Thread: box trailer rebirth

Originally Posted by shamirj

hi all,

have had my 6x4 std trailer for years now and decided to update, improve and turn into a box trailer come camper friendly. don't want it turned into a complete camper as i do a lot of gardening and buy materials or buy kitchen goods/furniture and usually use the trailer to bring it home.

started with enclosing an area of the trailer for a sliding tool box. done
had left over pvc piping which was too long, shortened, got new end cap from bunnings, now have a smaller width pipe for storage. done
removed wires and lights to fit new ones. ordered from ebay. awaiting arrival.
fitted the high lift jack to get it out of the way in the garage. welded base plate and fitted nut and bolt thru base. needs another bracket 1/2 way up for additional support. lookn for bracket supports. may use an old LR tie down.
going to enclose wires in conduit for better protection.
the harder part is changing from 14inch ht wheels to some LR pattern and 16inch. there are no ht 16inch wheels, so need to do some searches for another hub but dont want to replace the axle if i can.
some pics so far.

also got a new hitch far stronger then the original tow ball. had it welded up and fitted really well. rear tailgate has gone from a drop gate to a split barn style doors easier to open and close. lots of welding done.

Thank You. I appreciate your thoughts.


I have a 5 foot by 8 foot very rugged trailer, and my intent, is to build a camper to fit, to be used when appropriate. As you expressed, the trailer has lots of uses around home, and I envision even more when used with a camper designed for it. I often travel far from the beaten path, and a well designed camper would still enable me to take my quad, and have much improved shelter in inclement weather.


Love to see some photos when you're done.


Thanks.

new lights arrived from ebay. led lights installed but not connected.
tool box re fitted to the pass side to house gloves etc
rear tailgate painted quickly note new hinges and barn like doors
grab handles arrived from ebay - fitted above the barn doors, easier to open or close the gates.

Originally Posted by shamirj

new lights arrived from ebay. led lights installed but not connected.
tool box re fitted to the pass side to house gloves etc
rear tailgate painted quickly note new hinges and barn like doors
grab handles arrived from ebay - fitted above the barn doors, easier to open or close the gates.

Thank you. There are clear parallels is in the quality of our trailers. Both well made. I'll post some photos down the road a bit.
My trailer was built to carry 2,500 pounds, and it has internal and external anchor points. It has served me very well thus far, and with the camper unit, it will be even more valuable.

latest update, completed new wiring and fitment of new rear lights
had made a small mess of the hole on the side of the trailer to fit my storage box, finally reduced my storage box to fit. was unsure how to clean up the sides of the hole cut out, then came across the idea of angled steel, welded that in place. have cut out another hole for the t handle lock, still playing around with that. and found some left over Disco or LR tie down bracket and used this to secure the top half of the hi lift jack. need to finish the sides of the drawer. some paint, and then onto the wheels as 14inch is way to small and low for the Disco running 16inch. may have to change the axle as its a 39mm round as i would like to carry over 1T.

rear door got some new grab handles and lock mechanism. seems to work ok. did my first run out the other day and bought some gardening materials and worked well with the swing out doors.

found an old work lamp which i will bolt up somewhere as well on the trailer when i get a chance. not sure where yet. happy with the way the conduit looks clamped on using the rhino clamps which i had and shortened to suit the trailer width. cheers

Progressing nicely I see. Wonderful.
Your jack mount has given me a few ideas. My existing mount is super solid, on the floor of the box. But if loaded, I'd have a nightmare getting to it. There has to be a better way, and you've demonstrated that. Thanks.
I'll take a few photos later today, and post them down the road a bit.

hi all,

small updates but updates nevertheless...

finally finished the drawer and tlock mechanism, very fiddly work but works now so happy. its attached to timber and then covered in steel. very happy with it, can lock it as well. great storage for ropes etc.

at the other end you can see my hi lift jack base, next to my water tank. have been thinking of some kinda water pump but not sure yet to pump water instead of taking water tank out. conduit clamped up well.

had spare work lamp so fitted that as well. only remaining item is larger wheels to fit behind D2. still unsure which way to go with this which is easy and cost effective. not sure i want the D2 wheels but just std LR wheels will be ok.

not sure what else i need but seems complete for now. cheers

well sourced some RR hubs and wheels of gumtree and went and got them.

wheels are sunraysia x3 dirty so cleaned them up on the w/end and sprayed white enamel so looking good now.

came fitted with 3x A/T 16 inch Bravo? type tyres with some meat on them. will post pics up later. they are big (to me) compared to my std Disco 2 tyres and huge over the std holden 14inch currently on the trailer.

Im guessing i will now need a new axle and all should fit (fingers crossed).

Last night pulled out the bearings, will prob buy some new ones to replace and keep old as spare. should i take the old bearings to a bearings shop and buy new. there is an larger rear and smaller front bearing. not sure what year RR but prob old classic. pic attached.

tricky bit will be getting the axle length and ends spot on to accept the new hubs.

i know the wheels will not be interchangeable with the Disco2 but at least the trailer will be level with the Disco. progress so far, pics to follow of the wheels.

BTW, the hubs x2, and the 3x wheels and tyres were $200? fair price???

wheels before and after painting with white enamel ...

did it pretty quickly mind you, 3 wheels in under 2hrs, sanded, taped and painted, washed up. set in sun to dry...

other pic of that RR hub, seeking bearings now...