so to finish the discussion iguess: my last statements/questions: jeep fits but very tight (lugs rub on rails a bit. 2.doors open plenty clearance:rails are only up 14" without the boards. 3. axles sit almost the same as empty with jeep on it and the new tires no bulge at 40 psi. 4. since i'm only (if lucky) going to be able to go places once a month with the jeep, is it "safe" for moderate use for once a month putting my xj on it.
i DO plan on dropping some money into it over time. i figured eventually i will have a 2x4 steel beam running in between each crossmember and one on each end which would then practically make it just as good as a car hauler but with only having to spend several hundred on that strength upgrade (77" 2x4steel runs me $35.00 X 8 = $280) i guess i'm one to fix/modify/build something up rather than go through all the sell/find another. I'm weird like that: i get something (free especially) and i get exited and attached to keep/fix/modify/improve it to my needs/liking., with being safe as possible of course!!
Like someone else said just looking at the picture of the size of the axle it has to be a 2,000 or 2,500 lb at the most. The cross bracing does not look that bad along with the tong. the side rails you could box in along with the back cross bracing for ramps. add 32ft of 3" angle and 2 3500lb axle's your 1/2 the cost of a good used trailer that would fit your purpose. put a new floor in it and sale or trade. you will be miles ahead.
The easiest way to explain the need for the side rails is the following. The weight of the Jeep on the trailer is trying to bend the main frame rails (angle running front to back). With the upper piece of angle being tied to the lower piece with vertical connectors, the weight of the Jeep is now trying to bend TWO pieces of angle. There is no angular trussing going on, but it could be added to help strengthen the frame. If money is tight, I would clean it up, paint it with a brush, install a new wood deck, and use it. I would be tempted to beef it up a little though. The crossmember spacing is probably a little far apart for the weight of a vehicle. You could just add a few more crossmembers of the same size between the existing ones. At a minimum, you could add the crossmembers near where the Jeep tires will sit. I would also be tempted to add some angular peices to the side rails too. Something like the attached pictures.
dang i wish i could use computers and edit pictures like that. thank you. and yes the way you drew the lines is exactly what i was planning on doing very soon when i get the funds. also, i was looking up axle diameters and all axles that are 2000lb or less are 1 3/4 outer diameter and smaller but mine are 2 1/2 outer diameter which JUST from researching is the size of the 3000lb axles and up????? but i try to not look too much into mathematics of metals and weight:: i figured even if i have 2 2000lb axles (which axle tubes are a lot bigger than what sells now), 4 new tires that are rated 1876lb each, and few extra bracing added to the floor>>>>surely all that would suffice someone hauling a 3300lb XJ on it once a month or so!!!! so i'm gonna stick with it
2x4 box isnt really going to net you much over 2x2 box in most the situations you're going to use it. You could replace the angle main frame rails with the 2x4 box standing on edge and that would add some strength with additional cross braces. Also I cant tell from the pics but you will want atleast 1 if not 2 braking axles under it.
I would not use 2x12 boards for the floor. Use 2x6 or 2x8.
Because the 12" wide boards are so "wide", they tend to warp and cup easier than the smaller boards. Additionally, the smaller boards tend to be cheaper per board foot
My advice is make your jeep lighter put some rollers on it throw the big tires in the back of the tow rig and make sure you have good barings and tires beacuse your going to be pushing both to there limits.
My vote is to drive the jeep to the trails and quit worrying about the trailer since you don't have a tow rig. Sell the trailer, reinvest that money in tools, make some money with those tools, then buy a nice tow rig and trailer in a few years.
My vote is to drive the jeep to the trails and quit worrying about the trailer since you don't have a tow rig. Sell the trailer, reinvest that money in tools, make some money with those tools, then buy a nice tow rig and trailer in a few years.
yeah right easy for you to say...what's the fun in driving from Boone to Marion 1.5hrs one way on the highway and not be able to do anything there with the fear of having to make it back home??? pointless for me anyways. I've never been to off road park but when i finally get to go 15years into wheeling...u bet your butt i'm gonna make the trip worth it. i drive it to my local trial for weekend fun but i'm gonna probably cripple the jeep on to the trailer when i'm done riding The Flats!! otherwise...i wouldn't care to go to off road park if i didn't want to do more serious stuff.
UHHHHHHHHHHHH...i'm confused about this comment???????what's anything on this thread have anything to do with "illegal"????? comments like this is how stuff gets started unless i totally missed something, this is way uncalled for.
cmon lol...how much weight could that possibly save...100lbs? plus that's all i could find in 35s when i had the funds and got a stupid good deal on em.
cmon lol...how much weight could that possibly save...100lbs? plus that's all i could find in 35s when i had the funds and got a stupid good deal on em.
I think he was referring to you saying the tires rubbing on the rails and you wanting to cut them off cause of that. Slimmer tires and they wouldn't rub
I think he was referring to you saying the tires rubbing on the rails and you wanting to cut them off cause of that. Slimmer tires and they wouldn't rub
oh lol. yeah i gotha. i tried to find 12.50wide but no luck for the money i had so couldn't turn these down for 300 and after cutting them, i am very very pleased with their turnout and performance so far!
i have a driveable capable jeep but anyone in the right mind doesn't drive hours away and really test out their limits knowing they have to drive hours back home...and for those who do, more power to ya but that's foolishness for my personal lifestyle and doesn't work for me.
^^^ why not drive it there? I've driven 4 hours to Tellico years ago, wheeled Lower 2, slick rock, helicopter pad, etc, then drove home multiple times. Just be prepared with knowing your weak links and be able to address them. It was fun and added a level of finess that is lost today with the rigs that don't have to r able to drive home after.
in.
