teachersnake
New member
The kids are growing like weeds, so it’s time to upgrade to an off-road trailer. This is my custom slide-in hard sided camper, that I built over three months in summer 2020. My goal was to build a strong, simple, and lightweight camper that can be carried by my 2018 Tacoma and sleep our family of 4, and in this I think I succeeded. Its been a great camper, and we’ve taken it all over the country. My Tacoma (TRDOR, 6MT) hauls it along at 70mph without issue (aside from gas mileage, that is--avg about 14mpg), and I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it back across the country tomorrow.
A few construction details:
The frame is welded 0.5” square steel tubing, thoroughly triangulated and gusseted in key locations. The completed frame weighed ~70lb and is very strong, as it forms the key attachment points to the frame of the truck (via happijacks and frame mounts). The exterior and interior walls are 1/8” ply, with 1/2" rigid insulation between. Waterproofing and additional strength are provided by a full shell of 4oz fiberglass cloth and epoxy (West Systems). This results in a highly rigid, yet lightweight shell, similar to how kayaks and canoes are made. The interior is roughly fitted out, and is the one part of the project I wish I had spent more time on (but the mountains were calling!). It's highly functional, just not Instagram beautiful (sorry, influencers). The cabover section sleeps my wife and I just fine, as we have a queen size mattress up there (4" thick). Standing headroom is 5' 10". The frame attachment points are extremely robust.
In short, she's a highly functional & unique camper that is easily hauled by a midsized truck (estimated weight of ~500lb dry). Here are a few pics--if you're interested, feel free to send me an email (nickmdowns@gmail.com) or text/call (405-517-8163). Camper is located in Las Vegas, but would entertain delivery for the right buyer. Asking price is $6,000.
A few construction details:
The frame is welded 0.5” square steel tubing, thoroughly triangulated and gusseted in key locations. The completed frame weighed ~70lb and is very strong, as it forms the key attachment points to the frame of the truck (via happijacks and frame mounts). The exterior and interior walls are 1/8” ply, with 1/2" rigid insulation between. Waterproofing and additional strength are provided by a full shell of 4oz fiberglass cloth and epoxy (West Systems). This results in a highly rigid, yet lightweight shell, similar to how kayaks and canoes are made. The interior is roughly fitted out, and is the one part of the project I wish I had spent more time on (but the mountains were calling!). It's highly functional, just not Instagram beautiful (sorry, influencers). The cabover section sleeps my wife and I just fine, as we have a queen size mattress up there (4" thick). Standing headroom is 5' 10". The frame attachment points are extremely robust.
In short, she's a highly functional & unique camper that is easily hauled by a midsized truck (estimated weight of ~500lb dry). Here are a few pics--if you're interested, feel free to send me an email (nickmdowns@gmail.com) or text/call (405-517-8163). Camper is located in Las Vegas, but would entertain delivery for the right buyer. Asking price is $6,000.
