Thread: Has anyone ever built a caravan?

Originally Posted by 223nut

Max width of 2.55m for loads on a trailer... Was looking it up earlier today

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt....ior/dimensions

I have a project pipe dream of something like this https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car...808fe77e08f710 with a rack on top for a small inflatable and maybe something like https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car...1a54dff357d467 this across the rear of drawbar to take a small dirt scooter ideally something like this http://www.fxbikes.com/ but more likely an xr125 duster. Teardrops with robust chassis and wheels are available ready to roll but pricey...

@yerimaginaryM8 was going to do a similar project and then this camera on trade me....

Not quite what you are after @Savage1 I really like it for throwing stuff in when travelling and a quick night sleep somewhere. Sweats badly in the heat with condensation on anything inside which leads to things growing inside if you don't open it up every now and again

I've been tossing up whether to do an offroad style one like the ones used in Aussie. I doubt I'd ever go offroad with it though. I might combine the two styles a bit.

Considered a fifth wheeler or gooseneck (depends on what you call them)?

Sticking to your 2300mm width is a good idea, yes max is 2550mm but they hog the road and a narrower trailer is so much easier to tow and maneuver.
Electric drum brakes are the most commonly used braking system on caravans these days, most cost effective if over 2500kg.

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You could build your trailer then build bolted walls and roof and have the whole lot hot dipped then assemble afterwards and build around it.....probably overkill but she would be sound for probably 40-50y....if you are going to hot dip the trailer anyway then I would go this route will cost you bugger all extra as they charge by weight and your walls and roof will/should weigh piss all.
Design in some diagonal bracing in each panel to stiffen it all up and you should be golden.
You will end up heaveyer than a alloy build but not much and way better longevity.

I do all of the electrical work for one of the biggest caravan manufacturers in NZ. Their method is a box section chassis, plywood floor on that. Then they have wooden framing for walls and roof. Exterior cladding is a sandwich panel, the outsides are aluminium (painted white), and the inside is PVC. The whole thing is about 5mm thick and comes on a huge roll. The inside cladding is thin MDF with a veneer on top.

Originally Posted by Savage1

I've been tossing up whether to do an offroad style one like the ones used in Aussie. I doubt I'd ever go offroad with it though. I might combine the two styles a bit.

I was in a bush camp thinking we were as remote as you could get. We were having daily issues with wash outs which could swallow a landcruiser and required rock crawling and terror to get through. We had been working with a chainsaw to try and make enough room.

Sitting in camp one night and what turns up but a convoy of caravans, I kid you not. They are very cool those Aussie 4x4 campers.

Im 75 % through building this. Mine is lower and shorter as its purely special purpose off road storage and sleeping quarters with awnings
plus out door ensuite tent etc. To sleep 2 people plus get across the river on our block up Coromandel

We have an awesome Aussie tent that sleeps 2 as well hence the roof rack is vital. Made roof thick enough to stand on or take a chair up there


Light wall 40 x 40 box section cos I got heaps of it free. Alloy trailer frame,same wheels as Hi Lux

Using this to clad it. It lasts forever . https://www.ullrich-aluminium.co.nz/..._Brochure2.pdf

Keeps its shine as well.

Im here at present. Have all windows doors , running boards etc sorted. It ll go get cladding in 4 to 6 weeks.



Bit of work Two entry exit doors ,Two Side windows, Two end windows, Skylight that opens etc etc . 70 liter water tank

2 inverters. All sorts of lighting ... Main thing you need to think 10 steps ahead...

That'll be awesome @Happy

When my folks house got extended in mid 90s they used a white plastic "plank" that clicked together on the exterior. would want something with a plainer profile then weatherboard look but that stuff was awesome, 20 years and no issues only maintaince was a water blast once a year.
Would be light and fairly strong
@Happy awesome build, the guy that built mine tried 3 different suspension set ups, mine has water tank at the very rear which does the balance of it no favours, though the battery is right up the front. Bracket on the front allows bike rack to be put on over drawback instead of spare tyre

just a point that if you are using polystyrene (and some other foam insulation) DO NOT ever use standard tps wiring as after a few years the insulation degrades.

Sorry @Savage1 sidetracked your thread...
Have started a new thread as seems there some real interest in off road trailers..

Originally Posted by gonetropo

just a point that if you are using polystyrene (and some other foam insulation) DO NOT ever use standard tps wiring as after a few years the insulation degrades.

should have meant. insulation degrades the wiring