NEW Offroad Casita Project

[toyotatruckjunkie]

I've been busy since relocating to SW FL, but finally used the Casita since lifting it and having a new baby. Didn't really take it anywhere offroad yet. Baby's first camping trip was to the beautiful campground at Fort Desoto in St Petersburg.

I REALLY like the stance of the trailer now. Still tows great at 70. Much more stable than it was with the old worn out 3500 lb. axle. I loaded it to the gills for the move from TX. Glad I went up to 5000 lb. axles for that.

Still have more plans than time or money.

I have to resize pics before I can post them here. I'll work on that.

 

[loren85022]

Any int photos? I really like the size.Est weight? Some old school rubber bushwhacker fender flares might improve the look, and reduce the errant rocks and mud being flung about.

 

[bob]

What is the weight of the trailer, unloaded/loaded. Ace is yours the same. I know you have mentioned bouncing with yours. A 5000 pound axle off road is not a good idea for a small trailer. I think the original trailer was oversprung. I built fiberglass off road trailers with Alko off road torsion axles. 25 years ago, many are still on the road and have never had a rivot problem. It was my impression the trailer weighed in at under 3000 pounds wet. Just some questions.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I'll admit it, my "dream" camper is a 17' castia with a beefier axle and 4' extended tongue and storage basket off the back.

 

[Ace Brown]

What is the weight of the trailer, unloaded/loaded. Ace is yours the same. I know you have mentioned bouncing with yours. A 5000 pound axle off road is not a good idea for a small trailer. I think the original trailer was oversprung. I built fiberglass off road trailers with Alko off road torsion axles. 25 years ago, many are still on the road and have never had a rivot problem. It was my impression the trailer weighed in at under 3000 pounds wet. Just some questions.

My trailer weighs 2300# curb wgt and about 3350 on the road. It has a 3000 lb axle (Dexters are rated low) and does bounce a lot as described earlier in this thread. It needs shocks as does ANYTHING driven off highway. There are photos of my specific trailer on the Escape website.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Sadly, I haven't done anything, let alone anything fun, with the Casita since my last post. I haven't even been on ExPo for a long time.

I haven't weighed the trailer so I can't answer your questions about its weight. When we get a chance to go camping, which is rare nowadays, we load it up pretty good.

As always, opinions vary on modifications. I am very happy I went with the setup I did. My orig 3500 axle was worn out and not up to the task in my opinion. Now I can load whatever I want in the trailer and am not worried about it. I prefer a firm ride in my vehicles. I also wanted 6 on 5.5 lug pattern for multiple reasons.

Granted I never planned to take this trailer over the Rubicon. If that is your intention you may need to build differently. My offload plans have always been rather low impact.

I think many of us, myself included, tend to over engineer our rigs to satisfy standards that we will rarely, if ever, see in the real world.

While I dream of places i'd like to take this trailer, reality dictates differently. I am trying to change my behavior in this regard.

I would prefer to get out and use the stuff I have, as opposed to sit at the computer, or the workbench even, and dream about how to make it more capable.

As of now, I have a cheap little trailer, that I can haul most places I am likely to get to, without worry. And it doesn't cost me a monthly payment while it sits and waits for me to get the time for it.

Happy traveling.

 

[GroupSe7en]

I would prefer to get out and use the stuff I have, as opposed to sit at the computer, or the workbench even, and dream about how to make it more capable.

Right on brother!

My family doesn't care much about what they think of us here on ExPo - they just want to go out and have fun.

Love the trailer - it's exactly what my wife's been telling me we need.
Can't find s good cheap one - still looking.

We love Ft. Desoto!

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Mark Harley]

I think the trailer is great! I am one to make the most of what I have.
I don't have the $$ for name brand or new. I rebuild the old, vintage and cast off.
Your repurpose of the trailer with little expense is great!

 

[Ace Brown]

I just discovered I can load photos direct from my iPhone so here are a couple of my Escape 17. Some asked for photos earlier....

Ace

 

[Mark Harley]

Nice combo!
It would look sick with matching paint to the FJ Black below the mold line, silver to the belt and the top left white.

 

[Ace Brown]

I just discovered I can load photos direct from my iPhone so here are a couple of my Escape 17. Some asked for photos earlier....

Ace
View attachment 99960View attachment 99961

My Escape 17 is for sale. See listing under trailers for sale.

Ace

 

[Projectm880]

Any update? Im looking into doing a simliar project.

 

[Ace Brown]

Not sure who your asking but why not buy my Escape 17 and call the project done? It's shown above and there is a full ad in the trailers for sale section.

Ace

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

If the inquiry was about progress on my trailer, the sad answer is no. We haven't even been camping in over a year. I still have the Adventure 'Cita, as I call it, but I'm keeping it as a type of "bug out" vehicle, as the world economy looks scarier and scarier to me. I still dream about expeditions/adventures to take my little trailer on, but reality dictates differently right now. Having a 2 yr old changes things a little too.

May God continues to bless those of you who get to travel right now.

 

[toyotatruckjunkie]

Casita Project update

We finally took the Casita camping again. We went down to the FL Keys. Hardly an offroad mecca, but had an awesome time. The Casita did great. The mods I did give me a great deal of confidence in the trailer. It gets a little tight with three of us inside, but I spend as much time outside as possible. They are great little trailers.