Our Camping Utility Trailer

2021 Update:  This trailer has proved to be wildly useful in more ways than one.  It helped us make the move to Idaho and again when we moved back to Colorado.  It now serves as a way to haul water when we’re parked on our property.  And if all goes to plan, will be our Baja rig in 2022!

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A little over a year ago we purchase this sweet little homemade trailer that we found on Craigslist in Arizona.  While our Four Wheel Camper had proved to be the perfect setup for us, we were in need of just a little extra space for our extended winter trips that typically last anywhere from 4-8 weeks.  We knew we needed something unique because we wanted it to be able to follow us anywhere.  We looked in to specialty adventure trailers but we just couldn’t swallow the price tag.  It seems like with enough time spent looking, you can find just about anything on Craigslist.

What we eventually found was this utility bed trailer, complete with truck topper and toolbox.  What drew us to it was it’s high-clearance and the fact that it is exactly the same width as our truck and uses the same size tires.  We know when we are picking a line through a rocky or rutted stretch of road, the trailer will follow directly behind us.

While this little guy has loads of potential to be built out as a totally outfitted camping rig (we’ve talked about adding solar, a refrigerator, awning, outside shower, etc.) for now we’ve only done some very minor modifications and fix-ups.  The ability to carry extra resources and supplies (and toys!) such as water, propane, firewood, bbq grill, bikes, paddleboards, the list goes on, proved to be pretty sweet this past winter.  We did manage to fit a lot of this stuff in the truck before the trailer but strategically unpacking and packing everything, not to mention stowing everything beneath the truck so that we could use the inside of the camper was becoming quite cumbersome.  Mark loves that the trailer allows us to carry everything we could ever need while camping and I love using it as a mobile office.

Below: When we bought the trailer there were two stainless steel folding doors that were used to access the back of the trailer.  We found them a bit cumbersome so Mark built a simple wood panel that slides in and out and also acts as our camp table.

Below: As you can see, we’ve had no problem filling all the extra space the trailer offers.  We felt it was important to pack the cabinets pretty tight so that all our belongings weren’t sliding all over the place as we bumped down dirt roads.

Below: Our bikes are held securely in place with these removable bike clamps.  When we’re using the interior of the trailer to sit and eat or work, the clamps slide right out of that orange panel you see against the wall so they’re never in the way.

Below right: With the ability to carry around 2 – 20lb. propane tanks, we’re never short on propane.  The propane tree below allows us to hook up multiple items at a time such as our lantern and stove.

Below: If you had told me when we bought the trailer that I would love using it as an office, I would have looked at you cross-eyed but it turns out the be the perfect working space.  It’s an awesome indoor/outdoor space that is completely protected from the wind and rain while letting in loads of sunshine.

Below: While I work inside, Mark cooks outside.  The cabinet below is the perfect camp kitchen.  It stow our stove, grill, cast iron and all our cooking utensils.

Below: It’s the perfect addition to our Four Wheel Camper!