Camper converted into a flat bed trailer

[dwall174]

I have a 1984 Wilderness 25' 5th wheel camper that's starting to show it's age & due to some water damage it's in need of quite a bit of repair to get it back in good shape. I've been thinking of just striping it down to the frame & making a flat bed trailer out of it!

The axles have five lug 15” tires & I believe their rated at 3500 lbs each. The current floor only has about a 4” wheel-well so with the extra cross bracing that's sure to be needed the new bed may sit high enough to not even need wheel wells.

Has anyone converted a travel trailer into a flat bed trailer?
And for any of those that have converted one, Are there any details to look for (Good & Bad) too help make the determination if the frame is a good candidate for the flat bed conversion?

Doug

 

[lotsoftools]

I thought about doing that with my 5th wheel when I tore it down. I decided the metal was too thin to haul anything heavy. Plus I was going to have to change from a 5th wheel to a gooseneck, or build a regular a-frame for bumper pull.

 

[HOTFR8]

Most 5th wheelers are built on a space frame type construction so if you pull it apart you will find the chassis would not be like that of a normal trailer. My opinion would be do not do it.

 

[willy3486]

Be careful on smaller ones. Those small pop up camper trailer frame can be dangerous. I saw one they striped down and put a wood floor on it. Due to the height of the truck pulling it the trailer was tilted up. The guy came by where I was at and got airborne as it was acting like a wing. When he had just past me it began to bounce then it came off. If it had been one second sooner I wouldn't be typing this. I hate to see those done that way. One of the best reuse of a old trailer was a heavy duty boat trailer. A guy had cut some square tubing and welded them in. He then put a floor over that. It was a really nice trailer.

 

[dwall174]

I thought about doing that with my 5th wheel when I tore it down. I decided the metal was too thin to haul anything heavy

What year was your trailer?
Being that this one is 28 years old I'm hoping they used heaver gauge metal!

Most 5th wheelers are built on a space froam type construction

yea I've seen some of the newer model trailers that use a ruffled or corrugated type of “I” beam construction. This one seems to be built pretty well & the metal appears to be fairly thick.

I'll be picking it up from the storage lot this weekend & taking it up camping for the last time this season. While I'm there I'll get up underneath the trailer & check the thickness & width of the frame.

Thanks Doug

 

[dwall174]

Be careful on smaller ones. Those small pop up camper trailer frame can be dangerous.

Well I haven't seen to many pop-up 5th. Wheel Trailers

This trailer weighs around 5000 lbs. So even with it tore down to the frame I don't it's going to do any flying.

Doug

 

[zuk123]

Here's a link to a project by "Jake Von Slatt" a really creative guy who is a bit 'internet famous' for his steampunk projects. He does some really neat stuff.

http://steampunkworkshop.com/trailer.shtml

zuk

 

[dwall174]

Here's a link to a project by "Jake Von Slatt"

Thanks for the link!

I'll try to get some pics from underneath the camper this weekend!

Thanks Doug

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here's a link to a project by "Jake Von Slatt" a really creative guy who is a bit 'internet famous' for his steampunk projects. He does some really neat stuff.

http://steampunkworkshop.com/trailer.shtml

zuk

Whoa, I think I could spend some time on that site.

 

[lotsoftools]

What year was your trailer?
Being that this one is 28 years old I'm hoping they used heaver gauge metal!


Mine was about a 78 or 79. It was about 12 gauge, 2" x 6" tube.

 

[2mJps]

I Got 2 trailers last fall and took them apart sold the alumium and made a trailer from one. I made gave 250.00 for the pare and sold scrap for 500.00. It took about 60 hours to take them apart. I wont do it again. Ended up with a very light duty trailer. Sell it and by a trailer.

 

[rsanter]

How about you advirtise that you are willing to trade for a flatbed trailer and see who makes you an offer

Bob

 

[cyamaha2007]

Dont do it unless you want to haul 4 wheelers or rhinos. I stipped a 38ft holiday rambler. It was so flimsy. I wouldnt even put a mid size 3000lb car on it. After i read up on conversions the box adds a lot of strength. 1 guy i saw cut it in half and doubled up the frame. He ended up with a 18ft utility trailer.

 

[Chunt1]

I have built a flatbed from a 72 model 5th wheel. I had to build a 2x2 frame on top of the existing frame for strength. Then I used angle iron and use used electric crossarms from the electric company . I cut them down the middle. I dovetailed the last 4 foot . The trailer weighed in at 2800 pounds and was rated for 10,000 pound payload. I’m fixing to build another one from a 79 twilight bungalow.