TOWED TRAILERS as Mobile Retreats / Caches
In some circumstances a viable option for pre-locating supplies and shelter in remote locations could be achieved with a towed trailer, primarily of the fixed body type, not the canvas covered hood type. Though on covered canvas types the canvas can be replaced with a hinged wood or metal top, and fitted with a roof tent.
Bug Out Trailers are not new as they are very common in Australia.
Trailers can be used either as mobile caches deployed in advance of a SHTF scenario, or they can be fitted out as a mobile retreat with berths as well as other uses, or they can be a hybrid of both.
If we look at the most intensive option then any lesser requirement can be easily achieved.
What will the trailer need? And what size will do.
Galvanised Chassis fitted with NATO tow hitch now 2 inch US ball or 50 MM EU ball.
Same size wheels and tyres as the tow car are really essential if possible.
Suspension units are needed (some trailers still rely on the wheels for suspension duty).
Wind down corner steady feet for when in use as a shelter.
Marine grade ply wood floor minimum with weather proofing on external faces.
50 mm of foil coated insulation board on floor covered by 13 mm thick marine grade ply on top. (In between 2x1 batons of course)
50 mm of foil coated insulation board on sides and roof covered by 4 or 6 mm marine grade ply (in between 2x1 batons of course)
Internal batons fitted with Sikaflex not screwed through wall to prevent cold bridges which cause condensation.
Rubber backed mats and rugs can be used on the floor and thin carpeting can be used to cover the walls.
Twin gas bottle carrier mounted on A frame of trailer capable of carry two x 7KG butane / propane bottles.
A roof vent / skylight is needed to let out condensation and steam, plus let in light
Inside depending on your skill level you need to accommodate a porta potti in a cabinet, fresh water containers (Plastic Potable Water jerry cans are good with either a battery powered pump or a hand operated pump.
You will need twin leisure batteries charged from either or both the Tow Vehicles 12S (GREY) socket and or photo PV cells on trailer roof, and or portable genny running on the same fuel type as the tow vehicle.
The trailer will require a 12VDC hook up system plus a 240volt Ac hookup system, both of which can be obtained as one piece units from camping shops.
You will need a
Safely stored camping cooker Min 2 rings plus grill.
Cutlery and crockery storage
Food storage
Clothing storage
Tool storage
Wet clothes locker
12 volt light
240 volt light
Hangers for chemical light sticks
Most of which could in theory be stowed under a false floor accessed by hinged flaps.
12 volt light
240 volt light
hangers for chemical light sticks
Fold out work surface with slot for plastic washing up bowl
Seating space than can be folded out into bed space, (an off the shelf IKEA folding Sofa bed is ideal as they come only 4 ft wide on some models)
Over head shelves for sleeping bag and pillow storage
Document / Map storage space
READ Travel Vans by John Speed for in depth information on fitting out self built BOV or trailer.
http://www.wildyoats.com/off_road_trailer_build.htm
http://www.adventuretrailers.com/
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