Off-Road Camper

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Rescue Wagon

Rescue Wagon

Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Threads
46
Messages
285
Location
Cheyenne, WY
Well just like everyone else in this forum I am looking at building a trailer to pull behind my 55. I have done a lot of research and need a little help.

First off I am trying to verify what my 55 can tow. From what I found I should be no more than 3500lbs. and the rear axle is rated at 5000lbs so once I can get it on some scales I can verify what tongue weight I can run. Please let me know if this sounds correct.

Next I am trying to decide on what to build. I have my old slide-in that has seen better days, but has a stove, refrigerator, heater, and toilet. From what I see in this forum a lot of people have gone with the RTT with that said after one interesting hunting trip last year I want to go with some kind of hard top. So I am looking for input from anyone who may have built a hard top camper to go off-roading with. One design that has caught my eye is the Teardrop.

Thanks.

James
 
over 100 views and not one post.

I thought there might be at least one person with an opinion on building a homemade off-road camper with a hard top.
 
Rescue Wagon said:
Well just like everyone else in this forum I am looking at building a trailer to pull behind my 55. I have done a lot of research and need a little help.

First off I am trying to verify what my 55 can tow. From what I found I should be no more than 3500lbs. and the rear axle is rated at 5000lbs so once I can get it on some scales I can verify what tongue weight I can run. Please let me know if this sounds correct.

Next I am trying to decide on what to build. I have my old slide-in that has seen better days, but has a stove, refrigerator, heater, and toilet. From what I see in this forum a lot of people have gone with the RTT with that said after one interesting hunting trip last year I want to go with some kind of hard top. So I am looking for input from anyone who may have built a hard top camper to go off-roading with. One design that has caught my eye is the Teardrop.

Thanks.

James
Click to expand...

James I think you have a great idea, I looked through pages on ExPo just now trying to find a pic that had a FWC slide in mounted to a trailer bed. Here it is, could be a good place start. I would fill the gaps down low with truck boxes!

As for what you can tow, Overall weight is very important, the 2f is a good tractor motor but leaves a little to be desired when towing a load. I bet you'd be fine with how you are calculating your weight.

Hope that helps a bit!
fwc.webp
 
Thanks.

The slide in camper I have has seen its better days and with all its leaks I am a little concerned about the condition of the wood frame. That was why I was looking at canibilizing it to build a homemade camper.

Thats why I love posting hear because a lot of these discussions create some great ideas.
 
i like a hard top also,,,, but i want a very compact trailer when towing. i am running through all kinds of ideas and designs trying to come up with a pop-up design that i can build efficiently. the 55 can tow a decent amount of trailer,, i wont try to school you but i will say i have towed a few different trailers with mine and it handles them all just fine.
 
Thanks Rhino, I plan on changing to either a 4.56 or 4.88 gear when I go to 35's so I think it should be pretty close to where it would have been before the 35" tires.
 
I have done a lot of research on the Teardrops but all the applications I have found have been for towing behind cars and none for an off-road use. So if you know of any I would greatly appreciate it.
 
my problem with teardrops (and Tvan) is the towed size,, its just too big and tall. i am running through designs that i have not seen anyone use before, i will effectively double the size of the trailer when unfolded for camp. i am keeping it hush for now because it could turn into something, but to give you a very loose idea of what i'm doing on a much smaller scale check this out.

Lightweight easy towing expandable travel trailer that tows like a pop up trailer-Trailmanor
 
Rescue Wagon said:
Thanks.

The slide in camper I have has seen its better days and with all its leaks I am a little concerned about the condition of the wood frame. That was why I was looking at canibilizing it to build a homemade camper.

Thats why I love posting hear because a lot of these discussions create some great ideas.
Click to expand...

I'd save the appliances and fittings, sinks etc.
Also scavenge the DC converter and fuse/breaker panel, as well as the DC lights. If it's clean hold on to the foam from the beds/seats.
Pull the windows and vents, save at least the door latch if not the whole door.
Probably save the table and it's hardware, cabinet hinges and latches too.

Pull the skin off , and yank the wiring, take them to the re-cycling center.

So that leaves you with the frame and paneling. :grinpimp:

I met up with a guy who was towing a nice teardrop behind a lifted FJ40 out by the Black Rock Desert one time. He loved it. He built his to match the lift on his 40, they looked sweet together. :princess: doesn't like teardrops because the sleeping area is kind of close. Otherwise I'd build one in a heartbeat.
 
I met a guy up in Blackhawk, CO who claims to make a living by stripping down old campers for parts and scrap metal.

This is going to be interesting if I can come up with a good concept to sleep all 5 of us.
 
Rescue Wagon said:
I met a guy up in Blackhawk, CO who claims to make a living by stripping down old campers for parts and scrap metal.

This is going to be interesting if I can come up with a good concept to sleep all 5 of us.
Click to expand...
There use to be a guy here that did that. He striped out the appliances and stuff then trashed everything else and made flat bed trailers out of the frames.
These guys would be a great source for stuff like two burner cook tops and three gallon water heaters. Things you can't find at Home Depot and are hella expensive to buy new from the RV places.
 
I'm planning on picking up a Starcraft 10rt this Spring. With a little lift, a new hitch, and a couple other mods, I'm hoping the whole family will be able to eat, sleep, and weather the storms comfortably.
 
Phlyfish,

Thanks that is what I was looking at doing as well. I just need to figure out the interior height and figure out if I can do bunk beds to fit me, the wife, and three kids.

I plan on pulling the Hot Water Heater, Heater, Stove/Oven, and Refrigerator from my old slide in to make a nice kitchen area.

Thanks again.

James
 
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