I have this idea.....

Keith1138

Keith1138

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2015
Location
Harrisburg NC
After camping this weekend I realised it would be nice to have an insulated mini camper thing. This thing would not be following my jeep on to the trail but just to the camp ground.

I have this small utility trailer I. I believe it's either 4 or 5 feet by 7 feet. Single axel.

I'm thinking make it slanted roof 2 feet tall on the tongue side and about 4 feet on the end. I want it to be set up so I can sleep in it and use it as storage. Then put a simple sliding window on either side. For a door just a simple hinge type. And down the road put a window unit in it for ac.

I'm thinking insulate the floor by sand winching hard foam insulation between two pieces of plywood framed out. Then sealing the whole thing. I'm tied between insulating the walls or not. Aslo with what to use as siding.


Any advice or experience?
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What's the dimensions of it?

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I saw this going down the road and had the idea that I thought would work well for @Desertfox1023. It would easily fit sideways on the front of a trailer in front of a rig, but in your case, use it as is!

Since it fits a queen size bed, build a platform to raise the bed up about 2’, then have storage under the bed. Couple shelves, wire it for 12V power with a few lights. Add a camper vent on top, could even add a window unit AC for those hot nights when power is available or get a generator.
I’m not sure where you would find one, but it could work well. And if later you get a tow rig and a trailer, you could remove the axle and fenders and put it right in the front of a 20’ trailer.
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My whole plan with this was to go as cheap but as nice on the outside as possible.

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I just did some searching and I can’t find a small Uhaul like that anywhere but there is a handful of small enclosed trailers for less than $1200. I bet if you you looked around and waited you could pick one up for less than a grand. Your Jeep would have zero issued pulling one of those real small ones.
 
Fabrik8 said:
Why insulate the floor but not the sides?
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Bridges freeze first. It comes from tent and hammock camping. Camping in a hammock you need alot more insulation in colder weather than in a tent.

I already have this small utility trailer that only needs tires and wiring. A enclosed trailer would save on the hassle of enclosing mine and would look alot better.

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Keith1138 said:
Bridges freeze first. It comes from tent and hammock camping. Camping in a hammock you need alot more insulation in colder weather than in a tent.
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I infer that you're just trying to keep the floor more comfortable to sleep directly on, because the trailer already provides a wind block (like a tent), and you're only insulating 1 out of the 6 sides exposed to ambient air if you only insulate the floor.
 
Fabrik8 said:
I infer that you're just trying to keep the floor more comfortable to sleep directly on, because the trailer already provides a wind block (like a tent), and you're only insulating 1 out of the 6 sides exposed to ambient air if you only insulate the floor.
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That makes sense. This is just a plan for now. I would probably insulate the walls too. Especially if I'm going to invest in an ac unit.

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Keith1138 said:
Bridges freeze first. It comes from tent and hammock camping. Camping in a hammock you need alot more insulation in colder weather than in a tent.

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Click to expand...

A house is insulated on all 4 sides and top and bottom.
 
Tacoma747 said:
This is the inside of my other one. For specs you can Google specs for an S-250. I have two twin mattresses on the bottom (king size bed essentially) and a twin size bunk for my boys.
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Thank you, that put everything into perspective. Right now dropping 2k is not a smart move.

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if you get a small enclosed, I probably would bother to insulate it at all. The smallest heater and smallest AC you could buy would probably run you out of it anyway.

By the time you buy all the stuff to build a sleeper on your existing trailer, you’ll be money ahead to buy the enclosed for 800-1000 bucks and throw a mattress in it. But I understand the $100 here, $50 there, $200 and $30 here and there spread out over weeks/months is doable when dropping $1000 at once isn’t possible.

So if you stick with your original plan, you can buy the siding that is white and looks like a camper at Lowe’s or Home Depot. @Dylan W. Probably has some trim left over and can teach the ways of sealing all your corners and seams. It’s not too hard.

But I’m no carpenter, I get lazy and call things “close enough” so then nothing is square and I can’t imagine the monstrosity I’d be pulling down the road if I built something myself like that.
 
77GreenMachine said:
if you get a small enclosed, I probably would bother to insulate it at all. The smallest heater and smallest AC you could buy would probably run you out of it anyway.

By the time you buy all the stuff to build a sleeper on your existing trailer, you’ll be money ahead to buy the enclosed for 800-1000 bucks and throw a mattress in it. But I understand the $100 here, $50 there, $200 and $30 here and there spread out over weeks/months is doable when dropping $1000 at once isn’t possible.

So if you stick with your original plan, you can buy the siding that is white and looks like a camper at Lowe’s or Home Depot. @Dylan W. Probably has some trim left over and can teach the ways of sealing all your corners and seams. It’s not too hard.

But I’m no carpenter, I get lazy and call things “close enough” so then nothing is square and I can’t imagine the monstrosity I’d be pulling down the road if I built something myself like that.
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Yeah I want to draw out my plan first and price everything then make my mind up. Weight and maneuver ability is one of my biggest concerns. Also going down and the interstate and it coming apart is another lol.

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Chevy express van with a 6.0. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the hobby of towing a rig and having somewhere comfortable to rest.

Or you can be labeled and overlander. Pick your poison :flipoff2:


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Fabrik8 said:
I infer that you're just trying to keep the floor more comfortable to sleep directly on, because the trailer already provides a wind block (like a tent), and you're only insulating 1 out of the 6 sides exposed to ambient air if you only insulate the floor.
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Besides... you're on a mattress. Thats insulation and a thermal break from the air underneath. Unless the plan is to sleep right on the floor....
 
Like Phillip said $100 here $50 there, trust me I understand, but NOTHING, and I mean nothing you could build could be as sturdy as an S250



Keith1138 said:
going down and the interstate and it coming apart is another lol.
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And for the price....you won't be able to insulate, waterproof and secure anything for the price of one either

It's worth at least looking at the one he has built for his family. Especially on a cold day with just a buddy heater
 
I have alot of stuff to think about. My only other concern with the s250 is the weight. This is what I was thinking.

It would be nice to just be able to rock n roll with the s250
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Weight:
With EMI kit 762 lbs. min. - 802 lbs. max
Without EMI kit 750 lbs. min. - 790 lbs. max
 
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