Stockman Pod Trailer - DIY Upgrade Installations

[cricker]

Hi everyone! I just purchased a second hand Stockman Pod Trailer 'All-Roada' model as we have officially run out of room in our Forester with the 3 kids in the back.

This particular trailer has the stockman roof bars, and also came with a Rola platform tray mounted on top. The unit, however, doesn't have the stockman 'Roof Top Tent Lid Upgrade' which essentially further braces the lid and installs heavy-duty gas struts in a different location. Without this its a real struggle to lift the lid, and with anything mounted on it it simply slams shut, very dangerous.

I'd like to thereby replace the existing gas strut setup so that the unit mirrors the upgrade stockman offers. Looking at the picture however, i'm not interested in paying the $600 for the upgrade, as all I need to buy is the correct gas struts, and some aluminum 90degree angle track. The bracing arms between the stockman racks I don't require as they are already braced nicely by the Rola platform tray.

Is there someone out there who has the 'heavy duty gas struts' installed in their pod trailer, and could send me the exact model details. From whats in there already it looks like stockman use Australia Struts, so there should be details labelled on the unit directly.

Also if looking at how stockman has mounted the gas struts, could you just confirm they are using galvanised screws to hold the mounts, or have they actually threaded the chassis and put in bolts?

Thank you kindly to anyone who can supply me that info.

This is what i'm looking to do:

 

[cam04]

If you know roughly the force (weight) required, any gas strut seller will be able to sell you the correct Kn struts and mounts - you can buy them at Bunnings these days. Personally I think you can do better than that pic. The lower leg could mount up high and angle back in toward the hinge so that stored gear wont slide into it as much and you'll get away with a shorter strut also. I have done a couple of work trailers with hinged/strutted lids in the past. Have you got a pic of your existing setup? The struts may just need a regas or an upgrade - It all looks pretty light duty (relative to the steel trailers I am used to).

 

[cricker]

Have you got a pic of your existing setup? The struts may just need a regas or an upgrade - It all looks pretty light duty (relative to the steel trailers I am used to).

This is the existing setup, the struts are 585mm, 18mm-8mmand 385NM force. I thought about just upgrading these struts to 22mm-10mm with 700NM but i'm concerned it'll put too much force on the roof structure with the lightweight attachment points there, and also the position of the struts means its not really supporting any of the initial lifting force, which is where its really hard on a persons back to lift. Thoughts?

There will be around 60KG of static weight on the top of the lid.

 

[cam04]

Me being me would be very tempted to hook up the bigger struts and see how it goes. Those plastic trailers flex a bit but they are tremendously strong. I've had a couple of poly boats. The beauty of taking it to someone who does struts is that they will be able to help you test out the theory without wasting anyone's money or time, assuming you agree to buy from them. Worst case it doesn't look like a big deal to run some angle on the roof section and move the base mount further back if you need to.

 

[mikehzz]

I've got the same model and want the same upgrade so keep us informed. Stockman charge like a wounded bull for everything, but the quality is good. The upgraded struts go in the opposite direction to the existing ones I think? I'd like the awning holders too but $800???

 

[cricker]

I've reached out to to Gas Struts Australia and will be having a call with them tomorrow to discuss whether they believe a gas strut upgrade will cut it, or whether I'll need to rearrange the placements of the struts as Stockman do themselves. Personally it makes sense you'd have to change placement as to get support initially, you need the strut to be somewhat facing upwards at that point, of which the originally mounting doesn't really provide that. But i'm no expert in these things, so we'll see what the gas strut guy says.

Yeah $160 for a gas bottle holder! I'll be buying one from BCF for $30 and installing myself.

 

[cricker]

Had a chat with Don from Gas Struts, he was like, wow the design is really poor. Agreed!

Going to get a guy he recommended to take a look, have a play with putting some more gas in the existing struts (thinking around 550) and seeing if that helps at all. Doubt it though, I just put 60KG on the roof and tried to lift, it was incredibly difficult till it was almost fully extended above my head, and i'm 6'4. Considering I want to put a 50KG gazebo up there, its def going to need a sort out.

Ill get this gas guy to take a look and see if there's any better options for mounting then what stockman does for their heavy-duty upgrade kit. I want to try to keep the struts off the floor, as luggage moves around viciously when you offroad. Might not be any choice in the matter though.

I'll keep you posted

 

[fattima]

Just joined here and this is exactly what I'm looking at doing too. Be interested to see what you do.

 

[cricker]

So haven't had a chance to look at the struts yet. I've actually postponed this upgrade till I finish off the other ones i'm working on.

I installed a 4KG oztrail gas bottle mount on the back right side of the trailer. It had to sit lower than the Stockman ones simply due to the fact it doesn't have the same design. So if it was me again, i'd prob just spend the extra $100 and pick up an stockman one. Still $100 is a $100, so happy to have saved.

At first I was a little bummed it'd taken away from my rear clearance, but now that i've decided i'm definitely going to move the spare tyre to the rear and underneath, the clearance loss from the tyre is greater and the gas bottle is no longer a concern.

Which brings me to a quick question some of you pod trailer owners can help me with. How does your spare tyres mount up underneath? I see a single bolt nut welded onto the frame, but there's also a little bracket thing to the left? Is the single bolt sufficient to hold it up there. Also how do people lower these down and put them back up, they are pretty heavy tyres, so wouldn't really want to be trying to push it up and stick a bolt through it with 1 hand..... maybe i'm just a weakling. So figured i'd ask what others see on theirs, and how they get it up and down.

The trailer I bought has the tyre mounted on the front via one of stockmans accessories Vertical Spare Wheel Mount. But i'm going to remove it from here, as i'm installing a Rhino tool box along the front and then an ISI bike rack infront of that. I'll be looking to sell the vertical spare wheel mount if anyone wants $70, i'll stick on gumtree.

Cheers friends

 

[cricker]

 

[mikehzz]

I'll have a look underneath today mate. I've never had a flat on it so wouldn't have a clue. Good question.

 

[cricker]

Appreciate it mate! How'd you go?

 

[mikehzz]

Its a bolt through a bit of angle about 110mm long clamping the rim to the trailer through the centre hub of the wheel. Maybe the angle is just long enough to have it sit loosely there while you angle the wheel on one side, then slide the wheel sideways onto the other side. Then recentre the wheel and tighten the bolt so it lifts the wheel until its hard against the trailer. That's my theory anyway. Better than trying to hold the wheel up and screw at the same time. I don't like my screwing to be too much hard work.

 

[cricker]

Beauts cheers. Had a go getting it up there, def no way to do get just half sitting on there as far as i can see. Also the bolt I have for the front carrier doesn't work under here. Gotta go get a 10mm x 150mm bolt. The little oval slot to the left i'm thinking is there so you can put some rope though and hoist the sucker up there and then tie it in place whilst you bolt it or such well at least that's my theory, or possibly its there so you can put a safety chain through the wheel or something in case the bolt rattled free....

 

[CTL]

If you are changing a wheel anyway, wouldn’t you have your jack out? Couldn’t you jack the wheel up into position and then fit the retaining bolt?

 

[mikehzz]

If you are changing a wheel anyway, wouldn’t you have your jack out? Couldn’t you jack the wheel up into position and then fit the retaining bolt?

It's a long way up off the ground, i doubt most jacks would reach.

 

[cricker]

If you are changing a wheel anyway, wouldn’t you have your jack out? Couldn’t you jack the wheel up into position and then fit the retaining bolt?

True! but I'll have to see if my jack can go that high. Might not be the most stable on rough terrain but you can generally always get it kinda flat. I'll give it a go

 

[cricker]

Thought id share the simple but easy way I used to get the spare wheel up there.
1. Grabbed a ratchet strap
2. Lay it loosely under back of trailer, with each end attached to one side of the trailer. I used inbetween the suspension eyelets area
3. Put the spare wheel so it sits over the strap, then boost the wheel so one side is raised and leaning against the rear axle, with the other side of the tire sitting against the strap.
4. Crank the strap till the wheel is pinned against the roof. Need to monitor the center point when near the top so you can align with the nut you'll be bolting into.
5. Bolt in place. In my case I put a small 100KG safety chain in place as well, in case the bolt ever got loose.

 

[cricker]

I've renamed the thread to 'Stockman Pod Trailer - DIY Upgrade Installations' as its become more appropriate.

Thought id share my latest upgrades in case anyone feels inclined to do the same.

Rhino Storage Box on the front drawbar:
Rhino (Australian made, i'm keeping with that theme as much as possible) - 1200L x 550W x 400H

Rhino 1200 x 550 x 400mm Grey Cargo Case

Find Rhino 1200 x 550 x 400mm Grey Cargo Case at Bunnings. Visit your local store for the widest range of products.

www.bunnings.com.au

Used 4 x 50mm x 125mm u-bolts for mounting with nylon thread nuts. I don't wish to drill the drawbar to maintain its strength for offroad.
I made some brackets that ensure the u-bolts are pulling across a large surface area within the box.

 

[Hoyks]

For around $80 on ebay you can get a new spare tyre winch, like what they have under the back of utes. I'd imagine the wreckers have a few too. Get one with a chain as they are less inclined to fail than the wire cable type.

Most I've looked at look like they will just need 2 bolts in from the top. In a ute the winch handle would come in from the back, but the way that rail runs you'd probably end up with it pointing side, but I doubt that would be a deal breaker. You might want to do some fabrication to get a bit more strength into it as 30kg of spare dangling off that existing structure as the trailer bounces around would be a bit of a strain, but if they are happy to hang a wheel off just 1 bolt from the factory...

This is the sort of thing, this one is off a hilux... $75... couldn't buy the materials for that.

TOYOTA HILUX 2007 SPARE WHEEL WINCH 2WD, 03/05-08/15 | eBay

Model:HILUX 2007. Proof of this must be shown for warranty to be valid. Oil leaks from any seals or gaskets will NOT be covered under warranty. PART MUST be serviced and maintained under manufactures expectations.

www.ebay.com.au