Tent on a trailer

[loaderman]

Looking to design a trailer that would be about 3.5 feet wide. The lid would be hinged on both sides so when it opens you would have 1.75' wings on each side that would form a bunk on each side. (along with a 10" wide piece on each side that would be inside the 3.5' wide trailer on each side). Then a tent on top pf this that would be about 6.5 long by 7.5' wide.

Basically looking for a roomy stand up trailer with 2 bunks, (I snore and a teardrop is to close and confined for my wife) thinking a tent on a trailer with wings may be the way to go.
What type of tent would be fast to set up on this? ( I realize I may need to cut the floor out)

Or are there other Ideas I should look at? I already suggested a 4' wide teardrop for shewhomustbeobeyed to sleep in and I would sleep outside under an enclosed awning, she said "NO".

Thanks for any help.

 

[troubleScottie]

You might look at "expedition trailer" products out there. You can get ideas on what is possible.

Same for "M416 trailer tents" ( google it)

There are other forums ( google expedition trailer forum )

There are some examples floating around this site. The major issue is most people could not DIY the tent, so this is a purchase. There are tents out there.


The major disadvantages of the tents on a trailer platform include:
(1) it is a tent. No real insulation
(2) The tent needs to be setup. Ideally, opening the tent will set it up.
(3) Typically a single entrance which is off the ground (read climb a ladder to get in). A big first step if you forget.
(4) All issues with a tent in rain, wind, etc apply in this confirguration.
(5) You cannot easily add electrical features eg lights, charging ports, radio, tv, frig inside the tent. You can add to the trailer area.
(6) The tent is generally not tall. Although there are standie models, most about 48 inches. Granted that is often the height of a classic TD.

Obviously, there might be variations that reduce these issues.

 

[olddawgsrule]

Sounds like you're looking for a RTT (roof top tent) for a trailer. Plenty of them out there, just need to decide of which RTT and of course $$$ available. The M416 (that TS mentions) is a great example!

 

[ArkansasDon]

my 1st build (several years ago) was a roof top tent trailer. I used a Harbor Freight Super Duty trailer frame which I done a lot of modifcations to & fabricated a new tongue. I added new suspension w\ shocks using the 2000lb axle. The tub kit I purchased from Dinoot which was their M Series w\ CJ tail gate. The chassis size is 40 1\2" wide X 72" long, the tongue I fabricated is 5ft 9" long. The roof top tent I used was Smittybilt 2783, with a Teupi Roof Top Tent Insulator which made the tent 4 season & we camped in the 20's & was warm. The Teupi Roof Top Tent Insulator can be installed in the tent in 4 minutes & will take just as long to un-install it for warmer weather camping. The roof top tent sets up in minutes, it would take Sally & I from unbuckeling the cover to the tent fully set up in 5 minutes.

Only reason why I sold this trailer (last year) was the wife & I are in our 60's now & was afraid one us would be injured going in or out of the roof top tent at night for those late night bathroom runs. This trailer was a project that took me 10 months to build, I done all the work, electrical, solar, fabrication, paint work, truck bedliner. The Harbor freight Super Duty trailer chassis is a great platform to build off of "if" you weld it together, scrap the tongue & fabricate a new one with a 2" backbone. Scrap the original suspension (slipper springs) & go with Scott Chaney's Compact Camping Concepts Harbor Freight retrofit smooth ride spring kit. Scott Chaney also owns Dinoot Trailers were he sells tub kits on & offroad trailer parts.
Now we have a squaredrop trailer.

 

[ArkansasDon]

since I can only post 3 pic's per post the Tepui Roof Top Tent Insulator is pictured installed & w\o the Roof Top Tent Insulator. The Roof Top Tent is a great product & make for many good pro's than con's. The only con to a roof top tent "I" can find in several years of use is late night bathroom runs climbing out & back in.

 

[Tomterrific-TNT]

Here is a potential idea if the details can be worked. Using your idea for the fold out beds, have hard walls, say thin plywood, hinge up from the front and back. Drape a fitted tarp/tent over the top. You could have a nice door in the back and windows front and back.

Tt

 

[Tony Latham]

...thinking a tent on a trailer with wings may be the way to go.
What type of tent would be fast to set up on this? ( I realize I may need to cut the floor out)

I doubt there is a tent that will fit that need. I can't think of a one that is going to be easy to erect on a trailer that is designed to be put up on the ground. And of course, dome tents rely on the floor for pole tension. And just about all other tents need guy lines.

There is also the challenge of figuring out how to make the your wings water and dustproof.

I too would suggest you consider biting the bullet or look at the rooftop tents or just get a tent and camp on the ground. I did the latter for a million nights before finding teardrops.

The other option may be to build a standy with single beds at each end.

Tony

 

[dogcatcher-TNT]

Look at the motorcycle tent trailers, some of them use the idea you mentioned and use them quite effectively. It is a case of finding a tent and trailer that will work together. You will need to remove part of the floor of the tent. Think of it as a small version of a pop up trailer.

 

[loaderman]

I can not find a roof top tent that meets my needs. My wife would like to be able to stand up to dress. Also a couple of feet between us makes my snoring bearable for her as she is light sleeper.

With a dome tent and the floor cut out ( or partially cut out) I could fasten the tent to the trailer. Then find a easy way to slide the poles in, or maybe a tent that hooks/clips to the poles.

 

[dogcatcher-TNT]

Here are 2 to look at for ideas.
https://www.letgo.com/en-us/i/motorcycl ... 0369fbb319
https://www.gogocycles.com/2011-viking- ... ailer.html

And another with instructions https://www.instructables.com/id/Build- ... p-Trailer/

 

[cwegga]

Like people said, motorcycle trailers are often what you want. You could check out http://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/ they are a little bigger, but have a quick setup tent design.

 

[rjgimp]

Aside from all of these fine suggestions regarding your project, have you bought your bride some good earplugs..?

 

[Tomterrific-TNT]

Have you looked at pickup bed tents? I could see a trailer with 2ft. sides and one of these on top giving enough head room.

Tt

 

[swoody126]

loaderman, wander over to Expedition Portal

there are a bunch of folks on that forum w/ all sorts of tent top trailers

totally home made and modified commercially offered trailers

maybe you can get some ideas from theirs

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/

sw

 

[compactcamping]

Loaderman, Here is a link to the Tventuring Forum, it focuses on DIY Tent Topped Camping Trailer. Here is a post in particular that has some vintage Popular Mechanics DIY tent trailers that sound like what you are thinking "Covered Wagon" design from 1953

 

[azgreg]

A Jumping Jack Trailer comes to mind.

http://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/index.php