Camping with a trailer

[Good Times]

Camping is fun. Without a doubt it's one of the best activities to do especially around the great company of friends that enjoy it with you. The inherent downside in camping is setting up the friggin tents. I have been fortunate that my sig other doesn't mind helping me setting up/down the tent but it is regardless a chore. So I'm lazy but you do understanding that sometimes you just want to stop and just sleep right away. Setting up a tent really defeats the purpose of the quick in and out concept. Of course it doesn't take a lot of time setting it up or down but it does take a bit of surveying the location for a flat spot as well as shelter from the elements (sun/wind/etc).

So over the last few trips especially my last trip, we encountered quite a few trailers either in a rtt (roof top tent) fashion or your run of the mill tent trailer (pop up, a frame, 5th wheel... you name it) and that got us thinking. Actually we've been talking about something like this for some time now... well just Bob to be specific. We both enjoy camping but when you have to bring additional loved ones it really does make it a bit more challenging as you really want to provide the best quality in the outdoors adventure as well as accommodate for your little/big 4 legged buddies.

With this in mind I've been openly considering a trailer (pref a Kimberly Kamper!). Right now is probably not the best time to be investing in a travel tent trailer but some of the deals and steals I've found on CL (craigslist) has definitely been attractive.

Here's my open requirement on what I'd like to see:

Tent trailer (no rtt cuz it makes it hard to get the dogs in and out which pretty much rules out Adventure Trailers, Military trailers and such)
Pref Offroad version such as the Kimberly Kampers (those things are awesome!!)
Off the ground tent so everyone can sleep well
Easy configuration (i.e. max setup time of 2 min at most)
cheap (haha Had to throw this in here for kicks)
Sleeps min 4 and a dog or two (more the better)
Kitchen and Toiletry stuff is not required
Ability to stand tall and change instead of the bent over position that really does a number of my back. This is a really big importance because Jenn and Justin (JnJ) brough their RV to the 2007 Pismo event and man was it really nice to just walk inside and sit and relax away from the outside elements!
... sounds like I should pick up an old Fleetwood Evolution Cobalt or something similar? Anyone got one for sale for dirt cheap (say free?). I know that all of the cabinetry inside would have to be rebuilt or removed cuz they're worthless once you hit the dirt as they all fall apart (based on my readings on other camping forums).

I know a number of you have these similar tent trailers and want to get your feed back on these suckers. If you don't have this specific one but maybe a mil trailer that's fine too! I understand that the Coleman and other tent trailers are not suited for the hardcore offroading stuff but in all honesty I just don't see myself taking a trailer to places like this so it really doesn't matter. The trailer would be used primarily for base camping while I'll keep my existing camping stuff for the real outback camping stuff.

Some sample photos of current model tent trailers

Fleetwood Evolution Series


Kimberly Kampers


OZ Tent (threw this in as an alternative cuz apparently you can set this up in a minute or so)

[Good Times]

Here's a really nice one a bit out of my budget...





For Sale Ad Here $4495!

Edit - Found someone selling for $2600obo but he's way the heck out in PA ... ugh! (now that's definitely closer to my budget)

[Bob98SR5]

lance,

nice thread

yeah, while i have been searching for tent trailers, the more expedition types have also caught my eye. i started to research "small tent trailers" and some people have built teardrop trailers, but more for off road. I've shown you those links but for those who have not seen teardrops here they are:



now here's an adaptation of the teardrop concept, but more for off roading:





while its hard to see, he built this thing to last! here's his great website: http://www.outbackteardrop.com/teartrips.html

so what it comes down to is this:

1) cost
2) type of camping i intend to do
3) comfort (commercial tent trailer) or flexibility (off road, home built trailer)
4) size

i've mulled these thigns in my head and i still have not come to a definitive conclusion. now i've seen a former member build his own (gerdo?), but i'd like to see more. but this decision wont happen until i buy a house---or win the lottery to buy a house and something i wont have to build!

bob

[reggie 00]

Yes
The Tear drop trailers are nice.
Me and Pop's have been looking to make one of them for off road use.
If you look into it they are not that difficult to make.

[Bob98SR5]

reg,

yeah, youre absolutely right. i'd be so damn cool to build one yourself, but at the same time, if you look on craigslist, you can see that people regularly sell good to very good condition tent trailers that have amenities and sleeps 4 for around $2 to $3k---and $3k to $4k seems to be the magic price range of one of these off road worthy tear drops that have room for 2 and no amenities like a tent trailer would

...decisions, decisions!

[Good Times]

From the reading that I've done over some time now the pop up trailers used by the majority will work well on the asphalt but once on the dirt they don't last the vibration from the trail. The interior cabinetry appears to be the weakest link as well as the suspension parts. I've read people rebuild the cabinetry and upgrade the suspension which sounds like a real big chore.

The Fleetwood Neon shown above appears to be a no frill simple tent trailer with little creature comfort. It just has a bed and a few cabinets. I can just pull the cabinets out completely and just use my own camping equipment so that should free up more space. The suspension will always be upgraded regardless of what I do so it seems like a great combination for me so far. Though I'm not done researching I'm definitely lurking on other forums to find the best possible combination. At any rate if I do find one of these for around $2,000 I'm definitely gonna be tempted to pick one up.

The tear drops look awesome and definitely inspiring but the desire to build one just doesn't fit the bill. I know that it'll be fun building something that I can say is all mine but the thought of spending time and money on materials just doesn't work for me. I guess rebuilding the 4runner just did a number on me.

Anyway back to CL and some other forums for great deals! Looks like one is on ebay for 2500 but he's out in CO. Definitely closer so I'll watch this one closely

[AxleIke]

If you want, here is my buddies thread. Still below 2k

http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech...up-thread.html

[BruceTS]

Lance there's a place here in SoCal that sell various kits to build a teardrop, or you can just purchase parts. I was actually thinking about building one, offroad version of course.....

http://www.socalteardrops.com/

[Bighead]

If you want, here is my buddies thread. Still below 2k

http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech...up-thread.html

His trailer is turning out nice.

[AxleIke]

Yes it is.

He's got a bunch of autobody experience, so I'm excited to see his paint job.