Off grid camping trailer build

[black pearl]

I’ve wanted to build a off road trailer for a while now. Looks like it’s coming together finally!!
Picked up a older Colman trailer last weekend and started ordering parts!
the main parts I’ve ordered are Lock n roll hitch and a axel less suspension system. I have stripped all the old parts off the trailer and gotten the 3X2 .120 wall steel to start building the new frame.
now I wait till the other parts show up so I can start building!

 

[Colorado4x4]

I will be following along with this. We bought a roof top tent last year and it’s great to get the family out and camping. The tent is great but I can’t stand it being on top of my Jeep. I’ve been looking to build a cheap trailer out of a pickup bed or utility trailer. I’m not going to be taking this trailer on hard trails but would take it on easy forest service roads and I think it would be way easier to set it up and establish a base camp in Moab or Colorado and then wheel trails around the vicinity. Do you have any pics? I’m sure I will be asking questions!

edit; just saw the pics

 

[CalSgt]

Following... I built one last summer with a lock-n-roll hitch & Timbren axles, we're gonna need some more pictures too

 

[Bullwinckle]

Looking forward to see what you do with the trailer.

 

[black pearl]

I will be following along with this. We bought a roof top tent last year and it’s great to get the family out and camping. The tent is great but I can’t stand it being on top of my Jeep. I’ve been looking to build a cheap trailer out of a pickup bed or utility trailer. I’m not going to be taking this trailer on hard trails but would take it on easy forest service roads and I think it would be way easier to set it up and establish a base camp in Moab or Colorado and then wheel trails around the vicinity. Do you have any pics? I’m sure I will be asking questions!

edit; just saw the pics

I will be posting more pictures as I go with the build. I also don’t want the tent on the roof of the Jeep. I’m planning on using this one on a variety of trails. Only time will tell how it handles rocks . Just like your thinking it will make base camp a little easier.

 

[black pearl]

Following... I built one last summer with a lock-n-roll hitch & Timbren axles, we're gonna need some more pictures too

Those are the axles I got also. I’ll be posting as I go. It’ll probably be about a week till my parts start showing up....

 

[black pearl]

Those are the axles I got also. I’ll be posting as I go. It’ll probably be about a week till my parts start

Following... I built one last summer with a lock-n-roll hitch & Timbren axles, we're gonna need some more pictures too

how do you like the lock n roll? How are it’s road manners ?

 

[CalSgt]

Those are the axles I got also. I’ll be posting as I go. It’ll probably be about a week till my parts start showing up....

how do you like the lock n roll? How are it’s road manners ?

Honestly I haven't done any radical off-roading with the trailer yet, on road it handles great. I looked at a few of the other companies articulating hitches in person and most of them look like they would be near impossible to get hooked up at any type of strange angle, the locknroll has been easy to manipulate so far. I do worry that with it's un hindered rotation it would be very possible to flop the trailer over if not paying attention.

Here is my build thread if you are interested
https://wayalife.com/threads/tent-trailer-size-build-thread.59712/

 

[black pearl]

how do you like the lock n roll? How are it’s road manners ?

Honestly I haven't done any radical off-roading with the trailer yet, on road it handles great. I looked at a few of the other companies articulating hitches in person and most of them look like they would be near impossible to get hooked up at any type of strange angle, the locknroll has been easy to manipulate so far. I do worry that with it's un hindered rotation it would be very possible to flop the trailer over if not paying attention.

Here is my build thread if you are interested
https://wayalife.com/threads/tent-trailer-size-build-thread.59712/

Good to know!
I plan on testing the trailers tip point before taking it out. I also like the lock n roll for the fact that if I do roll the trailer, it won’t pull on the Jeep if it’s also off camber. I’ll definitely check out your build thread!

 

[black pearl]

Did a little more work on the trailer bed as I wait for parts.

 

[black pearl]

Nothing to exciting done today. A little more sanding. Then I decided to pull out the tires that are going on it. To get a glimpse of what it will look like. Also added a photo of comparison to what it had, to what it’s getting.

 

[sipafz]

Cool project! Thinking about getting a fixer upper military trailer myself so I’ll be following your progress.

 

[black pearl]

Cool project! Thinking about getting a fixer upper military trailer myself so I’ll be following your progress.

I really wanted a military trailer, but people want to much for them around California. I’m still looking through

 

[Seahawkfan]

Here's an auction site. Not sure what they end up going for in the end. Looks like about 7 of them in CA.

Military Trailers For Sale | GovPlanet

Buy surplus Military Trailers from and more. Buy with confidence with our IronClad Assurance®.

www.govplanet.com

Even better..

1 1/2 Ton Trailers

9:00 x 20 tires. 7' x 10' box. U.S. Government issue. Nice. Pintle hitch. Prices range from $495.00 without cover and racks to $595.00 with cover and racks.

colemans.com

 

[black pearl]

Here's an auction site. Not sure what they end up going for in the end. Looks like about 7 of them in CA.

Military Trailers For Sale | GovPlanet

Buy surplus Military Trailers from and more. Buy with confidence with our IronClad Assurance®.

www.govplanet.com

Even better..

1 1/2 Ton Trailers

9:00 x 20 tires. 7' x 10' box. U.S. Government issue. Nice. Pintle hitch. Prices range from $495.00 without cover and racks to $595.00 with cover and racks.

colemans.com

I was watching some of those sites. Put a bid on one that would fit my needs in Arizona, but didn’t get it. I was being really picky on size and weight.

 

[sipafz]

I really wanted a military trailer, but people want to much for them around California. I’m still looking through

Some can be cheap in Wisconsin, but rot is common:


Then again, I’m thinking this little gem might fit the bill:

 

[Brute]

Right on...as much as you like to camp, this is a great idea...

 

[black pearl]

Some can be cheap in Wisconsin, but rot is common:

View attachment 362032
Then again, I’m thinking this little gem might fit the bill:

View attachment 362033

That’s a bit of a drive for me but great prices

 

[black pearl]

Right on...as much as you like to camp, this is a great idea...

It should make it a bit easier to just get up and go!! Hopefully it all goes as planned.

 

[black pearl]

Got a little more done the last couple days. Lots and lots of sanding. Then was able to put some primer on it. Then since I was missing the front of the bed, I made a section out of a old cabinet and welded it in. Also my other rim showed up so mounted that tire yesterday. Now I just need to prep the tailgate.
My other parts should be here beginning of the week some time.