Help. 5x8 trailer. Convert to covered overland style

[BCrab]

Hello folks
I have a 5x8 trailer I’d like to do some work on. So looking for thought and ideas. It was free so figured be a decent start lol. I was thinking of raising sides and then having a flat bed style top. Figured I could buy a used hard style truck bed cover, tri fold maybe. Then plywood floor and make tailgate. What I’d like it to be able and use it when family goes on vacation like a low profile enclosed trailer, but if I need a utility trailer be able and take off bed type cover. Would be pulling with a 18’ Jeep JL with 2.0 and 35’s. Any thoughts, plans, prices or ideas would be awesome. I want to put bigger tires on it to be similar size as Jeep.
thx all
Crab

 

[mudraider]

Is it a 4 lug, or 5 lug?

Sent from my pretty good android phone

 

[BCrab]

Is it a 4 lug, or 5 lug?

Sent from my pretty good android phone

5. I tried added pics but files too big lol

 

[mudraider]

Well, you'll probly need adapters. The one I bought has 2" spacers on it. It has zero problems using spacers. I took them off to check everything off, and all was well. When I put the adapters back on, I used blue loctite. I bought it with 35"s and already SOA. It was only $275 for it.

Sent from my pretty good android phone

 

[billiebob]

So keep the trailer separate from the camper. Think slide in box.

My trailer does this in the morning


and this in the afternoon

 

[billiebob]

I changed up to the same wheels and tires as my TJ has and would have needed 2.25" of spacers to fit them. Instead I got a new 3500# axle made with the correct track..... just $207 custom made. I would have needed 4 spacers to do the same thing.

 

[wheelsee]

So keep the trailer separate from the camper. Think slide in box.

My trailer does this in the morning
View attachment 644148

and this in the afternoon
View attachment 644149

How did you do your shell?? ¾" ply, ½" ply?? Plans??

 

[billiebob]

no plans, I started with an OSB box plus some 2x4s
First few years I took it apart for withter storage



then I got tired of that and glued and screwed it together
The OSB BOX minus the doors and camping goodies, as pictured weighs 500#.



All in it cost $800,,, plus the trailer which cost $1100 brand new.

The starting point. I used this to haul chimney pipe 300 miles home
5 sheets of 7/16 OSB, 6, 10' long 2x4s

For all the nay sayers, this picture is 8 years old. The OSB panels were stored under a tarp for 5 years.
OSB is fine if you protect it from the weather. Now fully painted with exterior stain, it'll last forever if stored under cover.
There are no bare edges. All the joints, corners are caulked. All the connections glued and screwed.

OSB is a more stable, durable product than plywood. The big negative is it is 30% heavier than plywood.



RFully loaded for 5 weeks, the trailer weighs 1500#.
2600KGs Gross Combined

 

[billiebob]

Another place to start, find an old camper or trailer as a donor. This one is for sale, $500.

I see
tail/brake/turn/clearance lights.
Old fashioned door, easy to resize.
Windows, aluminium corner extrusions.
Propane system, corner jacks, heck 4 jacks are worth $500.

Slider & Jalouse windows, Stove vent, water fill/tank, furnace.

Full kitchen, Fridge, Range, Sink, Taps, Lighting.
And maybe a few hundred $$$ of garage sale crap to offset the $500 purchase price.

 

[old_CWO]

At $500 that camper has potential. Imagine if you removed the cabover portion and reshaped the front profile a little to something more teardrop-like. If you're careful with the aluminum skin it would look like it had always been that way. Fix any leaks or non-working appliances and you have a fully equipped warm and dry camping rig that will just drop onto the 5x8 trailer when needed. The condition sort of works in it's favor too. I like having camping stuff that doesn't necessarily need to be treated gently.

Certainly something to consider if you already have a 5x8 landscape trailer and want it to do double duty.

 

[RonapRhys]

If you were willing to live with a slightly longer trailer, you wouldn't even have to redo the cabover. Build something there for storage - toys, gear, etc.