Homemade M416 tent mount?

woytovich · 01-21-08, 04:44 PM

Has anyone built, or seen, a homemade "trailer top" tent arrangement? I'm thinking of some foldable platform (plywood probably?) on top of an M416 trailer. Something that would serve as a cover for the trailer while towing and a platform for a tent when camping. It would be sized to fit the tent (somewhat bigger than the top of the M416 with support legs) with some sort of receivers for the 4 tent posts and hooks for the tie downs. Add a pad (maybe marine grade carpet?) to the cover to make to more comfortable...

Thoughts?

Mark

REZARF · 01-21-08, 05:20 PM

If it wasn't a RTT I woud be hesitant to go to that length to make it work. If it is a nice ground tent, I would just pitch it on the ground.

Just my .02

woytovich · 01-21-08, 07:19 PM

1. RTTs are considerably more expensive than ground tents.

2. With this set up I'd have the option to pitch it on the ground or the trailer.

In bad weather or poor ground conditions the trailer mounting might be more suitable.

The lengths to make it work might not be so... lengthy. I've been playing with some cardstock to figure out a folding system that would be simple and strong... I may try an origami approach!

Thanks... all comments are welcome...

Mark

woytovich · 01-21-08, 08:27 PM

How about a "truck tent"? I'd have to mod the trailer to have a tailgate (which I'm gonna do anyway), and it would be pretty narrow at the floor... but it could be cool!

Cabela's -- Sportz Truck Tent III

REZARF · 01-21-08, 10:01 PM

I think you make a great point, but at this point in my life, I stay clear of known bad weather... I am getting too old.

woytovich · 01-21-08, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

I am getting too old.

I turned 50 this last summer and sleeping on the ground is less appealing all the time... that's why I got this: (But I don't always want to tow the camper so I was thinking about a mini-camper with the M416)

rusty_tlc · 01-22-08, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woytovich

Has anyone built, or seen, a homemade "trailer top" tent arrangement? I'm thinking of some foldable platform (plywood probably?) on top of an M416 trailer. Something that would serve as a cover for the trailer while towing and a platform for a tent when camping. It would be sized to fit the tent (somewhat bigger than the top of the M416 with support legs) with some sort of receivers for the 4 tent posts and hooks for the tie downs. Add a pad (maybe marine grade carpet?) to the cover to make to more comfortable...

Thoughts?

Mark

I considered this one time. My thought was to pick up a used canvas cabin tent. Cut the floor and sidewalls off the part that would be over the trailer platform then re-stitch the floor in and close off the "drop" with the scrap rear sidewall. I think the external frame poles could be adapted pretty easy.

I bet there are a lot of those old school tents around that could be had for little or nothing.

REZARF · 01-25-08, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty_tlc

I considered this one time. My thought was to pick up a used canvas cabin tent. Cut the floor and sidewalls off the part that would be over the trailer platform then re-stitch the floor in and close off the "drop" with the scrap rear sidewall. I think the external frame poles could be adapted pretty easy.

I bet there are a lot of those old school tents around that could be had for little or nothing.

That'd be sweet! I would love to see someone go for this... I thought about it with Pop up parts for about one minute, then decided the coin and hassle would be better spent on a RTT. It would be cool to see for sure.

Zekester · 05-05-08, 08:03 AM

I'm starting tomorrow night, will take pics, I have an M101 that I'm building a 48X84 rack that will fold out to 7' X 8', made of 1" square tube and 5/8 plywood...it bi-folds, so the tent can stay on the rack, I figured I'd use about $150 in materials, and put my $80 tent on it....and replace the tent as I see fit down the road...

I will post and keep tabs on $$

pint · 05-05-08, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mszekely

I'm starting tomorrow night, will take pics, I have an M101 that I'm building a 48X84 rack that will fold out to 7' X 8', made of 1" square tube and 5/8 plywood...it bi-folds, so the tent can stay on the rack, I figured I'd use about $150 in materials, and put my $80 tent on it....and replace the tent as I see fit down the road...

I will post and keep tabs on $$

Can't wait to see it. Sounds very interesting.

Corey · 05-05-08, 09:55 AM

In the future I will be getting a trailer and taking my Maggiolina AirLand off of my FJ.

It will go on some type of trailer, and the setup will work like either of these pictures.

I am kind of partial to picture #2.

01-21-08, 04:44 PM	#1
woytovich IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Metro NY TLCA# 8334 Posts: 1,364	Homemade M416 tent mount? Has anyone built, or seen, a homemade "trailer top" tent arrangement? I'm thinking of some foldable platform (plywood probably?) on top of an M416 trailer. Something that would serve as a cover for the trailer while towing and a platform for a tent when camping. It would be sized to fit the tent (somewhat bigger than the top of the M416 with support legs) with some sort of receivers for the 4 tent posts and hooks for the tie downs. Add a pad (maybe marine grade carpet?) to the cover to make to more comfortable... Thoughts? Mark __________________ Mark [ mark@woytovich.com ] Metro NY Founding member, Gotham City Land Cruisers 85FJ60 ~ 78ishFJ40 ~ M-416 ~ Trillium 4500

01-21-08, 07:19 PM	#3
woytovich IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Metro NY TLCA# 8334 Posts: 1,364	1. RTTs are considerably more expensive than ground tents. 2. With this set up I'd have the option to pitch it on the ground or the trailer. In bad weather or poor ground conditions the trailer mounting might be more suitable. The lengths to make it work might not be so... lengthy. I've been playing with some cardstock to figure out a folding system that would be simple and strong... I may try an origami approach! Thanks... all comments are welcome... Mark __________________ Mark [ mark@woytovich.com ] Metro NY Founding member, Gotham City Land Cruisers 85FJ60 ~ 78ishFJ40 ~ M-416 ~ Trillium 4500

01-21-08, 08:27 PM	#4
woytovich IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Metro NY TLCA# 8334 Posts: 1,364	How about a "truck tent"? I'd have to mod the trailer to have a tailgate (which I'm gonna do anyway), and it would be pretty narrow at the floor... but it could be cool! Cabela's -- Sportz Truck Tent III __________________ Mark [ mark@woytovich.com ] Metro NY Founding member, Gotham City Land Cruisers 85FJ60 ~ 78ishFJ40 ~ M-416 ~ Trillium 4500 Last edited by woytovich; 03-07-08 at 07:39 AM.

01-21-08, 10:01 PM	#5
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	I think you make a great point, but at this point in my life, I stay clear of known bad weather... I am getting too old. __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

05-05-08, 08:03 AM	#9
Zekester IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 531	I'm starting tomorrow night, will take pics, I have an M101 that I'm building a 48X84 rack that will fold out to 7' X 8', made of 1" square tube and 5/8 plywood...it bi-folds, so the tent can stay on the rack, I figured I'd use about $150 in materials, and put my $80 tent on it....and replace the tent as I see fit down the road... I will post and keep tabs on $$ __________________ Zekester SW Ontario, Canada 12/79 BJ40, 3B, Gozzard F/G body, Herculinered, 3" lift, SS snorkle, 8274 M101 Expedition Trailer I/P, but in service 1997 BMW 328is 1957 Porsche 356 replica I/P 1987 Donzi Hornet III

01-21-08, 05:20 PM	#2
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	If it wasn't a RTT I woud be hesitant to go to that length to make it work. If it is a nice ground tent, I would just pitch it on the ground. Just my .02 __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

05-05-08, 09:55 AM	#11
Corey IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburn, WA. Posts: 661	In the future I will be getting a trailer and taking my Maggiolina AirLand off of my FJ. It will go on some type of trailer, and the setup will work like either of these pictures. I am kind of partial to picture #2. __________________ Corey '07 FJ Cruiser, '91 4Runner is gone ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, custom rack goodies, so much more, see my website My Forum - My Website - My Rigs Build-up - Roof Top Tent - Video Of My Penthouse

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