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My Camping Trailer Project

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Old Nov 12, 2011 | 05:49 PM
  #321  
DIRTCO's Avatar
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From: Summit County, Colorado
Originally Posted by dannomite
How about a picture of it hitched to the runner.
I've only towed it around the block once but I did take a couple pictures on my phone.





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Old Nov 12, 2011 | 05:52 PM
  #322  
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From: Imperial County CA
It's looking really good. Are we going to see more progress on this while you're waiting on your super charger?
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Old Nov 12, 2011 | 07:05 PM
  #323  
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Originally Posted by DIRTCO
Thanks man! I don’t plan on having a dedicated shower, but I do plan on having a water container and pump. It will work for rinsing off, washing dishes, etc. I only plan to be using the trailer for a couple days at a time, it’s more of camping trailer than expedition trailer.

I thought about building an off-road tear drop (and still want to) but it was more work than I wanted. It was also going to be a little heavy and overkill for what I plan on doing. The idea of having a fold out tent built into the factory style camper is sweet. I thought about it for a long time, I even looked at the Wilderness toppers, Flipac and AT set-up for ideas. If I had the fiberglass skills I would have gave it a shot, but I still prefer the idea of having a trailer with all my camping gear in that I can disconnect from the trailer and leave at camp. I’ve wheeled with a truck full of camping gear and it sucks.
Yeah, I can definitely understand what you mean. I got my idea for a camper top retrofit from the EarthRoamer XV-JP. If you have never seen them, you should check out their site at www.earthroamer.com. I really love what you have done though.
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Old Nov 13, 2011 | 07:41 PM
  #324  
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As always this project is amazing...it is almost done and better than ever. I eventually would like to build my own version...something like that just a little more, I think when I build mine I will go for more expedition type...for longer stays....but this is just amazing!
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Old Nov 13, 2011 | 07:51 PM
  #325  
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From: Cohutta (near Dalton) Georgia
are you going to put any type of fenders on it? may be hard to get a tag if you dont depending on your state laws. just something to think about. it looks great!
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Old Nov 14, 2011 | 12:33 PM
  #326  
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He has address this in an earlier post saying some type of tube fender.
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 08:23 AM
  #327  
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Originally Posted by iamsuprman13
As always this project is amazing...it is almost done and better than ever. I eventually would like to build my own version...something like that just a little more, I think when I build mine I will go for more expedition type...for longer stays....but this is just amazing!
I am right there with you...I am SUPER impressed with this build, but when I do mine, I am either going to go for more luxury, or longer stay capabilities...probably the later of the two...
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 08:41 AM
  #328  
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Originally Posted by DIRTCO

Hey man, is the hinge on the front and the latch system on the back, or vice versa? I ask because I was looking at it and thought about what a great place it would be for a spare mount. Right on the front of the firebox. Of course you would have to leave room for either the box lid or latch and I don't know how much space that would leave you to crank the drop wheel handle, but I thought it would look nice and be out of the way there. Just something to think about...I read through the entire thread a few days ago and can't remember where you mentioned the spare tire carrier being located...
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 04:01 PM
  #329  
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From: Summit County, Colorado
Originally Posted by sebastianholmes
are you going to put any type of fenders on it? may be hard to get a tag if you dont depending on your state laws. just something to think about. it looks great!
It's getting fenders, I'm just working on getting it all sealed up. With winter here that seems more important. Here is a picture of the fenders I bought, I think it sould look right at home on the trailer.

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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 05:26 PM
  #330  
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From: Summit County, Colorado
Originally Posted by iamsuprman13
As always this project is amazing...it is almost done and better than ever. I eventually would like to build my own version...something like that just a little more, I think when I build mine I will go for more expedition type...for longer stays....but this is just amazing!
Originally Posted by gryllswannabe
I am right there with you...I am SUPER impressed with this build, but when I do mine, I am either going to go for more luxury, or longer stay capabilities...probably the later of the two...
Thanks guys! I really wanted to build an off-road tear drop trailer, but at the time I had the Turbo 4Runner so it would have been too heavy. Also, like I said before, a tear drop was going to be a ton of work (and money) without knowing if it was going to get used to it's full potential. The hardcore expedition trailers are cool, but I really don’t see myself being isolated for more than a couple days before I run into a town where I can get more food, ice, gas, beer, etc.

In all reality when I plan my future expedition style trips I will have two or three days on the trail, then a day or two in a nice town / hotel, and back to the trail. Repeat that process a couple times and it will be time to head home. For the most part it will be used as a camping trailer on the weekends and I’ll be going through a town on a daily basis where I can get supplies (Moab, BV, etc).
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 07:36 PM
  #331  
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I can understand that 100%...I really do like what you have done with it!
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Old Jan 21, 2012 | 06:39 PM
  #332  
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I have not worked on this in a long time, between work and the 4Runner I have not had the time. Well I pulled it in the shop this weekend to dry it out a little, and since it was there I spent a few hours working on it. Nothing major but every little bit counts. I forgot my camera but a took a few pictures with my phone.

I got the first slider mounted for the cooler and dry food box, with that installed I was able to install the flooring and tie-downs. The flooring is some anti-fatige foam pad that we had around the shop, I think it's around 3/8 think. The tie-downs I got from Northern Tool for cheap, they aren't fancy but they should do the trick.







I also found a spot to install the rear 12 volt outlet



With the flooring installed I was able to install the interior LED lights, there's a LED bar on each side of the center cross bar.





And here it is all lit up. I turned off the shop lights and it was bright enough not to set off the flash on the camera. It's bright, without being too bright or blinding, and it also sends out a nice light pattern into the outside camping area. I have a Coleman lantern, but this will come in handy for setting up camp or when I'm too lazy to fire up the lantern.


Last edited by DIRTCO; Jan 21, 2012 at 06:41 PM.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 01:00 PM
  #333  
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Very nice! Those lights are impressive. I'll have to look into those. Been looking for some lights for a gun safe and those sure look bright. Are you powering them with the jump box there on the side?
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 03:46 PM
  #334  
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From: Summit County, Colorado
Originally Posted by levsmith
Very nice! Those lights are impressive. I'll have to look into those. Been looking for some lights for a gun safe and those sure look bright. Are you powering them with the jump box there on the side?
Yes, I was using the jump box to power the lights. I need to install everything before I can start the wiring process. The LED's put out an amazing amount of light compared to how much energy they use. The reflective surfaces inside the trailer also help with the brightness of the light output .

Last edited by DIRTCO; Jan 22, 2012 at 03:55 PM.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 03:58 PM
  #335  
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Thats some beautiful work man.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 04:26 PM
  #336  
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From: Summit County, Colorado
Originally Posted by 4runninmuds
Thats some beautiful work man.
Thanks!
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 05:01 PM
  #337  
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Looking good, I can't wait to start my trailer project...but I gotta finish that truck when I get back first...
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Old Jan 28, 2012 | 05:53 PM
  #338  
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From: Summit County, Colorado
I got a little more work done on the trailer…

I installed the second drawer slide; this will hold my cooler and dry food box.









I also found some latches for the firewood / trash box; they are lockable but I’ll probably just use a couple zip-ties, that will keep them popping open when going down rough, bouncy roads.



And a picture of the courtesy step lights; there’s one on top of the firewood box and one at the entryway for the tent.




Last edited by DIRTCO; Jan 28, 2012 at 05:56 PM.
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Old Jan 28, 2012 | 06:26 PM
  #339  
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I love that color 3rd gen.

Take some full pics of the whole trailer next time please.

:wabbit2:
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Old Jan 29, 2012 | 08:15 AM
  #340  
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From: Acapulco, Gro. Mexico.
...Amazing... -what a beautiful object you are building...Congrats again...!
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