THE TANK (Prospecting trailer)

In answer to my arch enemy/now mate's request re The Tank!




Weighs 1.3 tonne fully loaded, 4x4 wheels and 60 mill 5 leaf springs, great clearance, heavy duty bearings, all steel, the old girl loves it hardly feel it when in the rough,gets a new coat of paint every year.
Carries 8kva Geni,Small geni,250amp welder,3 augers,two major camp tents Austents, Gally Washing, full workshop of tools, chainsaw, blowers, Desert sluice,(back top and inside bottom back, Floodlights (often work at night) Water, two deepcycle batteries& solar setup,40lb jackhammers.
Solar supports the laptop,satsetup, for map imaging, phones,internet,fridge/freezer and detector charger and 12 volt and 240 (20watt fans).
The old girl(10years old) cruiser, I love and she will I expect die with me.
Accommodation I have full size single bed from Drivers seat to back,good for on the way and rainy times and unsafe times, Camp tents for long stays,and rooftop tent for intermediate stays.
Makes you want to stay out there for ever! I do about 9 months plus per annum.

Majindi

Very very nice I can see that you have put a lot into that trailer well done!!

Now fair go! I'm sure you have forgotten something. Canopener perhaps?
That's a very impressive setup. Any idea of the weight on your drawbar?

Robert

Hi Goldnomad
The drawbar is extra thick steel and If I recall 120-140 mill and welded with extra plates all over.

I know the 8kva geni is fuelled , about 120 kg,plus spare fuel kept in the hatch 20 kg.
plus the spare.

I have the gear all spread as even as poss in the trailer.

I think its pretty evenly balanced, no sway at all even on hard breaking.

It may seem a bit excessive but I use everything and where I go often alone need to have my backside covered.
REgards Majindi

Hi all,

Nice set up Majindi, Did you build it yourself?

Regards Jim.

Goodaye Jim,

Does it look that rough? Yes I did, it has been running for 2 1/2 years an done100,000 ks plus through some heavy country, did the Kimberleys twice last year.
Holds together well, So far!!

Majindi

Thats a very good setup Majindi i wish i had a setup like yours,good photos.frog

Certainly a good set up Majindi, a few good points there for mods I can make on mine, Thanks for sharing.

Goodaye Goldstalker,

You know what its like a sort of evolutionary process, as you need it and as you can afford it .

I,d love someone to give me any further ideas.

One thing I found is the stone guards, originally I had none and the paintwork was trashed after the first 200 klms down a bluemetal track, to Ora Banda.

Then I put this thong rubber sikered over the stone chips, as a base to absorb the energy and then skimmed the ali tread-plate over that.
Now not a single stone chip ever, doesn't look that bad, those rocks and stones come up at a huge velocity when cruising at 80-90 .

The solar is a good posi away from stones flying etc

Some might think a big welder a bit of b/s out there but, its amazing how many times it has been used, I have an electric shovel, big one on my jack hammer and we split it in two this year on calcretes, ground it out cranked up the geni and had it as new in 20 minuets.

Regards Majindi

Goodaye Frog,

Thanks mate , I couldn't justify the huge cost of these ready built so bought a new7x4 reg on the road for about 2300, with heavy running gear, put my old cruiser wheels on,

Then got the welder and the chopper out.

Majindi

Nice set up Majindi