I bought a HF 4 x 8 trailer, flipped the axle with stronger ubolts. to lower it. My tow car is lowered already
I was able to extend and strengthen my tongue with an old boat tongue, It's 2 x 3 box with a welded receiver on the end flipped the stock receiver mount over and notched, drilled and bolted them together, was also able to bolt the back to 2 crossbars of the trailer. I feel comfortable with it and it gives me about 18" longer tongue
Plans are to build a 2x4 frame which will notch around tops of tires and give me 9 foot length and 55" width, WIll have a cutout over the tires with the original fender covering the exposed part .then flooring on that. WIll make a section or two of the floor lift up for some storage below, will go down 6-8" or so. After looking at all the tear drops and foamies, I decided to go simple box shape with a angle on the front. I am not needing extra insulation so just going for plywood walls for now,
All I really want is a place to crash at night and some storage. I have a couple of Solar vent fans I can put in the roof. I have about 50-60 watts of solar panels and several AGM batteries. I will have LED lights inside and out for lighting and decoration. I will be able to attach an awning off the side for shade and seats. I will put a 5000 btu AC unit in either back or front depending on how weight distribution falls out Walls will be approx 1/2 ply, with stiffeners glued on outside if needed. flat triangles 1/2" thick glued into corners and 3/4 " for front and rear walls to stiffen it up. I plan on glueing all joints and 2x4 crossbars at a few key locations.
As it comes together I will know what it needs. I work better in real time than from plans
Not worried about extreme temps, but the foam ideas are intriguing as well as canvassing. I want to make this simple enough to actually finish in a few months, but durable and possibly upgradeable later. Canvassing the outside sounds promising, but haven't learned enough yet to consider it seriously,
My goals are comfortable bed (54" x 72") storage for most of our gear, electric lights with a switch and a phone /USB charger, solar fans and a battery fan for night with a small bank of batteries , couple of windows that open with screening. Place to attach awnings to outside and then a couple of poles. I have a 5 gallon jerry can for water and 1 for fuel, may mount them on outside to fix weight distribution..........
Crude paint drawing to show the basics. Bottom right is my crude attempt to devise a bell crank to mount a shock horizontally under the bed and dampen the bounciness I can do basic welding and different holes in the bell crank will change the ratios on the shock
We currently go camping for up to a week at a time, with just a tent and what we bring in the station wagon. We will have an enclosed awning to set up our Kitchen in, Not planning on cooking in this camper
Roly, the So Calif woody guy