THE LIGHTEST COMBINATION SPYDER HAULER CAMPER ON THE PLANET

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

:roflblack:....Really...This is going to be my big time winter project....and I want to thank Randy aka "ARTUFUN" for the inspiration to attempt this....After hanging with Him and Holley at Americade and S.I.T.A., and seeing what a fantastic job He did with a plain old "utility" trailer that He turned into an incredible "mini-motorhome" and Spyder hauler combo..and my Tent almost floating away (during the SITA flood rains) Iam going to follow in the footsteps of the Master and create my own.....To start I already have an aluminum 10 x 8 1/2 ft. sno-mobile trl....it weighs 475 lbs., My plan is build/attach a box on top of the trl. ( this would be permanent ) with a rear ramp and side door, some windows, and two sky-lites....the corner posts, top rails, door frame, & ramp frame wolud be made from heavy duty aluminum.. the walls would be galvanized formed heavy guage metal stds, with 2 inch ridgid foam board in between ( pink board). The roof would only slank one way for water run-off and the other side would have a roll-up awning attached to the wall above the side door.....inside I would have a " Murphy " style bed that would come down off the wall to use...The kitchen cabinets would be the ancient "metal" cheapo variety ( they are very very light-weight). A gas (house-hold type) cook-top...A 6 Gal. instant point of use hot water heater, a Mini-Frig, maybe a Mini-Freezer, a stainless steel sink (also lightweight). I plan to glue metal roofing to the sides and top....I have an antique lawn roller that weighs 750 lbs. and I plan to roll out the center of the roof panels, to make them flat, but not the two outside raised edges for water-proofing purposes......Anything anyone can think of to add or make this a better project I'm very open to suggestions......Annnnd I am estimating from my materials list that this thing will weigh approx. 1000 lbs To make this even more interesting if you want to place a guess on the final weight ( without the Spyder inside ) please do so. I will keep track of the Guess's and after I weigh it I'll let you all know....WISH ME LUCK.....MIKE

 

[NancysToy]

Be sure to check the axle rating of the trailer (and the tire load ratings). Many of the lightweight trailers have a very low axle weight rating. The loaded weight of the trailer cannot exceed that weight....and I suggest a margin of safety of at least 5% to deal with the bumps. Adding 1,000 pounds of materials, some camping gear, riding gear, and 900 pounds (wet) of Spyder could put you over the top quite easily. As another owner of a trailer that does double duty, I believe wholeheartedly in the concept, but the trailer has to have the muscles to handle the load. You have to get to the campground to enjoy your poor man's toybox.

 

[SllimG]

sounds like a fun project. Keep us posted with pics!

 

[Hberninger]

Blueknight911,
Check out this web site: www.haulandstore.com

This looks similar to what you are going to build. Their unit only weighs around 225 pounds. They also have different sizes and heights. Don't know anything about them; just happen to run across them when I was looking for something along this line.

 

[BajaRon]

I was definitely impressed with the handy-work!

Awesome accommodations!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

SUPER DUPER TRAILER

I was definitely impressed with the handy-work!

Awesome accommodations!

OH DARN YOU RON,...NOW I WON'T HAVE TO TAKE ANY PICTURES...:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:......MIKE

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TRAILER RATING

Be sure to check the axle rating of the trailer (and the tire load ratings). Many of the lightweight trailers have a very low axle weight rating. The loaded weight of the trailer cannot exceed that weight....and I suggest a margin of safety of at least 5% to deal with the bumps. Adding 1,000 pounds of materials, some camping gear, riding gear, and 900 pounds (wet) of Spyder could put you over the top quite easily. As another owner of a trailer that does double duty, I believe wholeheartedly in the concept, but the trailer has to have the muscles to handle the load. You have to get to the campground to enjoy your poor man's toybox.

Scotty, thanks glad your thinking about this ......the trailer is rated at 2500 lbs.total MGVW, the tires are 6-ply and "C" rated......so I think this platform can handle what I plan to carry.......Mike

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NICE IDEA, BUUUUUUUUUUUT ?????????

Blueknight911,
Check out this web site: www.haulandstore.com

This looks similar to what you are going to build. Their unit only weighs around 225 pounds. They also have different sizes and heights. Don't know anything about them; just happen to run across them when I was looking for something along this line.

A couple of problems here, the Spyder would have to 1/2 scale to fit.....and I would have to be a ( no offense ) Midget......My box will be 8ft wide (inside) and 10 1/2 ft. long x 7 ft. high........Mike :2excited:

 

[Farmbanker]

I'll be very interested in seeing what you decide to do. I was thinking of taking a 10-12 ft enclosed trailer and work in some folding bunks, etc this winter also. Only a rough concept for me at this point. Wife is a little claustrophobic so have some challenges to accomodate that. Please post any pictures you can as you progress....:2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

I sure am liking what I'm hearing so far... It sounds as if the axles are up to it! :thumbup:
Have you got a plan for an outside addition that can be used as a... "Water Closet"? Something of a removeable tarped enclosure, where a bucket and seat can be discreetly used? :shocked:

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty, thanks glad your thinking about this ......the trailer is rated at 2500 lbs.total MGVW, the tires are 6-ply and "C" rated......so I think this platform can handle what I plan to carry.......Mike

:thumbup: Good to hear. Some of those lightweights have 1500 pound axles. You'll still be pretty close to the mark, though, so go light with everything you can. You might want to consider using wood studs. Pound for pound wood is stronger than steel. Stell in contact with aluminum also can cause rapid corrosion due to electrolysis. For another bed option, see my comments below.

I'll be very interested in seeing what you decide to do. I was thinking of taking a 10-12 ft enclosed trailer and work in some folding bunks, etc this winter also. Only a rough concept for me at this point. Wife is a little claustrophobic so have some challenges to accomodate that. Please post any pictures you can as you progress....:2thumbs:

We travel in a 7x12 V-nose that doubles as our "camper". Instead of folding bunks, we just use cots with air mattresses. Ours are Coleman, but there are others. A few throw rugs on the floor are nice. We use ANCRA aircraft-style tie-downs, which can be removed to leave an almost flat floor. An RV door in the trailer is best, if you are buying a trailer, and the extra-tall version is nice for more headroom and a full-height door. Double-duty trailers are a great way to go!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

GREAT INFO

:thumbup: Good to hear. Some of those lightweights have 1500 pound axles. You'll still be pretty close to the mark, though, so go light with everything you can. You might want to consider using wood studs. Pound for pound wood is stronger than steel. Stell in contact with aluminum also can cause rapid corrosion due to electrolysis. For another bed option, see my comments below.


We travel in a 7x12 V-nose that doubles as our "camper". Instead of folding bunks, we just use cots with air mattresses. Ours are Coleman, but there are others. A few throw rugs on the floor are nice. We use ANCRA aircraft-style tie-downs, which can be removed to leave an almost flat floor. An RV door in the trailer is best, if you are buying a trailer, and the extra-tall version is nice for more headroom and a full-height door. Double-duty trailers are a great way to go!

Thanks for the help with this, the studs I plan to use are galvanised and are heavy duty 18 guage, I also plan to put thin plastic between any dis-similar metals for the reasons you stated, I may go with an inflatable "queen" bed, the reason I'm using the sno-mobile trl. is I already own it !!!!, my axels are good for 2500 lbs as stated on the " info plate " attached to the trl., The door sounds like a good choice, I plan to take lots of pictures as this thing progresses.....thanks again for the Help.....Mike...:thumbup: :2excited:On the 2x4 thing , for my purposes that would be overkill strength-wise the metal studs weigh about 1.5 lbs, a 2x4 about 5 lbs....18 ga. is plenty stiff enough...they won't be used in the corners or door frames or ramp or ramp frame....I have been giving a lot of thought about the strenght/torsional stiffness vs. weight thing...I am also lucky that I have resouces in the trades that deal with things like this....Mike ...AND Thanks Randy for the pictures and IDEAS .....GREAT STUFF....YOUR TRL ROCKS.....you toooooooooooooooo......Mike

 

[arntufun]

Mike here is my layout if you want to use it for some ideas. I agree with Scotty about the extra interior height. Mines 6.5 foot. :thumbup:

Notice the picture of the outside of the trailer.


You always want your electric, cable, water and sewer coming out the drivers side (as it's hooked to your truck). Very, very, very, important you do it this way !!!!!!! :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

HELP WITH THE PROJECT

C'mon Spyderlover's, got a lot of hits here sooooooooooooooo......there must be a few more people with some good idea's / suggestions ......LET'S GET VOCAL....:agree: ray:ray:ray: :2excited: :thumbup:.......MIKE

 

[Bob Denman]

You didn't like my "portable outhouse that could be left hooked up and drug out of the trailer park" idea... :shocked: :roflblack:
What about a sleeping area that drops down from the ceiling; rather than a Murphy bed setup? :dontknow:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FUNNY YOU SAID THIS

You didn't like my "portable outhouse that could be left hooked up and drug out of the trailer park" idea... :shocked: :roflblack:
What about a sleeping area that drops down from the ceiling; rather than a Murphy bed setup? :dontknow:

Bob, great minds think alike, my platform ( in the cellar) is approx. the same size as my " trailer project ". And now that I have a Spyder on the platform I can better visualize the layout of the interior....I was thinking of a set-up similar to Randy's but His trailer is 14 ft., mine is only 10 ft., soooooooooooo to have a long enough Kitchen counter I decided to hang the bed from the ceiling when not in use.....I already use a Pure foam ( no springs ) mattrass at home and it's very lightweight ( I change the sheets so I know, haha ) So the ceiling thing would absolutely work.....Again Great minds think alike....:agree: :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:..........keep the idea's coming........................Mike

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Actually for beds I would consider hammocks. They are very comfortable, once you get used to the idea and very cool in the summer. They add almost zero weight and you can have more sleeping room for extra folks. I know it's a paradigm switch but it worked for the Navy for the last few centuries. Try one out, just get a good quality one with two spreader bars to keep them open at each end. They can also be moved outside during the day for a little siesta!

 

[Erags]

Sounds like a great winter project

If you are looking at being out for more than just a weekend, you might want to look at up grading the trailer to a 14' or longer trailer, because you are not going to have much room with just the a 10' trailer. Our garage on our RV is 8' x 10' and the :spyder2: takes up the most of the space and ins't going to give you much room for you kitchen and storage (riding gear). Adding the money you was going to spend on building the box, might go a long way on an enclosed trailer that is 14' or 16' long, with 3500 lbs axles.

I also like the inflatable mattress coming down from the overhead, but with the air mattress, you can make a fold up sofa to go with the bed to give you place to side inside when changing cloths.

If you are looking making any long distance trips you might want to look at a RV refrigerator that work off propane and electric.

Just my two seconds and something for you to think about.

Remember to watch your tongue weight

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually for beds I would consider hammocks. They are very comfortable, once you get used to the idea and very cool in the summer. They add almost zero weight and you can have more sleeping room for extra folks. I know it's a paradigm switch but it worked for the Navy for the last few centuries. Try one out, just get a good quality one with two spreader bars to keep them open at each end. They can also be moved outside during the day for a little siesta!

I was thinking the very same thing! :2thumbs:

They can be a bit tough on the back if romance blossoms during the camp-out though...

 

[rcdurango]

toy hauler

Judy and I have a Work and Play toy hauler and if there's anything that we can do to help just give me a buzz. Pictures or any other questions on design that help you.