Chandler's Battleship of Doom

Nah just for illustration purposes

 

Okay so. Thought about this the other day and that pic makes me think your on the same page. Flat bed on the truck and a flatbed trailer. Have all your camp gear etc. in the canopy. If your doing a point A to point B style trip put the canopy on the truck. If your doing an off-road park, rock therapy, base camp with little Day trip style trip put the canopy on the trailer.

 

Thats the idea but you dont really need the flatbed trailer for your last thoughts, you can just do as pictured below and thats the beauty of a "lift off canopy" design. The trailer idea is just something thats easily adaptable, plus no one really makes a trailer like that. Its just showing the versatility that options are always there no matter what the end user is looking for. IMO I dont ever see myself as a trailer camper, I think trailers are more trouble than its worth for what I look to do but for some people trailers make total sense so thats the only reason why I would go after it.

 

That is also what I was thinking hahaha just lift it up and drive out from under it. And I feel the same way about trailers. I’ve been on trips that would have been impossible or just down right miserable if a trailer were added to the mix. But for some it’s a perfect setup

 

Yup couldn't be any simpler than just lifting it off and driving away, The time difference between unhooking from a trailer and lifting the canopy off would be none or minimal at best. I just dont want to deal with a trailer, nothing about a trailer appeals to me but I also have a truck that gives me more possibilities. For the guy that has a suv or car, the trailer makes much more sense because their space is already so limited compared to the guys with trucks that can outfit the rear end whoever they see fit.

 

Built a tilt down fridge slide for the canopy today. Just have to mount it up, If it works out tomorrow I might cut out some divider panels for the Canopy

 

I never saw myself as a trailer camper.. than started to like them.. than backed off the idea of a trailer build cuz it wouldn't really benefit my trips. Now I have my first kid due any day now and the thought of camping with the family has brought the trailer idea back. In my case, solo trips I'll just have the truck and family trips I'll bring the trailer. Works out for the best that way for me. The family trips would be mild trails and sites in the warmer seasons, the trailer would allow more gear as needed for for people. Solo with the truck I can go anywhere in any season and not worry about the trailer holding me back. Now I plan on building a family trailer..

 

Haha gotta love how things happen, ive gone back and forth on so many things. Once i turn my setup into a trailer maybe ill gain a better opinion for having one all the time, but I think its one of those things that makes more sense to have/use once you have a family. Congrats btw!

 

I’ll be building some divider panels for mine. Thinking of using perforated aluminum to make mounting stuff to it easier. See what the cost is though for a 3/16 or 1/4 inch thick piece.

 

Thanx Dude!

I’m preparing for the reality of things..

 

Basically the same thing for me (new baby requires 3 bags of stuff just to leave the house haha), but that's also not enough beer for 4 days haha

 

Yeah that’s a good idea on the perforated, I’m going to cut it out in a molle pattern so I can use molle pouches on the inside for extra storage/organization. What size plate and grade?

 

That's not for camping. That's what it looks like just doing simple errands .

 

Haha not looking forward to that, hopefully I have a couple of years before I’m in that boat

 

I am not too sure. Think my local metal supplier will make me get a full 4x8 sheet so Ill have lots to mess around with. Will be cutting it out by hand though. Thinking ill go 1/4inch so its stiff enough, but my also go 3/16 and reinforce it with angle aluminum. Not to sure of the grade. Any suggestions? I may be at the mercy of my metal supplier.

 

Got some shit done. Put together a jerry can holder since I currently do not have one, it’s going to replace the ladder on the back since it’s not really needed currently. Got my divider panel for the fridge done, still need a top shelf but I ran out of material. Started working on the updated tire carrier but need to buy thicker material since what I have won’t cut it.

 

I would just buy how much you need, your metal supplier will probably have larger sheets and will want to sell the whole thing vs cutting it down. 1/4 is pretty thick stuff, but it depends on your usage. Grade will depend on what your doing with it, 5052 is what you will probably want. But I would reconsider your thickness, Nothing wrong with using it but its likely overkill and will be very expensive. For reference metal depots is showing a price of $737 for a 4x8 sheet . You can gain strength by making a structure, adding bends. Right now my divider is only .08 thick but after I add a couple of connecting panels it will be plenty strong

 

Thanks! The use of is a divider that will protect my electronics and fridge in the case that I have to load something and it shifts around. Pretty similar to what the utes do in Australia. I figured 1/4 as it won’t require as much strengthening. My only means of strengthening is adding angled aluminum to stiffen everything up via rivits. If I remember correctly expanded aluminum was $300 cnd for a 4x8 sheet of 1/8. Could always strengthen it as you said to keep the cost down. Appreciate the input. I have to get the cap first to see what I am actually working with haha.

 

Yeah after you get your cap you’ll have a better idea what you can use