by Ryodan » Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:48 am
Odd, I posted a reply and when I hit submit it went to the log in screen.... go figure.
I saw the hole and thought about cropping it out but had such a hard time getting the image to link from my google photos I figured meh no one will notice it's only a giant hole.
Anyway back on topic.
I'm not worried about towing, I will tow with an FJ cruiser it's rated at like 4500 lbs or something well above what this will weigh. I have plenty of experience with a trailer and fully intend to add trailer brakes, not so much for on road but because I'll need them offroad.
So long story as short as possible:
I drive an FJ cruiser, the cargo area is almost entirely full without camping gear (recovery gear and emergency gear) I can squeeze an ice chest in and not a big one. When I go camping I fill the roof rack with my stuff. So I stared looking into trailer options, just something to haul my camping gear. Overlanding trailers are a perfect fit but not for the ridiculous prices they go for, $7000 for a small box with a tailgate, lid, and the mounts for a roof top tent? no way! So that's out but wouldn't be hard to build. Next up adding a roof top tent to the FJ, nope won't work as then I'd have no where for the rest of my camping gear and with my suspension set up the handling would be atrocious. Ok, what else is there? new vehicle? not happening.
Then I was thinking how I miss my old '83 Toyota pick up, I used to just sleep in the bed on one of those carpet kits under a camper shell, granted that was pre-kids but hey it was great! I stumbled onto the fact a coworker had the above trailer and said he'd let it go for $200. Now if I just throw a new axle with trailer brakes under it (under the leaf springs so it rides higher) I have a trailer to haul my gear for probably around $600, still would like the tires to be bigger, I have some old wheels that fit my FJ laying around so I can use those and grab some used offroad tires my size and the spares will be interchangeable. OK that sounds good. Maybe in $1000 while leaving room for a few other bits and pieces. That is if I find used tires, I have an odd size so it'll take time but close is good enough so that's an option too, my spare isn't even the same size it's close though. Would also need a pintle hitch but I think I can score one for free or a case of beer... working on that. Then it still needs a better bumper set up so I can drag the rear end without ripping off the lights or damaging the bed because that is going to happen.
Now, if I'm using a trailer this size to haul my camping gear, might as well sleep in it too right? So I started looking for a camper shell and I shouldn't be surprised but there are not many out there this size. Common bed size in the 80s on all the Japanese imports but only was used on one tacoma post '93, the late 90s early 00s model with one cab type and that wasn't even exactly the same... haven't found one for sale anyway. All the ones I find that'll fit are cab height, so it won't be tall enough for me to raise the sleeping platform above the wheel wells and still sit up. This is what brought me to find this forum, I need to build something to suite my few needs.
I grew up trailer camping, first in a pop-up then in a hard side with a flushing toilet. I'm really not into it, I like cooking outside, sitting under a tarp or awning in the rain, you know, all the things you don't have to do with a nice trailer. Not knocking your guys trailer, that Astroliner is a work of art, I could live in that thing.
Anyway for the shell my goals are pretty minimal. Enough height to sit up on the bed which will also be set about 12" (platform height) up from the bottom of the bed, ability to mount an awning on the side, ideally I'd like to throw some stuff on top occasionally or at least have that option as I have a canoe and intent to add a kayak to the fleet in a year or two. I'm totally calling it a fleet once I have 2. I do not need running water, a toilet, or anything fancy, Although I would like to add power so I can have a fan for ventilation and a few lights, maybe 2 inside and two outside. Pretty basic. I'm still really early into thinking this out, only been on the topic for a week.
anyhow I am falling asleep again and off to bed