Metal Twister

This one is a bit bigger than one would want behind a typical Jeep. Im running a 74 FSJ Jeep with 38" tires and some serious suspension soon to be a TBI Big Block so the weight and size really doesn't really effect me too much. I will be scaling these down for the average size Jeep.

I had to give up the LC4 a few years back due to a back injury. I must admit I really miss riding a lot more than I even thought possible. I have replaced the LC4 with a full sizes Jeep 4x4 to get my off road fix, and while its not an adventure bike it is a good way to escape the busy pace of the shop. In the last couple of years Ive been contacted to help retrieve a few of you in some hard to reach parts of our So. Cal desert. With the equipment I had it was doable but never easily! Ever since the last episode I have been thinking about getting a off road trailer that was big enough and sturdy enough to accomplish this task. I couldn't find one anywhere in the states. So I started designing what I thought would make the perfect extraction / camping trailer. I have had some help on designing a brand new never used long trailing arm airbag suspension that is very simple yet works extremely well. This is where you come in... I plan on having this trailer completely self contained with Hot running water, on board air, C.B. and stereo radios. Other than that what else should I put in this thing to make it more usable without going to a big screen? Need Ideas and input as Id like to explore the possibility of building these to sell. Any input and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys and thanks to the Mods here who got me back on the forum. I had a glitch in the system when I tried to change my email address a week ago. Ive decided to go with most of the options here and as it gets closer to completion I can do the boot and helmet rack. The beer tap may still happen but the silver bullets are so handy and spill proof when crawling over the big rocks. Open cups I think not. Thanks again for the ideas. A quick pic of the airbag clearance comparison...

Actually Ive been anxiously awaiting this Jeep Diesel They are keeping tight lipped but mid year this is suppose to be available in the Wrangler models http://www.jeep.com/en/2014/grand-cherokee/capability/ Jeeps are great vehicles and I have 3 im my family. But dont over look the Toyota 4x4. Maybe a Toyota 4x4 P/U and throw the bike in the back? I have a forum of local guys that get out and 4x now and then. Its been slow as of late only because everyone is busy wrenching and wheeling. It is called SCUFF www.SoCalUltimate4x4.com If ya have any questions there are a lot of very sharp cats that are more than willing to help you out. Check it out.

Thanks again guys for the input. It looks like the E track anchor points are the most important thing just ahead of the beer. Personally I could lay the bike down if it came to one or the other! All good ideas and I think I need to put a plan together to accompany all or these things eventually. This trailer is a bit bigger and a bit heavier than the ones that I will be building to sale. I'm thinking this size mainly for recovery, camping, and bug out purposes. Please take a minute and post up anything else that may come to mind... Also wanted to let BSon2or4 know how sorry I am that you lost your shop in the Cedar fire. I have a lot of friends who lost everything in that fire. We still are helping folks rebuild when they can. My place is a old steel building and nothing special at all, but it is my shop and Id hate to loose it so my heart truly goes out to you. Hang tough and you will have another I'm sure.

Very cool! Lots of good ideas here and all are doable. thanks and any more? :thumbsup_anim:/>

Sure, no problem... Give me a call tomorrow after 9:00 am at 619-461-3502 and we can schedule a time.

Thats Awesome Tom... Something about them Baja Bugs that puts a smile on my face. Now that I think about it your son was smiling as well! Have fun and thanks again for the above mention.

Hey I know this guy too! Thanks for heads up about this thread Ken and the kind words from the others here. The LC4 is long gone but I still love bikes and being around them, and yep I'm still fabricating and enjoy the heck out of it. Everything I do is custom so if you have issues with any metal project I'm always looking for something different to tackle. I've been developing a new suspension for Extreme Off Road trailers and am in the middle of building the proto type right now. The difference between my trailers and all the other adventure trailers is that mine has just enough room for a Dual Sport Bike, sleeps 4,is fully self contained, and can truly go anywhere your 4x4 can go. I'll post up some pics when its complete. Thanks again Ken for the heads up and look forward to seeing ya on the trails again soon!

Been riding and wheeling in the So Cal Deserts some 40 years now and I have never seen a desert Tortoise, so we have to make our own to eat.... Um, Um,Um I think they are found mostly in the upper deserts of So Cal?

Have a friend who needs to weld up a 2008 Yamaha YZ450Fstock exhaust. By chance does anyone know what grade S/Steel they use on there exhausts? Has anyone welded one up with sucess? Thanks for the help in advance.

Yeah welding it isn't a problem... Im trying to find out what grade Stainless, if it is stainless? Ive heard rumors its not S/Steel. Have you ever welded one of these pipes?

With all the trails being closed we actually have the opportunity to help build some new ones! I received a call this morning from Richard Tull, CC park ranger in charge. This Saturday January 9 at 9:30 am work will start on new 4x4 trail #11, The Motorcycle Tot Lot, And the motorcycle single track trail the length of the park. It is all marked out and ready to be cleared and groomed. Richard needs volunteer manpower. Tools and instruction will be provided. We need to bring safety glasses of some type, gloves, water, and lunch. It dosnt sound like very heavy work just grooming and cutting some brand new trails. Its our park and we have a golden opportunity to improve it considerably. I volunteered SCUFF to work on the 4x4 trail 11 if you would like to join us it would be appreciated. This is a golden opportunity for SDAR to help build the new two wheel trails. If you can make it please post up so we know how many to expect. Meet at 9:00 sharp at four corners parking area for the pre work briefing. Hope to see everyone there for a great day of work.

I have been using a Garmin gps 12 for several years now. The last couple of trips Ive noticed that it has been shutting down on its own. Not a good feeling! I mentioned it to another rider today and he did not sound suprised. He stated that it is a fairly common problem caused by vibration. His suggestion was to open it up and give it silicon seal treatment. Sounds logical to me. Has any body else experienced anything like this? Has this been a fix procedure for anyone else? Thought I would throw it out there before I make a mess of things. Thanx http://dualsport-sd.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/fool.gif

Ive cleaned and sealed allot of gas tanks in the past. The local radiator shops can boil them out for ya for about $50.00. They make a fuel tank sealer that you slosh around the inside of the tank and it seals the rust pits up real well. you can get it at Old Cars and Parts on Prospect in Santee. But just for cleaning, CLR works pretty good. Check out this link on a hot rod forum. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthr...hlight=clr+rust Good Luck.

I dont want to derail this thread... but if all else fails throw up a want ad on the SCUFF. All local So Cal Guys and gals that Im sure will have what your looking for. http://www.socalultimate4x4.com/index.php#5 Just a thought M.T.

Amen

Hope your having a great day Ken... Just a heads up, they keep going by faster and faster so ride everyday you can and enjoy. Someday you will look back and be glad you did! Ya old Fart!

Here is a link to the Bill if you would like to read it ... Desert Protection Act of 2010 Bill S.2921 You know the Drill by now! Temporary closures for some good reason only to be closed for EVER! Something like a Temporary sand dune study that still has a giant part the Galamis dunes closed. Or how about a temporary closure to Coyote Canyon so the sheep can drink the water without interruption... Still closed years later. This is the way of the future. Please read this and send the reply that you honestly feel is the right one. The Bill http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc111/s2921_is.xml To Oppose this Bill please sign the petition... http://www.petitiononline.com/notS2921/petition.html

Seems a large sign stating that it is a two way trail and beware of on coming traffic with a suggested max safe speed be observed. Might at least put the question, or fear that on coming traffic might be around the next bush. Keeping the trail wide enough for different skill levels as well as enough room to get by on coming bikes, but not wide enough for quads and side by sides. This would be a big advantage to surviving a head on!

Thanks guys for the help this weekend... We had a large group composed of several different clubs and forums to cut the new trails... It's group efforts like these that really gets things done. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out on the new trails. Thanks Again to everyone who showed up to help, and to those who are about to... Great SDAR showing especially for such a short notice. Its a beautiful day in So Cal for Off roaders... a few general pics of the day. Sorry I only have 4x4 trail building pics. I just realized we have to work twice as hard as you single track guys. LOL

Ok I just got off the phone with Richard again... Update If you have a shovel, hardhat or loppers it might be good to bring them as well as the glasses and gloves. if not no biggie they will have them. If your there to work on the trails, NO Adventure pass is needed tomorrow. Be there around 9:00 or so for the paperwork etc. Work will start at 9:30... If your late find us and will get ya caught up on what to do. Thanks again to everyone, not the most exciting way to spend your Saturday, but one of the best ways to spend it that I can think of.

They are going to be working all 3 areas at one time. Shouldn't be a problem working on the single track at all. If you want to bring the loppers that would be OK, but they have all the tools we will need according to Richard...

Little rock and roll rumble in Casa De Oro. Nice slow doubles, nothing sharp. YET!

I ran across this and thought of everyone here. Im not sure if this has been discussed here but it looked like a great idea to me? http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/i...=328&Itemid=34