About to make a homemade camper trailer using a basic 6x4 trade type trailer and adding Kings roof top tent and annexe with basic 12v electrics and storage, etc

Recently sold a rear fold camper due to frustrating under bed storage area accessibility and setup campsite footprint being too long, the rear fold campers are basically a roof top tent anyways.

Anyone done this ? pros and cons,

Post some pics

Cheers

check regulations with state motor vehicles see what allowed, whats not. Too many variances between states

Select to expand quote

Tonz said..
check regulations with state motor vehicles see what allowed, whats not. Too many variances between states

Good point, didnt think about that

Nah, its not that bad

www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/index.aspx

... but, I guess rego requirements do vary a bit. In NSW if the trailer is greater than 250kgs unladen or 750kgs laden, then it needs annual inspections.

Its a box trailer and its carrying camping gear, its not a camper trailer Sir

High sides on the box trailer will be your friend, and no need to go over board with all the fancy suspension that all the factory campers have, ever seen a boat trailer with fancy set up? solid leaf springs will do just fine.

Select to expand quote

Craig66 said..
Its a box trailer and its carrying camping gear, its not a camper trailer Sir

High sides on the box trailer will be your friend, and no need to go over board with all the fancy suspension that all the factory campers have, ever seen a boat trailer with fancy set up? solid leaf springs will do just fine.

Yep did 11,000 kms on the last camper thru VIC, SA, NT and WA on good old leaf springs , on road and offroad, will upgrade the hitch to a treg style.

Select to expand quote

FormulaNova said..
Nah, its not that bad

www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/index.aspx

... but, I guess rego requirements do vary a bit. In NSW if the trailer is greater than 250kgs unladen or 750kgs laden, then it needs annual inspections.

No such thing as a trailer inspection in Vic no matter what gvm, I'm looking max 750 gvm anyway, have a Ute to carry excess gear.

Try. Windsurfing Trailer Porn /Seabreeze and you'll come up with my build. The lid design would work for a smaller trailer and it was an easy build. Survived the winds of WA and LG

I just looked into building a car trailer cheaper to buy one. Why don't u just book up a off road camper trailer and save all the hassle.

Just buy a cheap Chinese trailer, I have a forward folding (less space)
look up star vision trailers, they will haggle down under 10,000
king bed, kitchen, storage to burn, caravan size, water tank, batteries plus,plus
by the time you finish building , cost comparible

Select to expand quote

kato said..
Try. Windsurfing Trailer Porn /Seabreeze and you'll come up with my build. The lid design would work for a smaller trailer and it was an easy build. Survived the winds of WA and LG

What about suspension? How did you achieve that special articulated suspension on leaf springs ?

Select to expand quote

boofta said..
Just buy a cheap Chinese trailer, I have a forward folding (less space)
look up star vision trailers, they will haggle down under 10,000
king bed, kitchen, storage to burn, caravan size, water tank, batteries plus,plus
by the time you finish building , cost comparible

Was considering a forward fold after owning the rear fold, like the off ground seating area but they seem to be very heavy with a high towball weight and have extras I just dont need. On my last 6 week trip we didn't use pull out "kitchen" except for cooking on gas burner sometimes, sink never used, underfloor water tank full but never used, kept a 50 lt water drum full and topped up as needed for washing up and drinking. Don't need fridge slide, got one in the Ute, found it great to have fridge in Ute rather than on camper, wherever you drive outside campsite sightseeing or whatever, the food and cold drinks are always with you.

I can do what I plan to do for about $3500, trailer $950, might go for the kings hardshell rtt at just over $1000 for super fast setup, add a couple of kings awnings $200 ( got a fair bit of kings kit and happy with it ) add agm battery, a couple of outlets and some leds around $400 have a bit of an electrical/tech background so 12v systems a breeze. I already have solar panels, Weber baby q, gas two burner camp cooker, etc.

Might lash out and get a gas hot water system for showers they have come down in price to about $250 will add a water tank and pump if I do, bit of a luxury but handy for free camping.

Forward fold nice but I don't need it.

Something like this

Select to expand quote

FormulaNova said..

kato said..
Try. Windsurfing Trailer Porn /Seabreeze and you'll come up with my build. The lid design would work for a smaller trailer and it was an easy build. Survived the winds of WA and LG

What about suspension? How did you achieve that special articulated suspension on leaf springs ?

Cheeky bugger

Select to expand quote

Surfer62 said..

boofta said..
Just buy a cheap Chinese trailer, I have a forward folding (less space)
look up star vision trailers, they will haggle down under 10,000
king bed, kitchen, storage to burn, caravan size, water tank, batteries plus,plus
by the time you finish building , cost comparible

Was considering a forward fold after owning the rear fold, like the off ground seating area but they seem to be very heavy with a high towball weight and have extras I just dont need. On my last 6 week trip we didn't use pull out "kitchen" except for cooking on gas burner sometimes, sink never used, underfloor water tank full but never used, kept a 50 lt water drum full and topped up as needed for washing up and drinking. Don't need fridge slide, got one in the Ute, found it great to have fridge in Ute rather than on camper, wherever you drive outside campsite sightseeing or whatever, the food and cold drinks are always with you.

I can do what I plan to do for about $3500, trailer $950, might go for the kings hardshell rtt at just over $1000 for super fast setup, add a couple of kings awnings $200 ( got a fair bit of kings kit and happy with it ) add agm battery, a couple of outlets and some leds around $400 have a bit of an electrical/tech background so 12v systems a breeze. I already have solar panels, Weber baby q, gas two burner camp cooker, etc.

Might lash out and get a gas hot water system for showers they have come down in price to about $250 will add a water tank and pump if I do, bit of a luxury but handy for free camping.

Forward fold nice but I don't need it.

Something like this

That ladder could be problematic after a few bevies !

Select to expand quote

shoodbegood said..

Surfer62 said..

boofta said..
Just buy a cheap Chinese trailer, I have a forward folding (less space)
look up star vision trailers, they will haggle down under 10,000
king bed, kitchen, storage to burn, caravan size, water tank, batteries plus,plus
by the time you finish building , cost comparible

Was considering a forward fold after owning the rear fold, like the off ground seating area but they seem to be very heavy with a high towball weight and have extras I just dont need. On my last 6 week trip we didn't use pull out "kitchen" except for cooking on gas burner sometimes, sink never used, underfloor water tank full but never used, kept a 50 lt water drum full and topped up as needed for washing up and drinking. Don't need fridge slide, got one in the Ute, found it great to have fridge in Ute rather than on camper, wherever you drive outside campsite sightseeing or whatever, the food and cold drinks are always with you.

I can do what I plan to do for about $3500, trailer $950, might go for the kings hardshell rtt at just over $1000 for super fast setup, add a couple of kings awnings $200 ( got a fair bit of kings kit and happy with it ) add agm battery, a couple of outlets and some leds around $400 have a bit of an electrical/tech background so 12v systems a breeze. I already have solar panels, Weber baby q, gas two burner camp cooker, etc.

Might lash out and get a gas hot water system for showers they have come down in price to about $250 will add a water tank and pump if I do, bit of a luxury but handy for free camping.

Forward fold nice but I don't need it.

Something like this

That ladder could be problematic after a few bevies !

Not to mention the potential for the weight of you climbing in to tip the lot around the single axle...

Select to expand quote

rod_bunny said..

shoodbegood said..

Surfer62 said..

boofta said..
Just buy a cheap Chinese trailer, I have a forward folding (less space)
look up star vision trailers, they will haggle down under 10,000
king bed, kitchen, storage to burn, caravan size, water tank, batteries plus,plus
by the time you finish building , cost comparible

Was considering a forward fold after owning the rear fold, like the off ground seating area but they seem to be very heavy with a high towball weight and have extras I just dont need. On my last 6 week trip we didn't use pull out "kitchen" except for cooking on gas burner sometimes, sink never used, underfloor water tank full but never used, kept a 50 lt water drum full and topped up as needed for washing up and drinking. Don't need fridge slide, got one in the Ute, found it great to have fridge in Ute rather than on camper, wherever you drive outside campsite sightseeing or whatever, the food and cold drinks are always with you.

I can do what I plan to do for about $3500, trailer $950, might go for the kings hardshell rtt at just over $1000 for super fast setup, add a couple of kings awnings $200 ( got a fair bit of kings kit and happy with it ) add agm battery, a couple of outlets and some leds around $400 have a bit of an electrical/tech background so 12v systems a breeze. I already have solar panels, Weber baby q, gas two burner camp cooker, etc.

Might lash out and get a gas hot water system for showers they have come down in price to about $250 will add a water tank and pump if I do, bit of a luxury but handy for free camping.

Forward fold nice but I don't need it.

Something like this

That ladder could be problematic after a few bevies !

Not to mention the potential for the weight of you climbing in to tip the lot around the single axle...

Will be fitting stabiliser legs like most campers and vans have, climbing in from side as well

Almost finished, just need to fit treg hitch, total cost incl trailer $2,860

Stacks of easy to get to storage, rtt and awning tent to fit awning if extra shelter needed.














Started with a $900 second hand tradie trailer in good nick below.

A good $900 find, and good job!

Select to expand quote

Buster fin said..
A good $900 find, and good job!

Cheers

Great stuff. A credit to you!

Sweet rig bro

****ing awesome

You have done well looks neat but if not already considered careful putting too much weight in that front toolbox unless she has a heavy arse to counter balance the towball weight and if you have the coin upgrade that suspension and a set of decent tyres should get you to most places it is surprising how quick the weight adds up.

Select to expand quote

Marsbars said..
You have done well looks neat but if not already considered careful putting too much weight in that front toolbox unless she has a heavy arse to counter balance the towball weight and if you have the coin upgrade that suspension and a set of decent tyres should get you to most places it is surprising how quick the weight adds up.

Pretty well balanced at moment, most weight centred but will keep toolbox contents in mind, max gvm 750 kg but more likely stay around 600.

Axle and springs pretty bomb proof, IRS expensive and apparently also prone to early tyre wear unless regular alignment and balance done which just seems too costly.

The current LT tyres will be okay for a while but will upgrade tyres to ATs next big trip.