Anyone put a travel trailer on a Deuce or 5 ton?

[markmontana]

My idea is to remove the cargo bed and mount a travel trailer directly to the frame rails. Has anyone done this or pursued the idea?

Picture #1 is similar to my idea. Of course I would not go so far behind the rear axle. Maybe a 14' trailer. But this idea is really making my leg twitch…

Pic #2- A toy hauler might be cool, but would be hard to find one for cheapo. They do have the 'Industrial' look. But there are lots of travel trailers out there for under 1k that would paint up nicely.

I've seen some campers that are slid onto the bed- and that is a possibility- but for now I would like to hear what you think about a self contained trailer on the frame.

Link to full size pic: Trucks :: IMG_1162.jpg picture by davev_photobucket - Photobucket

 

[100dollarman]

Thought about it many times, but never have done it.

Advantage is all facilities are already built in! Would not be too difficult to mount either.

The thing keeping me from doing it so far, is no AC in the cab.... thinking...

 

[markmontana]

I was thinking of the A/C thing too. But I'm quite a bit north of you in the summer, so can get away w/o A/C.

 

[Sephirothq]

If you are going to take it off roading i could see where the frame would twist and flex and the travel trailer might not be able to do it as well.

It could work fine or be a mess

 

[tennmogger]

Yes, that has been done. The camper on the MB 1017 is/was a Hi-Lo trailer that Bill Caid mounted on his military truck. Works great, and has AC! (the camper on the red truck was not a trailer, just a slide-in camper and no AC).

Mercedes 1017A Camper Construction 20100921

 

[markmontana]

Yes, that has been done. The camper on the MB 1017 is/was a Hi-Lo trailer that Bill Caid mounted on his military truck. Works great, and has AC! (the camper on the red truck was not a trailer, just a slide-in camper and no AC).

Very cool- thanks!
Here's my rendition... sorry, not photoshop qualified

 

[phil2968]

If you are going to take it off roading i could see where the frame would twist and flex and the travel trailer might not be able to do it as well.

It could work fine or be a mess

Look at the mounting for the M109 box. That box won't flex. To overcome this the box is spring mounted to the frame from the front to the rear. The very last mount is solid. Flex the truck and the frame is allowed to flex while still keeping the box attached to the truck. Something to look into.

 

[markmontana]

Look at the mounting for the M109 box. That box won't flex. To overcome this the box is spring mounted to the frame from the front to the rear. The very last mount is solid. Flex the truck and the frame is allowed to flex while still keeping the box attached to the truck. Something to look into.

Right. I looked at the frame of a travel trailer, and they are way smaller than any 2.5 or 5ton. Some flex is built in to trailers, but not enough to be a problem.

 

[doghead]

Why not simply load a camper into the cargo bed?.

 

[markmontana]

DH- that is a possibility. And I like the campers I have seen. And they can be had CHEAP around here.

But there is a lot more room in the trailers and I could dedicate a truck to it, so the bed and it's weight could go. Also, the holding tanks, drains, etc etc seem to be suited to the "bedless" truck frame set up. Thinking ROOMY.

 

[PsycoBob]

For A/C in the cab, try a genset that'll work while driving & a large portable A/C unit. I've considered planting one above the transmission tunnel in my M109, with the hot-air vent run right out the back of the cab.

 

[srodocker]

what about mounting a slide in camper onto a m200 chassis? anyone photoshop that one?

 

[FASTNOVA]

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but with a S280. That way it could be removed to allow use of the truck bed.

 

[M813A1]

You an get the stand up A/C that fit on the back wall between the front seats for the cab

 

[goldneagle]

For A/C I like the ductless units they advertise on TV for the home. It has a small condenser outside and a baseboard type coil inside. SOme are even available as heat pumps. and 2 separate outputs. That type would serve to cool the cab and the M109 box.

 

[3dAngus]

You would also cut off the storage compartments located at the bottom of most campers.
Gotta have access to those. A dropside would work.

 

[markmontana]

I think a travel trailer on a 5 ton frame- bed removed- is worth a try. I'm shopping around for a trailer now.