Nav's "It takes a village" off-road trailer build

Had extra people in the truck, means I got extra photos.

 

I second this. Lowering the profile will help immensely for Aero. Then you just have a small deflector on the lower portion to wrap air around the trailer. Shouldn't be too hard. Just chop the top off halfway along the posts and then cut the rest off the trailer and weld up new arms at the ID size of the previous tubes and it oughta slide right in. then get it to camp height, small hole saw for a pin, and at drive height. Then weld on some bolts and throw some struts on them. I can picture it in my head at least...

 

It always works great in your head...

Believe me, one problem solved, often 2 more pop up.

 

Exactly troof

 

True. Finding some struts long enough that lift enough to be useful would be an issue I'd bet.

EDIT: looking again I can see the spare would become an issue.

 

My 1st thought was to find a way for it to hing backwards. Winch it forward to the existing height with a cheap, hand boat winch.

Again, this was my 1st though.

 

These guys are really good to deal with. A friend went to them with a fab problem and they really came through.

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/our-company/

 

Hmm might have to look at this for my truck box. Currently using my old tow hook from the front of the truck to prop the lid open

 

My plan so far:
Tent comes off.
Side/long racks will stay where they are.
Center section will need to be removed, but not discarded.

Two possible approaches:
Tent platform raises/lowers vertically using 12v linear actuators.
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...eded-a-new-project.131919/page-9#post-1996873
Not sure I need heim joints, but not sure I don't, either.

Tent platform raises/lowers at an angle using parallel arms and actuators.
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/toby-the-turtleback-trailer-build-thread.187861/
Similar concept, but with 4 arms, longer than his.

 

This is the guy that used the lift struts on his rack mod. Pretty clever idea to get the tent below cab height. If it doesn't come through correctly it's Post #3487.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rtt-owners-thread-with-bs.312269/page-175#post-10127277

 

So true

 

An idea for if you hit parks with electric. Get an electric blanket to plug in.

 

We’re back in the shop.
Removed the tent, cut out the center section.

It’ll be attached to some linear actuators and raise for camping/lower to stay out of the wind.

 

Sweet, gonna be pretty cool when it's done! Tell Maner I said hi!

 

Thanks!
Will do.

 

Uprights are welded in, rack and moving uprights are set in place.

More grinding and welding tomorrow.

 

Mounts on, welds ground to look pretty, little paint.



Actuators and tent back on. Need to wire today, leave for the trip tomorrow.

 

Cool build! Curious as to how stable the tent is when the "tower" is elevated.

Have a fun camping adventure.

 

Looks good, what kind of actuator setup you using? Electric jack or just some gas struts to assist with lifting?

EDIT: Just looked closer, nvm!

 

It’s alive!



Floor of the tent is 69” above the trailer deck, and 8’ above the ground.