Crawler hauler, trailer build.

[Firemanray]

As though I don't have enough projects running at once, I have added another one. There are several events in the coming months we want to attend, however, I'm not a fan of flat towing something I may potentially break.

This is how we've BEEN doing it:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Shilo1-11-14003_zps59c6bcd6.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Shilo1-11-14003_zps59c6bcd6.jpg.html)

Flat towing th XJ being the crawler trailer = no backing up AND we are about a city block long!

The best thing would have been about a 30' gooseneck trailer but for the cost of that I could have another Xj! Sooo, the next best thing was to stretch the 16' lowboy into a 28' flat deck triple axle hauler.

Here is a very crude scaled image of the plan:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/9362f9b6-e66d-4db9-a041-afed1985a1dd_zps71c46fed.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/9362f9b6-e66d-4db9-a041-afed1985a1dd_zps71c46fed.jpg.html)

The red circles are where the tires of the crawler and the Xj will set.

[Firemanray]

I purchased what materials I didn't already have laying around and got started today.
Here is the beginning of the teardown and prep:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/0211141142_zps91197739.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/0211141142_zps91197739.jpg.html)

Lots of cutting and grinding to get this thing down to the original rails:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/0211141142a_zpsaef205be.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/0211141142a_zpsaef205be.jpg.html)

Stripped and ready to build!:

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/0211141302_zpsd2bf1dc6.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/0211141302_zpsd2bf1dc6.jpg.html)

I missed the all important pictures of the axle bracket set up. I calculated the placement of the new axle locations and welded the hanger brackets on the 4X4X1/4 angle before I flipped it and attached it to the old frame rail. When I attached the 4x4 angle I pulled measurements from the hitch to the front spring hanger on each side to ensure I get the axles straight. A 28' trailer that pulls with a "dog leg" would be real obvious.

Here is a sample of what the outside rails will be when finished:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/crosssection_zpsb0f18523.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/crosssection_zpsb0f18523.jpg.html)

After I welded the 2 new 4x4 side pieces in I added the rear cross member:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/0211141644_zps5ccb7cb4.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/0211141644_zps5ccb7cb4.jpg.html)

This is one long trailer now!! That was all I accomplished today, more to come.

[4.3LXJ]

I have the same idea Ray. Mine is too short too

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Firemanray]

Well it's been almost a year since I updated this build. I got the trailer put together and I've used it for several thousand miles. It pulls great but the suspension isn't right. The equalizers don't run true and the load on the tires doesn't spread evenly. I put it in the shop today and began the re-build of the suspension.
Here is the only picture I can find of the trailer since I finished it:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/20140422_140136_zpsb8915eec.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/20140422_140136_zpsb8915eec.jpg.html)

Edit: I found this fuzzy picture of the trailer with the crawler on it:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20141108_172523_zpsa5e45b17.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141108_172523_zpsa5e45b17.jpg.html)

Yet another edit: I found this picture of the Xj and the crawler on the trailer.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/IMG_1023_zps4576deeb.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/IMG_1023_zps4576deeb.jpg.html)

[bluedragon436]

Is that a boat dock sitting on the trailer?? Looks like it'd work pretty well for hauling, and def plenty of room to haul..

[Firemanray]

Is that a boat dock sitting on the trailer?? Looks like it'd work pretty well for hauling, and def plenty of room to haul..

Yep, we tore down a floating marina last spring. That load is what was left after I filled up two 40 yard dumpsters. I hauled that junk about 60 miles to a place that would accept it. Yes the trailer is very versatile, I use it for everything.
Here's a picture of the marina:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/20140415_094431_zpsafbb4d72.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/20140415_094431_zpsafbb4d72.jpg.html)

[Firemanray]

Here's the new spring hangers PROPERLY installed this time!
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150109_140245_zps80630ea0.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150109_140245_zps80630ea0.jpg.html)

I ran the fully loaded rig across the scales and found that it was around 21,000 lbs. sooo, I decided to add even more trailer brakes to make it safer. This was delivered today, just in time for the re-build.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150109_140306_zps8b9c8127.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150109_140306_zps8b9c8127.jpg.html)

[XJ Wheeler]

Good thinking on the extra brakes!

[bluedragon436]

Good thinking on the extra brakes!

Never hurts to have extra brakes.. just make sure they are setup correctly.. or rather the controller is setup correctly so you don't wear them out, or have them stop to well and yank the vehicle or rock the load too much... I've seen this happen a few times on trailers..

[Firemanray]

I didn't get a lot done today I ended up in the urgent care center with a piece of who knows what in my eye which they couldn't remove all of it.. I did get the axles back in and 1 hub converted to brakes before my eye drove me out of my mind. The equalizers look great now, nice and even all around. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150110_160545_zps99318ca8.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150110_160545_zps99318ca8.jpg.html)

[Brasscatz]

Geez Ray.... take care of that eye man. Gotta ask.... were ya wearing any protection other than eye glasses?

[bluedragon436]

Glad you got the axles back in, and with those equalizers and such, it should def work quite well... Sorry to hear about the eye.. I've gotten plenty of random stuff such as mud, grease, oil, hydro fluid, even some solid items such as small pieces of cotter pins, and safety wire... so I def know how that goes with having stuff in your eye, and especially with it bothering you.. Hope you are able to flush the remaining parts of whatever it is..

[Firemanray]

I worked on the fenders today, this thing id almost finished, finally! Here's a couple of shots of the progress:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150112_113758_zpse286c744.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150112_113758_zpse286c744.jpg.html)
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150112_113753_zpsbba2555c.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150112_113753_zpsbba2555c.jpg.html)

[Firemanray]

Finally finished the fenders today. I need to wire the new brakes, marker lights on fenders, and add an electric brake breakaway kit then this thing will be done.http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150113_163750_zpsd1559319.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150113_163750_zpsd1559319.jpg.html)http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/Mobile%20Uploads/20150113_163741_zps844b4548.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150113_163741_zps844b4548.jpg.html)

[Firemanray]

Today I began the process of getting this thing properly registered. Seems things have changed in the great state of Texas since my last dealings with trailers.

First thing I had to do was get a weight certificate, this beast weighs 2960# EMPTY! Now I already know I'm at 21,000# loaded so the trailer will have to be registered for its full capacity of 10,500#. The state won't register anything over 4000# without a title. Now I have to take the trailer to Conroe (1 hour) and let a state "vehicle theft task force officer" inspect it and I have to prove up that I purchased the parts and built the trailer.

Next step is to take all the documentation from the inspection to Beaumont (2 hours) and they will issue a serial number. Finally I go to my local tax assessor office and apply for a title and registration.

I've got to many hours in this thing to stop now!

[4.3LXJ]

I hear ya on that stuff. I went through the same stuff on my trailer when I built it. Mine weighs in at 2260 and it is a smaller trailer than yours. But I have had it loaded as heavy

[bluedragon436]

Trailer is looking good... Hit up the Maine registration on it... I think you might still have to hit up the stolen vehicles task force for inspection to verify it isn't a stolen trailer... but won't have to mess with it again after that... even if you make large changes to it... lol

[Firemanray]

Trailer is looking good... Hit up the Maine registration on it... I think you might still have to hit up the stolen vehicles task force for inspection to verify it isn't a stolen trailer... but won't have to mess with it again after that... even if you make large changes to it... lol

Tell me more?????