Doug2000 Basecamp Trailer Build

[Doug2000]

Hi fellow Explorers

This is my trailer build. I built it in 2009, but has under gone a few changes. I spent a lot of time here on Expo looking at various trailers and came up with this design. I have had 2 tent trailers and found them to be a pain. My kids are 10 and 11 now and can sleep in a tent. The plan is to get a RTT, maybe this year.

I needed a trailer that would do the following, carry camp gear, carry canoes and kayaks, carry food in an organized manner, be ready for a RTT, when money permits, and do chores such as carry furniture and handle light landscaping duties.

This was my tent trailer, a 14' Fleetwood Redwood, it was slowly falling apart, screws coming loose, rivets shearing their heads off, mechanical components failing, glad I got it cheap, glad I got good money for it.

So I had the local steel supply cut my steel to order, and started tacking the frame together.

The overall dimensions are 4' x8'
The tounge is 4'
The height is 21" from the ground.
The box height is 28", the height of a tall Rubbermaid container, and a short one stacked on top of it.
The axle originally was 54" from the front of the box, but was moved back to 64".

The materials used.

The tounge and bed perimeter is 2" x 2" x .25 HSS, (Hollow Structural Steel), which is square.
The bed cross pieces are .25 x 2" x 2" angle.
All the rest of the tube that was used to build the box, fenders and racks is 1.5" x 1.5" x .100
The sheet metal is 16ga hot rolled sheet.

I purchased the tires 195/75/15, 2000 lbs axle, 2000 lbs leaf springs, LED lights and harness, coupler and chains from Princess Auto, a Canadian hardware and farm supply store.

These pictures are PHASE ONE

 

[Doug2000]

Continuation

As you can see, I built this in a small one car garage. My only tools were, a drill press, a hand grinder, and a 220v stick tig welder.

More pics

The plywood was supposed to be temporary to make the first trip, but I liked the look and the top was really light and easy to remove for utility use. The front hatch did get replaced with an aluminum and steal access door.

Tandem Kayaks on Georgian Bay while camping at Killbear Provincial Park.

The top is the perfect height for cooking. It was just above freezing last night, hence the pic of the coffee pot early in the morning.

A pic with my solar setup, I eventually sold the solar equipment off, more of a hassle.

 

[Doug2000]

PHASE TWO

With the heavy rear gate, and the sloped front, I had no tounge weight. I originally built the trailer with the axle 54" from the front, but moved the axle back 10" to 64". After I added the spare to the rear gate, the tounge weight was pretty good. It was a pretty big job moving the axle, cutting the fenders off then refabricating them.

In this pic, I wish the tounge was 5' instead of 4', just because of the canoes and bikes, they don't hit, but they're close when I turn.

 

[Doug2000]

I am posting up further detail as a member PM'd me with some questions.

Here are some more detailed pics.

This is a shot of the outrigger in case I put a RTT on the trailer.

My side shelf mount, a couple pieces of scrap square tube.

The tongue, 2"x2"x.25" HSS, overkill.

The rack mount.

 

[Doug2000]

Pics of the front access lid. The lid was built from .75"x.75"x.60" square tube with aluminum sheet riveted to it. The frame is built from 1.5"x1.5"x.125 angle with the top leg shortened to .75", makes it almost water tight driving is the rain. It is also easily removable and light.

 

[Mark Harley]

Great job on the build,
Thought out design and everything works anl looks good.
I like the square tube cook counter brackets that you flip sideways in travel. " I may steal this idea"
What is the finished weight?
Any trouble with drivers pulling under the canoe in back?

Looks great with the truck too!

 

[Doug2000]

Thanks, it's been really handy, I don't know the finished weight, it must be 600 to 700 lbs. I should have put a 3500lbs axle on it. As far as drivers pulling under the canoe, here in Ontario we are required to put a red flag on any load that extends 4' past your brake lights, and it usually sticks out around 5', so I tie an old red t-shirt and we're good.