Crazy idea for hitch mounted camper

[donrebyct]

Hi all,

I've been wondering if a standie foamie mounted on the hitch of my Hyundai Santa Fe would be practical. My thoughts are make it about 6.5 ft wide & 3.5 to 4 ft long, with a side entrance. The back foot or so would consist of a foldout bed (air mattress). The road side would have a small bathroom with a portapotti & some sort of simple shower arrangement. Across the front, next to the tailgate of my SUV would be a simple cabinet with a place for our little camp stove for bad weather & a small sink connected to water jug kept outside while in camp. It would need jack stands on all 4 corners to carry the weight of someone inside the thing.

I even thought about an aerodynamic shaped box on top of the SUV that would contain a small microwave & AC. Maybe the roof top box could be tied to the hitch mounted camper to help stabilize things.

This idea has come about because my wife doesn't like the idea of pulling a trailer, especially with my backing abilities; we have an old small popup now.

I know it's different, but am wondering if anyone has ideas and/or comments.

Don

[crumbruiser]

The idea seems doable. My thoughts however would be to remove the Santa Fe's hatch and mold a "foamy" to the vehicle and maybe also use the hitch as a foundation so you could extend the foam portion out the rear 3 or 4 feet. Kind of like turning the suv into an extended van/motor home. I would definatly follow this build.
Frank

[donrebyct]

Thanks Frank. That's an interesting idea. I'm not sure I would want to make this a permanent thing. My first thought was to pull the camper off after camping season. But, this is something to think about.

[mezmo]

Check out Roly Nelson's 3x3 build for a small version -
basically a telescoping single place sleeper - of what you
are thinking of. I can't locate the details at the moment.

One problem with a larger version would be a good bit of
weight cantilevered away from the 'tow vehicle'. You'd have to
bolster the rear springs or use air shocks and such.

It might be more practical to base it on a single wheel trailer
or one of the dual wheel single wheel styles. These have a rigid
connection to the tow vehicle so that the trailer does not pivot
or turn. The single wheel or the dual single wheels are sprung
on a castor mount and they do the turning/pivoting, not the trailer
body.

Here are a few links:
http://singlewheel.com/
http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html
http://www.smarttrailers.com/
http://www.doublehitch.com/dhbuy.html

I find this design idea intriguing and have considered it
on and off. I think you'd need more than a 3.5 to 4ft length
to have something usable. And a dual single wheel set up with the
usual travel path of the wheels matching the tow vehicles
track [in-line with the tow vehicles rear tires] would be best.
I'd go out to maybe 5-6 ft in length too, with a full expansion
out the back once parked, to give you elbow room.

Here is a simple Paint drawing I did for a post to another member's
thread, who had an old but usable single wheel trailer and was
wondering how to utilize it. I can't find that thread at the moment
but here is the drawing - a basic illustration of what I think would
be easily doable in this scenario:

Click on the pic to get a larger view:




Of course, this is more for a TD scale unit but the idea can work
for a taller an a bit larger body as well.

Happy planning!

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[donrebyct]

Thanks Mizmo. I

've been concerned about the weight, too. My thinking was that using foam to build it would keep the weight down. But, stuff carried in it would probably make it too heavy.

I like the idea of a single or dual wheel trailer, anything to keep me from having to back it. I'll have to check out the links and get the creative juices flowing again.

Have a great day.

Don

[TJinPgh]

The single wheel trailer is an interesting idea.

I'm curious, though, if they are street legal in all 50 states.

Would be curious to see if such a thing could get titled here in PA.

[StandUpGuy]

If it is using the interior of your tow vehicle as the sleeping quarters you might consider StandUpGuy's Super Mini. Then you would certainly have the worlds smallest trailer with a full bathroom!

[donrebyct]

That started this crazy idea. But, my backing abilities are terrible . As suggested earlier, a single wheel trailer would solve that problem pretty well.
Don

[StandUpGuy]

That started this crazy idea. But, my backing abilities are terrible . As suggested earlier, a single wheel trailer would solve that problem pretty well.
Don

Then you should do what I do. I never back up. If I get cornered I simply get out of the vehicle leave it and go get a new vehicle.

[donrebyct]

What is your weapon of preferance?

[StandUpGuy]

What is your weapon of preferance?

For car jacking?