Converting a cargo trailer to a camper or ?

There are a lot of cars with 13' or 14' heels and 4x4 bolt circle: Sprite, Midget, Corvair, Datsun to name a few.

Sweet little homebuilt! What does something like that go for, if you don't mind me asking?

In reply to stanger_missle:

I've got 2 2000lb torsion axles on my car trailer- they don't move when I load a 2400lb car onto it. There's enough compliance to provide SOME movement, but not a lot.

And I'm still running on the same original tires I got back in 2000 when I first got the trailer. I don't recall the size, but they are not big.

In other words, your IMHO, your axle/wheels are fine.

Unless you do really need the ground clearence- that's a different issue....

Cool trailer, BTW.

If the suspension seems stiff empty, before replacing it have you thought about what it'll feel like with a full load in place? I'd do that before messing with replacing anything.

Very cool little trailer BTW

This is another great resource for ideas. There are lot of military/off-road trailer builds, but also cargo trailer builds too.

Expedition Portal

In reply to stanger_missle:

I have the HF folding 4x8 trailer with the same 12" wheels. I've done some research in getting some better radial tires, as apposed to the hard as nails bias plys that come with it, a lot more options for 13"+ wheels than the 12".

Summit Racing has several reasonable options in 13" a few 15" too, US Wheel & Bart both make affordable 13" 4 on 4 wheels.

These are the best deal I've found for 13" yet, still kind of narrow though:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EPL3HJ6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3T40VEAKHAERS&coliid=I2K4JRX3EA4GH5

• Lee

In reply to Don49:

Hmmm. I never thought to look at those. Now I know what I'll be doing at work tonight

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

I paid $2550 for it. After showing me the build sheet and materials cost (over $3700!), I knew I'd never find another one so cheap.

The guy had it in his hangar and needed the room, so he just wanted it gone. I got lucky haha

In reply to alfadriver:

I was hoping someone would say that. I was worried that the axle was shot. I guess that makes sense since it is required to carry 2000+ lbs. I haven't had anything in it while towing but I'll try it with some weight in it and see if it makes a difference.

In reply to KyAllroad:

I tried jumping up and down it in while it was still hooked up to see if I could get the suspension to compress at all. I'm sure the neighbors got a kick out of watching the camper jostle around and me emerging all sweaty haha

In reply to klb67:

I really wanna build a M101 or whatever the 1/4 ton military trailer is called but they are a little hard to find and I have zero welding skills or welder. I have seen some awesome builds with those!

In reply to bigdaddylee82:

Yeah, I'm after a little bigger diameter so they aren't spinning so fast on the freeway. I'd also like a little taller sidewall for more cushioning and more ground clearance. Most of the 13" and up wheels seem to be around 5-5.5" inches wide. The current tires are 4.8 and are hard as rocks (I think they are bias-ply). Plus I want black wheels to match the Jeep haha

I know you already got yourself a camper but...

I think these seem pretty cool, but open your checkbook.... http://www.tealinternational.com/TailFeather/

In reply to stanger_missle:

You probably know already, but those Bart 401 mini stock wheels are available in black, 13x6 to 13x10, 4 on 4 for around $50 each. They're not DOT approved though, if that matters to you.

They've got a chrome, US Wheel that's 13x5.5, 4 on 4, for $60 each.

The 14" wheels are cost prohibitive, but they've got Basset 15x7, 4 on 4 for $50 a piece too.

• Lee

I think I'm going to build a m101a3 with a roof top tent to tow behind the fj40, Two motorcycles in the back, cooking stuff, sleeping accommodations, and a little storage. The trailers are around a grand to start with and have humvee beadlock wheels, and dump. Like this only a little bigger, cooler wheels, and dump capability.

I have a set of 13x8 slot mags I'd consider selling. Tires are getting tougher to find for wide 13s, but if you're looking...

But in all seriousness, odds are those are generic trailer hubs on those axles. For @$75 at any place that sells trailer parts will hook you up with a pair of new hubs in a much more familiar 5x4.5" bolt pattern. Then you can use the same wheels on the trailer as the Jeep, which means spares interchange as well.