Truck camper on a trailer

[DDavisIAMT]

I came across a thread that had quite a bit of information regarding mounting a TC on a trailer to make a toy hauler. I have seen this done before by modifying a boat trailer, which worked smoothly.

I would like to do this, but I do not need the toy hauler part, I just need it mounted on a trailer so I can disconnect my truck.

What kind of weight can I expect from a 1970-1980's TC?

How large of a trailer will I need to mount this on?

My biggest concern is stability of the camper on a smaller trailer while turning, etc. I would like to use the smallest trailer possible and keep the costs down as much as possible.

My plan is to find a cheap old TC and gut it leaving only the bed and counters. I will be using my Coleman stove for cooking, I am not to concerned about water, toilet, etc. I have managed w/o those for years while camping out of my truck bed topper.

I am getting tired of the cramped quarters of my truck bed topper and would like something hard sided I can stand up in as well as camp year round in.

Thanks!

[bka0721]

I agree with most of the posters here, you are approaching something for which many here have knowledge you can mine information from, if you were to keep an open mind, to do so. As the pictures shows, a very unsafe condition. What hasn't been pointed out, is the configuration of the hitch will create an unsafe braking situation for the tow vehicle (truck). During hard braking, slowing in a curve, the weight of the trailing vehicle (trailer) will start lifting the rear (drive) axle, resulting in loss of braking capabilities/control and subsequent Jack-Knife condition. So, yes, very unsafe. A two axle trailer and braking helps to minimize this condition.

There is a very frequent poster on this forum that has vast knowledge and always willing to help and share;

69 Avion

He has his Avion TC in a superb pick-up trailer and tows it behind his Ford truck. I would use the search box, at the top of the page, locate his threads or send him a PM to seek his advice. He is one that has done this successfully and warrants hearing his thoughts. While you have lots of experience, it is still beneficial to listen to others, not just what you would like to hear, either.

Welcome to the forum and hope to see you back often and updating us on your plans.

b

[jefe_4x4]

I'm not here to rain on your parade. Follow your dream. That way you will own any mistakes made along the way. I can think of a lot more why-nots than I can whys.
The MOST successful camper-on-trailer forum can be found on the Expedition Portal. The trailer guys on there are THE most inventive of all the thinking-outside-the-box boys.
When I was writing for Off-road.com, I was constantly asked about the efficacy of simply converting an old Chevy 1-ton pickup from two wheel drive to four wheel drive. What could possibly go wrong? Just throw a live front axle on there; a driveshaft; an NP205 transfer case that will fit your transmission and you are good to go. No? No. The fact is, unless you are a very aggressive do-it-yourself-type, and have the chops to pull it off, it's always better to buy a factory version of what you are trying to get to. Good luck with your project. No one on here is wishing you ill. We are just reporting our own bias and experience.
regards, as always, jefe

[trailgranny50]

Why not just go with a well used older but clean TC to fit your truck bed and mount your shell on a flat trailer to store your things you want to keep dry? Safer, multi purpose like you seem to be leaning toward. That way you could free up both the truck and trailer anytime.

[K_Mac]

What about getting an old pop-up, not pop-up Truck Camper, the ones where the beds slide in and out, some of the older ones are pretty bare to start with.

[trail-explorer]

My gut feeling is that a trailer that is built to handle the job properly is probably going to cost several thousand dollars.

It would require a pretty long tongue so the cabover clears the back of your truck canopy.

[trail-explorer]

DDavisIAMT wrote:
Trail-explorer- Thanks for the link, looks like some good information.

It's been a while since I surfed Pirate, so I can't remember which forum are the camper on a trailer are in.

[Reality_Check]

DDavisIAMT wrote:
....... before finishing my geology degree and taking a job as a engineer......

Well, there you go. There's the problem, the answer and the disaster all laid out. You're SCREWED.

I suggest you take up drinking. It's your best option to think you're going to succeed. lol, works for the rest of the world.

[Reddog1]

I am sure some of our comments come off as curt, that is not our intent either. Speaking for myself, I get the feeling you only are interested in recruiting support to what you want to do. I question you have any idea as to the cost of things. What is cheap insulation? Either you have adequate insulation or you do not.

In the link Trail-explorer provided, do you see any cheap trailers?

I do not have a geology degree, nor am I employed as an engineer, but that does not dismiss anything I have posted nor the information provided be others. Many if not all of us have a little knowledge on the subject. I have drank many gallons of beer in my life, and have a pretty good education, but I haven't the knowledge nor equipment to make beer.

I respect what you want to do, but it can be done and will not be cheap as you appear to think it is.

[DDavisIAMT]

SuperDave, I have a topper on my truck now that I would like to keep on there to keep gear dry, etc. I am looking for a camper to have a place to sprawl out and sleep, move around a bit more.

Trail-explorer- Thanks for the link, looks like some good information.

Reddog1 - I am not too worried about camping year round as I will not have and plumbing, refrigerators, etc. I camped out of my truck topper two nights at -2 deg. (then proceeded to load a boat and boat to a place to start my elk hunt) It was cold, but with the proper equipment I was able to keep the bed at around 40deg. I think with some cheap insulation I could manage to keep a TC fairly warm. Nor do I intend to be back in that degree of cold again. This was last winter while I was living in Montana.

[DDavisIAMT]

Well, I am a ASE certified technician and worked as a tech for 5 years or so before finishing my geology degree and taking a job as a engineer, so I think I'm pretty qualified to install a surge brake system on a trailer. Now, in my opinion this isn't something I think would really be necessary for the application I am looking to build. There are those out there that will claim it won't be safe. That is the main reason I am looking for ballpark estimates on weight.

I fully understand that there's a opportunity cost to evaluate with time here, but also, finding a suitable camper located near me may be hard to do, so I am evaluating all of my options.

I have my CDL, I've worked on a ranch for 3 years while going to school, I was a marine technician for several summers and worked on houseboats and I have pulled a massive variety of trailers/loads with a multitude of rigs so I understand how a load should pull properly and be safely towed. I have no experience with TC's so I am looking for some specs to get an understanding.

There's a absolutely perfect way to do this project that would in fact cost quite a bit, nickle and dime me, and eat up my free time. However I also feel there is a completely safe way to go about this project while spending the amount of time I feel I would want to spend on this project, as well within my budget.

I am looking to see if people have had experience doing this and have tips. Simply calling something "unsafe" by a photo or description doesn't seem valid to me (although I agree the posted photo from above looks like the jacks are ready to get busted off). I am looking for real world experience and feedback.

Sorry if this comes off as curt to some, just my trying to explain my situation.

[trail-explorer]

It's been done quite a few times - check out this forum, where multiple people have done it:
www.pirate4x4.com

[Reality_Check]

DDavisIAMT wrote:
I would, but the cost of even an old travel trailer is close to $1000 more than what it would cost me to do this. I could also remove the camper and use the trailer if needed.

Pointing out the obvious here; you're going to spend a buck to save a penny.

Projects like this will nickle and dime you, suck your free time faster than a bad headache and the end result will be practically guaranteed to disappoint.

Just reading the idea that you can throw a 'surge brake' on easily gives me an idea of where this is going. Sure one can, but the sum of the parts will trump almost anything you could find 'completed'. What's your time worth anyhow?

JMO...

[Super_Dave]

Reddog1 wrote:
Respectfully, in my opinion, the TC/trailer in the photo is an accident waiting to happen for several reasons.

DDavisIAMT, based on your post, I encourage you to do a lot of research. When you say, "... but a surge brake setup would not be hard to install. ...", tells me you have no idea as to what is required. I question the 2000 lbs for the TC and trailer. You need to do the research. While it can and has been done, it is not cheap.

I wondered how many jacks that guy had snapped off. DDavis, is there a reason you aren't considering a pop up camper that will fit your 1/2 ton?

[Reddog1]

Respectfully, in my opinion, the TC/trailer in the photo is an accident waiting to happen for several reasons.

DDavisIAMT, based on your post, I encourage you to do a lot of research. When you say, "... but a surge brake setup would not be hard to install. ...", tells me you have no idea as to what is required. I question the 2000 lbs for the TC and trailer. You need to do the research. While it can and has been done, it is not cheap.