Thoughts, Comments, Suggestions..... RTT on Modified trailer ?

Trailers traditionally have poor suspension.
I would have your chosen trailer fitted with exactly the same springs as the rear of the D Max, including the dampers.
I would also have it fitted with electric over hydraulic disc brakes for better reliability and performance.
You could also fit some water tanks under the trailer floor. Always useful.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Is budget a factor driving this idea rather than buying a dedicated offroad camper trailer? Have you looked at Ultimate or Track for example?

Ultimates are fibreglass and light. Ours is about 1100kg loaded. Newer ones with more gear would be a bit heavier , but not that much. Very easy for a ute to tow.
Cheers
Jim

Towing really sucks when you want to explore.

That seems a simple set up..but you are looking for an 8x5 trailer..that will put you in moderate size camper trailer territory and with this you will get some extras..
So with a moderate budget $15 - $20k or less you could get yourselves some very good camper trailers..
Here is just a couple of choices..
1/. Pre 2010 Kimberly Kamper..
2/. Pre 2015 Aussie Swag
3/. Pre 2015 Cub campers..various models..offroad
4. Pre 2015 Australia Offroad Campers..
5/. Pre 2016 Mountain Trial MDX..with standard remote opening..
6/. Complete Campsite..various hard floor models..

Yes, these are all rear hard floor camper trailers...all these campers are very capable off-road units and some are optioned up for off grid camping.
You will be surprised..

I bought a second hand 8x5 heavy duty trailer. Put 4wd rims and tyres on a good spring suspension set up. Put 3mm ally sheet on a frame. Mounted with 3 heavy duty hinges. Telescopic/air rams for the lift. Mounted a roof top tent. Installed gas bottle, 200 lithium battery and associated charging /outlet gear. Used plastic fish crates with lids. Off road hitch and electric brakes. Roof top tent mounted to lid. All up under $10k. Had it for 5 years and was 100 times better than a roof top tent on a vehicle. Carried all my camping gear in the trailer. Jerry cans behind each guard. Spare wheel on drawbar. Put a second hand swing out kitchen on the tail gate. 3 x 20 litre drums for water. Simple yet very easy to maintain and effective. I've had 3 camper trailers in my travels and they are heavy, slow to set up and cost a hell of a lot more than the basic trailer set up...which can also be converted back to trailer quite easily if designed correctly.

Hi Mark B68,

What is your budget?

Are you looking for something new or secondhand?

Do you want a complete camping set up, or just a bare trailer that you want to fit out yourself?

How wide is your RTT?

If you put your RTT on top of a trailer, it needs to be on some sort of hinge arrangement so that you can lift it to access what is in the trailer, or on a rack above the trailer which means you still need a ladder to access it, albeit a shorter ladder.

There are a number of trailer companies that build off road trailers suitable for a camping set up. Tradesmen Trailers is one that I have seen advertised. They are located in Pakenham, South East of Melbourne. They will build custom trailers. I cannot speak to their quality, but the do look pretty good.

Macca.

Mark why did you make the silly comment regarding Ultimate Campers “ Ultimate Trailers seems to be for big rigs ??”

Please do more research, they are so light, you do not known you are even towing it.

Of the suggestions above, how many of them have the following….

King Size Bed

Full kitchen inside

Comfortable lounge

100% Australian Made in New South Wales

More importantly, the only limiting factor of Ultimate Campers is the drivers ability.

Your DMax will tow it with absolute ease and there are many older ones available for under $20k

Now you will ask why have I said this, we have had our Ultimate for over 12 years and it has been everywhere and for the last 4 years has been towed by our Isuzu DMax.

We have a Jackson carry me camper (JCMC) . I know they are expensive but so good! Previously used a RTT and same as you weren’t liking the ladder climbing.
Recently spent a bit over 3 months in WA , Kimberley etc. . So quick and easy to set up pack down . No towing! We travel fairly light , simple things like 12 volt shower in a bucket just heat the kettle and 2 of us use less than 10 L of water.
Link JCMC

What about a 2nd hand Trayon slide on camper no towing required.

Hi Mark
From what you are describing sounds much like the old style fold out soft floor camper trailer but with a rooftop tent on top rather than the fold out .

We have a Sar major camper trailer that are built in South Australia , that we purchased in 2012 very basic but unbelievably reliable. Live axle and leaf springs that has not let us down in all epic adventures over many years
It's about 4ft plus x 6ft inside . We paid $6,500 for it for basic trailer and canvas tent top in 2012. Have made a few modifications to it over the years.
It's a cheap way to get into something that doesn't cost a lot of money and this style of camper might suit your needs .

I got this. Stupid and simple, but bulletproof concept. No ladder needed, step on mudguards to get in from the sides. Storage can be open with tent fully opened, so can the front box.
Trailer on rebound leaf springs. Lid and tailgate sealed with rubber seals, very minimal dust on lengthy corrugated roads.

Over the years I had number of different setups, camping is my second life. If any information needed please reach out.

Hi Mark,

This might just be what you are looking for, not sure of the price, as the website didn’t have any prices listed. The company is called Land Force Defence and Mobility Trailers, I tried to get the link to copy but I couldn’t make it work. If Google landforcedefence.com The one I thought might work for you is the CS-4.1 Reconnaissance Support Trailer. There are various configurations. See photos.







The company manufacturers in Brisbane, Steel chassis, aluminium body. It looks like you should be able to mount your RTT onto it. You would still need a ladder, albeit a much shorter one.

Macca.

I like this (with appropriate wheels, axle and springs) :)
Polymate trailers
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Personally I'd be looking at changing the canopy to a walk up style and carry on without towing. I don't miss towing.

Tong Boxes on brisbane North side do them similar to the one in the link.

https://tongmetal.com.au/slide-on-camper/

https://www.mwmanufacturingsa.com.au/todays-specal/x-vc/canopies/demo-camping-canopy/

You'll get good $$ for your canopy and tent setup too, so changeover won't be too steep.