Hello everyone. This is my first post after lurking here a while. My wife and I are not new to camping having owned a 5th wheel and tenting over the years. However we are now at a stage of our lives where our kids are out of the house and we’re “on our own to explore” again. Anyway, we have been throwing around the idea of doing more exploring off the beaten path and that means a camping rig able to handle more out of the way places. We’re not talking crazy off road adventures, but if we want to go down a narrow dirt road, we want the option.
We currently have a 2013 Toyota Highlander. I know it’s not the best of the off road vehicles, but it is what we have. My wife is currently drooling every time we see 4Runner on the road and that will be our next rig, but for now, this is what we have and what we’ll be using.
My plan is as follows and if there are any holes in this, please point them out before I go down this path too far. We need a utility trailer for occasional use. I have a small trailer now, but are looking at purchasing a 5x10 version (15” wheels, @ #2000 overall GVWR). Looking for a good used one if I stumble across a deal otherwise new may be in the cards.
My question is. Has anyone built a “modular/removable” self-contained camper that would slide onto this trailer? I have plans in my mind of a DIY 5x8 enclosure similar to pre-made overland trailers for sale from the various manufacturers like Hiker Trailer. It would slide onto the 5x10 trailer deck like a truck camper and then attach via bolts to the trailer for use as an “overland” trailer. Then, during times when I just need the utility, I just remove the enclosure and use the trailer as original. I know I’m leaving out a lot of details, but this is just a concept in my head.
Has anyone done this? Is it feasible? How about the legalities of having an RV enclosure mounted on a utility trailer? Insurance issues?
As much as I’d love to drop $7,500 to $15,000 on a true overland trailer, finances don’t allow for it. Plus the dual utility of the trailer is valuable to me.
Thanks in advance for all the responses and advice – for or against.
We currently have a 2013 Toyota Highlander. I know it’s not the best of the off road vehicles, but it is what we have. My wife is currently drooling every time we see 4Runner on the road and that will be our next rig, but for now, this is what we have and what we’ll be using.
My plan is as follows and if there are any holes in this, please point them out before I go down this path too far. We need a utility trailer for occasional use. I have a small trailer now, but are looking at purchasing a 5x10 version (15” wheels, @ #2000 overall GVWR). Looking for a good used one if I stumble across a deal otherwise new may be in the cards.
My question is. Has anyone built a “modular/removable” self-contained camper that would slide onto this trailer? I have plans in my mind of a DIY 5x8 enclosure similar to pre-made overland trailers for sale from the various manufacturers like Hiker Trailer. It would slide onto the 5x10 trailer deck like a truck camper and then attach via bolts to the trailer for use as an “overland” trailer. Then, during times when I just need the utility, I just remove the enclosure and use the trailer as original. I know I’m leaving out a lot of details, but this is just a concept in my head.
Has anyone done this? Is it feasible? How about the legalities of having an RV enclosure mounted on a utility trailer? Insurance issues?
As much as I’d love to drop $7,500 to $15,000 on a true overland trailer, finances don’t allow for it. Plus the dual utility of the trailer is valuable to me.
Thanks in advance for all the responses and advice – for or against.
