Cargo/camper build

[woytovich]

Well I just bought a small-ish enclosed cargo trailer with the goal of building it into a basic camper/cargo hauler. I'll post up details of the plans and the build as they develop.

Here is the starting point... an Interstate 5x8 trailer with an interior height of about 5.5'... think of it as a hard shell tent that will carry my 5 35" (Q78) Swampers, spare parts and camping gear. And it fits very nicely behind the FJ60 both in height and width.

Factory specs:
5 x 8 enclosed trailer, single axle, 2,990 lb. weight capacity. It weighs just under 1000lbs empty

 

[mls57jax]

Mark,

Nice score! Lots of storage options brewing there I'm sure. And just in time for the drive to Moab, too!
Hmm, I'm envisioning the trailer in a "Partridge Family Tour Bus" stlye paint job...

Mike in PA

 

[OB]

Nice score, add a roof rack to that thing and it's a great base for a roof top tent or extra storage. Add a folding table top held up with chains on the side for a cooking station. Get a few windows and a roof vent for air circulation. Better yet get a small window AC and go ghetto!

 

[woytovich]

Probably a roof vent with fan... unless I score an RV AC/heater unit for the roof (craigslist is your friend)

No roof rack, no RTT... that's the whole point of the enclosed trailer... a hard-sided tent. I'll be building in a fold-down padded sleeping platform... arrive at location, fold down bed, sleep. I'll be designing the tire and modular "stuff" storage so that the bed can be deployed with minimal (or no) rearrangement, thus allowing "roadside" sleeping if necessary.

Awning(s)
Exterior fold down table
RV style rear door withing the full width cargo door
side windows
power (via 12v and 120v connection) with breaker box
lighting (interior and exterior work lights)
support jacks at the 4 corners (probably scissor jacks)
Stereo of some sort

Lots of stuff in the brainstorming list.

Mark

 

[woytovich]

Mark,

Nice score! Lots of storage options brewing there I'm sure. And just in time for the drive to Moab, too!
Hmm, I'm envisioning the trailer in a "Partridge Family Tour Bus" stlye paint job...

Mike in PA

or

or

 

[greentruck]

Do you plan on keeping the wheels/tires that are on it now?

I've never been a fan of doing an SOA just because. But if you do plan on taking it down the road to your basecamp, you can always go a little farther if you have the chops to get past the first few easy obstacles. This looks his could be one of those cases where a SOA might be in the plans.

Either way, whatever you intend to accomplish in suspension height down the road will make a difference with some of your other plans. The drop-down table is a great idea, for instance, but how high you want to mount it depends on how high the trailer sits.

 

[Combat Chuck]

so something like this?

 

[woytovich]

Do you plan on keeping the wheels/tires that are on it now?

I am unlikely to need to take it on anything more rough than a dirt road. I am going to look into adding electric brakes if it is not cost prohibitive. I was also going to look at maybe getting a new set of leaf springs with an inch or so more lift... would I go to a size larger tire? maybe.

The trailer will be used on paved roads 99.99% of the time.

 

[woytovich]

so something like this?

Actually I am considering an FJ40 style look: White top and colored sides. I have a 40 in the works and might paint them the same color IF I decide I can tow this with a 40...

Speaking of that... what say you all: Can I tow this safely with a SUA 40 on 33 ATs? With electric brakes added?

Mark

 

[GLTHFJ60]

 

[mls57jax]

Speaking of that... what say you all: Can I tow this safely with a SUA 40 on 33 ATs? With electric brakes added?

Safely? I would say yes within reason depending on how much weight you plan to haul, and more so with the addition of electric brakes. Stopping would be your biggest towing issue.

Mabye give thought to reinforcing the rear crossmember on your 40 first? You're not known to travel light Mark, and that rear cross member isn't all THAT stout.

The trailer weighs what, 1k empty? Maybe another 1k fully loaded would be a target 'max' weight to shoot for given the axle is rated at 2900 lbs?

What do 5-Q78's weigh anyway (anyweigh)?

Questions, questions...

 

[woytovich]

I would probably be able to keep the parts/tools/tires/beer stash to 1000lbs.

And don't forget I can still put SOME stuff in the truck...

According to Interco 66lbs each... plus a steel wheel... 15-20? total of 80lbs each x 5 is 400lbs...

 

[woytovich]

This is the version 1 plan for carrying the Swampers standing upright against the walls... depending on actual storage boxes for parts etc the front tire might be centered. These will be secured to the walls with ratchet straps most likely.

 

[woytovich]

Here are three other views of the trailer... one from the rear during travel, and 2 during camping/sleep mode - from the top and the back... (the back/sleep view shows the bed in up and down positions, it obviously wouldn't be in both positions at once)

(and I modified the travel top view in the previous post...)

 

[dknightd]

I'd try to put windows front and rear. I'd try to move the bed to other wall so you could have a window on the passenger (blind) side. Have a couple of windows that can open. Try to mount the bed so you have enough room to sit up on it. Interested in how this turns out.

 

[woytovich]

It is only 8' long remember...
I plan on a window on each side (that opens and has a screen) and a small door with a window built into the full width cargo door in the rear. I'll also add a roof vent. I think that with all of that there will be plenty of ventilation.

 

[woytovich]

I'd try to move the bed to other wall so you could have a window on the passenger (blind) side.

Why?

Try to mount the bed so you have enough room to sit up on it.

It is designed that way in these drawings... the bed top surface will be about 12-14" off the floor. That will leave me about 40" up to the roof... give or take...

 

[jrock24]

Why the need to carry 5 tires?

 

[woytovich]

Why the need to carry 5 tires?

I drive with BFG ATs (33x10.50) and wheel with Super Swampers (35x11.50). I like having a spare along both on the road and on the trail... I'm funny like that.

My AT spare rides in the back of the 60.

Then add the 2 tires plus a spare for the trailer and I'm traveling with 13 tires!

Mark

 

[bheff]

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