I am in the process of preparing a full article for 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine about my trailer build. I don't want to post too much here until after the article. But I PROMISE this write up will eventually include specs, parts, costs, lessons learned, etc, etc...
To be honest - even if I wanted to post all of that info right now, I couldn't! I have a box full of receipts and invoices that I haven't even sorted through. Plus all my thoughts, and opinions... This trailer is still a work in progress. As it sits right now, it's ready to hit the trail, but I have a long, expensive, complicated to-do list to accomplish before I will call this thing "FINISHED".
I designed the trailer all on my own. It has been built completely from scratch my my dad, and I. Once complete, it should have the same ride height, ground clearance, approach and departure angles, and turning radius as my Tacoma. In theory - it SHOULD be able to go anywhere my truck can go. Time will tell.
In the mean time here are a few pics of the evolution of my trailer. I am naming the trailer "Long Range Patrol".
The Symbolism:
The Arrowhead: The 36th Division was organized with personnel from Texas and the Indian territory or Oklahoma. The arrowhead represented their operation in Indian territory. It was originally approved on 12 November 1918 for the 36th Infantry Division. It was redesignated for the 71st Infantry Brigade on 7 May 1968 and redesignated for the 71st Airborne Brigade on 10 March 1969.
The Scorpion: This is the insignia of the "Long Range Desert Group" (LRDG) - The Long Range Patrol was one of the first special forces formed in WW II. Although part of the British forces, the Long Range Patrol was mostly made up of New Zealanders. In December 1940 British formed G Patrol, and along with the New Zealand R and T patrols made up what was now known as the Long Range Desert Group. In January 1941 they were joined by more British in Y Patrol, and Southern Rhodesians in S Patrol.
The "R": Symbolizes both "TRD" and "TTORA" in honor of the trailer being towed by my sweet ass Tacoma.
When it's done, I'm plan to have on-board:
- 10 Gallons of Gas
- 25 Gallons of Water
- Refridgerator
- Self-sufficient electrical power
- Camp Shower
- Roof Top Tent
- Awning
- Storage
- Cooking Area
- Flood / Work lights
My goal is that when this trailer is fully outfitted I can hook 'er up, head deep into the back-country and be completely self sufficient, and relatively comfortable (no gas stations, no 7Elevens, etc.) for 7 - 10 days.
In the mean time - while I'm still getting all my info organized - I'm happy to answer any specific questions about parts, sources, measurements, etc...