Simple trailer build with rtt

[Palmettosc]

Found this site when I was dreaming of exactly what I wanted to build. My girlfriend and I love camping but can't find much time to go and I was looking for something to make the packing and unpacking easier and faster. That's when I discovered roof top tents. I scratched my head about how I would get one on my truck and be able to get it on and off easily by myself. She suggested some kind of trailer, so I started googling. I found this site and really learned a lot, so I thought I'd share my build for anybody doing research like I was doing.

I'm a farmer so I know a little about everything involved, but never took on anything like this before. I grabbed some scrap metal and started honing my stick welding skills because this was going to be a little different than the usual farm repairs. Between harvest season, family time, and a hurricane I was able to finish it up in about 2 months.

Sorry, I don't have any fancy computer drawings or blueprints, I tend to make things up as I go and things changed constantly.

The outside is 3/4 plywood that I fiberglassed, epoxy primer and then raptor liner. The back tailgate opens up and holds 3 totes, folding table, grill grate and 2 folding chairs. The front 2 doors have a divider between them and the back and will hold just about whatever else we may need. It stays packed so all we have to do is hook and go. The middle part in between the storage and tent is where I will put the kayaks when it warms up and the fish are biting.

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Not the most detailed build ever, but I'm proud of it and we're happy. Thanks for looking and let me know of any improvements I can make

 

[tlin]

Great work, thx for sharing. Who needs fancy 3D drawings anyway?

If you plan to get it onto any "rough" terrain, a few thoughts jumped out at me (just my $.02):

• maybe gusset weld all those box frame/tongue connections (all those 90-degree welds) to help prevent any rotation of the tongue itself
• shocks might help with any jounce if the leaf springs are pretty burly
• maybe some more d-rings for attachment points when not carrying the kayaks (if you wanted to store something else in that space under the tent)
• a max coupler (or other) - worth considering to also help with travel when offroad....

Again, just some thoughts staring at your pics, well done!

 

[Palmettosc]

Thanks, tlin. Not going to be much real off roading, except for field roads and logging roads, off roading is what I use 4 wheeler is for. I think I need the shocks though and the more d rings the bettter. I wish I would have put more in place and in different spots but I might take the bed liner off and weld some in while I have some time in between crops this winter. The welds on the tongue are strong, farmer strong. If you're welding for looks, you ain't welding for strength is how I was taught, but I went ahead and put 7/16 bolts from every cross arm though the tongue because I could. Thanks for the feedback.