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The weather is getting warmer here in the mid west and Ive got summer on the brain... I cant wait to get outside (more) and start enjoying those long summer nights. I enjoy camping but unfortunately I havent been as much as I wouldve liked to in recent years. All winter my fiance and I have been telling each other that this is going to be the summer that we just get out there and do it.
I really love the idea of roof top tents (RTT), and nearly everyone that I've come across that has one would highly recommend them. I was planning for most of the winter to get a roof rack and throw a RTT on it, but lately my opinions have been changing on that. Roof racks are pretty expensive, and would prohibit me from fitting in my garage (a big con for me).
The latest idea is to make my own camping trailer and put a RTT on it instead of my Jeep. Based on my rough calculations, I can build this entire trailer and add a basic RTT for less than (or close to) the cost of a Gobi Stealth roof rack alone. I am an engineer and spend all day modeling things in CAD, so I always try to make my projects on the computer before actually buying / cutting anything.
This trailer will be start off as a Harbor Freight 4 x 8 trailer, but I've found some articles online that show an alternative assembly of the included components to make a reinforced 4' x 4' trailer instead. This will be my base. For starters, I will keep the included 5.3 x 12" wheels, but ultimately I want to upgrade to larger wheels and off road tires. From what I understand, this trailer has the same bolt pattern as TJ's (5x4.5) so finding wheels/tires shouldnt be too hard.
I've spent a long time researching designs online for what a trailer should look like / include, but to be honest I havent come across anything yet that I was happy with. I want my design to be simple, maximize utility, and allow me to easily access all of my stuff inside. Ive come up with the following so far... Most dimensions are optimized to get the most use out of 4x8 sheets of plywood - I plan on using oak veneer.
When closed up, you have a 4'x4'x2' tall box. There will be some form of roof rack on top (not designed yet) for the RTT to attach to. Additionally, there will be a traditional trailer tongue box mounted on the tongue of the trailer (also not shown) - not sure if I will make or buy this yet. On the rear of the trailer you can see a door cutout.
![Snip 5.JPG]()
Next you will see I've made the "roof" or lid of the trailer transparent so you can see the support structure I've built into the box such that the lid will be able to support a RTT with two occupants.
![Snip 4.JPG]()
Having a rear flip down door is simple enough, but it would be a real bother to reach way into the dark trailer to try and get everything out. My solution: make a giant pullout drawer. Obviously this would require a pretty intricate support system due to its weight, but I've come up with something I think will work. Im not going to explain it here just yet - I need to figure out the best way to describe it. Bear with me and lets just presume it will slide out nearly its whole length (42"). Opening the rear door will allow you to reach in and pull out the drawer.
![Snip 3.JPG]()
Once out, it will need some kind of legs to hold its weight. I havent gotten this completely nailed down yet, but there are lots of options. I figured it would be really handy to have some built in counter space to cook/work/eat on instead of bringing along multiple camp tables. My solution for counter space is to have hinged wood panels that when stowed will lay flat against the drawer sides, but then will flip up (again, support needed) and act as light duty counters on each side of the drawer.
![Snip 2.JPG]()
![Snip 1.JPG]()
I estimate this will require 3 sheets of plywood (~$50 ea) plus the trailer (~$300 with 20% off coupon). Of course there will be lots of miscellaneous costs with hardware and such, but I am pretty happy with the utility I should be able to get out of this trailer for the estimated cost.
The drawer dimensions are about 38" wide, 42" long, and 18" tall - which is enough to clear most large coolers.
What do you think? Recommendations? Anyone have a roof top tent and any recommendations about them? What are the most important things you take with you camping?
I really love the idea of roof top tents (RTT), and nearly everyone that I've come across that has one would highly recommend them. I was planning for most of the winter to get a roof rack and throw a RTT on it, but lately my opinions have been changing on that. Roof racks are pretty expensive, and would prohibit me from fitting in my garage (a big con for me).
The latest idea is to make my own camping trailer and put a RTT on it instead of my Jeep. Based on my rough calculations, I can build this entire trailer and add a basic RTT for less than (or close to) the cost of a Gobi Stealth roof rack alone. I am an engineer and spend all day modeling things in CAD, so I always try to make my projects on the computer before actually buying / cutting anything.
This trailer will be start off as a Harbor Freight 4 x 8 trailer, but I've found some articles online that show an alternative assembly of the included components to make a reinforced 4' x 4' trailer instead. This will be my base. For starters, I will keep the included 5.3 x 12" wheels, but ultimately I want to upgrade to larger wheels and off road tires. From what I understand, this trailer has the same bolt pattern as TJ's (5x4.5) so finding wheels/tires shouldnt be too hard.
I've spent a long time researching designs online for what a trailer should look like / include, but to be honest I havent come across anything yet that I was happy with. I want my design to be simple, maximize utility, and allow me to easily access all of my stuff inside. Ive come up with the following so far... Most dimensions are optimized to get the most use out of 4x8 sheets of plywood - I plan on using oak veneer.
When closed up, you have a 4'x4'x2' tall box. There will be some form of roof rack on top (not designed yet) for the RTT to attach to. Additionally, there will be a traditional trailer tongue box mounted on the tongue of the trailer (also not shown) - not sure if I will make or buy this yet. On the rear of the trailer you can see a door cutout.
Next you will see I've made the "roof" or lid of the trailer transparent so you can see the support structure I've built into the box such that the lid will be able to support a RTT with two occupants.
Having a rear flip down door is simple enough, but it would be a real bother to reach way into the dark trailer to try and get everything out. My solution: make a giant pullout drawer. Obviously this would require a pretty intricate support system due to its weight, but I've come up with something I think will work. Im not going to explain it here just yet - I need to figure out the best way to describe it. Bear with me and lets just presume it will slide out nearly its whole length (42"). Opening the rear door will allow you to reach in and pull out the drawer.
Once out, it will need some kind of legs to hold its weight. I havent gotten this completely nailed down yet, but there are lots of options. I figured it would be really handy to have some built in counter space to cook/work/eat on instead of bringing along multiple camp tables. My solution for counter space is to have hinged wood panels that when stowed will lay flat against the drawer sides, but then will flip up (again, support needed) and act as light duty counters on each side of the drawer.
I estimate this will require 3 sheets of plywood (~$50 ea) plus the trailer (~$300 with 20% off coupon). Of course there will be lots of miscellaneous costs with hardware and such, but I am pretty happy with the utility I should be able to get out of this trailer for the estimated cost.
The drawer dimensions are about 38" wide, 42" long, and 18" tall - which is enough to clear most large coolers.
What do you think? Recommendations? Anyone have a roof top tent and any recommendations about them? What are the most important things you take with you camping?
