Tent Trailer Options

I'm looking into the idea of fabricating a RTT trailer and have considered using a military trailer with a bed rack welded in to it. Obviously these are pretty heavy and might exceed the towing capacity of our trucks after they're weighted down with RTT and gear.

I've also considered finding an old truck bed trailer, but those are harder and harder to come by in good condition.

This is the lightest military trailer I've found so far.
https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Military-Trailers-2008-Schutt-M1102-Cargo-Trailer-California/1690575?h=5000,c|4055,sm|0,sort|d+asc,mode|2,mf|1&rr=0.25&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
Looks like 1460 lbs. for the weight if I'm reading it right.
RTT is about 200 lbs. and I'd say an average of another 150 lbs. max for gear and rack.

Any suggestions?

 

How would that exceed the towing capacity of your truck?

With tow package you're good to around 6k lbs

 

I was just shown these in another thread today, they're pretty cool...

http://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/6x8-tent-trailer.php


Come in different sizes, too

 

I've already got the tent, just looking for an option that would allow me to set up camp and then hit some trails. Plus, I like the idea of making one myself just to make it personal.

 

Either way I would want to convert the hubs to match the truck to increase your spare capacity

 

So with the towing capacity question out of the picture, does this idea seem feasible?

 

Why not? Even has surge brakes!

And it will be near impossible to destroy off-road

 

I wish I was closer to CA. They do have shipping options, though...

What's up with that hitch and electrical connector? I have no experience with these. Would they be able to be converted to a civilian application?

 

The hitch is better for off-roading because it allows more articulation. It's called pintle and you'll need one of these



Or you can convert it but I wouldn't. I think they're cool!

Regarding electrical, it's probably 24V since military but just re-wire it.
Should be easy, only need 5pin since it's got surge brakes

 

There are smaller military trailers to be had.
This one is honestly overkill for what you're trying to do and it rides on 37" tires so if you go down to whatever is on your truck (see my post above) you might lose a lot of ground clearance and for a tent trailer you really don't need a GVWR of 4,000lbs+

 

Those were my thoughts as well. I just haven't been able to find anything much smaller at this time. I'll keep searching, though. I think the width would be a big concern as well.

 

These are big trailers. Theyre as wide as a h1, not really suited for trails. Or city traffic. They're heavy. If all you're after is a tent trailer you're packing about 1000lbs of extra weight behind you.

I wouldn't look bigger than an m416 personally. And if I wasn't set on it being military ID just build a 4×8 flatbed.

 

Yeah I found the m416's and was set on those, but for the price they are going for, I could just do like you said and build my own. I'd really like to find an old truck bed trailer, but I want to make sure it's in good enough condition to support my tent and frame.

 

I'd build my own. Start with a $300 flatned from hf. With the surpkus, odds are good you'll spend a lot of time and money on the big trailer, and only be pissed at the end. They use hummers in the desert and not in the forests for a reason.

Or

Just find a taco that has rusted in half and you're halfway done

 

Dinoot sells a fiberglass flatpack kit that fits the HF trailer, with a couple minor mods to the trailer:

https://compactcampingstore.com/collections/dinoot-jeep-trailer-style-parts

If I wanted a new steel one, I would look into this route:

https://www.kaiserwillys.com/catego...mplete-trailer-assembly-kit-fits-41-45-mb-gpw

Both kits require you to be a bit handy, but I think that you could still come in cheaper than a lot of the off the shelf options and give you more room to build what you want/need.