Camp trailer build on utility trailer

[brazos]

I’m just starting this thread without much hard information to share. Yet.

A few of us are interested in building minimalist, lightweight trailers in which we can at least sleep comfortably while traveling. Some may want more, some much more, but the “Overland” trailers are just ridiculous in their pricing.

I speak from decades of RV experience. Those folks are just ripping off rich yuppies. And good on ‘em. $26k for a little 4x8 teardrop?

Nice work if you can get it, i reckon.

I have a 4X7 Tractor Supply utility trailer for which I paid $600 new. It’s all welded up. No screws, no bolts.

The welds are decent, but if you go to buy one, look at all of them.

I would not have one of those Harbor Freight bolt-together trailers on a bet.

Anyway, I have lots of experience camping at levels from caught out overnight in a snowstorm while elk hunting and hoping to survive till morning, to many week-long backpacking trips, to living in an RV for several years.

Now I want to put a little camp trailer together to sleep in and drop to make a basecamp for more serious wheeling.

I know this topic is of limited interest here on the main page.

I assume the moderators may move it.

If you are interested, or have thoughts, please speak up, or look for the move.

Absent response, I’ll just look elsewhere. This stuff is discussed elsewhere, but I would like to discuss it from a JL point of view here, if there is interest.

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[GreyFox]

I love camping! Even being in the field, it was fun (except that lack of sleep BS). But my husband says that his idea of camping is Holiday inn Express He can be a real party pooper. But, I'm interested in following what you build man

 

[brazos]

I love camping! Even being in the field, it was fun (except that lack of sleep BS). But my husband says that his idea of camping is Holiday inn Express He can be a real party pooper. But, I'm interested in following what you build man

Might be time to make a move, girl.

Who knows, you might like Texas!

 

[GreyFox]

Might be time to make a move, girl.

Who knows, you might like Texas!

I did my AIT at Ft. Sam and Lackland AFB. I enjoyed the area. Maybe head down there again sometime for a visit

 

[Therby]

Sounds like a good idea, Ive been thinking about doing something similar. It’s just then you have a “basecamp” but it would be nice. I thought of doing a 5x10 enclosed trailer. Make a fold down bed, dry storage, little camp kitchen in the back(flip the door so it goes up like a roof instead of a ramp) add a water tank and running water, 12v battery with charger. Little ARB awning with room on the side. Would be a perfect little set up and i bet i could do it under 5000 with a new trailer.

 

[danotje]

Just saw these today:
https://bigwoodycampers.com/teardrop-camper-plans
Look great, and I think read they’re built on a Tractor Supply trailer. Even if you order their ultimate kit, it’s about $1K plus trailer and materials. Might be a bit more than you’re looking for, but thought they were a nice idea.

 

[marjamr]

http://runawaycampers.com/models-prices

 

[brazos]

http://runawaycampers.com/models-prices

Those are reasonably priced!

 

[MeanPeachMojito]

This is exactly why my husband and I decided to buy our Jeep. He is an architect by trade and we have done a lot of work on our house. Now that we’re spending more time on the trails and in the mountains, we want a small, but rugged trailer for longer hauls. We plan on driving out West and staying in off road places along the way.

I follow all kinds of overland trailer companies on Instagram, but there is no way I’m spending that kind of money! Even if we build it ourselves and it doesn’t pan out the way we wanted, we are still going to be saving a boat load of cash. Granted we don’t have the cnc machines to do our precision cuts, but I think we can make things work.

Once we decide we are 100% going for it, I plan on blogging the process. We’re hesitant right now due to the complications we’ve encountered with the Jeep itself. For now it’s a day dream. I’d love to read if anyone has pointers and photos of their rigs.

 

[twisty]

Those are reasonably priced!

Yeah they are reasonable. Seen em before and would go that route if I it fit a dirt bike.

Side note: In the other thread I mentioned using that rubber "as seen on tv" stuff. It peeled off rather easily in one spot. Likely because I didn't let it cure long enough--just coated it yesterday. I wanted to heads up anyone thinking of using it. I used it on another trailer and it worked awesome so hoping it's the curing time.

 

[twisty]

I’m just starting this thread without much hard information to share. Yet.

A few of us are interested in building minimalist, lightweight trailers in which we can at least sleep comfortably while traveling. Some may want more, some much more, but the “Overland” trailers are just ridiculous in their pricing.

I speak from decades of RV experience. Those folks are just ripping off rich yuppies. And good on ‘em. $26k for a little 4x8 teardrop?

Nice work if you can get it, i reckon.

I have a 4X7 Tractor Supply utility trailer for which I paid $600 new. It’s all welded up. No screws, no bolts.

The welds are decent, but if you go to buy one, look at all of them.

I would not have one of those Harbor Freight bolt-together trailers on a bet.

Anyway, I have lots of experience camping at levels from caught out overnight in a snowstorm while elk hunting and hoping to survive till morning, to many week-long backpacking trips, to living in an RV for several years.

Now I want to put a little camp trailer together to sleep in and drop to make a basecamp for more serious wheeling.

I know this topic is of limited interest here on the main page.

I assume the moderators may move it.

If you are interested, or have thoughts, please speak up, or look for the move.

Absent response, I’ll just look elsewhere. This stuff is discussed elsewhere, but I would like to discuss it from a JL point of view here, if there is interest.

How's the build going?

I have treated my floor and frame 2x3's which are now bolted to the trailer frame perimeter. Took some measurements of the dirt bike and started planning via an excel spreadsheet. I have a ruff idea what I need and will start cutting to size and treating that wood as well.

The front of the trailer will be 42 inches high and angle up to about 66 inches at the 36 inch mark and flat for the reminder of the trailer. That puts the total height at about 7 feet. Not happy about that but it will be more user friendly when inside.

The corners will be 2x3's the rest of the studs will be 2x2 or smaller?? I will place them 16 inches apart and plan on having a door on the driver side, and one window with a screen. The door will swing to the right and I will keep the stock trailer ramp for loading and unloading the bike. My son had an idea of putting legs on the ramp and using it as a table of sorts. I like it and will try it out.

more to follow. BTW there are some excellent do it yourself websites out there.

 

[Ksvette]

This may help. This is my camper trailer, it was built by American jeeper. I suck at building so bought it from him.

Here it in use by me.

 

[twisty]

Yeah I've seen that one and his reason for building one was the same as my own. $$

Plus what if I do spend the coin and find out I dont do it as much as I thought? A lot of money to find out.

 

[brazos]

Good to see others are still pursuing this.
I was amazed to hear AJ say that he only had $2k in his trailer build.
I think most of the cost (beyond rapacious profit) of the commercial teardrops comes from built in this and that.
Entirely unnecessary, imo. Cooking out of the back of the Jeep on a <$100 propane stove, on a tailgate table, with a $15 7 gallon Walmart water jug with spigot works every bit as well.
I just need a 110 outlet, a couple of 12V led lights, a Fantastic vent on top, a door, and a couple windows.
Stereo? Nah. I got Bluetooth speakers. I might install a 5kbtu a/c unit up front if I expect to camp in campgrounds. $120 at Walmart.

I’m still inclined to make it a removable slide-in module, so I can still use my utility trailer as such, but would like to hear any thoughts regarding that.
I fear I may be missing something.
I’m covered up with projects right now, so I’m looking at this as a garage build next winter.
I’m grateful that others are thinking similarly.
$15-30k for a little teardrop trailer is just stupid.

 

[Daktari]

I'll follow this, as I'm also interested in putting something simple together. I was more thinking of an offroad capable trailer with a frame structure on top (or just a lid) and a roof top tent on top, underneath two or 3 compartments on industrial strength drawer sliders, so I can pull out the 'kitchen' side for cooking, the 'clothing and tools' side for that and maybe a 3rd one out to the side, depending on trailer size. The commercial ones are great, but yes, way too expensive for how often I'd use them. I just like the idea of being able to have a base camp (be it on campground or in the middle of nowhere) and not having to pack everything up if I want to drive somewhere else, which you have to do with a RTT. Same reason I'd never buy an RV w/o trailing a small car.

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