Project: Bug Out Trailer

[rbeau30]

So, story is I had way more money than I knew what to do with, so I decided I would build a bug out trailer.

Well not quite. It is weird how I ended up with this trailer, but basically it is the fruit of 13 hour nights with very little to do but plan stuff out. A buddy and I planned it out. He did most of the welding. He ended up moving to Alaska. Another buddy bought it for his garage cabinet business. He moved to MO. And I bought it, and decided I would turn it into my camping/bug out trailer.

Took it out a couple weekends ago on it's maiden expedition. Chatfield Reservoir. LOL

Hooked up and ready to go.
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Tepui "Autana Sky" tent deployed.
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Rear view while deployed.
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I have to plan out some sort of galley yet, as well as the water filter/storage system (16 gallon tank on the underside). I am planning a communications/electronics section in one of the side toolboxes. Tools and other spare items in the other side.

I'll be having some canvas made for the rest of the top to make it somewhat water resistant.

It started it's life as an M116A3 trailer (we are thinking a pressure washer or generator.) But the deck wasn't on it when it was acquired.

[Wulf202]

Nice. How does it feel towing?

[rbeau30]

Well, it stops well, probably because of the surge brakes. I have to get used to the "clunk" of the pintle. My tow vehicle is not the most powerful it is a bit sluggish. (2004 'burban 1500) I have yet to weigh the trailer, but I can push it around by hand easily so it can't be all that heavy.

I really like that the trailer has shocks. When going over construction bumps it dampens the bouncing.

[StagLefty]

Very cool.

[killianak9]

That's sweet [emoji106]🏻[emoji106]🏻

[Brian]

Huh, I want one of those. Any idea how much cash you collectively have in that project at this point?
The other problem I have - where do you store it? In the garage? I need to clean some crap out of my garage if that's ever going to happen.

[rbeau30]

I bought it from my buddy that moved to MO for 2K. He had the entire thing Rhino-Lined.

The metal used for the frame and all that was all picked from a metal scrap yard at 50 cents a pound give or take. The tool boxes on the sides were picked up off craigslist. The Trailer frame itself was about $200 off craigslist.

The Tepui Tent was the expensive part. $1550. BUT I really like being off the ground. With my back the way it is... I am not sure how much I could handle sleeping on tree roots.

The Spectre Water and fuel tanks were a couple hundred all together.

I have a 3 car garage... This gets backed into the third space, with the tow vehicle parked on the driveway outside of the garage in front of it. The guy that I bought this from that moved to MO has a garage cabinet business, actually set up my garage with redline garage gear when I moved in for cost plus his labor, so I got a whole lot of storage space and a garage floor coating for real cheap. My garage was supposed to be his showroom. Unfortunately I have more stuff than space to put it still.

[HoneyBadger]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but this is a sweet project! I really like how rugged it is when compared to a standard popup camper.

[rbeau30]

Thanks! It is a long time coming. Been working on it a while. The ground clearance is nice and it is not all that bouncy because of the shocks.

There is still much to do like the water filter and storage system. And the electronics/communication stuff. Ham Mesh Net Stuff, and some antennas, maybe a 20 foot collapsible antenna mast.

[TheGrey]

This is really cool. You've put a LOT of thought into this!

[68Charger]

Nice work!
I've got trailer similar to that... little bigger, I think... but doesn't have a deck (a chassis trailer for generator?) haven't done anything with it yet...

[rbeau30]

Nice work!
I've got trailer similar to that... little bigger, I think... but doesn't have a deck (a chassis trailer for generator?) haven't done anything with it yet...

I think the bigger ones are the M103. I had one of those until I had the opportunity to get this one.

This one should be good to go with 1 ton of weight over the frame.

[rbeau30]

Got my trailer covered today. This is just after picking it up from Paul's Canvas on Washington Street. $470 later.
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This should keep the road grime out of the trailer. Going to put the tent back on the trailer tomorrow, just have to get some grommets in the top to allow for the u bolts keeping the tent on the cross members.

I weighed it today on the way home. 2k LBS :-( That was a little disheartening. Although it is supposedly rated for an overall weight of 3K... gotta pack it wisely I guess.

[GilpinGuy]

That is pretty BA! I had Paul's redo all of the canvas on my old VW camper years ago. They did a great job.

[hunterhawk]

That is sick! Good work!

[rbeau30]

Thanks for the kind words fellas! I started having issues with the surge brakes when I took it to Paul's last week. Started bunny hopping when I slowed down. It didn't do that when it was fully loaded.

I did a little research on the issue, and apparently there is a little shock in the lunette surge brake mechanism that goes bad. It is also not fun to replace it. So, I just got a 3/8" Grade 8 6" bolt and put it through the hole that disables the brake mechanism.

Towed fine from SE Aurora to the canvas place, so I think the shock replacement can wait for now, at least until my dad is in town and can lend me a second set of hands.

[Rumline]

For anybody interested in these kinds of trailers, there's a whole subforum on Expedition Portal dedicated to offroad camping trailers: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/42-Expedition-Trailers

And here's where a lot of them get posted for sale: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/99-Expedition-Campers-and-Trailers

[Alpine]

I've been thinking the same thoughts about doing a trailer. In a perfect world I'd buy a Timberline Camp Legend, but price is around $24K, and weight is 3500-lbs. I'd like to cut price and weight. Looking at a cargo trailer, price for a 6x12 is around $3500, and weight around 1200-lbs. one company I spoke with said I could upgrade with taller tires (off-road), thicker plywood, insulated, better roof support (snow load), plus windows, etc.
I would then add wood burner stove, solar panels, battery plant, inverter, bunk beds, etc.

Next week, I'll be in Montrose, and I'll look at some travel trailers for ideas.

[Irving]

Could try here: http://www.coldwarremarketing.com/
Click on vehicles, then trailers.

[bruceleroy]

Thats really cool. I am looking to start a similar project for hunting.