Utility Trailer With Elevated RTT + Dirt Bike Transportation

[Robin Masters]

Hello all,
I'm considering a trailer project that could transport a few dirt bikes to a camp destination and then serve as a basecamp with a rooftop tent. In my case, I have no real desire to make this trailer capable of traversing the Rubicon, but rather more suited for relatively tame semi-prepared campsite travel.

The basic premise is to buy a sturdy utility trailer (single axle, wood deck, 6'x10' or so) and have a fabricator create a platform that could house a RTT approximately 5' above the deck of the trailer so that dirt bikes or an ATV and camping gear could be transported underneath the RTT.

Obviously this trailer would not be in the same league as Adventure Trailers offerings or other comparable options, but in my case I think that it would suit my needs pretty well for now. I googled around a bit last night and came up with this build on the ih8mud forum that pretty closely matches what I'm thinking of doing.
http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/utility-trailer-project.561416/

Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? Am I missing some obvious pitfall in considering this type of build? I'd love to hear any potential pros/cons about the general concept. Thanks!

 

[Mark Harley]

I think this will be perfect for what you need.
A little lift, better tires and wheels, bike storage and a place to sleep.
Maybe a diamond plate box for storing gear and a table to cook on.

Post what you come up with.

 

[Chili]

Not sure about where you are, but I know in my area there are a number of utility trailer manufacturers that could probably easily build what you are looking for. Seems to me that a simple utility trailer with a full "ladder rack" would satisfy your needs.

A higher wall landscape trailer would probably just need some cross bars added:

 

[Robin Masters]

Seems to me that a simple utility trailer with a full "ladder rack" would satisfy your needs.

Essentially yes, I've just never seen an open utility trailer fitted with a ladder rack. But yes, that is ultimately what I'm looking at doing. The higher wall landscape trailer could be good but I think it would be a little too cage-like for me personally and might limit loading options in that nothing could hang over (like say a handlebar) as it could with an open model. Also, I think the high sides would make loading/unloading cumbersome in that you couldn't load/unload from all sides.

I'm still contemplating all this before making a decision and proceeding with the build, but a similar option that could be attractive would involve fitting a RTT on top of an enclosed cargo trailer. The standard 5'x10' enclosed cargo trailer would make a great way to transport dirt bikes, kayaks, etc., plus camping gear. A RTT on top with an ARB awning mounted on the long side with a "man door" would probably make a pretty affordable basecamp option as well.

 

[AFSOC]

How about mounting the RTT in a forward position?

You can position the rack at a height above the natural position of the moto's front tire and fender (when parked on the trailer) and the front half of the RTT can extend a little over the trailer tongue. This can add some to the tongue weight but that can be mitigated by a trailer packing plan. The advantages of this idea are that the RTT can be mounted lower than other options, out of the air flow at highway speed and maintains a lower COG.

 

[screwball48]

Look at the Car go lite trailers. They look like a downsized version of a toy hauler/camping trailer combo.

 

[Chili]

Essentially yes, I've just never seen an open utility trailer fitted with a ladder rack. But yes, that is ultimately what I'm looking at doing. The higher wall landscape trailer could be good but I think it would be a little too cage-like for me personally and might limit loading options in that nothing could hang over (like say a handlebar) as it could with an open model. Also, I think the high sides would make loading/unloading cumbersome in that you couldn't load/unload from all sides.

I'm still contemplating all this before making a decision and proceeding with the build, but a similar option that could be attractive would involve fitting a RTT on top of an enclosed cargo trailer. The standard 5'x10' enclosed cargo trailer would make a great way to transport dirt bikes, kayaks, etc., plus camping gear. A RTT on top with an ARB awning mounted on the long side with a "man door" would probably make a pretty affordable basecamp option as well.

I have seen one on here, almost exactly as you describe, but could not find it after a quick search when I posted. The thing is, with those small-ish trailer manufacturers, you can make slight changes without much impact on price. So in my landscape trailer example above, I am sure you could just have them leave off the mesh on the bulk of the side walls. May need some reinforcement, since I'm sure that mesh provides some stability to the vertical pieces, but you may be able to get it done for much less that way.

 

[madZJ]

You still thinking of making a go at this?

 

[UK4X4]

A bunch of people had them at the funrace in venezuela, the tents were fitted to be just above the bikes, when loading unloading
the tent was hinged and lifted up out of the way to gain access, then dropped down again once the bikes were removed.

Kept the road height down but still allowed easy loading

 

[jruba]

check this one out :
http://tepuitents.com/apps/action-shots?photo_id=6605
http://tepuitents.com/apps/action-shots?photo_id=6606

 

[wagonpilot]

Would love to see what the folks in Venezuela did. I am to the point in my build to determine a method of pivoting the RTT away to load bikes or the quad.

 

[NEWARE]

Have you made any decisions/progress on this project? I have been thinking of a similar set up on my 4x6 trailer, just for 1 bike and RRT. Would like to see what you came up with.

 

[Robin Masters]

Guilty of Thread Neglect

My apologies for seemingly abandoning this thread. I am going to go forward with the idea as described in my first post - a basecamp type trailer with an elevated RTT platform. As for the trailer itself, I've been shopping for the sweet spot of price/quality/construction as well as trying to determine the best size. I've settled on a particular manufacturer with plans to buy in the next month or so, before spring.

Sadly, the addition of a platform and RTT may not be in the plans for the current year. However, I will update this thread as I go.

Thanks again for the ideas.

 

[surferdude78]

Nice Tepui setup!

That's sweet!

 

[cr500taco]

I am interested in what you come up with. As, I, too have been wanting to do something similar to what you need. Keep us posted.