1. Rectangular or Box Shape:

• A classic and practical choice for DIY campers.
• Offers efficient use of space, with squared-off corners providing more usable interior room.
• Easier to construct and customize due to its straightforward design.
• May not be as aerodynamic as more streamlined shapes, potentially affecting fuel efficiency.

1. Teardrop Shape:

• A popular and iconic shape for compact DIY campers.
• Offers good aerodynamics, reducing wind resistance and improving fuel efficiency.
• Provides a sleeping area inside and often includes a rear galley kitchen.
• Compact size makes it suitable for towing with smaller vehicles.

1. Cabin or A-Frame Shape:

• Features a steeply sloped roof resembling an A-frame cabin.
• Provides extra headroom inside, making the living space feel more open.
• Offers good aerodynamics and water shedding ability.
• Can accommodate sleeping areas and storage, and often includes windows for natural light.

1. Curved or Streamlined Shape:

• Features smooth curves and contours for improved aerodynamics.
• Reduces wind resistance and improves fuel efficiency during towing.
• May require more complex construction techniques, such as bending or laminating wood or using composite materials.

1. Pop-Up or Expandable Shape:

• Combines a compact travel shape with expanded living space when parked.
• Offers a balance between compact towing and spacious living.
• Usually includes a pop-up roof or expandable sections to increase vertical space.

1. Custom or Unique Shapes:

• Allows for creativity and personalization in camper design.
• Can reflect your individual style or needs.
• May require more advanced construction skills and careful planning.

1. Retro or Vintage Shapes:

• Emulates the look of vintage campers from past decades.
• Offers a nostalgic and unique aesthetic.
• Can be customized to include modern amenities while maintaining a retro vibe.

When choosing a shape for your DIY camper, consider factors such as your towing vehicle’s capabilities, your intended usage (weekend getaways, off-road adventures, long trips), the level of construction expertise you have, and the materials you plan to use. Sketch out your ideas and consider creating a mock-up or model to visualize the final camper shape. Ultimately, the shape should align with your practical needs, design preferences, and the overall camping experience you want to create.

The post What Shapes Should You Consider For Your DIY Camper Build? appeared first on Overlander Trailer.

There are many different routes you can go. If you are a welder, or know a welder, you could build a frame that way. If you’re like us, and don’t really have access to a welder, buying a trailer frame is the next best solution.

I did a quite a bit of research on this and found that some people build off already assemble frames like those you can get at Lowes or Home Depot, however there seemed to be some concern that those trailer frames need to be beefed up a bit with reinforcement to be able to handle the potential twisting in off road situations.

Through my research, the bolt together frame options from shops like Northern Tool and Harbor Freight seemed to be the best way to go, which is what we decided on.

While this type of frame is well rated, there are a few things to be aware of.

Trailer Size

Really, the first aspect you need to consider is what size trailer you need. If you plan to build an off road trailer that will allow you to sleep in it, depending on your height, you will want to pay attention to the length of the trailer.

A lot of overlander trailers are build on 4′ x 6′ frames. These can be great for minimalists and especially if you plan to have a roof top tent since the tent won’t take up any storage space.

For our needs, we decided on a 5′ x 8′ trailer and so far it looks like it’s going to be the perfect size for our camping needs.

Trailer Load Capacity

The first thing to look for is the trailer load capacity. This is important because it will determine the amount of weight your trailer can carry. However, and this is important, load capacity is strictly a function of the axle strength. It does not mean the frame will break if the weight is exceeded.

What this means is that if you plan to upgrade the axle system like we did, you don’t need to be concerned with the load capacity – that will come later in your axle considerations.

With that said, we probably could have scaled down to a slightly less expensive option – I was actually eyeing a folding trailer from Harbor Freight that I saw some built off of, but they haven’t been able to keep them in stock so I ended up purchasing an Ironton 5ft. x 8ft. Steel Utility Trailer Kit from Northern Tool.

Assembly

If you decide on a bolt together kit like we have, assembly is fairly straight forward but here are a few tips from experience.

1. Be sure and layout all the frame parts ahead of time and position them as if the trailer was assembled. Take EXTRA note of the bolt hole patterns in each part as some parts look very similar but if not assembled exactly as they should be, you will have to undo everything and start over!
2. Make sure you have all the parts. Our kit did not come with washers, so a quick trip to Lowes was required.
3. Make sure you have all the right tools. We needed a socket, an adjustable wrench, and a speed square.
4. Use your speed square (carpenters square) to ensure the frame is completely square.
5. I repeat, use your speed square (carpenters square) to ensure the frame is completely square!
6. Don’t tighten everything down until the very end.

The post The Frame: Ironton 5ft. x 8ft. Steel Utility Trailer Kit appeared first on Overlander Trailer.

There are several types of overlander trailers out there and they range wildly in price (which is why I am choosing to build ours). Some are the more traditional teardrop campers that provide room to sleep in. Others are gear storage with the addition of a roof top tent to provide off the ground sleeping accomodations.

Most overland trailers have their own electrical systems that operate off at least one 12 volt battery. This is sort of the brains of the operation and provides power to whatever other accessories the trailer might contain (ie. water pump, lights, etc.). Most trailers are equipped with multiple ways of charging the battery system which allows for off grid adventures. For instance, the addition of solar panels can be used to maintain a charge when boondocking (a fancy word for being somewhere without power). Generally, overland trailers will contain a few different charging mechanisms to ensure the battery system stays topped off wherever the adventure leads and we’ll cover this in more detail when get into our own system.

Other amenities you might find are slide out camp kitchens that provide access to cold goods in a cooler of fridge, a sink set up and even a cooking and prep area. Roof racks are common as well for carrying extra adventure gear like bikes and kayaks.

If you are in the market for an overlander trailer, my best advice is to really look thoroughly at all the options and if decide to buy one, make sure it has everything you need and want as it’s quite an investment. On the other hand, if you choose to build your own, I hope this site can help guide you through the process…

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