Willing to Donate a Capable Offroad Trailer to a Builder -- Attempt to Modify the Market

[Cheapskate'sParadise]

First post, but long-term reader.

Please watch this video on youtube for details -- this fellow asked for a tour two days ago. "TOUR! Engineering Marvel, couple camps 200+ miles remote in this 4x4 BEAST"

I am the owner. Please funnel your request through the content creator, as discussed in the video.

 

[Kingsize24]

Huh?

 

[The Artisan]

First post, but long-term reader.

Please watch this video on youtube for details -- this fellow asked for a tour two days ago. "TOUR! Engineering Marvel, couple camps 200+ miles remote in this 4x4 BEAST"

I am the owner. Please funnel your request through the content creator, as discussed in the video.

video?
Kevin

 

[SBSYNCRO]

????

At least here is the video:

 

[SBSYNCRO]

I made it about 15 minutes into the video at 2x speed and all that was covered in those 15 minutes was the importance of airing down and a home made 4-tire air down system that the guy built himself and “hard lined” to each of the 4 tires. I ran out of patience after that. With some editing that info should have been covered in about 2 minutes and even then most of us watching would be thinking “I already have a 4-tires inflation/deflation system”. I don’t mean to sound unkind, but it’s not as earth shattering an idea that the “creator” seems to think it is, and I just couldn't make it longer to find out what other innovations he'd come up with.

 

[Kingsize24]

I made it about 15 minutes into the video at 2x speed and all that was covered in those 15 minutes was the importance of airing down and a home made 4-tire air down system that the guy built himself and “hard lined” to each of the 4 tires. I ran out of patience after that. With some editing that info should have been covered in about 2 minutes and even then most of us watching would be thinking “I already have a 4-tires inflation/deflation system”. I don’t mean to sound unkind, but it’s not as earth shattering an idea that the “creator” seems to think it is.

Agreed. I couldn't handle it and had to turn it off.. Definitely not an "Engineering Marvel".

 

[SBSYNCRO]

OK I just realized I could upload the transcript to CHatGPT and save everyone an hour:

🔧 Vehicle Overview​

• Truck: 2021 Toyota Tacoma, heavily modified for remote off-road travel.
• Camper: 2003 Hi-Lo trailer, retrofitted for extreme durability and self-sufficiency.

🛠 Custom Modifications​

Truck:​

• Suspension: Parabolic springs (from All Dogs Off-Road) + airbags (in cups for articulation).
• Air system: 4-wheel tire inflation/deflation manifold with bayonets; can inflate/deflate all tires in minutes.
• Recovery: Front/rear/side pulling capability; 16,000 lb rated winch + 7/8” kinetic rope.
• Weight distribution: Everything engineered for low center of gravity to prevent rollover and reduce pendulum effect.
• Solar power: 600W rooftop solar wired to a Blueetti power station, not using the alternator for charging.
• Storage: Lightweight sliders, aluminum toolboxes, custom cargo nets.

Trailer:​

• Suspension: Australian-style independent swingarm suspension with airbags, better clearance than the truck.
• Power: 300W ground-deployable solar, 200Ah lithium batteries, propane generator backup.
• Water: 30-gallon tank + carboys for up to 50 gallons total, gravity-fed fill system. Also includes bucket-based stream filter and AquaTru countertop RO system.
• Kitchen: Three fridges (2 fridge, 1 freezer), compact indoor kitchen larger than many home kitchens.
• Satellite & Cell: Starlink dish with 75 ft extension; 27 ft painter’s pole with waterproofed phone signal booster box.

🏕 Off-Grid Strategy​

• Designed for 200+ mile solo expeditions without resupply.
• Strong emphasis on redundancy, low profile, and easy repair/modification.
• Practices “function over fashion” — prioritizing reliability, safety, and ease of use over aesthetics.

🎁 Notable Ending Detail​

• Jim plans to give away the trailer in October or November to a qualified fabricator or small craft builder interested in replicating the design to compete with high-end models like the Australian Kimberley Caravan.

 

[The Artisan]

OK I just realized I could upload the transcript to CHatGPT and save everyone an hour:

🔧 Vehicle Overview​

• Truck: 2021 Toyota Tacoma, heavily modified for remote off-road travel.
• Camper: 2003 Hi-Lo trailer, retrofitted for extreme durability and self-sufficiency.

🛠 Custom Modifications​

Truck:​

• Suspension: Parabolic springs (from All Dogs Off-Road) + airbags (in cups for articulation).
• Air system: 4-wheel tire inflation/deflation manifold with bayonets; can inflate/deflate all tires in minutes.
• Recovery: Front/rear/side pulling capability; 16,000 lb rated winch + 7/8” kinetic rope.
• Weight distribution: Everything engineered for low center of gravity to prevent rollover and reduce pendulum effect.
• Solar power: 600W rooftop solar wired to a Blueetti power station, not using the alternator for charging.
• Storage: Lightweight sliders, aluminum toolboxes, custom cargo nets.

Trailer:​

• Suspension: Australian-style independent swingarm suspension with airbags, better clearance than the truck.
• Power: 300W ground-deployable solar, 200Ah lithium batteries, propane generator backup.
• Water: 30-gallon tank + carboys for up to 50 gallons total, gravity-fed fill system. Also includes bucket-based stream filter and AquaTru countertop RO system.
• Kitchen: Three fridges (2 fridge, 1 freezer), compact indoor kitchen larger than many home kitchens.
• Satellite & Cell: Starlink dish with 75 ft extension; 27 ft painter’s pole with waterproofed phone signal booster box.

🏕 Off-Grid Strategy​

• Designed for 200+ mile solo expeditions without resupply.
• Strong emphasis on redundancy, low profile, and easy repair/modification.
• Practices “function over fashion” — prioritizing reliability, safety, and ease of use over aesthetics.

🎁 Notable Ending Detail​

• Jim plans to give away the trailer in October or November to a qualified fabricator or small craft builder interested in replicating the design to compete with high-end models like the Australian Kimberley Caravan.

So bought hardshell lifting roof trailer and redid the interior? He wants to start producing them?
Kevin

 

[SBSYNCRO]

So bought hardshell lifting roof trailer and redid the interior? He wants to start producing them?
Kevin

"Jim plans to give away the trailer in October or November to a qualified fabricator or small craft builder interested in replicating the design to compete with high-end models like the Australian Kimberley Caravan"

 

[The Artisan]

"Jim plans to give away the trailer in October or November to a qualified fabricator or small craft builder interested in replicating the design to compete with high-end models like the Australian Kimberley Caravan"

Yes you said that but what is the benefit to him? Why not design and sell the plans, he can make money
Kevin

 

[Gravelette]

The money could be made by people clicking on the video. Probably doesn't matter that they can't watch it through.

 

[SBSYNCRO]

Yes you said that but what is the benefit to him? Why not design and sell the plans, he can make money
Kevin

I’m assuming it’s a gesture of goodwill on his part - kind of like donating your body to science so you can help research.

 

[The Artisan]

That's cool
Kevin

 

[Cheapskate'sParadise]

Hello, my wife and I will give away the trailer, as described in the video. The content creator should be contacted -- if he sees legit interest from a legit organization or small company, then he will forward the information to me. We have pestered many, many builders, and they see the market (KK is the apex camper in AUS, but too spendy here; HiLo made these for 50 years until the grandkids got involved (according to ex employees put out of a job)). The builders were usually intrigued, but there's no money in the economy for new product development. Our camper can be disassembled to teach how KK and HiLo managed to achieve such high reliability. HiLo offered a lifetime lift system guarantee and they honored it while a going concern.

If a fabricator builds a KK or HiLo copy with airbag suspension, all the tongue features we have now, and a reasonable price, then we are the first customer.

 

[The Artisan]

Hello, my wife and I will give away the trailer, as described in the video. The content creator should be contacted -- if he sees legit interest from a legit organization or small company, then he will forward the information to me. We have pestered many, many builders, and they see the market (KK is the apex camper in AUS, but too spendy here; HiLo made these for 50 years until the grandkids got involved (according to ex employees put out of a job)). The builders were usually intrigued, but there's no money in the economy for new product development. Our camper can be disassembled to teach how KK and HiLo managed to achieve such high reliability. HiLo offered a lifetime lift system guarantee and they honored it while a going concern.

If a fabricator builds a KK or HiLo copy with airbag suspension, all the tongue features we have now, and a reasonable price, then we are the first customer.

So what will is the advantage of the orig. Did they re-engineer it and made it better? Did you see this

Building A Hi-Lo Camper: A Step-By-Step Guide | ShunAuto

Build your own Hi-Lo camper with this step-by-step guide. Learn about the tools, materials, and techniques needed to create a comfortable and mobile camping experience.

shunauto.com

https://hilotrailer.com/home/now
Kevin