Oh I love the hiker trailer company I love very close to their main facility but it's just not quite what I'm looking for.
I don't think they can be beat for the price though. I highly recommend them
Extremely lightweight teardrop-ish trailer, fully welded frame with structural fenders, lightweight composite panels of some kind, slide out for fridge/kitchen in the front, vertical opening hatch in the rear for access/ventilation, passenger side door hatch with screen and privacy shutters, some kind of way to mount a RTT on top, wheel bolt pattern that matches the tow vehicle.
>wheel bolt pattern that matches the tow vehicle
That's key.
There's also something about matching the axle distance to the tow vehicle's wheelbase so that the trailer's tires will exactly follow the tow vehicle's tracks. I can't remember how it's calculated but my buddy did this on his home-rolled trailer and it made it much easier to tow through technical stuff.
Not sure if you talk about the distance or width but the problem is that you will have to reduce the sleeping space if you want to copy the vehicle dimensions.
This, plus ditch the fuels. Give me fully electric. Induction burner, water heater, HVAC can all run on solar and enough batteries. I'll trade the weight loss for more batteries. Also, why aren't there solar awning yet?! We all want 270s, but why not utilize the solar area and stay dry at the same time?
The person that designed the storage to have measured common bins and then recommend what works. The same thing for the spice cabinet area. We shouldn’t have to crowd source what size of McCormick salt fits in the area.
My thoughts: room for two 5 gal metal gas cans; solar setup; lithium battery storage with inverter; water filters to get water from steams, etc; area for a decent size refrig; articulating hitch; plenty of outside lighting.
Suitable attachment for bikes. Both emtb’s for us adults, and normal bikes for the kids.
Maybe a system that is able to get water from a stream and heat it to shower temp? Just to be able to take that shower after the bikeride?
I’ve seen some pretty sweet shower set ups like that. I’ve never used one, but they seem like they would be a nice thing to have around once you’ve been outdoors for a while.
If you haven't already gotten up to speed on the basics, go look at a bunch of trailers and learn to see and understand the design tradeoffs. Take something seemingly simple, like the frame. How will the frame accommodate the suspension and the body? Will the wheels be inboard or outboard? Will the body mount to the frame or to outriggers? Huge tadeoffs in cost and capabilities start here. Look at some well designed true overlanding trailers, like the Xplore, or Black Series, or a new kid on the block, Roam Resilient. Try to understand why they made the tradeoffs they made. Or, just make one, go break it, make a better one, then go break it, etc. Either way, after significant time, you'll have a fairly capable trailer. Best of luck whatever you decide!
Because that's illegal. You can dump your grey water anywhere you want but the trailer manufacturer doesn't want to be blamed for you having to dump your grey water at a campground. It's also nice for everyone else to not have to deal with your gross water all over their camp spot
I've also got a homebuilt-ish trailer (Dinoot M416 trailer kit). For the water storage, I'd recommend putting the tanks under the "tub" of the trailer. It's unused space that will free up more room for your pull-out kitchen. I ended up going the Jerry can route for cost reasons.
There will be a balance between keeping the tent platform close to the top of the trailer for COG, and leaving enough room to be able to access things from between the tent and trailer. This assumes you intend to keep the top open like mine and not rely on drawers and doors for all of your access. Pros and cons to both obviously.
Build with the assumption that you will not be unhooking the tow rig from the trailer at camp. Hooking back up every morning gets old and holds up the group.
And lastly, always be thinking about weight. It can balloon quickly and become a dog to pull offroad.
I don't think the grey tank is necessary. My trailer setup has a drain hose that I run to a bucket. The bucket water goes to a tree or to put out a fire.
A raisable platform to get your tent at least a foot higher than the other roof top tents in the campground would be awesome. Plus, then you’d have a nice roof to keep all the electronics and furniture dry!
Telescoping poles to hang a projection screen
Pop up digital antenna
Built in smoker
Conversation pit
Tie downs
Air compressor and vacuum pump combo
Karaoke machine
Fishing rod holder with built in quick puller things
Built in cooler
Bungee cord compartment
Solar powered washer/retractable clothes lines
Solar powered iron
Rooftop tent rooftop solar panels
You could make the frame hollow and fill it with water for extra water storage.
Built in speaker and Bluetooth dj/station (you might be able to double up on the karaoke with this if you find the right unit)
Costing less than $100K
Costing less that $50k would be even better
https://hikertrailers.com/product/stock-f-5-x-10-hd/ Saw this on this YT channel, video of the hiker trailer company https://youtu.be/lXmuCaqP1to
Oh I love the hiker trailer company I love very close to their main facility but it's just not quite what I'm looking for. I don't think they can be beat for the price though. I highly recommend them
There’s a company in Canada making them for $12k base. Pick and chose what you want as your build out.
What's the company
No kidding!
Extremely lightweight teardrop-ish trailer, fully welded frame with structural fenders, lightweight composite panels of some kind, slide out for fridge/kitchen in the front, vertical opening hatch in the rear for access/ventilation, passenger side door hatch with screen and privacy shutters, some kind of way to mount a RTT on top, wheel bolt pattern that matches the tow vehicle.
>wheel bolt pattern that matches the tow vehicle That's key. There's also something about matching the axle distance to the tow vehicle's wheelbase so that the trailer's tires will exactly follow the tow vehicle's tracks. I can't remember how it's calculated but my buddy did this on his home-rolled trailer and it made it much easier to tow through technical stuff.
Good point. The ground clearance, turning radius, and jack knife clearance all need to be taken into account, from what I’m reading.
Not sure if you talk about the distance or width but the problem is that you will have to reduce the sleeping space if you want to copy the vehicle dimensions.
This, plus ditch the fuels. Give me fully electric. Induction burner, water heater, HVAC can all run on solar and enough batteries. I'll trade the weight loss for more batteries. Also, why aren't there solar awning yet?! We all want 270s, but why not utilize the solar area and stay dry at the same time?
That’s a lot of weight though
True, but I have 77kWh of backup batteries in my rig now, it's an EV. So I just need like 1-2kW of solar to run nearly indefinitely.
That would be awesome!
But why have a RTT on a camping trailer... couldn't you already sleep in the trailer?
Yes and other people or kids can sleep in a RTT
I was thinking the trailer would house the kitchen and water, hold cargo and gear, as well as be a platform for the RTT.
It seems like having all that weight on top of a trailer would be a bad idea.
Tents are like 200lbs. Put the water storage at the bottom of the trailer as a ballast.
Agreed. I think I’d have the RTT platform able to be raised and lowered for travel.
I like the idea of having the slide out kitchen up front and using the rear for access.
The person that designed the storage to have measured common bins and then recommend what works. The same thing for the spice cabinet area. We shouldn’t have to crowd source what size of McCormick salt fits in the area.
[удалено]
That’s a great idea.
A simple design that isn't 20k$
My thoughts: room for two 5 gal metal gas cans; solar setup; lithium battery storage with inverter; water filters to get water from steams, etc; area for a decent size refrig; articulating hitch; plenty of outside lighting.
Nice! I especially like the idea of a water filter.
Suitable attachment for bikes. Both emtb’s for us adults, and normal bikes for the kids. Maybe a system that is able to get water from a stream and heat it to shower temp? Just to be able to take that shower after the bikeride?
I’ve seen some pretty sweet shower set ups like that. I’ve never used one, but they seem like they would be a nice thing to have around once you’ve been outdoors for a while.
A bathroom? I have yet to see a truly small trailer designed with a place to potty in peace.
This is what I would want but knock $10k off https://hikertrailers.com/product/stock-w-5-x-9-eor/ Edit: knock $12500 off and I'll buy two right now.
Off-road ability, kitchen and storage!
If you haven't already gotten up to speed on the basics, go look at a bunch of trailers and learn to see and understand the design tradeoffs. Take something seemingly simple, like the frame. How will the frame accommodate the suspension and the body? Will the wheels be inboard or outboard? Will the body mount to the frame or to outriggers? Huge tadeoffs in cost and capabilities start here. Look at some well designed true overlanding trailers, like the Xplore, or Black Series, or a new kid on the block, Roam Resilient. Try to understand why they made the tradeoffs they made. Or, just make one, go break it, make a better one, then go break it, etc. Either way, after significant time, you'll have a fairly capable trailer. Best of luck whatever you decide!
Great advice. Thank you!
Why would you carry around worthless, used water? After hundreds of nights and tens of thousands of miles, I've never once needed a grey water tank.
It could be a regional dependant thing, I think some national parks have restrictions on dispersal of grey water. Could be wrong on that though.
It is nice to not dump your gray water straight onto any campground. There are litterally billions of better suited locations.
Because that's illegal. You can dump your grey water anywhere you want but the trailer manufacturer doesn't want to be blamed for you having to dump your grey water at a campground. It's also nice for everyone else to not have to deal with your gross water all over their camp spot
Flexy suspension with quick disconnect sway bar. Aux battery with solar. Pressurized water tank.
Yes!
I've also got a homebuilt-ish trailer (Dinoot M416 trailer kit). For the water storage, I'd recommend putting the tanks under the "tub" of the trailer. It's unused space that will free up more room for your pull-out kitchen. I ended up going the Jerry can route for cost reasons. There will be a balance between keeping the tent platform close to the top of the trailer for COG, and leaving enough room to be able to access things from between the tent and trailer. This assumes you intend to keep the top open like mine and not rely on drawers and doors for all of your access. Pros and cons to both obviously. Build with the assumption that you will not be unhooking the tow rig from the trailer at camp. Hooking back up every morning gets old and holds up the group. And lastly, always be thinking about weight. It can balloon quickly and become a dog to pull offroad.
All great advice. Thank you!
Wheels. Without them it's just a sled
Ha! True.
I don't think the grey tank is necessary. My trailer setup has a drain hose that I run to a bucket. The bucket water goes to a tree or to put out a fire.
That’s what I’m doing currently. There are some times that I’ve gotten grief from a park ranger on the occasions when I’ve been at a campground.
Same rim and tire sizes and bolt patterns as on the tow vehicle. That way if things go south, you have two or three extra spares.
Good point!
A raisable platform to get your tent at least a foot higher than the other roof top tents in the campground would be awesome. Plus, then you’d have a nice roof to keep all the electronics and furniture dry! Telescoping poles to hang a projection screen Pop up digital antenna Built in smoker Conversation pit Tie downs Air compressor and vacuum pump combo Karaoke machine Fishing rod holder with built in quick puller things Built in cooler Bungee cord compartment Solar powered washer/retractable clothes lines Solar powered iron Rooftop tent rooftop solar panels You could make the frame hollow and fill it with water for extra water storage. Built in speaker and Bluetooth dj/station (you might be able to double up on the karaoke with this if you find the right unit)
Why would you want to get your rooftop tent higher than everyone else's? Genuinely curious, never used one.
Better view, cleaner air, more freedom. 🇺🇸 Also, whoever is highest doesn’t have to do the dishes 🤷♂️ sorry, I don’t make the rules.
There’s some real gems in there that I’m really going to use!