After looking at so many trailer ideas, I've settled on a design that I think will support the gear I want to bring along for my idea of a comfortable campsite. It started when I saw a drawing of an M-101 that had a contractors canopy on it, a rack on that, and then a tent on top. My mind ran with that image and I immediately started looking for an M-101. But then that started to change again when I realized that it might be more than I really needed for space and more weight than I wanted to haul. (I have a 100 series Land Cruiser and I want something to carry all of my campsite gear way out on some of the fire and forest service roads here in Oregon. I don't plan to take it anywhere overly technical, but I want it stout enough to carry the load on what will be mostly miles of dirt roads, and then also be relatively small enough to fit in between the trees) So I thought if I could find a short (6.5' foot) bed canopy, I could put something together to fit whatever canopy I ended up finding. My problem is that I'm not a metal worker. I can build great things with wood, but not metal. So here's my idea- I'll start by finding a shell with the proper dimensions, hinged doors in the back and lift-up doors on the sides. I'll then build a reinforced plywood box to fit the shell, and then have a trailer frame built to support the box. I think I can build a box that's durable enough to support the weight of the shell (which will be bolted to the box all the way around, making it one single unit), a rack on top of the shell, the rooftop tent, and two adults. I don't see why 3/4" (1/2" if I can get away with it) plywood with 2x2" supports wouldn't be plenty strong (there will also be a plywood sheet closing in the space above both drawers to make a floor for the shell). But that's why I'm posting. Do you think it's possible to use wood to build a box durable enough to support the planned weight with the roads I have in mind, and still expect a reasonable service life? I like the nice clean look of my final design. I can run supports around the outside of the box to carry the weight of the rack and tent and campers if I really have to. But I'd rather not to maintain the clean look of the box as it is in my drawings.
Using this type of shell.
I'll have two pull-out drawers. The kitchen on the left (stove, sink, storage), and the refrigerator on the right side.
And my kitchen plan.
Using this type of shell.
I'll have two pull-out drawers. The kitchen on the left (stove, sink, storage), and the refrigerator on the right side.
And my kitchen plan.
