Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: bearpaw on June 15, 2024, 04:15:04 PM

Title: Great towing idea!
Post by: bearpaw on June 15, 2024, 04:15:04 PM: I have a short box dodge cummins and I've been brainstorming how to get enough items on my truck for certain trips, what an awesome idea:
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: follow maggie on June 15, 2024, 08:06:30 PM: I saw a set up just like that in Nebraska last year. Smart idea when you think about it- an effective toy hauler w/o the ridiculous price tag.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: timberghost72 on June 15, 2024, 09:02:23 PM: They call those crawler haulers.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: pd on June 15, 2024, 09:38:39 PM: That is actually, genius.

1. Find a short bed, heavy duty pickup.
2. Find a dual axle flat bed trailer.
3. Find a pickup camper.

None of these are that expensive. Mix with flour, stir, add a dirt bike or side-by-side, and presto, dinner!

This is really slick. Cheap option, too.

I am not sure if it is "ghetto" or "redneck."
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: addicted1 on June 15, 2024, 10:21:27 PM: This is a great idea, I am honestly surprised there aren’t more like this on the road. It makes so much sense for a variety applications.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: b0bbyg on June 15, 2024, 10:31:43 PM: I like the flexibility it could offer, I am imagining a popup canopy off the back once parked for a outdoor dry area behind camper once the other toys are unloaded.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: highside74 on June 16, 2024, 08:10:04 AM: Only problem is you end up owning a Ram and a Jeep. :chuckle: :sry: :yike:
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: Encore 280 on June 16, 2024, 08:17:08 AM: How is the camper secured to the trailer? I wouldn't think that just bolted to the trailer would be all that secure. :twocents:
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: b0bbyg on June 16, 2024, 08:40:15 AM: Quote from: Encore 280 on June 16, 2024, 08:17:08 AM
How is the camper secured to the trailer? I wouldn't think that just bolted to the trailer would be all that secure. :twocents:
Well if done in true redneck fashion I expect bailing wire or duct tape to be involved.
Or a backyard weld job. :chuckle:

But I have no idea.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: NorseNW on June 16, 2024, 08:55:37 AM: While I admire the inspiration I'm not sure I can echo the inexpensive part of a truck camper. Had mine for 9 years now (not cheap when I bought). Looked at upgrading last month - HOLY SMOKES they are proud of those things! I guess if you shopped around for a used one but still for what you are getting size wise I'm not sure.

I also don't know what a toy hauler is worth so maybe I should just sit down and tow my boat with the obnoxiously priced truck camper......
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: ghosthunter on June 16, 2024, 08:59:33 AM: I would put up a wall tent behind the camper once set up to give more lounge area with wood stove. Easy to move camp in case of wild fire. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: b0bbyg on June 16, 2024, 09:14:05 AM: Quote from: bearpaw on June 15, 2024, 04:15:04 PM
I have a short box dodge cummins and I've been brainstorming how to get enough items on my truck for certain trips, what an awesome idea:

Thing I am noticing is that once you put camper on you are committed to it staying there. Looks like the jacks are cut off to get it flat.

May not be an issue if that is the only purpose, but if you wanted a fast trailer for other use could be a problem.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: Buckmark on June 16, 2024, 10:55:16 AM: Did something similar a few years ago that worked great for us, i could haul a 4 wheeler on the front of the trailer and even had room between the 4 wheeler and camper for some stuff is needed (thought about putting a truck bed tool box there but never did it). trailer is a 16ft tilt deck (wouldn't need to be a tilt deck, it just what i have) camper weight was almost perfect dead center where i placed it and with the 4 wheeler on the tongue weight was perfect, never scaled it or the tongue weight but it towed real good and i have towed a lot in my years.
Getting it on and off was not real difficult as i welded up some jack cross extensions with 2x3 box and some angle to move the jacks outside the rear light boxes and fenders, unbolt the jacks, bolt in the extensions across the front and back and bolt the jacks to those, back under set camper down (i had some 2x6s screwed down with a stall mat then between the camper floor and them to help it not move) then unbolt the jacks and extensions, pretty easy actually with cordless impact maybe 20 mins to do that and if i ever thought i was going to have to take it off at camp etc the jacks and extensions could easily just ride on the trailer between the camper and fenders. 3 chains and binders per side it never moved, just check them after a few miles on the initial trip.
Left the truck bed avail for whatever and i had the truck to use when at camp.
The trailer was the biggest cost but i already had it and use it for more than this, i did not leave the camper on it all the time and maybe 30mins to put it on and strap it down.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: timberghost72 on June 16, 2024, 11:27:50 AM: Similar concept but bumper pull, not fifth wheel/goosneck.
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: huntandjeep on June 16, 2024, 04:24:41 PM: At one time I was going to build a Crawler Hauler for when I go camping and take the jeep or side by side . My problem became I don't like camping around others . I like smaller camp sites which makes it harder to get a 30'+ trailer attached to a Crewcab longbox into .
Title: Re: Great towing idea!
Post by: follow maggie on June 16, 2024, 09:54:51 PM: Went to Menards this morning & saw one on a dealer’s overflow lot. It seemed brand new, but no visible price tag. Instead of a pickup camper they used a fish house.