so have it attached with ball joints do that even if each post goes up at a slightly different rate, which more likely will, it don’t cause binding in the tubing.

Suspension:
One of my big issues with expedition trailers is the suspension; there’s little to no flex. I don’t think that this helps that they’re unsteady on the trails and have a higher chance to topple over than the tow vehicle. The truck suspension has plenty of travel compared to a standard trailer, and a good availability of aftermarket upgrades and support. I’ll leave the suspension as-is for the moment then down the road switch to some revolver shackles for some extra flex get the inboard shocks done, same as my Xterra. It’s not a high priority since she already comes with an upgraded suspension will be sufficient for a while, while I concentrate on its functionality as a trailer, or unless I feel otherwise as I use it.
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Brakes
The stock drive axle will be kept, and with this, the brakes. The hydraulic drum brakes will be kept and used, eventually, for braking the trailer with a brake controller. There are electric/hydraulic brake actuators available to control them. So I’ll get some nice strong hydraulic brakes to keep the trailer under control, but not the inconvenience of surge brakes. I would especially love this for downhill descents. Also the advantage of getting replacement parts for the braking system at your local parts store and Nissan dealerships.
Also, the parking brake will be used. I haven’t figured out what to do for the manual system, but this would be perfect when parking the trailer

Wheels & Tires
I do plan to keep using stock OEM-offset wheels, hopefully a matching set of Desert Runners all around. At first I’ll keep the current wheel and tire combo until I get some dessert runners rims to match, then they may get my old MTR 32’s while the truck upgrades to 33’s, but in the long run I would love to see 33” MTR Kevlar tires all the way around, truck and trailer. I haven’t decided if the trailer will get wheel spacers.

Lights
A 2-wire to 3-wire converter will be used to use the stock Frontier tail lights with the separate signal light and brake bulbs; they’re inexpensive. With the 7-pin harness, I might use the 7th wire for the reverse lights.
Side markers will be added for legality.

Fuel Tank
Part of this platform is that I plan to keep the stock fuel tank. Although I’m undecided if I’m adding some jerry cans for ease of use and fill up, I have an easy 75L of fuel as my disposal and doesn’t take up any storage space. This also would be handy for use with a generator. And having the fuel tank means I’m keeping the fuel pump, for transferring but also it would come as a spare in the odd chance that the trucks fuel pump fails. It does have the OEM skid, but I'll get an upgraded skid at the same time I order one for my Xterra since that's the last one she needs.

Tongue + Storage

Although the dimensions aren’t measured or decided, depending on what I need for the fuel tank, I plan to have a storage box on the tongue of the trailer. I would like to include a small generator, and I don’t know where to put a bottle of propane. I know I put in the concept pic some jerry cans, which would be used for fuel, but could be swapped out for water or extra storage as per the trip.
The tongue, however, needs to have enough length for me to be able to jack knife the trailer to 90 degrees without hitting the truck. This means a single beam tongue with a length of 38 inches from the pivot point.

Water

With no exhaust (or drive shaft) to be in the way, I plan to put a water tank on the underside opposite of the fuel tank. How and what dimensions will remain to be seen with the space available. I'll get a skid plate made up to protect that as well of course.

Power
With the truck does well on just 2 batteries when being parked on camping trips, but because it is a vehicle, it will of course charge on the go and when used as a vehicle, but it’s done a 4-day stint with only a single fire mid-way through the long weekend to top off the batteries just in case. But batteries in the truck do have the benefit of being charged by starting the truck if need be. I don’t want to have to connect the truck often to the trailer and let it idle to recharge the batteries. I would like to have a battery bank of at least 4 deep cycle batteries onboard. A true isolator will definitely be used.
An A/C inverter is definitely needed. The truck has a 1750w and it runs pretty much anything, but they don’t make them anymore, so it would be either 1500w or 2000w. I’m undecided if I should get a True Sign Wave inverter in this case for clean power and efficiency on the batteries, but they're not cheap or small for the 3000w, it would be 1000-1500w max, and use the 1750w in the truck if I need more power.
I want to run a 0-gauge wire directly from the truck to the trailer for a quicker charge than the low 10-amp circuit in the 7-pin trailer harness as an option, but not always necessary.
I would really like to a generator. I would have a battery charger plugged in to top off the batteries without being connected to the truck. This would also give another advantage to keeping the Frontier’s fuel tank; it would give the generator an extra 75L of fuel to run non-stop.
I’d like to mount a solar panel somewhere, maybe on top of the storage box, as a supplement to light-duty power consumption, or at least keep a trickle always on the batteries.

Spare Tire
Same as the truck, the under body spare will be kept in use. I may do something like have the crossmember for the spare tires/winch move upwards to take advantage of all and any available space underneath (with the added “body lift”) to get it tucked up in there further.
I do have my hitch-mounted spare tire carrier planned to be built (eventually, they’re supposed to start it in the off-season). Since the trailer is also to use that same 2” receiver on the bumper, that carrier will be relocated to the trailer in what would I would like to eventually get is a nice steel bumper with also a 2” receiver.
Yep, this would amount to 3 spare tires, because I can.

Electronic & Wireless Monitoring and Controller
Arduino. It’s an easy to use programmable controller that’s totally flexible and open sourced. I got my first exposure to it when a friend showed me it to make sensing and trigger to automatically activate an aquarium pump to empty an air conditioner, and stop when it’s empty. It’s very flexible and really opens limitless possibilities with outputs for controls and analog inputs to monitor data. The plan it to have it interface with the OEM fuel level gauge to give me the fuel level in the Frontier’s tank. Secondly, I’ll do the same thing with the water tank, get it to be my voltmeter to make sure that’s working ok. I will also as a trigger to turn on and off the Frontier’s fuel pump for fuel transfers. I’d also like to get it to control stuff like lights. And all this can be done remotely using Wi-Fi. It gets accesses using a web page it hosts itself. This could be accessed with my cell phone, but also it’ll help breathe new life into the CarPC which has been broken for a few years now (needs new motherboard and monitor). I’ll add a wireless router to the truck to create a Xan or NAN (Xterra or Nissan Area Network, I find myself funny, especially since I’m currently on a networking course) and have the Arduino wirelessly connect to that network, and its webpage would display as a gauge and controls on the CarPC’s touchscreen display in the truck. I’m kind of really excited for this part of the project to be honest.

The truck has recently been torn down last weekend to get the parts that I need. I've got a trailer guy building the frame and it should be rolling for the end of December to take it back to Quebec at the end of my Christmas break.

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So I arrived back in my hometown, with the frame completed, minus the fuel tank (that will have to get done later) and the bed.
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So we had to head back and deliver the bed. Used one of this own trailers.
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And with some help, put the bed on the frame
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She needed some tweaking, and the crossbars to mount the box needed some relocating, but just some minor adjustments to get it to sit right.
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As well as the bumper and trailer hitch.
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The bumper needs some adjusting, but for now, not bad
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And time to get the wiring done. Not only wire up the lights, but put in the 2-wire to 3-wire adapter. This separates the brake and signal lights so (other than the 4 ways), the Frontier's taillights work just as if did originally, amber signal light and all. Also added side markers for the trailer legality.
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With the final product finally rolling!
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The next problem that my dad and friend Fred decided that it was best to tackle the rusted out front panel and temporarily patch the floor for the trip back, especially since there was gear to be loaded in the trailer and the front section wasn't really solid, and maybe not even safe.

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My idea was to take the matching back panel from the cab section. Not only does this save a few bucks, but it's a sturdier piece than just putting in a piece of sheet metal, as well as make it look like an original panel. The floor we used sections of the roof.

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Although it needs to get cleaned up, the holes were patched with aluminum tape and the welds painted so they don't rust. We also put on the Frontier's roof rack. For looks (and to save space), but wouldn't trust it with any type of load yet until I get the structure for it done.

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And the spare tire (with a new/used winch) was put underneath as well, once all the welding was done.

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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
In the other part of my time back in Ontario, most of it was to strip down the Frontier. Hell of a job. A fair amount of parts were kept, but what wasn't being kept had to be stripped and scrapped BEFORE I headed back to Quebec.
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The transfer case was kept. Apparently they're a bit stronger in the older trucks, and would make it easy to get new crawler gears installed and just swap t-cases...if and when that does happen, but I gotta be positive and keep towards the goals.
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The auto trans dip stick not looking very healthy...
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My dad's utility trailer coming in handy here. Took 2 trips.
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The bane of it's existence was the lower control arms, they were just a bit too wide to slide the entire frame on to the trailer
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But with some cutting and the help of a portable 12v winch, we got her loaded up
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And the last trip for the last of the truck...
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And now a truck-less garage. The parts remaining will be kept and/or for sale.
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Loading up the truck and trailer to head back to Quebec, and the trailer's maiden voyage
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A stop in Kingston for some all-you-can-eat sushi (cause they don't have that in Qc) and of course, a stop at Princess Auto.
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And back in Quebec, some pics and measurements of the truck and trailer were taken before I brought her to the mother-in-laws place to unpin the trailer and try to get some work done on her there.
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March was an expensive month, so i'll take a break for a bit to catch up on finances, but I want to next get the fuel tank in and work on starting the framework with the actuators that will lift the top. I've already started to clean up and to restore the fuel tank. She's about 80% ready for paint, but I've decided it would be best to do the mounting of the tank first, and remove it to paint it after, cause with all the fit tests that will be done, the paint job will surely get scratched.
Fuel pump still works ;)
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And the float and sending unit will actually be used
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And practicing some welding by filling a hole that I figure was enlarged by my dad torching off the bolts.
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I've got a friend of my cousin that's suppose to build me a custom aluminum box for the front section. He got back to me with a price, but not on starting it yet...
 
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J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
This is a fantastic idea. Please don't take offense if I shamelessly ape this idea at some point in the future. I look forward to reading more about your progress.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
This is a fantastic idea. Please don't take offense if I shamelessly ape this idea at some point in the future. I look forward to reading more about your progress.

Thanks and Thanks! Doesn't bother me at all. I just wanted to be the first ;) But personally I enjoy to inspire people, so if you want to copy go ahead! I'd personally like to see more of them!

The hard part was to actually find one. I'm not made of money, and pickup trucks, up here anyway, hold their value. I wanted the 01-04 style (note that the front brakes/knuckles on the 01 aren't the same as on the Xterra, only from 2002-04. So consider that if you want to use the rest of the truck as a parts truck), I was looking at C$2500-C$3500 for a rusted out 98 Frontier. The 01-04's still ask from $4000 to $8000. You could always piece it out at from wrecking yards and do it progressively. I was planing to use the frame, but I've been told otherwise, and i do agree. The frame and mounting everything cost me $1000, but he said if he ever did it again, he wouldn't do it less than $1500...the fun of being someone's first, heh.
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
Yeah, all I want is a bed off a truck with a wrecked front end. Frame and suspension I'd source elsewhere. I like the idea of the truck axle for brakes and matched hubs, but I really want to do a Timbren axleless independent suspension on a custom frame. Still, I will be watching this thread with much interest.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Seen them before, those axles are very, very nice!

Got some significant time to work on the trailer this past Easter long weekend. I modified the frame to fit the fuel tank, as it was suppose to have been done initially.

The starting point
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The crossbar that's supporting the bed is in the way. I'll have to turn them into body mounts and remove the section that's in the way. I want to get the tank as high up as possible and take advantage of the 2" body lift that I got done as part of the design.
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Also added an extra section to attach the rear hanger of the fuel tank, but it also doubles as an extra support for the floor of the bed, and later on, may tripple for the upper shock mount.
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And a test fit to get the placement for the front support
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Notched and welding it up
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And how she'll sit, minus the skid plate. It may be "hanging low", but it's far from being the lowest point, and plus the forward leaf spring hanger needs to drop down a few inches to where it'll probably end up being level with the bottom of the tank, like how it sits originally on the trucks...it's all part of the design. Actually that's how it was suppose to get mounted, but no matter, it'll get it fixed.
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And after a several hours of work on a long weekend, this is the final result with most of the extra pieces that I don't need removed. I think I'll add some gussets (i guess it would be called) on the forward beam to help with lateral forces. The original one was put there for that reason, so with the new one being a bit lower and fowards, I'll add some strength. Plus there's the extra beam under the box that'll help for the rigility. What's left is to finish cleaning up and painting the fuel tank, put a coat of black paint on the trailer where there's primer and get some metric hardware to bolt up the tank. The filler neck will need to be shortened just a bit, but I'll also need to pick up new hose.
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And those of you who were wondering how balanced she is. Indeed she's tail heavy, but at the moment all I need is to put the spare tire on the tongue and she sits nose down.
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
A brief update, but I'm still pumping hard working on her, but I've how got a deadline to get her in a rolling and functional manner since I'm being sent to another base for 2 back-to-back courses for the summer (yay military life, just scrapped my summer), but I want to get the trailer rolling to bring it down there and work on it. They should have an auto shop. Worse case, I work on it in the parking lot other than any major fab, which should hopefully be done before I leave...

I've made tubing to lift the top and that will house the actuators inside.

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Testing the concept height
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After several revisions, settled with this one to make a flush mouting point for the top mount of the actuator
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I also found a stupid deal on Kijiji and picked up 8! Desert Runner rims with a Frontier tailgate for $140
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Some 3M body adhesive to glue on some angle iron rather then welding to avoid warpage
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Starting to modify the tonneau cover to properly fit the OEM roof rack
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And some pins to lock top up
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Forward outter tubing installed
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And just this week, some inserts made to bolt down the top actuator while flush to the inner tubing
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I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but there's a lot of work left. But also, the truck doesn't look much more different then this, that I need to reassemble
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And I have to pack before I leave since I move to a new appartment on July 1st, and I leave on June 8th...
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Well having a few days off, I pumped out as much as I could between everything else I had to do. I'm missing about a day to get all the major fab work done so I can bring the trailer back with me to Ontario for the summer and work on the smaller stuff where I don't need to weld (as much).

I realised that where was no real support to support the weight of the top/tent/occupents on the rear tubes, so I decided to make a crossbar that rested on the frame, but also linked the two together.
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Then from there I jumped to making the support structure for the top. I thought ahead and made holes in the tubing where they join for the future if I need to run wiring inside

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With another test fit of the cover to make sure all was ok with the entire system

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I did a height check as well. Deceiving in the picture, I'm only really missing a few inches for my head to be cleared by the top cover, but an awning will be mounted to the rack anyway, and plus the trailer technically needs another 2-3 inches of suspension lift.

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I also added some extra support pieces to help against lateral loads on the crossbar that I added/relocated, and with that, finally mounted the fuel tank.

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The tonneau cover got a lot of work in fiberglass and paint and giving the whole top a full sand to remove the clear that was 3/4 peeled away anyway. Besides for 2 spots where it had a reaction and cracked, it's just needing to be finalized on the paint.

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And I ran out of time on these, but the weight on the rack will have no weight on the fiberglass top. I just need to get the tubes welded on, cut to length and the holes threaded to be able to bolt them down, and other then some paint they're good to go and the whole top and rack can be bolted down and read to get the tent put on and test that.

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Well that will be it for the next 3 weeks, about. I took the car down and the truck and trailer are 600kms away. I have to be back July 1st to move and I have until the 5th. I want to spend a day to get the trailer rolling so I can drive it back with me to Kingston and work on it over the summer and do some camping with it
 
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CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
This thing looks great! I've been wanting to do this exact thing for a long time. You've got me searching for a color matched bed again now ;) Once you get done, you need to hit up Creepy or another sticker guy and get a "Frontrailer" sticker made for that trailer roof rack.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
I will say it's been YEARS since I've wanted a welder, and it was SO worth it. I'm really enjoying doing metal work and fab. It's a bit more complicated then I expected, more discovering thing I wasn't expected, more related to how the truck bed an tonneau cover are put together. Despite it being more complicated, its progressing well and along time frame I expecting, but wasn't expecting to lose my summer, but I got enough done I'll manage. The big question how if I'll get my tires for the X in before July 1st...I got to call on that tomorrow.

My girlfriend has been big help. He did like 90% of the tonneau cover, for real. She's never done any of that work before, but she's good at creative stuff and working with her hands. I helped her with fiberglassing the wood supports, but the rest it was just to tell and show her what I needed done and how to do it, and she just did it. It saved me many days work and if I would of done it, in the rush I would of had to, it wouldn't of came out that nice.

It's cool that you've had this idea too and that I've inspired you to look into doing it. I wasn't lookin for a color matching bed/truck, it just worked out that way, heh, but in the end, I would of wanted to paint it to match anyway ;) Any Q's, feel free to ask. Oh, and for the stickers, that's a great idea! I just need to get top finished and paint the rack. I'd prefer it to be dark grey like my X or black then the silver. I'll just need to narrow up the letters to get the word to fit.
 
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Got her rolling on the weekend in time to use it to do batch of stuff since me and the moved in together on July 1st, and drove her down to Ontario, and already dropped her off to get some canvas done. Should be done this week, in time for her first camping trip.

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CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
This thing is just freaking cool. I may have missed it (some of the pics don't show up anymore), but what are you planning on doing with the front/tongue of the trailer? Some sort of tongue box? Place to hold spare tires?
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Thanks! I used to direct link Facebook images, but they don't seem to last over time. I started to do that since ImageShack went pay, but now started to use Imgur, but even then they seems to be flaky once in a while. I've fixed a few of the posts above if that works better for you.


Actually there spare tire is nicely tucked away underneath in the "original" location using an original Nissan spare tire winch. Well not the original original winch, that one was rusted away, but the crossmember was cut from the truck frame and transplanted over, and I picked up a used winch one from one of the members here. Yep, the tongue box will house the batteries (3) and charging system, shower, a seperate section to keep the propane tank, and a storage section for gear. I actually have a 16 gallon water tank that will get installed opposite to the fuel tank underneath. There's currently just a single battery (the one from the Frontier) to run the motors and a relay pack for the actuators and some basic accessories like a light, 12v outlet and with that, a 12v that I run in the tent. That'll all get redone when I get a tongue box made.

In terms of "spareS", I want to get a spare tire carrier made that will mount into the 2" receiver in the bumper, but when the trailer is attached, the carrier will move to the trailer. I just can't use the receiver in the bumper yet cause the trailer isn't set up for it yet. The suspension needs to do up a tad and the tongue itself is mounted under the trailer frame as opposed to level with it, which I didn't know what going to be done like that, so that'll need to get raised, and I'll deal with that when I get a proper off-road (Max Coupler) coupler. It'll do for now to be able to use the trailer and get some miles on her.
 
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mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
This thing is just freaking cool. I may have missed it (some of the pics don't show up anymore), but what are you planning on doing with the front/tongue of the trailer? Some sort of tongue box? Place to hold spare tires?
I second the Capn, cool project.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
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Once in Kingston, she was dropped off to get some canvas done, and picked up literally Friday on my way to camp at Mosport/Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the ALMS weekend.
12v was temporarily hooked up (at the canvas shop) for the trip up, and over the weekend passed the wire properly, as well as the reverse light line. However I didn't connect the reverse lights since I have idea how it was hooked up. I'm more then capable to do it, but I had a friend there giving me a hand and jumped in and did it, but honestly it needs to be redone for my liking anyway.
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And arriving back to base, since I have no fridge to keep any food, and the mess being closed, I finished up what I had left for supper. So I made up the rest of my marinated chicken, some pasta and a salad. Then got swarmed by hundreds of mosquitoes afterwards.


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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Oh, time for a bit of an update.
Prior to taking the tent off the trailer for the end of the season, I decided to record a video of the lifting top on the trailer

[video=youtube;peBKNKoALYA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peBKNKoALYA[/video]

I've been working a bit on my level fold down spare tire carrier to fill the gap waiting on spring to work on the trailer, but the next coming weekends I've got tests, then down Ontario for my March Break and to bury my grandmother/gobblemother that passed while I was in Puvirnituq for 2 weeks (got back Saturday), then Easter while in Ontario with my family, and when we come back, I've got some serious work to do on the girlfriend's Avenger; suspension and brakes that need to get done all around, with a tie rod and a wheel bearing and oil pan gasket in the mix of that. Her car is currently unsafe to drive at the moment. For the trailer, I've made an appointment at the start of April to get the front leaf spring hanger dropped and the coupler raised. I'm not comfortable with my fab and welding skills to do those, so I'd perfer to get it done by a professional, but I'm actually getting anxious to get work started on the trailer. I've got the water tank mount and the tongue box plans in my head. Actually there's a few variants of the tongue box, but that'll clear up with some measurements.

As for parts, I'm taken the gamble and ordered a a Foxwing-style awning from Sunday Campers. I'm going to take the chance and give it a try and order from them. Many reasons, but as much as I would of liked to of ordered a product within North America, I can't find that style here (with the rectangular side section), and for the price, I can get the entire thing, with sides and a floor, for *much* cheaper then getting the smaller one in the style that doesn't suite the function I want. The smallest version is 8ft long, which is *exactly* the length of the entire trailer (which is ironic cause she was *suppose* to be shorter). It may look a bit weird until the tongue box is done, but it'll give a lot of shade and shelter space. The only real negative thing I've read about Sunday Campers is that the leadtime can be 60 rather then 30 days, but it's ordered well ahead of the camping season that it's not a problem. I'll be posting up my experienced with dealing with them and the end result/quality of their product as I go. I was looking into this tent for a while, and was on the verge of placing an order, but the Canadian dollar dropped. They've readjusted their prices just recently, saving me a few hundred, so I went ahead. We've got already 3 camping trips planned for this year, including a trip out East, as well as another three potential camping trips in the works, so it will get plenty of use, and I look forward to it.
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Once I've got the suspension sitting where it needs to be, and the awning in place, I can then start to work on designing and building the shower and kitcken, but first, I'll be ordering some BAL C stabalizer legs.
 

CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
If you don't mind me asking, what's it going to cost you to order one of those, including shipping? I can find the pricing, but not shipping on them. I've been wanting to get one of those for a while now but I'm not too keen on spending $700 USD on one from the one company in America that sells/distributes them.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Ya, no problem. Here' the breakdown, which is actually in USD

WA02 Awning 250cmx215cm US$245.00
Fabric:420D ripstop polyester oxford, grey color
Pole: All aluminum Poles 22mm/25mm,Alloy joints
Cover: Heavy Duty 680g PVC, UV Treated

Side wall for WA02 awning US$200.00
Height 190cm
Fabric:420D ripstop polyester oxford, grey color

Floor US$50.00
Material:pE floor

Shipping cost to by air US$254.00

Fee of the transfer bank US$30.00

Say total value US$779.00
 

CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
So does that include the sidewall that goes all the way around and the floor that goes all the way around? Or just for the straight side directly on the side of the vehicle? Either way, that's not bad at all. The other company I was looking at was wanting $700 for the awning and $130 per side, so to cover the whole thing you'd need like 4 of them. I may have to look into this if the bike doesn't decide to eat up all my funds or if I don't go Atlas or transfer case gears (I need some crawling power BAD!).
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Yep, it`s suppose to be everything all the way around.
Here`s some vids to help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXKrlvp9I4k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qasn0FCV5jo
Ya, it`s hard to compare for price, but we`ll see the quality of the end result. But, your right, I was looking at about $800USD for a foxwing style awning, and that`s not shipped, no duties, nor any sides or floor. I did want specifically the style where the side was rectangular, and as far as I`ve looked, and I`ve looked alot, I couldn`t find it other then in Australia or through Sunday Camper, and Australia didn`t have any shipping options outside of their country. The rectangular side will give way more living space, and I think even room for a divided shower area.
Ya, I know what you mean. This trailer is using ARB lockers/T-case gears funds, but worth it ;)
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
And this was a surprise package! I thought my stabilizer legs came in from the US, but it's actually my awning from China!
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I also dropped the trailer off at the local 4x4 fab shop to get some suspension modifications done to the suspension and get some shocks installed. It should be done sometime next week, roughly.
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If I have time, I may attempt to install the awning on the Xterra, because I'm anxious and curious and the weather is suppose to be nice.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Time is always on short supply. The weekend 2 weeks ago I had just enough time to get the awning installed on the Xterra, and this past weekend, I had enough time to do a quick test setup in a parking lot, which was a bit of a pain because of the winds and that I wasn't on grass to be able to peg them down. I still need to test the sides and floor, but I'm out of town for a bit.

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CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
That awning is awesome! Are those legs adjusted all the way up or could they go higher? Just asking because mine sits a little taller and I really want one of these. Looks to have great coverage, especially if you parked right to where the sun is on the other side of the vehicle.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Indeed. I dropped them down actually to try to stop the wind from getting under so I could take pictures. I didn't test their max height. When I get back and get my trailer back, be sure I'll be installing and testing it on it as soon as I can....and take more pictures ;)
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Well some more good progress. I was away on a military exercise for 3 weeks and left the trailer with a local fab shop to do some work on it and finally got her back. Unfortunately it cost me a lot more then I was expecting, but what can you do. I wish I would of done it myself to save the money, but in the end, I am happy it's done and done right and legal.

First was the couple. It was too low and got raised up on top of the tongue. The tongue also got shortened by 3 inches.
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Second was the forward leaf spring mounts, they were also not low enough, so they got dropped, protecting the fuel tank but also giving the trailer a needed suspension lift.
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And finally was the shocks. They installed a crossmemer and modified the plates and installed them inboard as they did on my Xterra.
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With that, it means that the trailer is at the proper height and can finally use the receiver on the bumper of the truck, as planned.
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But with that, now I need a new spot for my spare tire carrier to go. The plan as to use the receiver on the trailer, but the mount is rust-siezed inside. So I decided just to shop it off and put on a new 2.5" tubing. It'll never tow from that receiver anyway.
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And later that day, I stopped by an industrial area and picked up a few pallets for a fire me and some friends were having that night.
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The trailer got some decent but short off-roading done to get to the fire. I should say with the shocks, it's road manners are so much better that it was definitely worth doing.

Also some parts came in. My 31" BAL C stabilizer legs came in. To install them, what I may end up doing, since they're quite large, is make a whole new rear bumper and hide them inside it.
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And some of my LED's from dx.com came it. Waterproof SMD5050 white-only LED rolls. 2 came in, and while I was exercise, I did the math and figured I'd need another 2 rolls, but the order bugged up and in the end, I ordered the same order twice, and should have 4 more coming in. I could of cancelled, but for the price, I'm not bothered, and I'll find a use for them I'm sure!
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I did go LED crazy while I was on exercise, cause I also ordered 16x 17cm COB LED lights off of eBay. They'll go on both the truck and the trailer as underbody lights.

And just a note, is that I designed it with a straight tongue rather then an "A", and it goes come in handy.
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Thanks!

Yesterday evening there was the first Flex & BBQ of the season, so I decided to give the trailer a try and see how it performed!

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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
I tried to get some work done this weekend, but with some of the work, caused some extra small challenges, and I wasn't able to get it assembled Suanday night and have to leave it behind. Part of the issue was my friend who helped me have the idea to weld in the inserts that went to mount the top since they were shifting out. Well I didn't think how fun it would be to realign the head of the actuator with the bolt, but also, on one, the second one we tried, there isn't enough gap and we couldn't get the actuator's top to clear to get te bolt through. The next step will be that I'll have to make some "service access holes" to be able to deal with any actuator mounting issues.
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Anyway, the point of the weekend was to clean up the rack that supports the top. It was never finished it terms of paint/protection, and few of the mountwere just quickly done and ugly, and some of the holes weren't aligned properly which caused issues with trying to bolt it down since the holes were threaded. So now only have the mounts been cleaned up, but I'm getting rid of the threaded holes idea and have an idea for a better/easier lower bracket with regular bolts.
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I don't have and pictures of the rack painted since i had issues with the paint, with having the bright idea to paint then flip, which caused a problem with the primer being sprayed on top of the paint, so I had to sand it down and redo those areas.
While I was dealing with that and waiting for the paint to dry, I had time to start making the rack that will support the water tank. It will go opposing the fuel tank and built to mimic on how the fuel tank mounts and sits. The one issue I saw with that is that is that it sits to close to the axle. It probably clears, but I don't want to take any chances. The problem is that my rack I built is square, while the fuel tank sits on a bracket and sits more forward and also had a rounded bottom. It'll be a fairly easy fix to cut off the back section and angle it rather then have it square.
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At the same time, I decided it would be time to paint the underside of the cover. With LED lights in hand, and more to come, it would be good to paint the underside a nice reflective white to help with the lighting.
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And at the same time, remove the old tonneau cover lock, fill the hole, and the Frontier's 3rd brake light will be installed there instead
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More to come, but I want to get the tent on and spend a night in it this weekend.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Well things went wrong and then fixed over the last few days. I went back up Wednesday to finish up putting the top of the trailer by drilling access holes and widening between the mounts to fit in the actuator head, but one of the welded inserts decided it didn't want to thread, so I decided to chase the threads with a tap and had an unusually hard time with doind something so simple. Of course, what happens and what I was praying that I didn't want to happen, the tap snapped off, and right at the end, so I had a 1/2 inch of tap to remove. I tried extracting, punching, welding on a bolt/nut and nothing worked, and spend 3 hours of my evening trying just to get it out one way or another, and without success. After too much time, I finished up the other 2 corners (without problems) and called it quit for the night.

During the day yesterday, I asked a buddy that I work with (ex-mechanic) some suggestions on removing a stuck tap, who then asked some of the mechanics for their suggestions. In the end, he volunteered to come up and help me. His help was absolutely great! He spend some time, but he got it drilled where the point that the welded insert popped right out, which made like super easy after, cause we could easilly just make a new insert.

Since I could only sporadically help him without getting in his way, I started work on making an extension for the roof rack so that I could mount the awning. I've been pondering on the idea for the last few weeks and finally came up with this design this week that I thought would look good and not like a cheap hack job. My girlfriend did some errands for me yesterday, one of which was to pick up some tubing for it. Of course they're questioning her and telling her it won't work, since they're thinking that one tub is suppose to go into the other and that it won't work, which it isn't. And they ask her what it's for, for in which I'm told the odd looks of when she's trying to describe the Frontrailer to them. She asks me to call her, run through their details, and I tell her to get the 2 sections of round tubing that I need that they have, that it'll work, and that they need not worry on what it's for or how it'll go together.

It's designed to slide over the existing tubing, but with that, the fairing can't go on. It looks odd, especially without a storage box on the front of the trailer, and might look a bit better once the awning is installed. Currently it's only primed, since that's all I had for paint on hand and for time, and I threw a spray can cover on the end so that rain doesn't get it on the drive back, but I'll get a coat of black paint on it in the next few days... I'd do it tonight but I work until 6pm. And to say it works, my buddy decided to test it by hanging off of it. He's apparently 175lbs and it held solid. Not the way I thought about testing it, but after that, I can say that I'm proud of not only how it works and looks, but that it's solid and that I don't have to worry about it

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CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
This thing just keeps getting better! I would throw an additional exhaust clamp on the back end of that open tubing though just to better secure it to the rack, but that's just me.

And as for "It's designed to slide over the existing tubing, but with that, the fairing can't go on." I would say you are better off. Sure the fairing would look cool, but I imagine that with the RTT mounted to the rack, you could get some seriously weird wind buffetting with the fairing on the rack, so letting a little air pass between the RTT and the bed shell should be a good thing.

Once I get the AC fixed, re-do the oil pan gasket, and get the hydro assist done, I will be looking for one of these truck beds (preferably the long bed; however I do not know if the Fronties came in the same gold-ish color as my X) for the next project! I am in love with this thing!
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Wow, thanks! I didn't think I'd inspire you that much! You know your not wrong about the fairing...I did notice the tent had a lot more turbulence with it on. i'll probably keep it just to put it on for looks when there's nothing on top. With the tent and the awning now, there's enough stuff going on that you don't notice it's not there. Long or short bed will be a preference. I went short since it's the size of the RTT, and I wanted space up front for storage without making it too long, but as you can see, I had some extra challenges (like the awning) because it's short, but there's so many different ways you can build these, it's really up to you, but there's no wrong way, and I do hope to see you start one and would love to watch your build! Oh, and your right, that's why I picked up another 2 on the way to camp Friday ;) But they're not installed yet. What's the official color name/code of your X?

With the support only primed, and already showing signs of wanting to rust, and since I wanted to install the awning asap, I decided, while I had time during an extended lunch, so run out, get some paint and run home and give it a few quick coats. Unfortunately in the rush, I picked up while as opposed to black paint. Not the end of the world, it could of been like pink, but at least it's protected until I can get to it next. And that evening, we packed up and headed up the mount to camp, and the next day, FINALLY installed and actually used the awning.

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And the next day at my aunts place, we also finally tested out the sides.

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The only "problem" is that my awning is mounted too far inside. I guess it really needs to be close to the end, which makes it need more legth of material so the one corner wasn't connected properly since it was too short. I'll look at moving a bit more towards the outside (there's more adjustment in the brackets) and I'll go from there.
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
I spent some time last week installed some LED strips in the awning. I decided I don't want to fuss with lights and flashlights as little as possible.
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I had also ordered some lights to do underneath the truck and trailer.
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And on the weekend, I worked on installing the water tank, in which I had/wanted to modify the mounting basket for it since it was too close to the axle.
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And I also made up a battery tray, which took much more time then I was expecting, but it was a fairly complicated pieces with 20 separate pieces of metal.
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And on my way to pick up some metal and work on the trailer for the weekend, and saw this in traffic. Not sure if it's legal...I thought you're only allowed if the first trailer is a 5th wheel.
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Good job on the lights! Does this thing have an extra battery or 2 in it? I don't remember. Also, this kind of towing is legal in most of the US states. Would I personally do it? Hell no haha. https://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/07/triple_towing.php
Thanks! It's got one, but I'll be putting in a second in the next week or two.

I'm just surprised that in Quebec they allow it. They're so strict on so many things compared to most other places, that the fact that this one is ok surprises me.
 

Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Time flies! With the Run 1000 Rally at the end of June, I only had one weeken left to work on the trailer before American LeMans @ Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. With that, I needed to pump out as much work on the trailer as I could, so I didn't really take the time to take pictures during the process. I had a big list of things to do and needed to concentrate on pumping it out as fast as I could in the time that I had. The girlfriend did snap a few pics of me working.
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As I'm sure I said a few times already, there was no change of a storage box being made this year, so I opted for a basket to be able to put really anything at the moment, and any weight up front, the better it'll tow. I made it in the rough shape that the storage box will so, with 2 winglets for the propane tank and the hot water heater. I bought the welder outside to the trailer and deicde to fab it up right on it, which would be more efficient use of time with less back and forth for fitting and measurements, just measure, cut, tack, and when it's do your liking, add a few more tacks, then bring it inside to get fully welded. Although I don't have any pictures of the fabrication since it was on-the-fly, I can show you the assembly of all the pieces. Like all that I do, I like to make it modular for flexibility in use and makes for easier storage when removed. I use bolts temporarilly, but eventually I'll switch them over to pins.
The main platform
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The rear posts with the crossbar, and bolting up the propane tank holder
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The other sides center post and a closer shot of the left side shelf for the hot water.
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Front bars and crossbar is on.
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And the top rack with the trucks' spare tire on top. Putting it up front to get some weight in front of the axle for the moment.
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And before most of the paint was dry, we loaded it up with wood for the following weekend before heading home.
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My girlfriend also suggested to make a cart for the water jerry cans, so I pumped that out somewhere between an hour or two.
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I did run out of time to make jerry can holders for the front of the trailer, as well as I didn't get to make the trailer legs. I started one, but it's far from complete and still working on the concept....the BAL C legs are just too large and bulky for what I want for the trailer.
Heading down to Mosport, it seems all went wrong. My power steering tensioner pulley exploded, and my supercharger tensioner decided to snap when removing tension since I had to remove that belt to replace the power steering/water pump belt that got pinched from the failed pulley. A junkyard piece was suppose to arrive Thursday, but as of right now, it's somewhere in Granby, which we're thinking BC. Why it's there, I have no clue, but we did manage to make a hybrid with the unused pulley from my friends NA truck and headed off to Mosport Friday morning. We got there in time for supper, and later in the evening, a storm came through suddenly gusting with winds between 40 and 50km/h and torrential rains. The tent wanted to fold in half, which was a first for me. The awning would of done well, but the downfall to that is the poles. They're a twist locking style, but can't handle a hard tension from the ropes to torque them down, so they collapse down. The fix to that will be to modify them or get new ones with pins that lock them in the up position. Other then that, it handled the storm extremely well, and the LED's we installed were a gobblesend to deal with the awning/room issue at 11pm. It was so abrupt and violent, I don't know how we would of been able to deal with it in the dark, frantically looking for flashlights or our cell phones, or hoping my lonely Dewalt light's battery didn't die at the wrong moment. Here is the setup, where the pictures were taken the morning after the storm.

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Wet clothes and towels hanging to dry
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Our makeshift shower and change area. This worked great, and it was nice to take a hot shower after getting drenched by the storm.
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And the integrated awning LED's at night. They worked wonderfully and very glad we put some extra clear heat shrink to protect the connections.
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And back to Quebec after a stop for some sushi in Kingston
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Nd4SpdSe

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Quebec, QC
Been a while, been busy enjoying the summer, time to start to get caught up on here ;)

Back in July, there was an open 4x4 truck show. I decided to show up and open up the trailer with the tent and awning. It got quite a bit of attention, and people were using it for shade for the truck pull (human pulling a Jeep, anyone could give it a try)

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