My Build: '17 InTechRV Explore

RacerAV

Active member
I picked up my trailer back in 2017 with the idea of a perfect cargo trailer that can do it all! This ALMOST fit the bill perfectly. Some basics from the intechrv site:

Dry Weight1,450 - 2,020 lbs
Tongue Weight240 - 350 lbs
GVWR2,990 lbs
Net Carrying Capacity970 – 1,540 lbs
Ball Height17"

I changed a few things to bring it up to par (work in progress though):

OUTSIDE:
- Rhino Rack Batwing awning that opens toward the right, covering the passenger side and the front of the trailer, on the side of the rack, keeping the overall height unchanged, already so tall!
- Road Shower 4L, a ten gallon aluminum water tank, up on the roof, under the rack.
- Quick Pitch en suite on the rear of the roof rack for a fast bathroom/shower set up!
- 10lb propane tank to the front of the trailer, off the tongue though, allowing for some more storage space in the future, maybe a battery box?
- Ark Trailer Jack XO750 Black up front to make it ridiculously easy to move the trailer around on my driveway or anywhere!
- 7pin plug holder while parked, easy to install, nice little feature!
- Steel braided coiled safety "chains" instead of traditional chains, cleaner set up, nothing to drag or catch sticks and junk... Worth the effort.
- 2 3/4" (IIRC) spacer lift on the Dexter 22deg. axle... wanting a new axle, 45deg. with matching 5x5 pattern!

INSIDE:
- Velcro to the rear ramp door in order to hold a piece of carpet to cover the aggressive texture and save some skin while moving around in the trailer.
- 1/4" shock cord laced through some holes to create some retention for gear in the front top storage areas.
- Midland 15w radio inside with an exterior antenna bracket on the roof rack, looking for the best cable routing method currently.
- Quick disconnect for the annoyingly erroneous propane detector to save it from getting smashed in the middle of the night while empty and stored.
- 3x Camco self store step stabilizers to the rear ramp door to create a raised patio, screen room and roof to follow.
- D-rings to the front area to tie down stuff while in transit. Planning to add some more as well throughout!

MISC:
- KeySmart key organizer for the ridiculous amount of keys RVs come with... blow torch, some pliers, some beers, made it happen! SO much better than a wad of keys.
- A few iterations of propane tank set ups, as well as bathroom trial and errors...

FUTURE GOALS:
- Inside shower/bathroom area while maintaining existing cargo floor space.
- Solar set up.
- Dual battery set up.
- Exterior storage.
- Under body, above axle water tank (free up interior space, less items to move around when packing up, etc.)

I really want to make this trailer easier to use. While it is NOT difficult at the moment, I think it can be better. It takes time to load up everything, and unload once at camp. I feel like a few small changes (not small in task though) will ease that transition from storage to camp mode and back. ANY IDEAS would be appreciated!

For your viewing pleasure:

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Last edited:

RacerAV

Active member
The install of the Ark trailer jack didn't go as quickly as I anticipated, but, really, what does!?? lol


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RacerAV

Active member
FUTURE PLANS:

So my battery is dead. The trailer tail and marker lights do NOT work with a missing battery, lesson learned. A dead battery? They work, even though NOTHING in the trailer will turn on. Eesh... anyway, the tentative plan is to get a new battery. I'd love a Battleborn lithium battery, and a 100w solar panel, but I do have a generator and not sure the money spent would be worth the result for me. I like having the generator, peace of mind! Honda iHandy 3000 watt is super quiet, powers EVERYTHING in/on/near my trailer lol... I like to use a small 1800w space heater at night, and it'll keep the trailer warm in 35deg. weather for 8 hours on a sub-2gallon tank! Not bad... Plus knowing I can do a lot more with the generator, it's worth the weight and space cost.

The PLAN is to move the electrical box and use that entire area for a small shower/bathroom INSIDE the trailer. It WILL be tight, but not having to run outside in the middle of the night to pee is wonderful. Taking a hot shower after a long trail ride? Oh man... I'll give more details later...
 

RacerAV

Active member
holy cow it's been quite a while! I've made some improvements!!!

New axle. Trimmed the frame wings to keep proper axle location. 35" BFG KM3s and American Racing wheels, matching my tow vehicle, my 2017 Jeep Recon! Added in some fold out steps on the back corners, super helpful to get up for the awning and rear shower tent zippers, etc... I might do a ladder all the way up with a couple more, we'll see.

Still need to add in some LED markers on the fenders, red on rear facing and amber front facing. I love the flat top fenders. I can stand on them no problem. Perfect as a little work table, or whatever! The trailer is a little higher, but not by much. Love the added ground clearance, still pretty low overall height for what it is! Plenty of suspension travel still. I haven't brought it out on any trails yet, that's coming soon!

Next phase is paint! I'm coating the entire trailer (and Jeep and dirt bike) in OD Green Plastidip, then stenciling on some logos and other designs to help market my small business sayagainover.com where I make velcro morale patches, keychains, etc... The trailer is such an awesome tool! Hauls gear, sleeps 4-6 people, has AC and heat, a kitchen, bathroom facilities... it's my very own MacGyver trailer! lol

Thanks for reading!

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Indoyota

New member
Impressed with this build. The lift and tire mod are exactly what i would like to do to my explore. Any more updates?
 

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