Enclosed Trailer Thread,

[701FreeRide]

That looks sweet. What is your plans for the bunks? I am still trying to figure out a good way to mount the 4x4 to be able to hold 4 skis but havent decided yet. I do NOT want to go through the outside of the trailer. Any thoughts?

 

[chrisman]

I haven't mounted the bunks yet, I do know I want something removable. I cant have anything running across the width of the trailer as I want my beach cart to ride in and out. The easiest way I was thinking was to countersink bolts in the 2x4s and fastening them from the underside of the trailer. The bunks will not come out often but the option is there.

 

[701FreeRide]

I want to do something very similar to OCD but he mounted the 4x4 posts that are upright through the exterior. He did an amazing job on his trailer, but I dont want to mount them through the outside of the trailer. I am thinking my only option is to mount them to the steel posts but not sure how well that will work.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I want to do something very similar to OCD but he mounted the 4x4 posts that are upright through the exterior. He did an amazing job on his trailer, but I dont want to mount them through the outside of the trailer. I am thinking my only option is to mount them to the steel posts but not sure how well that will work.

What's the big deal with going thru to the outside? I used a rounded carriage bolt that sinks into the exterior skin of blends right in. It deflects the skin slightly but not enough to bother my OCD. I am far more concerned with the bunks seperating and the skis on the top landing on the skis on the bottom.

 

[chrisman]

What's the big deal with going thru to the outside? I used a rounded carriage bolt that sinks into the exterior skin of blends right in. It deflects the skin slightly but not enough to bother my OCD. I am far more concerned with the bunks seperating and the skis on the top landing on the skis on the bottom.

I would have to agree with you there. You are putting a fair bit of weight there. I guess it would depend if 701 is stacking his skis.

 

[701FreeRide]

I do agree with you guys on that part, Just didnt really want to do that to the fiberglass plus I paid extra to have screwless sides lol so not to put a whole in it would kind of defeat the purpose but I do agree I dont want the top skis to come down if I do have them up there. Not sure what other Options I really would have. OCD, did you go through the steel beams of the trailer and then out the side or just straight out the side?

 

[OCD Solutions]

I would have preffered to match up with the beams but they were spaced too far apart. I am close to one but the other is out in the middle.

I can see your dilemma if you have seemless and rivetless sides. You paid extra for a smooth exterior and will want to keep it that way for sure. I didn't realize you had done that. So you also have a fiberglass skin? Mine is just thin aluminum.

Sent from my Droid so spelling mistakes courtesy of Android keyboard.

 

[701FreeRide]

I apologize mine is aluminum also but all screwless lol. I am thinking I am going to probably cut a section out where the 4x4 is and reinforce it somehow just havent figured out how lol. Do you get scared at all when hauling 2 skis on the top OCD?

 

[OCD Solutions]

Its plenty sturdy, but i would feel better if my Matrix was on the top bunk for the first big trip. :biggrin:

I have actually only had one ski on the top bunk before and that was at Daytona for the short trip back to the hotel. It was plenty sturdy enough for my taste so I am fairly confident it would stand up to a good road trip.

Sent from my Droid so spelling mistakes courtesy of Android keyboard.

 

[701FreeRide]

Yeah that would be my only concern is on a road trip hitting all the bumps and dips on a the roads. My thoughts are to actually take apart the inside plywood and weld another beam where I will mount the four 4x4 posts so I can screw them right into that beam if that will work. Attached are 2 pictures, sorry if they aren't the best quality. Was taken with my phone.

 

[701FreeRide]

OCD, if you would be able to sometime this week would you be able to provide me the measurement you did from the back of the trailer to the first 4x4 and then also what the distance is between the 2 4x4's also. That way I have a starting point and would be able to cut into the wall at approx. those spots.

Thanks OCD. Also will keep people up to speed on the trailer build.

 

[OCD Solutions]

The bunks are 4' long. The 4x4's are spaced 2' center to center and the bunks are attached to the 4x4's, 12" in from the ends. The ends of the bunks are 4" from the back door so that would place the first 4x4 at 14 1/4" from the rear of the trailer. The first upright would be behind the line and the bottom bunk 4x4 will be in front of it.

Once I had the bottom rack built and placed, i used the uprights to trap it from moving back and forth. They are placed on either side of the bottom rack to keep it from moving forward or back. (It'll make more sense of you reference the pics in the earlier post.)

I hope this helps.

Sent from my Droid so spelling mistakes courtesy of Android keyboard.

 

[701FreeRide]

That helps a lot. Thanks OCD.

 

[701FreeRide]

Hey OCD,

I am assuming you made the 4x4's that are the main four posts about 3' or 3 1/2' tall?

I decided I am going to reinforce the wall with welding fabrication and it will be solid.

Thanks again in advance,

 

[D-Roc]

hey guys these trailers are kick ass! i love the idea and the layouts you have. I am going to look into getting a 6X10 tailer after reading this. could you guys put in an extra 4x4 support in between the skis to support the top rack of skis.

 

[OCD Solutions]

You could for some extra piece of mind but it would have to be a 2x4 to fit between the skis. As far as load bearing goes, it is not necessary.

Sent from my Droid so spelling mistakes courtesy of Android keyboard.

 

[701FreeRide]

I agree with OCD. As long as you have the 4x4 posts mounted you should have plenty of support along with the 4x4's going the width of the trailer but it would be up to you if you wanted to like OCD said. I would look into a 6x12 also when shopping. When I had my trailer built I went with a 6x12 because it was only about $100 more but it does add a little weight but wasnt a big deal to me personally. Not sure that may also depend on location the prices just something to consider. Mine in the pictures above had a lot of added features. I went with aluminum wheels, screwless sides, two tone color, v nose with the wedge, one piece roof. All things to consider because that is extra but once again not a have to have.

 

[shannon cone]

i have a nice trailer set up that i think you might like. im pulling it out tommorow getting ready for pismo so il snap a few pics and post. its alittle different set up then what im seeing here but it works well for me and my wife. and its got a shower with a craper, fridge sleeps 6, tv, dvd raio heat and a/c, 40 gallon fuel station. let me know what ya think

 

[OCD Solutions]

Sounds interesting, can't wait to see the pics.

I am still working on a shower and crapper for ours, i just have to find a way to do a wash thru floor up front to catch all the sand. Had it been a 12ft, it would already be done but the 10ft is a little too cramped to get everything in. I originally chose the 10' over the 12' to reduce load and stress on my truck but I still ended up taking out the transmission. I had 248k miles on the original and just spent $2600 on a rebuild with a beefed up torque converter that should stand up to towing the trailer.

I'm leaning more and more towards buying a car to commute to work and tow our skis on weekend day trips. The truck and enclosed trailer would then only be used for big events, overnight trips or when security could be required. I just finished phase one of that plan by building a lightweight Triton LT standup trailer but blew my car budget on the new transission.

Sent from my Droid so spelling mistakes courtesy of Android keyboard.

 

[Kny21]

Can either of you guys with the racks to hold 4 skis fit a Blaster on the bottom and still have room for the rack and a SU above? And if not is it just the height that's the issue or width, both?

Been contemplating going this route but one of the prereq's is I'll want to be able to haul a Blaster at some point.