Off Road Trailer Maiden Voyage

[connor grimes]

Took my off-road trailer build on its first proper expedition. We started near Apple Valley in the high desert via Coxey Truck Trail (3N14) and ventured through the San Bernardino national Forest via Holcomb Valley Road (3N16) eventually ending at big Bear Lake. The weather was around 20° at night and was not a problem at all inside the camper running my small diesel heater.

 

[alittleoff]

First of all, it's a very nice build. And I'm not questioning anything about it.
But I'm wondering about the mudflats on the Jeep. I see what appears to be dirty/muddy snow on the forward/top of the trailer.
Did the flaps not do what they were supposed to?
And again, very nice build. I've been on those trails many many times and in all kinds of weather. I used to be part of the crew that adopted the Holcomb Creek Trail. I've also dragged my trail/trash trailer over the gatekeepers on both ends of HCT.

 

[connor grimes]

First of all, it's a very nice build. And I'm not questioning anything about it.
But I'm wondering about the mudflats on the Jeep. I see what appears to be dirty/muddy snow on the forward/top of the trailer.
Did the flaps not do what they were supposed to?
And again, very nice build. I've been on those trails many many times and in all kinds of weather. I used to be part of the crew that adopted the Holcomb Creek Trail. I've also dragged my trail/trash trailer over the gatekeepers on both ends of HCT.

So the mudflaps (hate them aesthetically) were an effort to keep rocks and spray off the white fiberglass part of the camper. However, while the flaps stop the rear tires from spraying , what I found is that the sling from the front tires sends it all the way back to the top of the trailer (sigh) so the plan is to either accept this as I’m not going to run wider fender flares , or my main idea was to mount additional diamond plate to cover the front of the trailer .

 

[alittleoff]

So the mudflaps (hate them aesthetically) were an effort to keep rocks and spray off the white fiberglass part of the camper. However, while the flaps stop the rear tires from spraying , what I found is that the sling from the front tires sends it all the way back to the top of the trailer (sigh) so the plan is to either accept this as I’m not going to run wider fender flares , or my main idea was to mount additional diamond plate to cover the front of the trailer .

I also think that additional coverage on the trailer would be the thing to do.
And some of the Aluminum DP that is available today is thin enough as not to add too much weight up high.

 

[connor grimes]

I also think that additional coverage on the trailer would be the thing to do.
And some of the Aluminum DP that is available today is thin enough as not to add too much weight up high.

Yes, getting the thinnest possible diamond plate would be ideal. However, I am hung up on mounting it can’t decide whether to use adhesive or self tapping screws or a combination of both, I realize once I put that on that it’s going to have to be there forever as it will destroy what’s underneath.

 

[alittleoff]

Yeah, that is a dilemma for sure.
We've all seen the after affects of a plastic drop in bed liner and the gapping rust holes it leaves behind.
Products like the spray in bed liners seem too rough and hard to clean without the use of a power washer.
I just don't know if they could/can be applied so that it remains smooth and washable with a sponge and garden hose.

 

[5TTTj]

The scenery is beautiful, I like the rig too.