Suggestions...camp trailer

[brittan]

I've been toying with the idea of a camp trailer. I've spent to much time reading Australian 4WD Monthly and drooling over all the cool kit they have.

I want a trailer that holds all my camping gear. When I want to go camping the trailer gets hooked up and off I go. I hate setting up and tearing down my rig. With another member of the family, soon to be camping with me, storage requirements are only going to increase.

I don't intend for this to be an "offroad trailer", although I want to be able to pull it on mild trails. My idea is to take the trailer camping and have it sit at the campsite while I run trails in my rig.

I'm looking for ideas of what you would want in the ideal camp trailer. Some of my thoughts are:
Space - Big enough to hold all my gear
Water - possible storage tank
Security - theft mitigation engineered into the design
Dust/Weather proof - sealed against rain and dust
Maneuverable - adjustable tongue
Support for a roof rack or roof top tent
Power - has it's own battery
Weight - trailer and gear shouldn't be more than 1,800lb's
Gear should be accessible and easy to get to

Here is what I have come up with so far...I have the Google Sketchup file if you want it.





The tongue of the trailer will be much longer than in the image. My idea is to have a long piece of receiver tube build into the frame that allows for an adjustable tongue.

 

[justweldit]

looks like a good start , what about water?, a storage tank down low next to the axel? be nice to have a lilttle shower an sink. i have access to a large press brake . we could make a cool water tank

 

[Tools R Us]

With those specs, why not a small 8 or 10' box tent trailer?

I like little ones like this.
14' STARCRAFT, Starlite tent trailer - pop up

With kids, one with two beds maybe better?
2009 VIKING "Epic" Pop-Up Camper-trailer Sell it cheap !

 

[tucson_sailors]

Ask Alvin about his

Alvin had/has a really nice offroad pop-up trailer. I remember seeing in the garage when he gave me a hand with my FJ60.

Alvin - got any pics and impressions?

Glenn

 

[Jim S.]

We like our Horizon. Check out Adventure Trailers. Great product - great people!

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! Have you checked the trailer section on MUD? There was some neat stuff on there the last time I looked. John

 

[Deathoncall63]

Jumping Jack

The jumping Jack trailer is one of the best I've seen. Good Multi use trailer.

Jumping Jack Jump Up Tent Trailer

Too bad they're hella expensive. I eventually would like to make one to replicate this for at least half the price.

Josh

 

[Deathoncall63]

We like our Horizon. Check out Adventure Trailers. Great product - great people!

Hey Jim, which adventure trailer did you get? Can you post a pic of what your working with?

 

[Tools R Us]

... Check out Adventure Trailers. ...

X2, they are fantastic trail entertainment!

 

[justweldit]

WOW, if i owned that trailer i would have wheels on top an bottom

 

[Deathoncall63]

I guess it goes the same with your vehicle and as your trailer- know the limitations- or it might get expensive. - Josh

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Pop up hands down


Under 1000lbs
10' box, 20' open
Heater
Stove
Outside BBQ
Frig
Sink
Awning
10"+ clearance
Sit down table
couch
Queen bed
Double bed
Tons of storage

No it wont go down the Rubicon but after a 5 day trip with one of the "Off-Road" trailers I would not want to take one of them down either.

 

[DSRTRDR]

WOW, if i owned that trailer i would have wheels on top an bottom

the funniest was that it was in two consecutive years - just about a mile apart

 

[justweldit]

it looks to me that all the weight is above the axel making it top heavy . need to put some wieght down low?

 

[brittan]

Regarding Adventure trailer--
I don't like the suspension of the AT. The angle of the shocks offer little, if any, dampening. That's why you see so many on their tops. When the air bag spring rebounds after compression, the lack of a controlled rebound creates a bouncing ball effect that puts the trailer on it's top. This is a scientific observation reported by Tools who followed one on the trail for two days. Speak up if I am misquoting you Kevin.

I'm staying away from the commercially available camp trailers. They aren't built tough enough for years of corrugated roads. Jumping jack would be a contender if it were less expensive, had more clearance, and wasn't so wide.

I'll check the trailer section of mud and look for more info...

 

[splitshot]

I been wanting to customize the 'ol Studebaker trailer the same way, just need time and money..

One thing I did do, is put the same size tires and rims as the 40 on it. Big plus when it comes to hauling spares.

 

[brittan]

I been wanting to customize the 'ol Studebaker trailer the same way, just need time and money..

One thing I did do, is put the same size tires and rims as the 40 on it. Big plus when it comes to hauling spares.

Nice...I have your suggestion in my plans. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Tools R Us]

... I'm staying away from the commercially available camp trailers. They aren't built tough enough for years of corrugated roads. ...

How many have you destroyed? That statement is widely parroted, mostly by those who have never owned/destroyed one. In my experience they will take much more abuse than most would believe.

I agree that they are lightly built, that's why they are light weight, tow easily, etc. All of them have issues that need to be addressed, but the mods needed are a fraction of the effort/$$$ of building a trailer. You end up with a serviceable camper with much more amenities, as easy to setup as a roof top tent and much more room inside.

If your goal is to have something unique, build one. If the goal is to get out and do some camping I highly recommend looking at a pop-up. So you buy an older solid unit off Craigs List, for $, do the lift, bigger tires, maybe shocks, interior mods to make it work for you. Beat it like a redheaded step child and it only lasts 5yrs, who cares, put it back on Craigs and start over!

 

[Jim S.]

Pop-ups are ok on forest service roads, but are a little wide for more serious stuff. I have owned 6 over the years. Like Tools stated; flip em after a few years. Pulled the horizon along with 2 101s over Schofield pass last august. That's a mean little trail. As someone else mentioned they're not inexpensive and if you're on a budget a smaller used pop-up can be made to be quite suitable. Determining the right way to go can be like throwing dice. Best of luck.

 

[murf]

I been wanting to customize the 'ol Studebaker trailer the same way, just need time and money..

One thing I did do, is put the same size tires and rims as the 40 on it. Big plus when it comes to hauling spares.

LOL , is there a trailer under all that MUD?!