Questions about building 4x8 as 5x8 footprint.

[PickinWithDixon]

I am looking into building a small camper for festivals and general traveling, but I only have a Mazda3 to tow with. I will be getting a hitch purchased and installed, but am concerned about weight. I am looking at both 4x8 and 5x8 trailers, but I'm curios if anyone has insight on building a 4x8 into a 5x8 footprint, and the strength of the overhang portion on the entrance side of the camper.

I am a 230 pound human, so not the heaviest but not lightweight either. Add a dog, and festival carelessness, I want to be certain I can do this without breaking the build immediately. I also don't know if this is a worthy weight cut but figure steel is heavier than wood.

I'd like my entire build to stay under 750 pounds if possible, and do not plan any "crazy" additions. I will have my sleeping surface, a read liftgate/shelf, and a shelf inside as well. This will only be used for weekends, so minimal is fine.

Would anyone mind sharing photos of how you accomplished this type of structure? Can be any shape, just want to see how you constructed the overhang, if not a simple 1/2" wood / foam / 1/2" wood sandwich.

Thanks!

 

[Wolfgang92025]

First,
Welcome to the forum.
Check out our Foamie section.
I have done a lot of 4 wheeling with George over 5+ years and the Foamie just keeps on going. Check this link #1

 

[PickinWithDixon]

First,
Welcome to the forum.
Check out our Foamie section.
I have done a lot of 4 wheeling with George over 5+ years and the Foamie just keeps on going. Check this link #1

Your build is very very nice! I love all the little details you gave it throughout and how you used flashing and aluminum to frame things up and what not. That’s on a completely different level than what I’m aiming for, as I really just need a box with a window or two to sleep in.

What do the foamy typically weigh in this size range…do you know what yours weigh is completed? I know a lot goes into answering that question and it’s not a small range necessarily, but is under 1000 pounds a very easy goal?

 

[DrewsBrews]

If you realy just need a hard sided cover for a mattress on wheels.. A simple box of pretty much any construction style would be rather light weight since it is hollow. Pounds start packing on with bulkheads and cabinets and all the stuff that fills them. With a dead simple build I think you would realy have to go out of your way and use extra heavy construction methods to get near 1000lb. Unless the frame you are starting with is super heavy I suppose.

What trailer frame are you starting with? Often weights are published for commercially made trailers.

Some of the home improvement store websites will list actual weights of construction products. I use Menards. They show weight under the "Specifications" section of each product. Even if you are getting the item somewhere else, if you can find an equivalent item the weight should be similar. If you figure out what will be roughly needed for the build you can calculate a ballpark final weight. It worked well for me atleast.

A basic check: A 5'x8'x4' box with 3/4" plywood sides and 1x2 spars spanning between every 12" on top front/back and floor, covered with 1/4" plywood on both interior and exterior. 1.5" extruded foam shoved in between the spars. With no fasteners or covering that comes in at an estimated 350lb. A harbor freight 4x8 trailer is around 275lb if I remember right. That is 625lb. Add some more weight for fasteners, exterior covering, door/windows, mattress etc. 750lb or less is probably a reasonable final expectation. And that is a rather crude non-light-weight-oriented design. Probably super quick to build too compared to a more complex design.

 

[PickinWithDixon]

Thanks for the breakdown on that Drew. That seems to confirm that what I need can be well under that number and leave me room for a solar panel and battery or similar. Without needing a galley, it also makes the construction much easier as well.

 

[DrewsBrews]

Yep I was originally planning to just use 3/4" ply side walls on my build and glue synthetic felt rug material to the inside. Unfortunately I had to change my plans so I went a different direction.

 

[pchast]

I'd like to suggest you check out my foamy build or any of the many others. I could have been lighter with more attention to detailing things.

 

[capnTelescope]

Welcome to the forum.

The 5x10 Bed and Breakfast started out to be a 4x8 Benroy, but I couldn't cram enough stuff in the 4x8 space. Don't over-do plywood thickness. You save about 25 pounds by going down a quarter inch of ply. It adds up.

 

[philpom]

I am looking into building a small camper for festivals and general traveling, but I only have a Mazda3 to tow with. I will be getting a hitch purchased and installed, but am concerned about weight. I am looking at both 4x8 and 5x8 trailers, but I'm curios if anyone has insight on building a 4x8 into a 5x8 footprint, and the strength of the overhang portion on the entrance side of the camper.

I am a 230 pound human, so not the heaviest but not lightweight either. Add a dog, and festival carelessness, I want to be certain I can do this without breaking the build immediately. I also don't know if this is a worthy weight cut but figure steel is heavier than wood.

I'd like my entire build to stay under 750 pounds if possible, and do not plan any "crazy" additions. I will have my sleeping surface, a read liftgate/shelf, and a shelf inside as well. This will only be used for weekends, so minimal is fine.

Would anyone mind sharing photos of how you accomplished this type of structure? Can be any shape, just want to see how you constructed the overhang, if not a simple 1/2" wood / foam / 1/2" wood sandwich.

Thanks!

Look here and you can see how I did it. Solid as a rock, not going to break. My build came in at 900 pounds.

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