Enthusiast III
Greetings Overland Bounders! I'd like to introduce to you the crown jewel of my setup: the low-budget, multi-use utility adventure trailer.
I bought this 5' x 8' enclosed utility trailer for $500 from my parents who had it custom built back in 2000. It has 50/50 barn-style rear doors, a passenger side access door, and heavy duty leaf springs that give it additional ground clearance and some flex. I use the trailer for pretty much everything so as I started building for overlanding, I wanted to be sure I can still use it for other purposes as well, such as moving furniture, hauling stuff to the dump, and home improvement projects. To that end, I decided everything I'm adding to this should still allow full use of the cargo area when I need it.
The first thing I did was to add a way to use it comfortably as a shelter. For this, I build a 9-post frame from heavy duty PVC (3", I believe) and 3/4" floor decking to use as a sleeping platform. It allows us to load up camping gear under the platform and keep some bedding already setup on the platform. If I ever need the cargo space, the platform disassembles and comes out entirely. So far, it's worked pretty well but I have a couple things to tweak, such as a tie-down system so it doesn't move around on gnarly trails. $70 for the whole thing.
The second thing I've added is a 8' x 9' awning that I built with a few telescoping tent poles and some hardware store supplies. The awning rolls up as one unit and stores nicely inside the trailer so it won't get caught on things and create more wind resistance. When I get to camp, I just roll it out and secure it to the quick fists on the roof of the trailer and I'm good to go. $100 for the awning.
I'm taking out this next weekend, so I'll some shots of it all set up when I get back. I have a bunch more ideas for this trailer and will post updates on it as I add things.
Cheers!
I bought this 5' x 8' enclosed utility trailer for $500 from my parents who had it custom built back in 2000. It has 50/50 barn-style rear doors, a passenger side access door, and heavy duty leaf springs that give it additional ground clearance and some flex. I use the trailer for pretty much everything so as I started building for overlanding, I wanted to be sure I can still use it for other purposes as well, such as moving furniture, hauling stuff to the dump, and home improvement projects. To that end, I decided everything I'm adding to this should still allow full use of the cargo area when I need it.
The first thing I did was to add a way to use it comfortably as a shelter. For this, I build a 9-post frame from heavy duty PVC (3", I believe) and 3/4" floor decking to use as a sleeping platform. It allows us to load up camping gear under the platform and keep some bedding already setup on the platform. If I ever need the cargo space, the platform disassembles and comes out entirely. So far, it's worked pretty well but I have a couple things to tweak, such as a tie-down system so it doesn't move around on gnarly trails. $70 for the whole thing.
The second thing I've added is a 8' x 9' awning that I built with a few telescoping tent poles and some hardware store supplies. The awning rolls up as one unit and stores nicely inside the trailer so it won't get caught on things and create more wind resistance. When I get to camp, I just roll it out and secure it to the quick fists on the roof of the trailer and I'm good to go. $100 for the awning.
I'm taking out this next weekend, so I'll some shots of it all set up when I get back. I have a bunch more ideas for this trailer and will post updates on it as I add things.
Cheers!
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