fiberglass travel trailer as expedition cabin

[haven]

Not all of us can spend months or years constructing a custom expedition cabin to mount on a 4x4 chassis. Consider modifying a fiberglass travel trailer instead.

Carl Hunter of Vancouver BC introduced us to the fiberglass travel trailer as an expedition cabin. Carl mounted a Bigfoot fiberglass trailer onto a Fuso FG 4x4 chassis, and proceeded to drive around the world!

Here's a second Fuso carrying a Casita fiberglass trailer.

The Casita rides higher than Carl Hunter's Bigfoot because it's mounted to a subframe that is easily detached from the truck.

The body of trailers like the Bigfoot and Casita is constructed from two molded fiberglass "bathtubs." When the top and bottom halves are glued together, the trailer body becomes a very strong, lightweight, and waterproof shell.

Through the years, the molded fiberglass travel trailer has proven to be very durable. There are plenty of examples of fiberglass trailers from the 1960's and 70's with bodies that are in great shape, something that few other trailer types can claim.

I think the reason that the fiberglass trailer is so long-lasting is that it is less prone to water leaks. The shell usually has only one seam, running horizontally around the trailer's belt line. Plus the trailer shell can bend a little without cracking. These features allow the trailer to survive the twists and bumps of life on the road without developing so many water leaks.

Fiberglass is also easy to repair and modify. Carl Hunter's Bigfoot was patched to remove the trailer wheel wells. It's very difficult to see the repair.

The supplies to repair fiberglass can be found in lots of out-of-the way places, even in third world countries. Good luck finding a sheet of Nida-Core in Timbuktu!

A fiberglass travel trailer can be quickly and inexpensively adapted to mount on a medium duty truck. It took Carl Hunter just 90 days to procure and adapt his Bigfoot trailer to the Fuso FG.

There are several companies making molded fiberglass trailers today that could become good expedition cabins. I'll post information about them in my next messages.

Chip Haven

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Fiberglass Trailers as EV cabin

There are some trade offs, it is likely to be taller than a custom box and you loose the ability to build-in storage in the nooks and crannies among the first that come to mind.

But the cost savings are substantial.

Jim

 

[Mobryan]

There are some trade offs, it is likely to be taller than a custom box and you loose the ability to build-in storage in the nooks and crannies among the first that come to mind.

But the cost savings are substantial.

Jim

You could call up Scamp, tell them what's going on and have them build one to your interior requirements. More $$$, but have you priced a UNICAT lately???

I've got a mid-70's ECO (scamp knock-off) that has served admirably for a few years now, getting pulled into places a trailer really shouldn't be
I like it, need to pull it in over the winter and do some serious off road upgrades, but it's perfectly servicable for 1 or 2 poeple.

Matt

 

[DontPanic42]

Chip was kind enough to post a picture of my Mitsu FG / Casita aka,"RoadHippo",as named by a friend in Germany, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to post an updated shot. Besides, Chip was kind enough to walk me through thre process of posting pics.

Both units are 2004's and I have been on the road since late spring 2004. I use the vehicle primarily as part of my chuck wagon cooking and travel mostly in the SW and Mountain West.

The original bumper was replaced with a box bumper of steel diamond plate, channel, flat plate, and heavy wall tubing. The design provides protection for the front of the FG. It also provides internal mounting points for my Perlux commercial fog lights.There is room for a second set of lights. There are built in steps at each end so that you can easily use the bumper as a walkway to clean the windshield or service the solar panel. The solar panel is a 100W unit from AM Solar with the controller mounted in the cabin.

The wheel wells of the Casita have been converted to outside storage space. The curb side door folds down to the level of the fender to provide a fair size table. I use it for my camp stove or an occasional adult beverage. The travel side wheel well was converted into a smaller storage compartment with a lockable double battery box and 'jerry' can holder mounted on the fender.

A set of sand rails is mounted on the rear bumper and can be folded down to provide an equipment carrier. The spare tire is mounted forward of the Class 4 combination pintle / ball hitch. A rear TV camera is mounted at the rear midline of the Casita.

THe height is 11' 3 1/2 " from the top of the AC.

Addressing the storage issue, when you are an "eventuality planner" ie., 'pack rat', there is never enough room even when I pull my off road field kitchen trailer.

Some people have shown interest on how I have mounted the Casita to the FG. I have mounted the front of the Casita on air bags from the cab of a Freightliner. As soon as I get some good pictures, I shall post that information separately.

I went with a fiberglass RV for a number of reasons, mostly outlined by Chip, but primarily because it is cost effective and got me on the road quickly. If I was going the custom route, I would still be tinkering with the design.

If ya'll have any questions, let me know.

Bruce

 

[mog]

Bruce,
Nice rig! I really like your 'fix' for the wheel openings in the trailer, it looks outstanding.
Any more photos of the exterior, and your mounting set-up would be great. It also sounds like you have an interesting job/hobby. I'd like to hear a lot more about that.
Happy Trails,
Mark

 

[DontPanic42]

I hope to have some more pictures soon. I must be the only one in the country that doesn't have a digital camera. Takes a bit longer to scan photos and get them into the right format to load on the site. Glad you like my rig. I've had a lot of help from lots of folks converting my ideas into reality and keeping me from getting into to trouble. Still a work in progress that I doubt will ever be finished. Guess that is the advantage of having an eXcamper. Always things to do and places to go.
Head 'em up and move 'em out!
Bruce

 

[Aids10]

Nice!

 

[Desert Dan]

That Road Hippo looks great

I have thought of that sort of thing but with a small Airstream trailer. If it was skid mounted you could remove it and still use the base truck as a truck.

 

[infiend]

travel trailer rental

That Road Hippo looks great

I have thought of that sort of thing but with a small Airstream trailer. If it was skid mounted you could remove it and still use the base truck as a truck.

thanks for the info I agreee the RH is def. a quality rig