Hi Everyone. Long time reader first time poster! Just want to say there is some INCREDIBLE talent on here, and some great ideas.. I am not the most capable builder myself, but am always up for a challenge but knew I would need someone more experienced to make this happen.. Have been thinking about building a very basic camping rig for exploring the backwoods of British Columbia for years. The amount of hours alone discussing the concept & needs with buddies is absolutely insane. So, usually do most of my time in the bush in October or November, and decided to jump on this at the start of August so it was doable. I've looked at tons of trailers to modify into the "end goal", although it started to seem like the wrong idea to have odd components or modify something to suit.. That led me to start researching components for sale and one axle had a mention of the seller having the possibility of building something to suit. So I called it up, went and discussed with Doug (please chime in on this thread anytime Doug!) and turns out we both have the same interest in building this sort of trailer, and he has built lots of trailers before but not enclosed camper.. :victory: A willing participant with the right skill set and experience!
Quick outline of what my girlfriend and I both "want" out of the trailer:
- Instant Setup and Teardown
- Ability to blast down a forest service road without worrying about it too much
- Quick disconnect to leave the camp ground where it is and run to the store for supplies or what have you
- Foam mattress inside, with enough room for me to stretch out.. sleeping on a 5ft space if you're over 6ft sucks!
- Sturdy tires, solid axles
- On board propane (simply for the cabin heater and the coleman stove out back)
- Small amount of onboard power for interior lights and USB charger (thanks Doug on that idea) so our phones can charge up overnight
- Rear hatch that opens where the kitchen area is (no running water, coleman stove, coolers)
Instead of going to complicated now - we want to start simple and then add as we see fit.
So, here is my best attempt at a 2d drawing of the plan, and then I will get to the execution pics.. we aren't far into it yet, but you can see it starting to come!
Build Materials:
3500 lb axle
1750 lb leaf springs
2 1/2" Steel Tube Frame
1 1/2" Steel Tube Cage
3/8 " Plywood exterior
Insulation - undecided
Interior Wall Cover - undecided
Exterior Treatment - undecided, currently considering
Please feel free to chime in on all the undecided and offer any wisdom!
Quick outline of what my girlfriend and I both "want" out of the trailer:
- Instant Setup and Teardown
- Ability to blast down a forest service road without worrying about it too much
- Quick disconnect to leave the camp ground where it is and run to the store for supplies or what have you
- Foam mattress inside, with enough room for me to stretch out.. sleeping on a 5ft space if you're over 6ft sucks!
- Sturdy tires, solid axles
- On board propane (simply for the cabin heater and the coleman stove out back)
- Small amount of onboard power for interior lights and USB charger (thanks Doug on that idea) so our phones can charge up overnight
- Rear hatch that opens where the kitchen area is (no running water, coleman stove, coolers)
Instead of going to complicated now - we want to start simple and then add as we see fit.
So, here is my best attempt at a 2d drawing of the plan, and then I will get to the execution pics.. we aren't far into it yet, but you can see it starting to come!
Build Materials:
3500 lb axle
1750 lb leaf springs
2 1/2" Steel Tube Frame
1 1/2" Steel Tube Cage
3/8 " Plywood exterior
Insulation - undecided
Interior Wall Cover - undecided
Exterior Treatment - undecided, currently considering
Please feel free to chime in on all the undecided and offer any wisdom!
