Service Body Turned Overland Trailer – Built with Utility in Mind

[MaverickX]

After years of working in the truck body and upfit world, I finally decided to put that experience into something personal: repurposing a wrecked service body into an overland trailer.

The goal was simple—build a rugged, budget-friendly rig that combines real utility with off-grid capability. Something that can haul actual gear, keep things organized, and hold up to abuse without needing a second mortgage.

Current Setup:

• Service body mounted to a single-axle trailer frame

• 315 all-terrain tires

• Rooftop tent

• Locking side compartments for tools, recovery gear, and camp supplies

• Pull-out kitchen system in the front transverse compartment

• Covered rear cargo area for bulk storage

• 200 watts of solar

• Dual 100Ah lithium batteries

• Interior cargo lighting

• Compartment lighting

• Exterior campsite lighting

The service body layout is surprisingly well-suited to overlanding—plenty of secure storage, a strong platform for a tent, and enough room to build out systems for water, power, and cooking. Add in full lighting inside and out, and it’s ready to post up at camp or dig into recovery mode in the dark.

This is Sasquatch Shenanigans™ Trailer #001—a little rough around the edges, a little wild, but 100% functional. Still a work in progress, but it’s already turning heads and proving its worth on and off the trail.

Happy to share more as the build evolves. Would love feedback, ideas, or to see similar builds from others!

See more photos below…

 

[MaverickX]

 

[MaverickX]

Update:

Made some solid progress on the Sasquatch Shenanigans trailer build this week.

• Pull-out drawer is installed for the kitchen setup — smooth slide and plenty of room.

• Camp, cargo, and compartment lighting are all wired up and working perfectly.

• Tent rack is mounted and solid.

It’s all coming together. Starting to really take shape, and I’m stoked on how it’s looking!

 

[HaveeBear]

Love it! I've had the same thoughts about using a service body in this way. Unfortunately, I don't have your skills. I've wondered about the frame one would use....it looks like you built your own. Anything to keep in mind regarding the frame?

Looking forward to seeing the build.

 

[MaverickX]

Things are starting to take shape! The tent is on and lighting is functioning!

 

[MaverickX]

Got the trailer registered today and decided to
Test out the tent and anex!

 

[hooptycrawler]

That's a sweet set up. Nice work!

 

[TeamAnvil]

that shop though... 🤯

 

[Boatmonkey]

Could you tell me about your ladder rungs pads? Did you make them or buy them somewhere? The rungs kill my feet and I've been looking for a solution.
Thanks.

 

[warrpath4x4]

I am going to be looking at doing something like this, i might be picking up a truck with a service box Thursday. Trying to decide if i want to leave it on the truck or make a trailer and put a regular box back on the truck.


Im interested to see more.

 

[gatorgrizz27]

Love it! I've had the same thoughts about using a service body in this way. Unfortunately, I don't have your skills. I've wondered about the frame one would use....it looks like you built your own. Anything to keep in mind regarding the frame?

Looking forward to seeing the build.

The easy way to do it if you can’t weld is to buy one of these as a complete truck. You can typically find them on a mid 2000’s super duty with a blown engine for ~ 2k.

Take the cab off, cut the frame behind where it raises up for the front suspension. The crossmembers are typically riveted on and can be drilled out. Use a sawzall to notch the top and bottom sections of the frame rails and pull them together with a ratchet strap. Drill and bolt on a coupler and some reinforcement plates where you notched.

Bonus point is that you can retain the parking brake, but electric over hydraulic actuators can be expensive. I’ve also thought it would be cool to run the alternator off a belt to the pinion and have real charging capability for your onboard battery bank while moving, without a DC-DC charger.