Thread: Trailer for a camper Design query

I built a camper trailer back in 2001 for an extended outback trip with our 4 kids, sold it just a few months ago after many years of enjoyment but now changing needs. One comment I would make is that, having thought through everything you can think through when building a camper trailer, you will nevertheless be forever stuck with a prototype, meaning that there will always be something that is not quite right, not as functional as you thought it would be, things that after a few trips you will wish you had done differently but now cannot change. There are so many different designs of camper trailer out there that have been prototyped, trialled, sorted and developed before coming to the market (and even afterward), I think it's worth considering searching for a commercial unit that suits your needs and then looking out for a used one if the new price is beyond your reach (although with market conditions currently, it seems used ones are still big $$).
That being said, I recognise that when someone has decided to build something themselves, it is as much because of the type of person they are as it is about suitable options not being available (I certainly roll that way myself). So good luck with your build.
I don't know how much the regs have changed but when I built our camper, there was an information booklet available from Vicroads entitled 'Building small trailers' or similar; it set out all the basic requirements and design considerations. Below a certain mass, there was considerable freedom, certainly no engineer needed to be involved.

I'd buy a new camper trailer tomorrow if I could find a new Petersville clone.
It's not about trying to save money; it is simply that there is nothing out there here in Australia.
The cost of importing from the USA makes that option non-viable

Originally Posted by Moondog55

I've taken this picture from the web, so not my photo but this is the camper I had years back.
Picture borrowed.
A short step up and a lot of elbow room in the middle and a simple sit and turn onto the mattress.
So a dead flat exterior and access to the storage from inside.

No off-roading but anticipating dirt and gravel naturally

Hi MoonDog,

I'm in the UK so I don't know if you can pick up an old caravan and salvage the chassis. Old caravans are 10 a penny here and salvaging a chassis is commonly done for trailers and camper builds.

I did a van conversion to make a camper and went for a galley style interior with a pair of bunk style beds. All the storage is underneath them as is the Truma unit for hot water and heating. Water tanks for fresh and foul water are underneath as is the LPG tank.

HTH.