Dirtco’s Camping Trailer - Version 1.2

[Dirtco]

Hey Dirtco, I'm tossing around the idea of starting to build a trailer, probably from scratch to make sure it is the perfect length, width, and strength that I want it to be. What advice/must haves would you recommend. I probably won't be starting it any time soon but I would love to start planning!

That's a lot to go over, and I'm pretty sure I have hit the main topics earlier in this thread, and the thread before it (link in the first post). If your starting the planning stage I would re-read my two build threads, and spend a little time on Expedition Portal (there is a good selection of trailers over there). Take some notes, and get some idea's. If you have questions afterwards just let me know.

There are a couple things I have not brought up yet, you can add these to the list…

The Tent: If I was going to buy one again I would get one that has the extended canopy entrance, like the Tepui Autana. That way you can have a small room and covered entrance with the annex.

Storage: Figure out what you want to carry, and build the trailer around it. I have a good amount of storage, but it's a pain to get to everything. I have to unpack the trailer to set up camp, then repack it, and go through the whole process again to pack up. I plan on building a slide out platform that will be the entire foot print of the cargo area, that way I can slide it out and get what I want without digging for it through a small door. It should cut set-up and take down time quite a bit, and keep dirt and debris from getting transferred inside the trailer all the time.

Tailgate: I went with a swing out tailgate so it was easier to get in the back of the trailer; if I was going to do it again I would have a drop down tailgate that was removable, that way I could use it as a table too.

 

[Okki]

Thanks! Haha, my wife thinks it's ridiculous, she says "You know, we could just put a tent on the ground, do we really need a trailer on 35's?". I beg to differ, why wouldn't you want this!

My dream set up... There's another wife here that would much rather camp like that than in the ground tent we use now!.... awesome build!

Okki

 

[Dee3]

Awesome build Dirtco.. I built boat trailers for 8 years, was blown away reading over your build tonight.. Hands down coolest, most functional trailer I have seen for the trail. Perfect fit with your runner, props.

 

[Dirtco]

My dream set up... There's another wife here that would much rather camp like that than in the ground tent we use now!.... awesome build!

Okki

Thank you! She is coming around, especially after showing her a picture of this. I found this guy hanging out at the base of the tent ladder (under the mat I keep there) last month in Moab. I was packing up camp early in the morning, grabbed the mat, and it was only inches from my finger!

 

[Dirtco]

Awesome build Dirtco.. I built boat trailers for 8 years, was blown away reading over your build tonight.. Hands down coolest, most functional trailer I have seen for the trail. Perfect fit with your runner, props.

Thanks for the compliment, I really appreciate it! I still have a long list of things to add or change on the trailer, it's really a work in progress. I should have some updates very soon!

 

[Dirtco]

I think it’s time for an update!

I have a pretty long list of things to do, especially after my last trip. The more I take the trailer the out, the more ideas I have to streamline the camping process and make it more enjoyable.

This project was not at the top of the list in terms of being most important, but I’m running out of storage room and really needed to complete some of the “larger” projects.

I bought a water tank last year and started the frame, but I ran out of time and it’s been setting around taking up room. I figured it was time to at least get the tank in. The frame was made out of 16 gauge 1” square tubing, and after looking at it again I felt it needed more strength. So I added some 1/8” angle to the upper side of the frame.









Then I bent up the tank straps and added gussets





Frame welded in place and painted





Tank straps painted and rubber padding installed



Tank installed

 

[Dirtco]

I have always used the little 1-gallon disposable propane tanks for the camp stove and lantern I have. They do the job, but I hate having to carry multiple extras, and the limited life they have.

So I decided to buy a larger 5-gallon propane tank and mount it on the outside of the trailer, this saves room inside the cargo area and it’s also refillable which is nice. I will still carry a small tank for the lantern (when I want it to be mobile).

I welded up some steel to mount the bracket to, and then made a guard to protect the propane tank.

Before anyone asks; don't worry about the angle of the propane tank. The bracket is straight, but I need to loosen the clamp and reseat the tank. When I tightened down the clamp I think it shifted the tank a little. I didn't notice it until I was looking through the pictures.

 

[Dirtco]

And some better pictures!

 

[1blink]

Better and better

 

[kevinpt]

i say you should make a youtube video about your trailer showing what has been done to it

 

[Dirtco]

i say you should make a youtube video about your trailer showing what has been done to it

I would feel a little weird making a guided Youtube tour of my trailer, especially since it's still not done. I would like to document it better on an actual trip, with it getting used the way it should be. I just need to find the right trip to do it.

 

[Volcom]

I would feel a little weird making a guided Youtube tour of my trailer, especially since it's still not done. I would like to document it better on an actual trip, with it getting used the way it should be. I just need to find the right trip to do it.

Kokopelli trip! Let's run it from the start this time!

 

[Dirtco]

Kokopelli trip! Let's run it from the start this time!

Sounds like the perfect trip and trail to showcase the trailer!

 

[Dirtco]

I got a couple more small things done...

On my last trip to Moab the wind blew nonstop, and it was incredibly strong. The last night at camp the tent fabric started to separate from the lower frame and the wind was literally blowing through the tent; it sucked to say the least!

To fix this issue I had to open the tent back up, and reseat the pleating (easier said than done). To keep this from happening again I installed small setscrews through the frame and fabric, this should keep the fabric from working its way out of the channel that holds it in place.





Also, the firewood box has worked out great, but there has been a few times I almost got my fingers crushed by the lid falling down. So I added a small gas lift cylinder to lift the lid, and keep it up.

 

[Limbwalker]

how are you liking the truckfridge you bought for the trailer? Im thinking of getting the TF51 when they are back in stock, and building a slider for it in the back of the 4runner

 

[Dirtco]

how are you liking the truckfridge you bought for the trailer? Im thinking of getting the TF51 when they are back in stock, and building a slider for it in the back of the 4runner

Sorry for the late reply, I'm extremely happy with the fridge. I have one in the 4Runner, and one in the trailer; the one in the trailer seems to make more noise (kind of a gurgling sound) but it still works great. The one in the 4Runner gets used every time I take it out, and it hasn't let me down. I'll never go back to ice!

 

[NoDak]

1. if you ever start v2, I bet anyone in this thread would be more than happy to buy your old one

2. ever thought about a spare tire mount?

3. looking at the rear ground mounts, couldn't you modify some hi-lift jacks to use as a leveling kit and/or take unsprung weight off the ground?

couldn't you have some mount points on the corner of the trailer to attached the hi-lifts to ?

I think that would be a better solution than using rocks

 

[NoDak]

excuse the crappy chop job, I am at work


but you get the idea I have behind my previous post, just a thought. maybe not as cheap as rocks though.

 

[gunkl]

hey, my wallet is feeling really thick these days, want to sell me that one so you can build version 2?

 

[Dirtco]

1. if you ever start v2, I bet anyone in this thread would be more than happy to buy your old one

2. ever thought about a spare tire mount?

3. looking at the rear ground mounts, couldn't you modify some hi-lift jacks to use as a leveling kit and/or take unsprung weight off the ground?

couldn't you have some mount points on the corner of the trailer to attached the hi-lifts to ?

I think that would be a better solution than using rocks

1. I'm sure it will happen, it's just a matter of when. I have a bunch of really cool idea's just waiting for the next project. I had planned on pulling the trailer in the garage for the winter and taking care of a few more things I wanted to add, but the 4Runner needed the attention more than the trailer.

2. Yes, I've thought about it. For my personal vehicle/trailer set-up I just don't see the need. I have a spare on the 4Runner that has a matching bolt pattern and is close to the same size.

3. That is a good idea. I had thought about adding crank style trailer jacks in the same spots with pinned drop down legs, basically doing the same thing as your Hi-lift jacks. I decided against because of weight (that's the other reason I don't have an extra spare on the trailer).

Two Hi-lift jacks is pretty close in weight to a roof top tent, same thing with the trailer jacks I was looking at. That Moab picture you posted was one of the first trips out with the trailer, and I didn't choose a very good spot. Normally it only takes one or two 2x4's to level the trailer. I can't justify that much extra weight when there is other options.