Thanks! To start I'll say that most of my build was documented through it' Facebook page, Frontrailer, but also a build page on Expedition Portal. I'll admit since the pandemic I've not really updated those at all, but there wasn't much progress either.
It's built from a 2001 Frontier that I bought from a friend. We actually wheeled together several times but eventually his truck got replaced and sat. I had ironically had his truck in mind when I had dreamed up the concept, which stemmed from the inconveniences of a roof top tent on the vehicle itself but also wanted something as capable off-road as my Xterra.
I build it, say, 95% of it. As I've never touched a welder, I paid a trailer builder to make me a frame (with a 2" body lift incorporated) as I didn't want to use the one from the truck. I wanted specific dimensions and didn't want the drop that the frame does forward the rear axle. I figured it was best to NOT learn to weld on something as critical as the frame. As with anything, it wasn't done exactly as I had requested and my first welding experience was to get the fuel tank installed. With that, indeed, the fuel tank was carried over, with the bed (obviously), bumper, suspension and as well as the axle. Shocks were installed afterwards as it was a tad bouncy. The spare tire also sits underneath in the stock location.
From there I build a frame to lift the tonneau cover with reinforcements points for the rack to take the weight of the RTT. Installed a 60L water tank opposing the fuel tank and a dual battery bank. I got a bracket for a 20lb propane tank and made a modular rack up front and recently added two 20L Jerry can holders for either extra fuel or water. Mounted an awning and a swing out arm for a shower/change room which allows it to be used separately with no need to raise the top. An Eccotemp L5 hot water heater is hard plumbed and mounted externally in a weatherproof case. I've also got a Webasto gasoline heater which works wonders for sleeping in cold temps and is tied with my favourite accessory to the hot water heater. A hot shower is wonderful, but also sleeping in a warm and dry space is whole new lever of comfort that I don't care about the naysayers about having heat.
While not a popular opinion on the subject, I willingly kept the truck axle. Yes it gave me matching track width and wheel bolt pattern, but I also figured the weight itself would be beneficial for stability. I've seen many tip over off-road and would, in part, attribute it to them being very top heavy. I also used the brakes on the trailer. I rebuild the drums, new cylinders, ran a new hard line with a new flex line and the drums are powered using a Dexter electric-hydraulic trailer brake actuator. The next plan is/was to install an alternator, driving on the pinion of the differential as it's own self-sufficient and supplementary charging system to the house batteries without needing to run an upgraded 12v from the tow vehicle. I'd like to do solar also eventually with panels sliding out from under the RTT. There is a Noco 2x4A charger to top them up before leaving or when 110v power available.
Sadly no longer with the Xterra, the trailer no longer matches. Track width is close but the wheel bolt pattern no longer matches. I also noticed last year the fuel tank is leaking at the seam. I've been contemplating building a Frontrailer 2.0 with what I've learned building the first one. I wouldn't change much, but I'd be much more able to plan my electrical and not going as overkill in some places to minimize extra unneeded weight. She sits around 3000lbs with the tanks loaded. Last I had weighed it it was a 2800lbs with partial tanks and didn't have some equipment that she has now.
As for it's towing, it's a blast on and off-road. It's width and length is perfect in town, even able to do drive throughs with no issue. Off-road it literally follows like it's not there. It's only Achilles heel is sand and mud.
It's built from a 2001 Frontier that I bought from a friend. We actually wheeled together several times but eventually his truck got replaced and sat. I had ironically had his truck in mind when I had dreamed up the concept, which stemmed from the inconveniences of a roof top tent on the vehicle itself but also wanted something as capable off-road as my Xterra.
I build it, say, 95% of it. As I've never touched a welder, I paid a trailer builder to make me a frame (with a 2" body lift incorporated) as I didn't want to use the one from the truck. I wanted specific dimensions and didn't want the drop that the frame does forward the rear axle. I figured it was best to NOT learn to weld on something as critical as the frame. As with anything, it wasn't done exactly as I had requested and my first welding experience was to get the fuel tank installed. With that, indeed, the fuel tank was carried over, with the bed (obviously), bumper, suspension and as well as the axle. Shocks were installed afterwards as it was a tad bouncy. The spare tire also sits underneath in the stock location.
From there I build a frame to lift the tonneau cover with reinforcements points for the rack to take the weight of the RTT. Installed a 60L water tank opposing the fuel tank and a dual battery bank. I got a bracket for a 20lb propane tank and made a modular rack up front and recently added two 20L Jerry can holders for either extra fuel or water. Mounted an awning and a swing out arm for a shower/change room which allows it to be used separately with no need to raise the top. An Eccotemp L5 hot water heater is hard plumbed and mounted externally in a weatherproof case. I've also got a Webasto gasoline heater which works wonders for sleeping in cold temps and is tied with my favourite accessory to the hot water heater. A hot shower is wonderful, but also sleeping in a warm and dry space is whole new lever of comfort that I don't care about the naysayers about having heat.
While not a popular opinion on the subject, I willingly kept the truck axle. Yes it gave me matching track width and wheel bolt pattern, but I also figured the weight itself would be beneficial for stability. I've seen many tip over off-road and would, in part, attribute it to them being very top heavy. I also used the brakes on the trailer. I rebuild the drums, new cylinders, ran a new hard line with a new flex line and the drums are powered using a Dexter electric-hydraulic trailer brake actuator. The next plan is/was to install an alternator, driving on the pinion of the differential as it's own self-sufficient and supplementary charging system to the house batteries without needing to run an upgraded 12v from the tow vehicle. I'd like to do solar also eventually with panels sliding out from under the RTT. There is a Noco 2x4A charger to top them up before leaving or when 110v power available.
Sadly no longer with the Xterra, the trailer no longer matches. Track width is close but the wheel bolt pattern no longer matches. I also noticed last year the fuel tank is leaking at the seam. I've been contemplating building a Frontrailer 2.0 with what I've learned building the first one. I wouldn't change much, but I'd be much more able to plan my electrical and not going as overkill in some places to minimize extra unneeded weight. She sits around 3000lbs with the tanks loaded. Last I had weighed it it was a 2800lbs with partial tanks and didn't have some equipment that she has now.
As for it's towing, it's a blast on and off-road. It's width and length is perfect in town, even able to do drive throughs with no issue. Off-road it literally follows like it's not there. It's only Achilles heel is sand and mud.
