DIY Overland Trailer (Pt. 3) - Detailed Look at Add-Ons & Accessories

DIY Overland Trailer (Part 3) – Detailed Look at Add-Ons and Accessories

In this third article covering my DIY overlanding trailer, I will do a brief overview of everything I have installed. It is a lengthy list, so let’s get started!

If you missed the first two posts, here they are:

I based my overland trailer build off a 1964 M416 military trailer. As discussed in Article 1, this trailer was in decent shape when I first purchased it, but some work was required to get it ready for my adventures. I think using a military trailer is a great option for a DIY overland trailer because a military trailer is often more rugged than a standard trailer, and they usually have some sort of off road capability.

The M416 was the perfect fit for me, as it had enough space to accommodate all of my needed equipment, but it wasn’t so large that it would hamper traveling. In fact, this trailer is so good for overlanding that I feel confident in saying I can go just about anywhere my 4Runner can with this trailer. I’ll throw in the disclaimer that backing up in tight spaces is excluded (as backing up with a trailer in off road terrain is tricky), but it truly is capable at following my 4Runner where I want and need to go.

Hitch

The trailer hitch might not seem like a design aspect, but it most definitely is. Especially on an overlanding trailer!

I used the standard pintle hitch that comes with M416 trailers; however, a standard ball hitch was also considered. I eliminated a ball hitch due to limitations with articulation.
The pintle hitch is very simple, allows for articulation, and is a great option for an off road trailer.

There are other, higher-dollar hitches on the market which probably offer even better performance, but I utilized the existing hitch to save a little money (and I think it is a good overall design).

To provide a little extra security I also have a hitch lock just so someone can’t easily steal the trailer.

Tent

A roof top tent is a crucial element of an overlanding trailer. In fact, I’d argue it is the second most important component, right behind the trailer itself.

I researched tents thoroughly. There are LOTS of roof top tents on the market right now. It seems like everyone is trying to make one, and in return make some money. In general, there are lots of good options. There are certainly some cheap, low quality options out there though. By no means do I want to say that the tent I got is the best, but I do think it is a great option. Speaking of options, there are two main options – soft and hard.

Hard tents generally pop straight up, or nearly straight up. These types of tents are fastest to setup and a great option, but they are more expensive than soft roof top tents and don’t offer quite as much space typically.

Soft roof top tents take slightly longer to setup and typically fold out…like a book. The benefit to soft roof top tents is they are much larger and cheaper.

At the end of the day, I went with a Thule Tepui Kukenam 3. The Kukenam 3 is a soft roof top tent and comes in at a rather affordable price. This roof top tent is primarily designed for 3 season camping (spring, summer, and fall), but can be adapted to withstand winter temperatures. As the name implies, this tent can sleep 3 people, but I will only use it for two people max. Yes, you theoretically could fit three people in the Kukenam 3, but it would be TIGHT!

I went with the Kukenam 3 for a couple reasons, and the first being quality. This tent has good quality materials and design. Second, I really liked the tent features. The design of the tent allows for you to have plenty of ventilation if needed, or none at all. Third, this tent was affordable. It wasn’t cheap, but definitely very competitively priced in comparison to some tents on the market. Last, it just seemed to fit my needs well (and my 6’-4” frame). Your needs might of course be different, so research tents and see what is best for you.

Like I said, there are a lot of good options…find what works best for you, your application, and your budget.

Fridge

Yes…a fridge! As I mentioned in Article 2, you can get away with a cooler, but a cooler requires ice, and ice doesn’t last forever. Using a cooler also takes up a lot of space, as a large amount of volume inside a cooler is taken up by ice. In addition, ice melts and all of your items inside the cooler will be exposed to water…so you will need zip lock bags to protect your food.

I ended up going with an ARB Elements fridge freezer. You can read the full review here, but I chose the ARB Elements for a few reasons:

Weatherproof capability…it is called the “Elements” fridge for a reason
Fridge / freezer capability
Size
Durability (ARB makes incredible fridges)

You can read my review to get all the details on this fridge, but the short and sweet is the ARB Elements is an excellent choice for a trailer build like this!

Electrical

Designing an electrical system purely from scratch is a lot to do! There really isn’t a “one size fits all” design. It all comes down to what you need / want to power.
For example, I debated installing an inverter quite a bit. I ultimately decided against an inverter because I couldn’t find a good use for it. Most of my electronic devices can be charged via USB, so a 12V USB outlet was plenty sufficient. You might need an inverter though…just depends on what you plan on powering.

For me, I wanted to power the following devices:

ARB Elements Fridge
Water Pump
Overhead LED Camp Lighting (White)
Overhead LED Camp Lighting (Red)
Dual USB Outlet Charger

The heart of my electrical system is the Renogy solar setup. I have a 50-watt solar panel, Voyager 10-amp charge controller, and an Interstate Battery SRM-24. All of my devices are controlled through a Blue Seas 6-gang Weatherdeck panel, which is mounted in a custom electrical enclosure I made.

You can read all about the electrical system in Article 2 of this series, but my quick opinion is I think it works great! My setup is affordable, rugged, reliable, and versatile. I designed the battery to power all of my devices for two days on its own, and with adequate sunlight, the solar panel and charge controller give me indefinite power!

Without diving in too deep, I do want to mention that electrical systems for something like this can be overwhelming if you are not familiar with how DC electronics work. You will more than likely be tempted to build a minimal system as a result of not wanting to complete the electrical design…DON’T!

Many of the higher end overland trailers that you purchase come with awesome electrical systems, and a good amount of the cost for the trailer can be associated to the electrical system. Electrical systems are very helpful when done correctly, and I am a firm believer that any overland trailer should have at least a minimal electrical system.
Having a quality electrical system makes a huge difference! For example, I didn’t think I wanted lights on my trailer (what was I thinking). I was just going to use flashlights and headlamps. This was because I didn’t want to complete all of the wiring required to power two different sets of lights. However, having hard wired lights hooked up to your electrical system is a must! Same thing applies to my fridge…I originally was going to run a cooler, but a fridge is so much more convenient.

Just remember that you might have to put a little more work in on the front end, but it is well worth it in the long run.

Lighting

One of the most crucial elements to being safe is having adequate lighting. As I previously mentioned, I originally was just going to use my Coast headlamps and flashlights, and I do use them all the time when I am camping with my trailer; however, I felt that having hard mounted camp lighting that I could turn on with the flip of a switch would be necessary. As such, I installed two different sets of camp lighting.

The first set I installed was Diode Dynamic white led strip lighting. This is my primary lighting and is designed to allow me to see everything I need at my base camp. I use these lights for cooking and general tasks around the trailer that require good lighting.

The second set was Diode Dynamic red LED strip lighting. These lights are designed for the times when you are relaxing around the campsite and don’t want the bright white lights drowning out the stars, but you still want some light just to navigate around (and see any potential rattlesnakes). In addition, I’ve found that red light attracts fewer insects than white light…and research supports this.

I highly recommend installing some hard-wired lights that you can control with the flip of a switch. Having lights hard mounted and wired eliminates the need for finding a flashlight or headlamp, having to temporarily mount it to your trailer, and recharging. LEDs use very little energy too. You need to have hard wired lights!

Charging

I mentioned that I have a Renogy 50-watt solar panel and Voyager 10-amp charge controller which provide power to my Interstate battery. This system has worked flawlessly. I’m a firm believer in solar being a must on an overland trailer, but you should also have a second, redundant source of power.

I use a Noco GenM1 4 amp on board charger. This charger uses standard 110V power and charges your battery. You might be wondering where you can find a 110V outlet out in the wilderness…after all, isn’t this an overlanding trailer?

The intent of the on board charger is not to find a magical power source out in the woods, but to allow you to fully top of your batteries at home prior to leaving on your adventure. In addition, I know I have also used my trailer to go camp at state parks. Most state parks have 110V hook ups.

The charger is simply a good, secondary source of power if needed. I won’t say it is a must, but I do believe it is a great item to have.

In addition to charging the main battery on my trailer, I also have a Blue Seas dual USB charger outlet mounted to my main electrical enclosure for charging my phone, lights, camera, and other electrical devices.

This is a great item to install and will ensure that you keep all of your devices charged up!

Water

Currently, my water system is purely for showering, washing dishes, cleaning up, etc. I do not have an on board potable water system. Can you make an on board water system for drinking water…yes.

I do believe it is important to mention that there is a proper way to making a potable water system and an improper way. If you intend to use your water system for drinking water, you need to ensure that all components are NSF-61 approved.

I will mention that you probably won’t have any issues if you don’t use NSF-61 approved materials and products; however, long term use and or use in certain environments could pose a potential risk to your health.

For me, I found it to be much simpler to pack a few gallons of water in my cargo area that way I don’t have to worry about filter systems, disinfectants, maintenance, etc. I most definitely could have made a potable water drinking system, I just didn’t have a need. If I intended to go off grid for longer periods of time I would have implemented a filtration system, but packing in a few gallons of water is much easier.

My water system is essentially a 26-gallon sprayer tank from a hardware store, 2.2 gallon per minute diaphragm pump, reinforced nylon hose, and a sprayer attachment.

My initial design did not have the sprayer attachment on the end of the hose…but I believe one is needed. Without a sprayer attachment you can only control the flow of water with your electrical system switch. Having a sprayer attachment allows you to use water on and off while you shower or wash dishes and not waste precious water. In addition, the pump has a built in pressure switch which automatically turns off the pump when you are not using the sprayer attachment.

All in all, my water system is very simple, but it works great for what I wanted it to do!

Table

My original thought for this overland trailer was to have a portable, folding table that I stored in the cargo area of the trailer. Similar to the hard wired lights I ultimately settled on, I decided that a hard mounted table would be most beneficial and worth the extra effort upfront…and it sure was!
I made a custom fold down table along one side of the trailer that is approximately 6’ long and 18” deep. The table itself is constructed from wood and I used a piano hinge and aluminum angle to secure the table to the trailer.

Stainless steel tabletop options are available, but at a very hefty price point. I kind of like the way the wood looks, and it is much cheaper.

Stainless steel wire cable supports the table in the open position, and permanently mounted bungee cords secure the table when folded up.

I really can’t emphasize how much convenience this table offers. It is so easy to setup the table and having a nice spot to prepare dinner, set up gear, or work on is great. Without exaggeration, I can setup this table in under 10 seconds, and it only takes about 10 seconds to put up as well.

Having equipment that makes your life easier not only saves you time but makes camping and overlanding that much more enjoyable. If you decide to build an overland trailer, make sure to incorporate a quick fold down table like this one…it is a must!

Stove

Having the ability to cook food is crucial. Yes, you can go overlanding with food that doesn’t need to be cooked, but having a hot meal at the end of the day (or to start off your day) is well worth it.

I use a Camp Chef Everest 2-burner camp stove. There are lots of camp stoves on the market, but I liked this one the best. I only needed two burners, and these burners can put out the heat…over 20,000 BTUs!

The Everest can accommodate pretty large pots and pans, and also has wind shields to help prevent your burners going out with gusts of wind.

I think the Everest is a great stove and has performed flawlessly for me. If you are someone who boils a lot, this is a very good option. The burners can get a pot of water boiling quick!!

I’ve cooked fajitas, burgers, and much more on the Everest, and it has done a great job!

Propane

The Everest needs propane to work, so I purchased a 5-pound propane tank. I researched different options, with 1-pound disposable propane tanks and 20-gallon refillable tanks being candidates; however, I ultimately settled on the 5-pound tank. Why?

I actually could utilize a few 1-pound tanks no problem at all (and I still do for day camping trips sometimes), but I didn’t want multiple small tanks laying around. In fact, I’ve cooked several meals on the Everest with just a single 1-pound tank. I felt like I needed a bit more capacity just in case though. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a 20-pound tank is

way oversized for operating a stove and a small water heater.

The 5-pound tank seemed to be a good middle ground option. It is also refillable at any station that can refill a 20-pound tank. The only downside is you can’t just go to a grocery store or gas station to swap tanks, because a 5-pound propane tank isn’t as common as a 20-pound tank.

This tank has worked flawlessly for me though, and I have it mounted to a PowerTank bracket which is attached to the back rear corner of my trailer. The nice thing about this setup is the propane tank is out of the way and I have plenty of capacity.

Tarp

I eventually added a custom tarp from Tarps Now. While my Elements fridge is capable of handling, well, the elements, and anything I put in the cargo area of the trailer will be inside a storage container or protective case, I still wanted to provide a bit of protection from dust, sunlight, and moisture.

The tarp I chose is 22 oz. vinyl coated PVC with grommets spaced at 6” intervals along the edge of the tarp. The tarp is 6’2” long and 4’8” wide, which has worked very well for the size of my trailer.

I utilize small bungee cords to fasten the tarp to my trailer, and luckily, the M416 military trailers come with some good tie-down locations.

While a tarp isn’t an absolute must, I do think it will help provide longevity for all of my systems inside of the trailer, such as my fridge and water system. I drive down a lot of rocky, gravel roads to get to my camping and fishing locations, and the tarp does a good job keeping a lot of the dust and dirt off my equipment.

Tarps Now did a great job on the tarp and I would recommend them for your application if you decide to utilize a tarp.

Storage Container

I have a permanently mounted storage container on the front hitch area of my trailer. Originally, I had a trailer tongue box, but dust and moisture found its way inside. As such, I had to upgrade to a more weather resistant box.

Pelican makes some great cases that I almost purchased; however, I couldn’t justify spending the amount of money required just for a storage container. After lots of thought, I got a weathertight storage container from my local hardware store for less than $30!

This case isn’t as rugged as a Pelican, cannot be submerged in water, and perhaps doesn’t look as good, but at a tenth the cost it is a great option…and I’ve had zero issues with it so far.

The case I went with has performed great, not allowing any moisture, dust, or debris inside! It has held up to some abuse too.
The storage container that I purchased is a great case and I recommend giving it a shot!

Stabilizer Jacks

The M416 comes with a fold down support, but it is nonadjustable and kind of a hassle to utilize. I installed two stabilizer jacks in the front of the trailer for of course stabilization, but also for loading and unloading my trailer. Before, I had to manually lift the hitch off of my vehicle. This was doable, but very heavy!
Now, I can use the front stabilizer jacks to lift / lower the pintle hitch onto my car…much easier and safer.

Tires

The person who owned this trailer before me had actually upgraded the tires to a 245/75R16LT tire from Boristar. I don’t know much about Boristar, but the tires have held up great and provide great traction off road.

These tires probably aren’t the ones I would have selected, but since they are in good shape I won’t upgrade them anytime soon.
It is important to note that good traction tires on the trailer are super important for an overland trailer! Some people have the misconception that you are just pulling the trailer, so why does the tread matter much?

It matters severely when you are off road and you and your vehicle are driving on a bank and your trailer starts to slide down the bank but your car stays put. This can be very dangerous.

Having beefy, good traction tires allows the trailer to stay put, and follow your vehicle safely.
These tires from Boristar have some significant tread, and I haven’t had much slippage yet. In the future, I’ll probably upgrade to the same and type of tire on my 4Runner so that everything matches, but for now these tires are doing just fine.

Final Thoughts

In summary, this is all of the main components that make up my overlanding trailer! What I really appreciate about the trailer I built is the functionality and cost. It has proven to be very functional and durable, but I was able to build it at a fraction of the cost of other options out on the market.

I truly believe that building a DIY overlanding trailer is a good option if you are in the market for purchasing an off road overland setup.

You will save a ton of money, learn a lot of neat skills along the way, and you’ll have a custom built setup at the end of your journey.

Yes, it is time consuming, but well worth the time if you can spare it. The main thing to consider is if overland camping is right for you in comparison to traditional tent camping, or on the opposite end of the spectrum, using a travel trailer.

I recently purchased a travel trailer, so in my final article covering a DIY overlanding trailer, I will discuss how my overlanding trailer compares to a travel trailer and traditional tent camping. In addition, I’ll discuss some things I might have done differently and equipment that I plan to install in the future.

Stay tuned until Article 4!

5th Gen Mods, DIY, Install, Overland, Trail Tested

DIY Overland Trailer Build – 5th Gen 4Runner (Pt. 3)