Low Profile Camping Gear Hauler
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:05 amby fornesto
I would like to have the flexibility to either Teardrop or tent camp. With a growing family, the TD doesn't always work out perfectly. I'm thinking of converting a spare utility trailer 4'x8', to a gear hauler with a built in tail-gate kitchen. I'm thinking of a 4'x8'x24" plywood box, with various hinges, compartments, etc. and a galley on the rear that is separate from the rest. I would like to integrate storage capacity for four bikes, perhaps on the roof. The idea here is that we are running out of interior space with kids and friends and I hate beating up the TD using it to store filthy camping gear.
Has anybody done this or have any ideas. I like some of the chuckwagon ideas out there. I have no need to sleep in or on this thing, though that could be cool if reasonable.
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:42 amby schaney
fornesto, here is a standard type box I do on a 4x6 frame. It's easy to "super-size" or shrink as needed.
You can build this style as a Gear Hauler, ChuckWagon or Tent Topped Camper.
I haven't done one yet but it would be easy to make a Teardrop style trailer, then add a folding Tent Unit on top as a second bedroom.
You might also check Navigator's photo galley, he has a gull wing door style Gear Hauler.
Posted:
Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:16 pmby fornesto
I'm intrigued by the VW Vanagon Westfalia pop-tops and wonder how one could go on a trailer. If I could mate a pop-top to a cargo haller, I could build a two-story, two-roomed trailer. Now, I just need to find a junk Westfalia with a functioning pop-top.
Back to the cargo hauler idea. I want the capability of hauling 4 bikes, preferably in a location that would not require removal to access the gear. I like the idea of having the 2' stage out front. Perhaps, this could become a bike rack area, or hang them off the back. Perhaps, a 2' open box for firewood, dirty things, coolers, dutch ovens, etc. would also be nice. You could make it out of expanded metal mesh.
Right now, I am imagining an 8' long trailer with 6' enclosed storage with hard cover, a 2' open storage area up front. The 6' area would have two opposing doors with a hinge at the rear and a hinge at the front - each door would be 4' wide and 3' long. Perhaps, I'd cut them down to 2' x 3' and use four. Or, make two doors that are 2' x 6' and hinge from the middle. If I built one large 4'x6' door, it would need some assistance to get it up, but I could put a cargo rack on it like the 4x4 guys use and get even more overflow space. This would also save effort for waterproofing. The large door would probably be 1/2" ply, framed with 2x2s with a diamond or triangle frame pattern for stability. The box would be 2x4s, 1/2" ply and screws. As for the exterior treatment, I would probably use exterior grade house paint over the 1/2" exterior grade plywood, perhaps an exterior grade plywood. The inside of the box would be broken up into compartments with removable dividers. The rearmost portion would be a galley, perhaps under its own cover. If a 4'x6' tent could be found to sit atop the trailer, everyone would be happy.
I would like this thing to be a rolling bear box (see my other recent post). If designed smartly, it should be easily lockable and inaccessible to a pesky bear.
I'm liking the idea.
Posted:
Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:59 pmby fornesto
That is pretty cool. I'll have to dive a little deeper into this one. My version will be removable, however.
