Ultra cheapskate offroad cargo "conversion" camper

[sgnellett]

OK, so here is my current plan for short term camping. I own a small 4x5 bantam-knock-off utility trailer. I use it for all sorts of household hauling, brush to the dump, picking up mulch, moving furniture, etc. It has drop tailgates at each end, a dump bed and an extendable tongue. I want to tow it behind my Jeep Wrangler for short off road trips. At least for now it'll be just me. Wifey's idea of camping is a non-Marriott w/ no breakfast buffet!

The trailer;


the Heep;


the tent;
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... t=Readonly

Anyhow, requirements are that it not impede the ability of the trailer to haul loads of various crap when not camping and it be dirt cheap, as I will likely only use it a few times per year. I'm leaning towards a truck-bed tent mounted in the trailer backwards, with a hitch-haul platform in the rear receiver to use as a low buck galley. I plan to do most of my cooking over a camp fire at least at first, and carry only a cooler for now. I'd like to see/hear any suggestions for upgrading to a removable galley box, as well as anything I might be forgetting here...

some of the gear;
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... t=Readonly
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... t=Readonly
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... t=Readonly
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... t=Readonly
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... t=Readonly

[Prem]

sgnellett,

Sure! Why not!

Tip: Scoop of peat moss in the toilet. Works great.

When you're ready to get something bigger and enclosed with hard sides, you'll find lots of detailed insights here on the forums.

Best wishes,

Prem

[edcasey]

One of my goals is to build an expedition trailer to haul behind my '79 CJ5. I've been looking for a trailer like yours (bantam, M416...) as a base. The tough part of your build is keeping the trailer dual purpose. I've never seen a build like that. Maybe you could do a build like Willman's Bantam BT3-C but with a removable top.



I know the tents aren't cheap but sometimes a used one comes up for sale. I have a local guy who repairs pop up campers tents who will make one for me at a reasonable price.

Have you been to the Expedition Portal's expedition trailer forum? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42
There are some great build there with a lot of detail. Here are a couple of my favorites:

[sgnellett]

I know the tents aren't cheap but sometimes a used one comes up for sale. I have a local guy who repairs pop up campers tents who will make one for me at a reasonable price.

I hadn't thought about having one made from a pop up. Has he given you any idea what that might cost? I had considered just getting a pop up and throwing a bigger wheel and axle combo on it, but all of the ones I see around here are either the giant ones that sleep 6, or a completely trashed and would cost more to make usable than to buy!!

[edcasey]

My idea was to take a standard pop up canvas and removing one of the bed ends and replacing it with a canvas panel. With a little modification it could be put on a hinged platform. Cost of the canvas modification would be minimal maybe around $100.

If you want to make a dedicated camper from a pop up than look for a late '80's or early '90's Coleman Colorado. They make great conversions. Here are a couple.

From this:


To this:





Another one:



See this thread for more detail: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13650



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