Hello Forum
Part introduction, part trailer build.
I've been lurking for a while, getting ideas for my regular car camping adventures, tightening up my packing list, getting my gear more organized for easier prep.
I've replied to a few threads, including the home made roof bars I made for my wife's Escape. This seems like a very friendly community.
I camped with Boy Scouts for years, usually 2 a month, usually backpacking. I got used to the jetboil stoves and the single tent and minimal gear.
I've been taking my elder daughter, now 8, for a couple trips a year since she was 2. We are pretty happy with a little more gear than that, pack it all in the trunk of the sedan and off we go.
Now, when we all go, wife and 2 kids and a dog, most of our camping is geared toward comfort. We usually take a friend or two who have never been camping before, which adds to the pile of gear we need to bring. Backup chairs, tents, kitchen, bikes, everything to make sure no one is uncomfortable or doesn't want to come back. That got pretty sketchy with so much stuff tied to the roof of the Escape, bikes on the back, packing stuff in around the kids. I can't find any pics, but it was a chore loading it all up there and tying it down.
For now, tow vehicle is a 2012 Escape, destinations are going to be state parks and friends ranches. My wife has had her eye on a 3/4 ton and we'd like to get self sufficient enough for a night or two on federal land.
So, with the camping season finally starting on the Texas Gulf Coast, we went and bought a cheap 4x8 trailer kit. I had shoulder surgery in August, so not supposed to lift anything over a few pounds. My girls are pretty handy in the garage, so that wasn't going to stop us...
This thing was quite flexy even after I had checked their torque, and I had been wanting to do a bit of welding. I did a bit in a machine shop in college, but I am not a good welder. This was 6011 stick, which I knew at least I wouldn't break anything expensive in my neighbors garage.
The inspector at work declined to comment.
Not terrible, after a bit of cleanup. Penetration appears to have happened. I did paint them all to keep the rust at bay.
With a sheet of ply on deck and some 16 inch walls, it's much more solid and less squeaky and rattly going down the road. Ice creams for everyones hard work.
All packed up with 5 bikes, 8 chairs, 2 cots, kitchen box, dog bed, cooler, propane tank, and a bunch of firewood. We will organize better for the next one in a week, but at least there was nothing on the roof.
I have an idea for a tongue box that would get the tie downs and tarps organized, but I might prefer the cooler or the propane tank there instead. I'd like to get the gear section at the front boxed off from the bikes and firewood at the back, so it can be weather tight and locked up when we're not around. It could also be used as kitchen counter space, possibly hinge at the front and support over tongue. Either that or separately, I'm thinking about getting the bikes off the floor so there's more storage under there. Not sure I want to spend the money on wheel grabber mounts or deal with wheel off mounts, but I definitely want them up and spread out. I will make conduit poles as @rayra here for a tarp at first, then sunbrella or silnylon. Probably just conduit sleeves on the corners to hold them on the trailer. I have been looking at water tanks and solar, but that's at least a year out, since we're in state parks for now.
Thanks for looking!
Part introduction, part trailer build.
I've been lurking for a while, getting ideas for my regular car camping adventures, tightening up my packing list, getting my gear more organized for easier prep.
I've replied to a few threads, including the home made roof bars I made for my wife's Escape. This seems like a very friendly community.
I camped with Boy Scouts for years, usually 2 a month, usually backpacking. I got used to the jetboil stoves and the single tent and minimal gear.
I've been taking my elder daughter, now 8, for a couple trips a year since she was 2. We are pretty happy with a little more gear than that, pack it all in the trunk of the sedan and off we go.
Now, when we all go, wife and 2 kids and a dog, most of our camping is geared toward comfort. We usually take a friend or two who have never been camping before, which adds to the pile of gear we need to bring. Backup chairs, tents, kitchen, bikes, everything to make sure no one is uncomfortable or doesn't want to come back. That got pretty sketchy with so much stuff tied to the roof of the Escape, bikes on the back, packing stuff in around the kids. I can't find any pics, but it was a chore loading it all up there and tying it down.
For now, tow vehicle is a 2012 Escape, destinations are going to be state parks and friends ranches. My wife has had her eye on a 3/4 ton and we'd like to get self sufficient enough for a night or two on federal land.
So, with the camping season finally starting on the Texas Gulf Coast, we went and bought a cheap 4x8 trailer kit. I had shoulder surgery in August, so not supposed to lift anything over a few pounds. My girls are pretty handy in the garage, so that wasn't going to stop us...
This thing was quite flexy even after I had checked their torque, and I had been wanting to do a bit of welding. I did a bit in a machine shop in college, but I am not a good welder. This was 6011 stick, which I knew at least I wouldn't break anything expensive in my neighbors garage.
The inspector at work declined to comment.
Not terrible, after a bit of cleanup. Penetration appears to have happened. I did paint them all to keep the rust at bay.
With a sheet of ply on deck and some 16 inch walls, it's much more solid and less squeaky and rattly going down the road. Ice creams for everyones hard work.
All packed up with 5 bikes, 8 chairs, 2 cots, kitchen box, dog bed, cooler, propane tank, and a bunch of firewood. We will organize better for the next one in a week, but at least there was nothing on the roof.
I have an idea for a tongue box that would get the tie downs and tarps organized, but I might prefer the cooler or the propane tank there instead. I'd like to get the gear section at the front boxed off from the bikes and firewood at the back, so it can be weather tight and locked up when we're not around. It could also be used as kitchen counter space, possibly hinge at the front and support over tongue. Either that or separately, I'm thinking about getting the bikes off the floor so there's more storage under there. Not sure I want to spend the money on wheel grabber mounts or deal with wheel off mounts, but I definitely want them up and spread out. I will make conduit poles as @rayra here for a tarp at first, then sunbrella or silnylon. Probably just conduit sleeves on the corners to hold them on the trailer. I have been looking at water tanks and solar, but that's at least a year out, since we're in state parks for now.
Thanks for looking!
