Explorer Pod Build

[compactcamping]

Thanks Bruce, Yes, wood is a durable, user friendly building material that can meet the needs of many camping trailer builder.

I also like Stomperxj's build, it actually has me sketching and in the early stages of designing a smalll hardsided trailer for Winter camping. Hope he gets his finished this Summer.

 

[compactcamping]

Well my daughters up coming wedding is keeping us pretty busy, it'll be September before we can get the Explorer Pod out camping.

Did get a set of the Arko-Mils storage boxes from Fastenal that I'll be using. They have attached, folding lids and stack nicely. They are 21.5” x 15” and 9” / 12.5” / 17” tall.

They have a lot more usable space inside then the Rubber Maid Action Packer I have been using and are notably thicker.

I'm working on how best to pack them, here is my kitchen box with a Sterilite basket for organizing items.

Here are some of the different stacking options for putting them in the trailer. In the one, my folding table fits nicely on top.

With a row of boxes in back, then my cooler, water jugs, chairs and another storage box will go on the end.

Still working out how to best organize the nose box.

Here are some of the different stretch nets and pouch samples I'm trying out for organizing and securing items in the nose box.

 

[Titanpat57]

Looks great CC!! Hey!..I have a Fastenal account here at the school...hmmm...lol. The only problem I have in my old age is remembering what's inside.

All the tent details worked out? Sorry to here it won't be until September till' you get out, but it's still great weather. Man, once that camping itch starts it's tough to scratch!


Fantastic build and enjoy, Pat

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I've got some knock-offs of those boxes, but they suck. How strong are the real thing? Can you stand on a lid?

 

[compactcamping]

Yes, I plan on putting some form of labels on them.

September isn't that far away and it's easy to extend to season some by heading South. The new tent is very close to being ready for prime time, working on the details of having a small run of them made in September.

Keep on scratching :1888fbbd:

They appear pretty strong, you could easily stand on the edges, not sure about the lids. I'm guessing the lids will support 75-100 lbs.

 

[tommudd]

Been wondering how the build was proceeding, looking great. Also what size did your box end up being. I want to get back on mine and need some measurements

Thanks

Tom

 

[compactcamping]

R_Lefebvre, they passed the "stand on them"(static 170 lb loading) test with my feet out to the edges, I could stand in the middle, but they were flexing a bit.

Tom, the box top is 48" wide x 56" long. For the DIY Trailer Tent it's width lines up with the boxes 56" lenght and is important. The 48" box width becomes the folding platform hinge point, it can be 48"-54".

 

[tommudd]

Thanks!!!

 

[wandererr]

Great build! I've been toying around with some ideas as to how to build mine and yours is a great inspiration.

After going through the thread I do have a question about weight: have you weighed the trailer yet? I'm curious to see what is the dry weight.

Thanks.

 

[compactcamping]

Wandererr, been a while since I've seen the Pod, sold it last Summer. If I remember correctly, it was about 485 lbs with a MOAB tent kit on it.

Here is my current personal trailer.

 

[wandererr]

Wandererr, been a while since I've seen the Pod, sold it last Summer. If I remember correctly, it was about 485 lbs with a MOAB tent kit on it.

That's amazingly light! Thanks.

Here is my current personal trailer.

Looking nice. Kinda curious why did you switch.

 

[compactcamping]

Wandererr, I like the idea of the built-in kitchen / galley area on the front better and being the extreme DIYer type, I just like to build stuff.

The new one weighs about 430 lbs.

 

[wandererr]

Wandererr, I like the idea of the built-in kitchen / galley area on the front better and being the extreme DIYer type, I just like to build stuff.

The new one weighs about 430 lbs.

Cool: thanks for the ideas. I might end up with a hybrid of sorts but I like your first one for the starting point. Do you have any design dimensions that you can share.

 

[compactcamping]

The basic dimension on the Explorer Pod were:
Box floor 48"W x 50"L x 21"T
Box top 48"W x 56"L
Nose box 27"L w/ 30 degree taper on sides

 

[wandererr]

The basic dimension on the Explorer Pod were:
Box floor 48"W x 50"L x 21"T
Box top 48"W x 56"L
Nose box 27"L w/ 30 degree taper on sides

Thanks!