Multi use trailer / Removable camper

[drhill]

Regarding this concept my question has always been WHY???
If it is going to cost more than a $100.00 to design, fabricate, or buy stands and a lifting system of a removable teardrop "pod" removal and storage system?????..........then why not buy a used utility trailer or even on of those cheap HF trailers to leave out in your side yard to haul whatever, whenever. And just build a normal teardrop with a removable tongue that you can push into the corner of you garage when not in service .
Way Simpler! Way Cheaper! And like ALL "Single Function" things, Way Better than any "Multi Purpose" gadget.
Remember trying to eat your camp meal at Boy Scout Camp with your cool Swiss Army knife rather than a simple knife, fork, and spoon? What a piece of crap!
Same principle applies here!
Good Roads
Brian

The big reason is space! for those of us not on a farm or acreage, there isn't enough room for all the toys. And there is no reason to make it complicated or expensive to be able to easily remove the camper from the trailer. I find it surprising that there are not more that are removable.

[Vedette]

[/quote]The big reason is space! for those of us not on a farm or acreage, there isn't enough room for all the toys. And there is no reason to make it complicated or expensive to be able to easily remove the camper from the trailer. I find it surprising that there are not more that are removable.[/quote]
I still don't get it
Acreage or not! A utility trailer + a teardrop trailer with a removable tongue = the same foot print in your yard, driveway, or garage as a utility trailer with the pod removed + the pod? Simple math.
And I am sure those that want to dispute this math will say that they can have their 2 motorcycles on the trailer when the pod is off?
But, their two motorcycles will take the same space on the floor of the garage or driveway as they will on the $100.00 trailer.
Thus, we are back to the "WHY" question.
Like I say .....I still don't get it???
It is not my intention to start an ongoing debate here. I was merely pointing out the obvious, because there are times when you get an idea in your head, that makes it hard to see the forest for the trees. Sometimes an outside observation or point of view can shed light on a questionable situation.
Just looking at some of the pictures posted on these removable pods, you can see so many things that are so wrong with the concept!!
Good Roads
Brian

[Gage]

[drhill]

Brian - what you are missing, at least in my case, is that the pod is lifted up and supported on stands that are above the utility trailer. The trailer can by pulled out and used without moving the pod or taking up any extra floor space. Like this:


The left side is supported at the stud wall - so solid. The right side by a simple stand. Total cost about 4 2x4s. Without the stud wall right next to the trailer a more rigid stand would be required.

[MidTNJasonF]

Regarding this concept my question has always been WHY???
If it is going to cost more than a $100.00 to design, fabricate, or buy stands and a lifting system of a removable teardrop "pod" removal and storage system?????..........then why not buy a used utility trailer or even on of those cheap HF trailers to leave out in your side yard to haul whatever, whenever.
....

Good Roads
Brian

Your points are certainly valid and for many that is the obvious choice. I am of the Alton Brown mind set. Uni taskers are bad. If it only serves one purpose I do not have the space or the time for it.

I already have the trailer and I never had plans to build a traditional teardrop. The low ceiling height and built in galley just do not cut it for me. They are only for nothing but camping and at 6' 3" I need more space for even sitting up. I will be hauling my motorcycle that will have to load from the back where a galley would normally be in a tear drop. I will be hauling kayaks, surf fishing gear, and mountain bikes from time to time as well. Obviously a 12 foot kayak will not fit in an 8 foot pod but the bikes could easily along with the fishing gear. I will be going with a Wanderer or similar design with a higher ceiling height and a more squared off style.

I had one of the Harbor Fright trailers and would not go back to one for hauling anything especially when I have a much nicer trailer already. Two trailers is two things to maintain. Two sets of hubs to keep in shape, two sets of tires to maintain, and two trailers to store. I do not have the property available to store much outside and am in a neighborhood with neighbors that would frown on to many things visible stored outside. I could probably get away with one trailer behind a gate in the back yard but that is about it.

I have casters and 2x4's are cheap. It would cost far less than $100 to design and fabricate a method to lift or move the pod.

[Vedette]

I am glad you are building something that meets "your" needs!
I was not trying to be negative in any way.
But, I do have strong feelings about multi purpose anything???? Just me.
And trailers? Up until 12 years ago, I said I would never tow anything, and told all my friends that if they ever saw my one of my cars or trucks with a trailer attached to it. "Report it stolen"
My how life changes...... I now have 5 trailers! Each one has its own purpose!!!
For us the idea of a Teardrop was the ability to leave at the spur of the moment, with no loading or set up. Just hook and go!
So far it has been the most wonderful life choice I have ever made (except Sandi) And can't wait for the next chapter (new Teardrop...Kermit) to begin. We are talking "Snowbirding" in a Teardrop within the next couple of years?????
Enjoy your build and the rest of your toys.........life is to short to worry about the little sh..!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[MidTNJasonF]

I am glad you are building something that meets "your" needs!
I was not trying to be negative in any way.
But, I do have strong feelings about multi purpose anything???? Just me.
...
Brian & Sandi

No offense taken or negativity felt, no worries.

For many I think your approach is the more likely one and the more appropriate one for their needs.

I can see where my approach would be a small niche of the tine trailer and teardrop market. I do think it will fit the bill well for me though. I can only think of one time I might have a second trailer and that would be if I added a very small single rail break down motorcycle trailer to the stable. Well unless I start racing cars again. I used to have the car hauler and pulled the race car over half the country, boy did that get expensive.

[starleen2]

The tiny trailer was built to be removable and have a dual use camper / trailer. i can tell you from experience that a lot of thought needs to go into the engineering of the removal of the teardrop. Eight bolts and it was loose from the from the frame. I had light gauge sheet metal on the frame to help side on and off. It was a major hassle to remove the tiny trailer from the trailer itself. Remember you are lifting about 800 to 1500 lbs (Or more, foamies are not essentially lightweight!). Not an easy task for one person unless you have the resources to do so. I only had the camper off the trailer two times after it was constructed - It was a major PITA to get back on and off. Your experience may vary

[booyah]

I may be wrong, but I think this is why they also make folding trailers....

I considered doing something like this with my build, but figured if I ever took it off I would be more likely to forgo bringing it because I would have to reattach it...

Then as I satrted to look at how I was going to secure the camper to the bed, I decided to skip the idea and just store it in the back yard when not in use...