backcountry birds
New member
I have a move coming up and if I buy a trailer and move myself then the trailer pays for itself.
I'm considering buying a dual torsion axle (5000lb) 20x8.5ft v nose cargo trailer and turning it into an off-grid toy hauler. (Est cost for trailer $10,000)
I would want to add insulation for extreme cold weather setup for camping into the negatives. I would use it on BLM roads and gravel/dirt/washboard roads but nothing technical or extreme off-road.
My idea would be make the nose the bathroom. Would just cut a hole in the floor for a drain, with an outlet where I could attach a portable wheeled tank if in an area where I couldn't drain straight to ground with biodegradable soap. Would want to hold at least 100 gallons of fresh water. (Est cost: Insulation, bathroom, water tank, framing and windows = $7000)
Would add a composting toilet. (Est cost $500)
A few solar panels on the roof for lithium battery setup for a couple dometic style fridges with one serving as a freezer. Would want a few lights and a couple fans, but no AC. Not much else needed for electricity. (Est cost $3500)
Would probably add a propane heater like a propex, would also want to add a small wood burning stove. ( Est cost $2500)
Have a couple bunks along the wall that fold up when not in use for storage. (Est cost $1000)
Would probably just use my current portable propane stove for cooking, or the wood burning stove and I already have tons of storage bins.
Would use the rear area storage for a Quad and some hunting gear.
Preferably I would add a roof rack for a kayak/canoe. (Est cost $1000)
The closest thing I've seen to this commercially is the Xplorer XR22 but those are going for $60k or the black series Toy haulers which I just don't trust. I honestly care about function far more than style so can't justify those price tags, especially when it still lacks some things I would want.
I figure I can buy the trailer now for the move then slowly build this out over a couple years exactly how I want it. The inputs can't be much over another $15k, but even if it's double that, then I still be way ahead. I know time is money, but I would enjoy the project.
I've had an off-road teardrop for a few years now and have learned a good amount about electric and basic setup and can do basic framing, plumbing, etc and enjoy a good project. Also, have a couple good friends who are mechanically and structurally inclined and who would be willing to help out.
My main concern is with the torsion axles and quality of the cargo trailer. Would this setup hold up on BLM and gravel roads over time? Are there certain brands that would be preferred over others?
I won't have anything overly delicate or valuable inside and can always air down tires to soften it a bit.
Anyone ever tried anything like this?
I considered buying or converting an aluminum horse trailer with the idea being that they are made better but my tow vehicle is a power wagon so just dont have the payload to go with a gooseneck.
Thanks in advance.
I'm considering buying a dual torsion axle (5000lb) 20x8.5ft v nose cargo trailer and turning it into an off-grid toy hauler. (Est cost for trailer $10,000)
I would want to add insulation for extreme cold weather setup for camping into the negatives. I would use it on BLM roads and gravel/dirt/washboard roads but nothing technical or extreme off-road.
My idea would be make the nose the bathroom. Would just cut a hole in the floor for a drain, with an outlet where I could attach a portable wheeled tank if in an area where I couldn't drain straight to ground with biodegradable soap. Would want to hold at least 100 gallons of fresh water. (Est cost: Insulation, bathroom, water tank, framing and windows = $7000)
Would add a composting toilet. (Est cost $500)
A few solar panels on the roof for lithium battery setup for a couple dometic style fridges with one serving as a freezer. Would want a few lights and a couple fans, but no AC. Not much else needed for electricity. (Est cost $3500)
Would probably add a propane heater like a propex, would also want to add a small wood burning stove. ( Est cost $2500)
Have a couple bunks along the wall that fold up when not in use for storage. (Est cost $1000)
Would probably just use my current portable propane stove for cooking, or the wood burning stove and I already have tons of storage bins.
Would use the rear area storage for a Quad and some hunting gear.
Preferably I would add a roof rack for a kayak/canoe. (Est cost $1000)
The closest thing I've seen to this commercially is the Xplorer XR22 but those are going for $60k or the black series Toy haulers which I just don't trust. I honestly care about function far more than style so can't justify those price tags, especially when it still lacks some things I would want.
I figure I can buy the trailer now for the move then slowly build this out over a couple years exactly how I want it. The inputs can't be much over another $15k, but even if it's double that, then I still be way ahead. I know time is money, but I would enjoy the project.
I've had an off-road teardrop for a few years now and have learned a good amount about electric and basic setup and can do basic framing, plumbing, etc and enjoy a good project. Also, have a couple good friends who are mechanically and structurally inclined and who would be willing to help out.
My main concern is with the torsion axles and quality of the cargo trailer. Would this setup hold up on BLM and gravel roads over time? Are there certain brands that would be preferred over others?
I won't have anything overly delicate or valuable inside and can always air down tires to soften it a bit.
Anyone ever tried anything like this?
I considered buying or converting an aluminum horse trailer with the idea being that they are made better but my tow vehicle is a power wagon so just dont have the payload to go with a gooseneck.
Thanks in advance.
