hausfrau
Oregon
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Joined: 07/13/2008
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Has anyone made their own tent trailer? It sounds like a fun project. There's one plan called "the explorer box" I was wondering if anyone has actually done it. You can see it here:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/rvs/1286694138.html
I would love to design my own trailer, maybe a little bigger than the explorer box, but with my own ideas for our particular needs. It would be small and easy to fit into the garage, but large enough to hold all our camping gear, including rafts and bikes.
Now if I could only convince my husband ...
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Click to this Link
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
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Our Rig Picture...CLICK HERE
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hausfrau
Oregon
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Rooftop tents ... could use in building your own trailer setup:
Rooftop Tents to order
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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Back in 1955 my dad built our 1st camping trailer. It was an all aluminum box with a custom made tent to top it off. Slept 4 of us.
Lots of work and a couple years later sold it and bought a store bought trailer.
Airstreams.... the best towing trailers on the planet!
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Beacher
Long Beach, CA
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hausfrau wrote:Has anyone made their own tent trailer?.....
If you venture off onto the ORV roads in the forests and deserts, you see all kinds of homemade acomodations. Very similar to the plan you mentioned they consist of a small lightweight and very maneuverable utility trailer, with a platform on top to have a tent. Many will use the huge safari rack on the top of their 4x4 to set up a small tent, and tow a tiny utility trailer for the camp kitchen and supplies.
There is also a huge movement going on with home-built teardrop trailers.
* This post was
edited 07/25/09 11:52am by Beacher *
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ccamping
Home
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Hmmm, I'll try to walk a fine line here, don't want to get in trouble for a "commercial" posting, I'm the designer of the Explorer Box. I have tons of experience with wooden trailer box based Tent Topped Camping Trailers. I'd be happy to answer any of your questions.
Hausfrau, that's a refreshing change, I'm always hearing it the other way, now I need to convince my wife ...
  
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hausfrau
Oregon
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I don't know the rules here that well, but I don't see the harm in being an expert on the matter and answering a few questions.
If I wanted to design one a little differently than yours, where would I go for the canvas part? Are there stock suppliers of the rooftop style tents here in the U.S.? I was just thinking if I could design my own, with all the kitchen elements I wanted, and storage for rafts and bikes, I'd be happier with the result.
Is your plan adaptable to a different size/layout?
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ccamping
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Yes a design like the Explorer Box is very adaptable depending on your level of DIY experience.
The standard frame sizes to build on are 4x6, 4x8 and 5x8. The Explorer Box is built on a 4x6. Non-standard sizes are easy to have made, it's just that the cost goes up.
Yes there are a couple of brand rooftop tents available in the US.
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tr4
NY
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Joined: 07/08/2009
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Is this preferable to a teardrop? I like teardrops and think it would be easier to use.
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ccamping
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It depends ...
Some advantages of Hardsided trailers (teardrops):
Security, the doors lock at night.
Better winter and poor weather performance.
Cool "vintage" styling
Some advantages of Softsided trailers:
Generally half the weight of a hardsided
No need to unpack cabin for going to bed
The instant open rooftop style folding tent units make setup a snap
  
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