Thread: Design and build a camper trailer - novice

What's your budget??

I built one using a 130 tub.....my RTT was also a little long but it seems to fit OK. I had an axle build so that I could bolt on defender stubs and hubs....plenty of spares if need, it will soon have defender calipers

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-t...b-trailer.html

Budget... yes... well.... $0. Seriously though. This is going to be a project, bits at a time sort of thing so I can gradually buy bits as I need them/can afford them. I would prefer it to take longer to build because I spend a little more on quality rather than quick and crap.

Originally Posted by weeds

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-t...b-trailer.html

Thanks for that link weeds, i've already had a squiz at your build! I've been looking around at the site a bit but it's sometimes hard to find just what you want.

I don't realy want to go down the "bolt a tray on a chassis" track... I feel it'd lead to the whole hinged lid bit and I"m not keen on that because once you put up the tent you can't get in the trailer. I'd prefer side access.

One thought that had crossed my mind was to use a series tub and cut it up to make it open wherever I want and really only LOOK like a series tub in the end.... maybe that train of thought needs more work....

could use a roof for the lid too!

Here's some ideas.

If you were starting with an old Army trailer, I wouldn't go No5 or Workshop. No brakes.
You're probably going to load up the trailer. It will easily go over 750kg.
I would expect the Haulmarks have brakes and possibly the Cooks. I know the Tracks do.
Track have a nice civvy one available but don't look at the price.


I wanted something similar so I bought an ex-RAAF Track. All I did was put some drawers in it and bolted a camper top on it.



The camper top was bigger than I wanted but it was the only one I could find with a 1.2m drop.

so after a few discussions with people about design etc here is a sketch-up of my current thoughts. because of my lack of cad style drawing skills(also lack of really caring about having every detail drawn) there are a few surfaces and framework missing - I have an idea of what framework I will use....


So what you see there is the front right corner. To try to make sense of my drawing I shall try to explain.... remember the front and side sheeting is missing...
- front has a slide out draw for fridge/esky (can't afford a fridge yet but going to make it compatible)
- right side front door (swings forward) is a battery compartment - battery on floor with fuses, dual battery system (charge from car), inverter and solar power plug/controller (when I can afford it) + other electrical bits

moving towar rear is a storage compartment (door opens up)
rear is another storage compartment (door upwards) between 2 storage compartments is a couple of rungs - ladder style to access the tent! saves carrying the ladder for the tent (crossed fingers)



This is the kitchen side.... roll out awning
The lift up legs will be on the other side too, just too lazy to draw themon.

so at the front there are shelves for the cooker
middle is shelves/draws not sure yet....
rear is a built in sink on the "bench" that is actually the side of the box that folds down. in the cavity where the sink folds into there will also be power for the tent (light) plus external light and 240V (when i get money for the inverter) plus light switches for fixed lights all around the trailer.
the rear of the box has the lift up door (again the sheeting is missing from the rear) this area will be general storage for long /heavy things.

Under the kitchen there will be a water tank. Under the right hand side storage areas there will be a diesel tank with transfer pump. Weight distribution has been a bit of a concern for me... so I think I will lean towards wasting a little space to get the tanks over the axle rather than having too much weight at the front of the trailer.

I was thinking as far a solar goes I will just get some of those roll out panels and when I stop plug them in then lay them ontop of the tent before opening.

Should mention that I'm going to have the awning on "telescopic" mounts - 25mm RHS main supports in the box will have a 20mm RHS inserted that can slide up and down with pins to lock at the height I want.

Can anyone think of any problems with my design? suggestions?

wow this must be my longest post ever....

no comments. I'll take that as a complement

Originally Posted by debruiser

no comments. I'll take that as a complement

Looking good. I think Ranga's utetop version (currently still for sale?) is one of the simplest and best designs/concepts I have ever seen. If I have a wee win in Lotto, I'll be over in a flash.