Sorry if this is the wrong place guys, didn't know where else to put it.

I'm considering building a trailer to make taking my stuff camping and hunting easier.

A friend has an old unfinished trailer he was building (20yrs maybe) that he'd sell me for 400. I can't remember, it's either 4x6 or 4x8. well made, probably need new tires. side height doesn't matter as I could change (for cost of materials of course.

Let me tell you what I'm envisioning and why, and get feedback on whether or not worth the hassle.

I'd want it to contain all my camp gear of course, space for my rifles too, ideally a way to have the kitchen portion left on the trailer and open a side for access. Propane tanks mounted and one of those cool lantern trees I could attach and hang the light above the trailer for night. You get the idea. the limit is only cost of materials and imagination, as I have the tools to do it all.

The reason is that since my kids were born I've hardly hunted, and we've made a family commitment to try and get out camping a lot more going forward. so this would be for two purposes
1. space, my suv is TIGHT with camp gear and two car seats. I use all space inside as well as the roof rack on top
2. ease/speed. Loading and unloading probably takes me an hour, and in fact my gear is now in storage (winter) and I no longer have a good space to store it at home (this season if I don't keep it in a trailer it'll go on the side of the house).

what do you guys think? is it worth it? I'm guessing all said and done I'd be in it about 800 bucks.

Red

A utility trailer is neat when you're going camping/hunting. Have used one several times and in addition to freeing up truck/car space, it allows you to take some "nice to have" stuff that wouldn't fit otherwise.
There is the danger of hauling too much junque along but if you make yourself a comprehensive list of "got to haves" and "nice to haves", you can usually keep it in balance.
Are you planning a solid top --that is lockable for obvious reasons and rain proof? That's a good feature as when you're in camp, you can leave stuff in the trailer.
Like you said, your imagination is your only limit. Get out the graph paper and go to work.

whatever you do make sure to make it as airtight as you possibly can. trailers just suck the dirt and dust when you're moving

It would definitely be as watertight and airtight as possible, with locks, as it would be the new permanent home of all my camp gear.

I know what you mean about taking some "nice to have" stuff. I usually have to plan for specific trip before I go, not duplicating things others might be taking, due to space. ultimately their stuff is usually not as nice as mine, or they forget something. or I don't take a chainsaw and there's a tree in the road etc.

sounds like I'm going to try and revive my drafting skills tonight.

Red
PS
because this isn't high on the "budget" it will maybe not get finished BEFORE this hunting season.

Too bad you live so far away. I have just the thing for you for about $850.

It's an older 1/2-ton pick-up bed made into a trailer, and it has an older slide-in aluminum camper on it that has a 6' ceiling. There is no stove, fridge, etc. It just has two full-height large closets, bunks on either side with a take-down table between them and lower and upper storage cabinets. It has 12v lights, side and front windows, ceiling vent and regular back door that locks.

It would be quite easy to make a kitchen enclosure from canvas or plastic tarps that would fasten to the top on one side with a couple poles at the other end.

So you can sleep in the camper and have the kitchen area for cooking, eating and relaxing. And it sure hauls a lot of gear.

Local Gander Mountain has a trailer that folds open into tent. Not sure if on web page or not. Bunks etc inside.

i used a worn-out boat trailer to make something like you're talking about....i made a 5' tall box, 4' wide and 8' long.. the curbside opened up and made a table, where i could put a coleman camp stove.... the top slid over and made a roof of sorts...i had a bunk in the trailer bed, it beat sleeping on the ground...shelves in front for groceries, clothes and whatever else i carried...i had a 12 battery in it for a few lights... i could put my kayak on top...i must have pulled it 30k miles....finally fell apart...

I'd look around for a used utility trailer. You can find one in decent shape around here for $1,000 or so. Then just finish it out the way you want. Building a trailer from someone's homemade start would be a project that I wouldn't want to take on, especially when one can buy a factory model for probably close to the same money.

I've got me one of those trailers. I started out with a 4x8 trailer from Harbor Freight it cost $399 new. Then I put removable sides and top. I can use it for a flatbed too.

quote:

what do you guys think? is it worth it? I'm guessing all said and done I'd be in it about 800 bucks.

Absolutely a great idea.

I'd probably get a medium priced Safe and mount somewhere inside that did not allow room for a Sledge to be slung at it. And if access to it was restricted a bit, I'd accept that.

May need a space for a small generator. Perhaps on the tongue so the exhaust is definitely outside. We primarily used Chain Saws and Battery operated Drills, but a small generator was a Huge improvement when working on Stands. The Home Depot has a great Work Sheet to determine the potential Wattage needs. For example, many circular saws run on 1.4-1.5Kw but require 2.3-2.5Kw to start. If you get one too small, it won't run a saw.

Plenty of space for BIG Coolers. These can double as additional seating at the site. But, when you get a bunch of Trophys, you will need LOTS of BIG Coolers. Once they are outside, there is plenty of room to put an Air Mattress down and stay out of the rain.

A handy rack for DEET, TP, Gun Cleaning Supplies, condiments, Baby Wipes, flashlight batteries, knives, gambrel, shovel, axe, limb trimmer, ponchos,.... Good gosh, you(I) might need two trailers.

Might want to upgrade from Car Tires just a bit. And install Bearing Buddies.

Might be able to get a Roof off of an old Panel Truck or Van in a Junk Yard, or perhaps the entire body. Sliding, lockable doors would be right nice too. Cut off part of the body ahead of the Front Doors and close it in, but let the roof extend on out over the tongue.

Sure is easy when we are spending "your" money.

Best of luck with the project. It will be well worth the effort and investment.

Some great ideas here!

http://expeditionportal.com/fo...orumdisplay.php?f=42