My Eezi-Awn/trailer touring rig concept is under way:

RoyP

Observer
I've been thinking about this for a while. I used to want an Alaskan Camper in a pick-up, but didn't want to be stuck in a pick up and also have nothing convenient "in-town" on a long tour of the south and west. Then I sketched all sorts of gooseneck trailer ideas,.. all seemed to cumbersome. I've done some camping and mild off-road sleeping in my Volvo wagon.. comfy to drive, but a little cramped for space fo a long tour. Well. today I committed: I bought an Eizi-Awn, a pretty wide model, the 1800 (70" wide) I got a pretty good deal on it used. I plan to mount it on a trailer of my design. The trailer will be a box about 4' x 6', about 3' tall. It will have a pretty good suspension, but I don't need giant wheels and super duty springs and air bags, because I don't intend to go in really weird moonscape. So the box can be a little taller than usual. Ok, the box will have 2 levels; upper level of about 24" and a lower level of 12". The lower level will hold bulky stuff. The upper level will be like a 24" deep tray. On top of it, I will install the Eezi-Awn, and I will cut away half the floor of the Eezi-Awn to be open down into the top of the trailer. The EA 1800 essentially has two halves, each is 48 x 70, so I cut away one and it opens into the 48 x 72 trailer top, and the the other half of the Eezi Awn stays as a 48 x 70 mattress, which is enough for me because I'm 5'-6" and I like shorter girls :)
Ok, inside the upper tray of the trailer, I will have two gang boxes 18 x 18 x 48, which go at either end to form two benches. And across the middle, I will have a table top. Then, I can also slide the top and the benches together to take up only half the tray, or lower the table top to the floor and have add'l gang boxes full of tools and camping gear, and so forth, which I remove to the exterior at a campsite. Ok, below this sitting level, the lower level will be full of bigger bulkier loose stuff.

A refinement would be to absorb the space under one bench and part of the lower level into a big cabinet that opens out to the rear behind the trailer for a kitchen and so forth. All of this is as per the attached sketches (I hope they upload correctly). In the end I will have a travel trailer with a nice tent to sleep in, a nice banquette space, off the ground and under the tent, which can be reconfigured different ways, and I'll have enough interior height to stand up at the middle of the tent, and I'll have that big storage area in the lower level. Plus, I can always set up an awning tarp and chairs, etc on the ground outside, too. I think this will be a neat way to tour. What do you all think?
I'm not sure if this is all clear, but anyway, I bought the tent today!
 

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elmo_4_vt

Explorer
How will you enter the tent area? I was thinking of the same thing, but I figured I wouldn't want to climb over the bedding, so I would want a door in the back.. Now I'm faced with finding a custom tent maker though.

Don

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Martyn

Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
How will you enter the tent area? I was thinking of the same thing, but I figured I wouldn't want to climb over the bedding, so I would want a door in the back.. Now I'm faced with finding a custom tent maker though.

Don

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The Eezi Awn has two entrances one on either end. All that is needed is a second ladder.
 

RoyP

Observer
Hi All,

Thanks for the encouragement~! Martyn is right, the Eezi-Awn has symmetrical zippered openings at both ends (checked with the owner who is packing up my tent to ship to me, probably right about now). ANybody know where I can get a second ladder?

Not interested in any of the Coleman type units because they look so dam funky, like something from a golf course... sorry to any Coleman owners out there! Anyway, either this tent will be great for my use, or I'll use it as a prototype for building my own from scratch, which I haven't ruled out, even though I've been warned by a wise sage that it's not that easy! If I do go that route, this one will be up for sale after I glean what I can from it... Or else, it will be just perfect, in which case I'll start my mod.

As for posting pics as I go, you bet!

To be continued....
 

Martyn

Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Hi All,

Thanks for the encouragement~! Martyn is right, the Eezi-Awn has symmetrical zippered openings at both ends (checked with the owner who is packing up my tent to ship to me, probably right about now). ANybody know where I can get a second ladder? ....

Roy, we should have them in stock, let me get a price including shipping and I'll drop you an e mail.

Martyn
 

RoyP

Observer
Looks sharp..keep the updates rolling in!

Thanks Titan,

I looked at your build the other day. Looks like a great job. I'm curious about your thinking about putting a window in your trailer side, and how that worked for you. Also, I noticed a post in the list below your thread that you sold the whole rig?! What happened? (Just curious)
 

Titanpat57

Expedition Leader
Hi Roy,

Thank you for looking, I hope it was some help to you....the trailer isn't sold yet...lot's of lookers though. Maybe this week.

The reason I'm selling is that I want to build a frame that I don't have to worry about overloading at all (i.e. water tank over the axle, dual batteries, RTT with an enclosed ladder and larger room under it, 3500# brake axle, spare tire) and the present frame is probably maxed. I thought the first build was a great experience and precursor for things to come. There's a never ending wealth of talent and skill here and over at Mud. Martyn is "The Man" *bows* when it comes to all things trailer.

I used the windows that I found on Ebay, the decision at the time being purely price driven. When I bought them I thought it would be good for any ventilation inside, and it was. I don't know if you noticed the "new" design at the end of my thread...it incorporates a new ventilation lift up lid in the front. I'm also going to install a roof vent. My primary sleeping quarters will be the RTT, but I want to be comfortable below as well for whoever may use it. The new box design will also be 38" longer...and the front compartment will house the electric panels, water heater, water pump and shower box.

Take your time and read as much as you can about others builds. Take the best points that will apply to YOUR application, say like how's your skill level....what type of tow vehicle you're using....off roading or not....how long you want to be able to boondock. Then there's that dirty word called "budget"...lol.

I kinda rushed into the first one..but wouldn't trade it for anything..it was a blast.

I wish you much luck and think you have a great concept!! :sunny:

Pat
 
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RoyP

Observer
Hi all,

Ok, well it seems the tent is packed and on the truck! It turned into a bit of an ordeal for Scott (former owner)to get it shipped. He spent a day and a half with 2 x 4's and plywood and wound up with a 300 lb beast on a loading dock at a Con-Way. I'm sure this part of the story will grow more amusing with the passage of a little time.

I am dieing to see how the hinge works. As I understand it, the mattress stays in place when the tent folds, so the base must have two hinges a few inches apart to allow for the thickness of the mattress. Does anybody know if that's right?
 

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