4-Box OTS Trailer?

[AdventureHare]

I watched the factory tour from Patriot Campers (Australia) a few days ago because they were awarded their 3rd consecutive "Camper Trailer of the Year" for their X1.
https://youtu.be/hJG6b2lYNlI
Not sure the award has any merit but that's not the point.

While watching, I realized that the trailer is simply 4 boxes on a frame (excluding the front, tongue box). The first runs the full width and is the full height, with a door on each side. The second is between the wheels and extends from the rear edge of the first to the rear of the frame, with a single large door on the end. The other 2 boxes flank the second, over the wheels, the same length and the bottoms form the top of the wheel wells. Doors are standard fold down with cable retainers. If you look at the trailer after this description, you'll see what I mean. I think what makes these trailers "good" is the materials and the construction. They bend their own boxes and doors out of sheet aluminum.

The point of this is to ask if anyone has built a trailer like this but with off-the-shelf boxes. Theoretically, only 3 would be needs, as a couple of sheets of aluminum diamond plate and a frame could fill in for the second box. The best OTS boxes I could find for the "flanking" boxes were underbody-box ones. I've not found a good solution for the first "tube" box, other than taking the back off a couple of 3-foot underbody-boxes, that are mounted on end, and then fill in between them with sheet goods.

A contractor's pickup bed, could be manipulated into this (sorta) configuration but I was hoping for aluminum, and staying a little shorter. And this "lego" style offers greater flexibility for things like a kick-up on the rear or making the second box longer to accommodate a longer toy.

I've got some fab-skills but not nearly good enough to meet my own desires, and my own impatience.

Any ideas? Any links?

 

[SWITAWI]

I have thought about mounting some boxes to the flat tops of the fenders of my utility box trailer in that fashion, though I would end up with an open top version of what you're considering.

 

[chrislloyd]

So I thinking of going a similar route too. Build a simple flat bed trailer 4' wide by 5 or 6' long. Id use the Timbren Axel less suspension. Use a couple of aluminum truck boxes (24x48x18) as the main cargo area. Id leave the front 12 or 24" open (or simple 4 sided box) for things like the cooler, grill, grill grate, small water tank, etc. Then a tongue box on the front. i think the boxes you linked to would have issue opening around tires/wheels if they are the main side boxes?

This concept would provide a simple steel frame with sealed, lockable storage. of course, id have to figure out some fenders and such, but that should be able to bolt to the truck boxes. The next step would be a rack system for the RTT, bikes, surfboards, etc

ive even thought about a drawer system below the truck boxes too. they have one that's about 48" wide and nearly 60" long. they get pretty expensive though.

I estimate the boxes to be about $800. the drawer is $1K. the trailer frame and axels should be about $1K. tires/wheels $400. $500 for misc items. I'm starting to talk myself out of it Seems like it could be a very straight forward platform.

 

[chrislloyd]

I didnt realize the drawer system in my link above was a plastic. I found a metal one from the same guys but it doubles the price.

 

[ZGKiwi]

AdventureHare,
I agree with you. I've been thinking about doing exactly what you describe.
I'm continually blown away by the number of folks on here with welding skills that can create a trailer frame from tube steel. Others like myself need to find a good base to build on.
Even so it does seem as though it should be possible to replicate the "boxes on frame concept" and with a bit of effort in designing and locating all the systems come up with something for a lot less $$.

I do think the thing Patriot has done is refine and integrate all the systems very nicely and it does look pretty cool. I havent seen anyone stateside producing anything quite so well thoughtout yet.

Turtleback does something similar but doesnt seem quite as polished execution. I havent seen one in person yet but their side boxes look wierd to me (like an afterthought just tacked on).
They and every other US trailer manufacturer dont seem to utilize the area above wheel wells very efficiently and I don't really understand why.

 

[AdventureHare]

I've seen a few of the trailers from some US manufacturers and they're all very good or better. I've been particularly impressed with VMI Offroad and AT Overland, with VMI being a very good value, but still outside of my fiscal abilities. Basic, aluminum, single 6' box is $7000 + tax (since I'm in WA).

I figure a multi-box trailer could be assembled for $3500 (all steel) to $5500 (all aluminum). If wood is used, it could be cheaper. And ACM (aluminum composite panels) is possible, if you can find a good source and have a good frame. A Dinoot kit can be built for less but materials may not be as durable (plywood and fiberglass over steel frame trailer) and it shape is kinda fixed.

If the interior can be made weather tight, I would have no problem building a set of drawers (wood and carpet). I think the Patriot has an advantage over the long single box as it doesn't allow things to be "out of reach". One of the first vids I watched about overlanding was a Brit with a build LR DII. He said something that has stuck with me, "you don't have to move more than one thing to reach anything else." I think that's how I would set up my trailer; crates, shelves, pockets, slots, etc.

Etrailer has "top-side" boxes that are shallower than the underbody-boxes and that may be better for some applications/designs.

The strength of these boxes appears to be quite high (especially if a shelf is welded into the interior.) I think they could be designed as structural members which would save weight and cost.