Dirtco’s Camping Trailer - Version 1.2

[Dirtco]

We finished Webster and hit Saints John’s; it was a short mile or two on an improved dirt road (no pavement for us!), then a mile or so until the ghost town. It’s all private property, and people still live there, so we slowly rolled through town (if you call it that) but didn’t take any pictures. We stopped at the first good camping spot to take a break and take in the surroundings.



Cabin just above where we were.



And this is when the weather really moved in; it started raining/sleeting, and we were literally in the clouds with limited visibility as we assented the steep switchbacks. With the trailer in tow I had no desire to take pictures, I just wanted to get to the top before we ran into traffic. I fired up the amber RI dually’s hoping that someone would see them before dropping down the trail. We got lucky and only ran into a couple dirt bikes that pulled over for us.

Here we are at the top, in a break of the weather



We continued down the trail; there were several steep descents, and we were following the ridge of mountain range. We were still in the clouds, normally the views would be breathtaking! We continued on for a while, turning onto the North Fork branch of the trail. After 10-15 minutes the sky opened up and we were greeted with sunshine and amazing views!

 

[Dirtco]

Panorama, look for the rainbow on the right side of the picture



Another

 

[Dirtco]

We worked our way down to Wise Mountain, and the crazy cabin that was waiting for us. There are a ton of these cabins around; bring more than you take, and leave it cleaner than you found it, that’s the rules. You wouldn’t catch me sleeping in one by choice, but I know where they all are in case of an emergency.

Whoever decided to build this cabin above tree line, directly in the wind path is an idiot! I can’t even start to describe the conditions this poor cabin witnesses on a given year, all the rocks on the roof are to keep it from flying away in the 100mph plus wind gusts it has to live with on almost a daily basis!







The inside is even more sketchy, hope you have your shots and like snuggling with little rodents!







After leaving the cabin the trail drops down a steep ravine; it’s washed out on a normal basis, so I was a little concerned how it bad it was going to be with all the rain we have gotten, and the trailer in tow!

Starting down the hill it became obvious it was more washed out than normal, but there was no turning back! It also became apparent that once the trailer starts to high side the trail it will not drop back down, here we go!





It was a little nerve racking, then I hit a spot that I knew was going to be trouble! It was washed out more than normal, and there was a tree with a protruding root right in the way. It got a little intense for a few minutes, but I made it through with an inch or two to spare! I have GoPro footage, here is a screen shot to tie you guys over!

 

[Dirtco]

There was an old town site about 20 minutes away, which would be camp for the night. It’s off the main trail and dead ends a little ways up past our spot, which meant less traffic. It’s a really cool spot that is surrounded by trees, but still has an open area. Here is an overhead view of the area, disregard the green arrow.



Aaron had a bit of roof top tent envy, and wanted to show me that you don’t have to spend a grand on a RTT, just go to Wal-Mart and pick up an air mattress! It was hilarious!



Woke up Sunday morning, packed up and made the short trip down North Fork and headed up Georgia Pass. It was rainy and muddy so we didn’t bother with pictures until the summit.







Aaron made is way over the rest of Georgia Pass and back home, while I headed back down the Summit County side and explored some side trails and campsites. It was an awesome trip, one of my favorites! Having the trailer behind the truck really ups the difficulty level of the trails; it was a lot of fun and never a dull moment! I can’t wait for the next trip!

 

[Dirtco]

GoPro footage of the decent down North Fork with the trailer, it's steeper than it looks!

 

[TheArkMaster]

DAMN. I LOVE IT MAN! I want one. Looks like you spent a lot of time on that thing and it has payed off. Good job! I give it an A+++++.:humble::faint:

 

[TheArkMaster]

A couple weeks ago I took the trailer down to Buena Vista for the Colorado Toyota Jamboree. It was a fun trip, and a good three days of wheeling!

On the way home I ran Mosquito Pass with the trailer, from Leadville over to Alma. I think it was my favorite day of the trip!

http://s239.photobucket.com/user/dirtco/media/CO4RJ13/DSCN1937.jpg.html

I love this bumper. What is it? Addicted? What about the rear?

 

[Dirtco]

I love this bumper. What is it? Addicted? What about the rear?

Thanks, I made both of them! Details are in the 4Runner build thread located below:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/95322-dirtcos-1999-4runner-build.html

 

[TheArkMaster]

Thanks, I made both of them! Details are in the 4Runner build thread located below:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/95322-dirtcos-1999-4runner-build.html

I don't suppose you'd be in the business to make me one? :eyebrows::rofl:
I love it man! haha

 

[tyr0981]

i agree with the above envious comments! absolutely beautiful build, great work! :hail:

I've been pondering converting an enclosed trailer i have into a camping type multi-purpose unit, i use it to haul around motorcycles & ATV's too, so I'd have to retain that ability as well. But i knew that i couldn't take it with me everywhere because of it's size / weight / low ground clearance. Your project here gives me inspiration to not give up! again man, that's a great use of i'm sure hundreds of hours of your time! i bet you qualify as a 'Master fabricator' by now!

GREAT WORK!

 

[Dirtco]

i agree with the above envious comments! absolutely beautiful build, great work! :hail:

I've been pondering converting an enclosed trailer i have into a camping type multi-purpose unit, i use it to haul around motorcycles & ATV's too, so I'd have to retain that ability as well. But i knew that i couldn't take it with me everywhere because of it's size / weight / low ground clearance. Your project here gives me inspiration to not give up! again man, that's a great use of i'm sure hundreds of hours of your time! i bet you qualify as a 'Master fabricator' by now!

GREAT WORK!

Thank you, I really appreciate the complement! Your 100% right, if you want to fine tune your fabrication (and electrical) skills build an expedition trailer from scratch! It's a TON of work and time, but well worth it in the end.

As for your trailer, the issue I see with lifting a cargo trailer is the added COG and placing the box of the trailer in the wind stream behind the tow vehicle. I think a small to medium lift, with some rock sliders/bumpers might be your best bet. But, that also depends on the construction of your frame. You will figure it out, best of luck on your project!

 

[oljedi11950]

Big fan Dirtco & have followed your trailer build since I joined here , that said like above mentioned love the bumpers & not a big fan of shrockwork or others like them kinda seems like a 4r uparmored to me ! Do you know of anyone who makes tube ones like the old smitttybuilts for 4th gens ?

 

[NuclearN8]

Your trailer costs more than my truck. That thing is ridiculously awesome and impressive. You have a lot more time and money than I do, that's obvious. You also have the skill to employ both resources in a way I only wish I could if I did have them... I guess, I'll just continue to fold my rear seats flat and enjoy my self-contained trailer mod.

Great trail pictures!

 

[Dirtco]

Big fan Dirtco & have followed your trailer build since I joined here , that said like above mentioned love the bumpers & not a big fan of shrockwork or others like them kinda seems like a 4r uparmored to me ! Do you know of anyone who makes tube ones like the old smitttybuilts for 4th gens ?

Thanks! I really don't know what's available for the 4th gens, but if I run across something I will let you know.

Your trailer costs more than my truck. That thing is ridiculously awesome and impressive. You have a lot more time and money than I do, that's obvious. You also have the skill to employ both resources in a way I only wish I could if I did have them... I guess, I'll just continue to fold my rear seats flat and enjoy my self-contained trailer mod.

Great trail pictures!

You would be surprised, I have a lot more time than money in it and was able to reuse a lot of materials and spare parts to cut down on the cost.

Sleeping in my 4Runner isn't much of an option…

 

[piccrazy30]

Hope to see you out and about this summer with your two toys!! Both of your builds are awesome, seriously nice work :bravo:

 

[BigBluePile]

Such a sweet build! One of these days I'll start working on my trailer:

 

[KidVermicious]

Is that a Datsun or Toyota bed, BBP? I've got a Datsun bed, but I'd rather find an '84-'88 Toyota bed and color match it to my truck.

 

[BigBluePile]

It's a 2wd Toyota chassis/bed with a full 4wd axle under it. It's fairly heavy but it pulls great. I'd like to move the axle back, lose the topper and put a rtt on it with struts to access the bed. Plus side access panels that fold down with pull out shelfs....ect.....ect....lol

 

[Dirtco]

Hope to see you out and about this summer with your two toys!! Both of your builds are awesome, seriously nice work :bravo:

Thanks! Me too, I would like to log some serious miles on both of them if I can!

Such a sweet build! One of these days I'll start working on my trailer

Looks like a good start!

 

[TheArkMaster]

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!