precision powder
Backwoods Explorer
So I gave myself a new project for the winter; to build the most comprehensive, detail oriented, complete trailer for my Jeep.
While winter time is a fairly busy season for me in the shop, it also means that my trips are limited. Winter means I spend most of my time in my shop because I cannot take more than 12-24 hours off at a time.
In my quest to build the most complete trailer (something I can just back up to, fill with food, and leave with everything I need right there) I am here to ask you guys what features do you wish your trailer had? This will be a small trailer, typical small expo style. Yet at the same time I want it to be modular. I will be building a rack that will be able to be dropped on when needed.
Long I know, sorry about that.
The idea is to have everything at my fingertips without going so far as to get a camper/tear drop. I would still like to be able to use this for utilities jobs around here if needed, hunting, SAR, etc. The entire thing will be made from metal and will be powder coated top to bottom including all the smallest details to prevent any rust or anything of those sorts. Talking axle, frame, hinges, doors, knobs, nuts and bolts, rivets, brackets, mounts, jacks, rack, everything and anything will be coated.
I intend to have on board fuel storage at the front, water storage will be under the trailer itself. The water will be stored in 2 tanks below everything under a deck to keep the COG low. Fuel storage will be either a system to hold several jerry cans, or it will be a single aluminum race tank mounted towards the front. Either system will use a siphon or pump system for fuel transfer. Water will be filled via a port on the side behind a door.
I plan to also have on-board propane storage for a cook top, water heater, and the fridge. I am going a different route with the fridge here, rather than the electric units most people go with, I intend to use a fridge from a pop up camper. That way it will run off propane and I can leave it on for long periods of time without worry of batteries and solar charging to keep it running. The outdoor shower will also be from a pop up camper as well. While that can be used for showers I also intend to use that like the sink as well. I am thinking I can build a drawer right below it that will pull out and have a small stainless bowl sink in it. The shower head will act as the faucet. I have been toying with the idea of adding a small 3rd tank to use as grey water storage. That would allow me to empty that away from the camp site, no one likes to be standing on soggy ground. Propane will be stored outside but in a small cage that will keep it safe from any bumps or theft. The top will have a hinged locking top, that will keep people out from trying to take it or disconnect it, but it will also keep the water off the whole top where the most damage/rust could happen. The cook top will be on the side near the fridge/shower for ease of use. At this point the cook top will slide out from the side and a secondary slide out will house a prep surface.
Since I brought up power and solar the pumps will all be run on 12v pressure activated RV pumps. These will run off a house battery setup which will be stored low in the trailer which will charge off solar panels that will pull out of the side from a drawer. Rather than have them lay flat I will have them stand up with an adjustable pair of legs for maximum solar gain. This whole unit will be attached to a lazy susan of sorts to keep them facing the sun. Lights will be provided via LED (low light consumption) and will comprised of both white and red LEDs. I do go on several trips where the red light is beneficial. Especially when hunting at night, or going into stands/blinds early in the morning. The lights will all be accessible from a waterproof panel on the outside. If it is dark I do not want to fumble with keys and doors to get some light on. Along with the solar charging the batteries I will be running some heavy gauge wire from the front of my Jeep to the back where I can connect it to the trailer using winch quick disconnects. This means I can charge my vehicle battery off the trailer, or in the event the solar goes down I can charge the house batteries when I run my battery. Just need to do a bit of extra wiring on each end. All the rest of the electronics will be run through a central panel (which will have switched 12v outlets and switches 120v outlets run off an inverter) in a shallow pocket at the back of the trailer which is keyed (as all the doors will be). I will also have an onboard radio that will run off a marine head unit with waterproof speakers. Who doesn't like a little tunes.
While the rack will be removable it will likely stay on most of the time and it will have awnings built into it that will provide cover. The rack is planned to raise up for when camp is ready to be set up. That will produce the head room needed under the awing. I likely will only have one awning off to one side. The trailer its self will have 4 jacks that drop down to firmly set it and level it on the ground. This will double as a built in jack should a tire need to be changed. Speaking of changing tires, the goal is to have the wheels/tires be the same as I have on my Jeep and also have a swing out rear carrier with a spare for it. That also lends me the added benefit of a second spare for my Jeep. There will be tool mounting locations on the outside for axe/shovel/pry bar, but things like my highlift will have a covered mount. Last thing I need it for that or other tools to get damaged from water/mud/rust. There will also be two side mounted fire extinguishers, one on each side. I think it is silly to go without them.
The central portion of the trailer has yet to be determined. Either it will be enclosed or it will be open with a cover that drops onto it an locks in for waterproofing. This trailer will not have an RTT, instead it will have something a little different. I will have an arm that swings out (giant L shape) that I can attach my hammock to. One side will attach to the trailer, the other to the other end of the arm. To keep the trailer happen a foot will drop out of the bottom of the other end of the arm to support it on the ground and keep the strain on the trailer down. Think of it like a trailer jack, but more simple. Rain fly attachment points will also be built directly to the arm and trailer. To me this gives me a little extra flexibility on where I can set up, plus if I want to sleep under the stars I can. Also should I have plenty of trees I can use those instead. The arm could also be set down and used in conjunction with a tree or multiple trees to sleep many people in hammocks.
Since this will sometimes be used as a base camp for hunting trips I will have an on board CB. If someone stays back while others are out in the vehicles they will still have a means for communication with them as cell phones rarely work. I have an idea on how to have a table slide out and either lift up with 2 legs that come down, or slide out and twist flat with 2 legs to flip down to provide a little work or dinner area. Sometimes those roll top tables are just not quite what I want. I will still have one with me though.
I likely will build an OBA system for this trailer as well. Partly because I have everything to build a complete second setup but if something breaks on mine I will want it, or if I am gone and someone at base camp needs it they will have it. As with the water tanks the air tanks will be mounted under the trailer to maximize space up top. The compressor will be in a sound insulated box with 2 12v fans to keep it cooled (the fans will have small weather sealed doors over them to keep everything clean. I will also have a rear mounted winch attached directly to the frame of the trailer. The goal there being if I get stuck with the trailer on I do not need to mess with that dirty situation I can just pull myself out with the trailer itself. Also it would be excellent should I need to drag a moose out of the woods and for some reason do not want to use my Jeep for that. Who knows maybe the one on my Jeep dies. Included with the winch there will be d ring mounts front and back. The front mounts are going to be for tie down points for gear but I want it to match the rear. The rears would serve the same purposes the ones on the back of any rig would.
The rest of the trailer will be general storage. Some doors will have pull out trays, some dividers that will slide in and out. Last but not least an offset receiver hitch in the back. Offset because the winch will be in the center but the goal it to give me an ever adapting ability to add trip specific options. Bike rack, trail basket, step, etc.
This is all just in the planning/drawing stage but I want to build this once and I want to build it right. I will build all the tough stuff from steel and the rest from aluminum to save weight. What other things would you add/change. Is there anything on your trailer you dont have that you wish you did? This trailer will need to serve many purposes so some items many not get used on every trip but it will be there when a trip does call for it.
While winter time is a fairly busy season for me in the shop, it also means that my trips are limited. Winter means I spend most of my time in my shop because I cannot take more than 12-24 hours off at a time.
In my quest to build the most complete trailer (something I can just back up to, fill with food, and leave with everything I need right there) I am here to ask you guys what features do you wish your trailer had? This will be a small trailer, typical small expo style. Yet at the same time I want it to be modular. I will be building a rack that will be able to be dropped on when needed.
Long I know, sorry about that.
The idea is to have everything at my fingertips without going so far as to get a camper/tear drop. I would still like to be able to use this for utilities jobs around here if needed, hunting, SAR, etc. The entire thing will be made from metal and will be powder coated top to bottom including all the smallest details to prevent any rust or anything of those sorts. Talking axle, frame, hinges, doors, knobs, nuts and bolts, rivets, brackets, mounts, jacks, rack, everything and anything will be coated.
I intend to have on board fuel storage at the front, water storage will be under the trailer itself. The water will be stored in 2 tanks below everything under a deck to keep the COG low. Fuel storage will be either a system to hold several jerry cans, or it will be a single aluminum race tank mounted towards the front. Either system will use a siphon or pump system for fuel transfer. Water will be filled via a port on the side behind a door.
I plan to also have on-board propane storage for a cook top, water heater, and the fridge. I am going a different route with the fridge here, rather than the electric units most people go with, I intend to use a fridge from a pop up camper. That way it will run off propane and I can leave it on for long periods of time without worry of batteries and solar charging to keep it running. The outdoor shower will also be from a pop up camper as well. While that can be used for showers I also intend to use that like the sink as well. I am thinking I can build a drawer right below it that will pull out and have a small stainless bowl sink in it. The shower head will act as the faucet. I have been toying with the idea of adding a small 3rd tank to use as grey water storage. That would allow me to empty that away from the camp site, no one likes to be standing on soggy ground. Propane will be stored outside but in a small cage that will keep it safe from any bumps or theft. The top will have a hinged locking top, that will keep people out from trying to take it or disconnect it, but it will also keep the water off the whole top where the most damage/rust could happen. The cook top will be on the side near the fridge/shower for ease of use. At this point the cook top will slide out from the side and a secondary slide out will house a prep surface.
Since I brought up power and solar the pumps will all be run on 12v pressure activated RV pumps. These will run off a house battery setup which will be stored low in the trailer which will charge off solar panels that will pull out of the side from a drawer. Rather than have them lay flat I will have them stand up with an adjustable pair of legs for maximum solar gain. This whole unit will be attached to a lazy susan of sorts to keep them facing the sun. Lights will be provided via LED (low light consumption) and will comprised of both white and red LEDs. I do go on several trips where the red light is beneficial. Especially when hunting at night, or going into stands/blinds early in the morning. The lights will all be accessible from a waterproof panel on the outside. If it is dark I do not want to fumble with keys and doors to get some light on. Along with the solar charging the batteries I will be running some heavy gauge wire from the front of my Jeep to the back where I can connect it to the trailer using winch quick disconnects. This means I can charge my vehicle battery off the trailer, or in the event the solar goes down I can charge the house batteries when I run my battery. Just need to do a bit of extra wiring on each end. All the rest of the electronics will be run through a central panel (which will have switched 12v outlets and switches 120v outlets run off an inverter) in a shallow pocket at the back of the trailer which is keyed (as all the doors will be). I will also have an onboard radio that will run off a marine head unit with waterproof speakers. Who doesn't like a little tunes.
While the rack will be removable it will likely stay on most of the time and it will have awnings built into it that will provide cover. The rack is planned to raise up for when camp is ready to be set up. That will produce the head room needed under the awing. I likely will only have one awning off to one side. The trailer its self will have 4 jacks that drop down to firmly set it and level it on the ground. This will double as a built in jack should a tire need to be changed. Speaking of changing tires, the goal is to have the wheels/tires be the same as I have on my Jeep and also have a swing out rear carrier with a spare for it. That also lends me the added benefit of a second spare for my Jeep. There will be tool mounting locations on the outside for axe/shovel/pry bar, but things like my highlift will have a covered mount. Last thing I need it for that or other tools to get damaged from water/mud/rust. There will also be two side mounted fire extinguishers, one on each side. I think it is silly to go without them.
The central portion of the trailer has yet to be determined. Either it will be enclosed or it will be open with a cover that drops onto it an locks in for waterproofing. This trailer will not have an RTT, instead it will have something a little different. I will have an arm that swings out (giant L shape) that I can attach my hammock to. One side will attach to the trailer, the other to the other end of the arm. To keep the trailer happen a foot will drop out of the bottom of the other end of the arm to support it on the ground and keep the strain on the trailer down. Think of it like a trailer jack, but more simple. Rain fly attachment points will also be built directly to the arm and trailer. To me this gives me a little extra flexibility on where I can set up, plus if I want to sleep under the stars I can. Also should I have plenty of trees I can use those instead. The arm could also be set down and used in conjunction with a tree or multiple trees to sleep many people in hammocks.
Since this will sometimes be used as a base camp for hunting trips I will have an on board CB. If someone stays back while others are out in the vehicles they will still have a means for communication with them as cell phones rarely work. I have an idea on how to have a table slide out and either lift up with 2 legs that come down, or slide out and twist flat with 2 legs to flip down to provide a little work or dinner area. Sometimes those roll top tables are just not quite what I want. I will still have one with me though.
I likely will build an OBA system for this trailer as well. Partly because I have everything to build a complete second setup but if something breaks on mine I will want it, or if I am gone and someone at base camp needs it they will have it. As with the water tanks the air tanks will be mounted under the trailer to maximize space up top. The compressor will be in a sound insulated box with 2 12v fans to keep it cooled (the fans will have small weather sealed doors over them to keep everything clean. I will also have a rear mounted winch attached directly to the frame of the trailer. The goal there being if I get stuck with the trailer on I do not need to mess with that dirty situation I can just pull myself out with the trailer itself. Also it would be excellent should I need to drag a moose out of the woods and for some reason do not want to use my Jeep for that. Who knows maybe the one on my Jeep dies. Included with the winch there will be d ring mounts front and back. The front mounts are going to be for tie down points for gear but I want it to match the rear. The rears would serve the same purposes the ones on the back of any rig would.
The rest of the trailer will be general storage. Some doors will have pull out trays, some dividers that will slide in and out. Last but not least an offset receiver hitch in the back. Offset because the winch will be in the center but the goal it to give me an ever adapting ability to add trip specific options. Bike rack, trail basket, step, etc.
This is all just in the planning/drawing stage but I want to build this once and I want to build it right. I will build all the tough stuff from steel and the rest from aluminum to save weight. What other things would you add/change. Is there anything on your trailer you dont have that you wish you did? This trailer will need to serve many purposes so some items many not get used on every trip but it will be there when a trip does call for it.
