I have assisted in building one , if you can weld well and have some
carpentry skills then the build for 1/2 price is achievable and no you
don't have to do without the goodies , although some of them are not
required.

Not sure if you were looking at some super dooper stuff, but our local
dealer sells a range of models around the $10K - $12k mark.  These were
with kitchen etc, but no fridge etc.  I didn't look at them all that
closely, but they seemed OK

David

Have a look on 4wd monthly web site in the projects and build up section.
There's a bloke making his own Ultimate Camper. 7-8 pages of tech info.
Great read!

I'd like to build my own slide-on unit for the Landcruiser ute.  All the
slide-on models I've seen seem to focus on things I dont want, and I reckon I
can make up something simpler, and more in tune with what I'd like in a camping
rig. I hate the idea that most slide-ons have your main living space on the
gound, when I'd prefer to be sleeping off the ground if possible. Less chance of
creepy-crawlies, or rain ruining your camp.

I want to build a slide-on that has a bed down each side, that fold out level
with the tray. A 2.4m Landcruiser tray has heaps of length to have a bed each
side, and it becomes the wall of your camper when the rig is in transit(folded
up). This would make it pretty hard to break into when locked up. The base of
each bed can be your personal storage, and would fit a fair amount of stuff. The
rear tailgate would be the same as the beds, and allow you some extra room for
getting in & out of the rig(a landng with maybe a set of foldable steps). Make
the roof a wind-up arrangement that provides a hard top(same as one of those
Ute-lids) for the folded-up rig, and a structure for the canvas sides when
unfolded.  Aside from a set of those flexi-fibreglass rods to bow out the canvas
over each bed & landing, you'd have very little to do once you've folded the 3
sides down, set the stabliser legs and wound the roof up.

All I'd want in the space in the centre of the slide-on would be a pair of
foldable chairs, and foldup table, a smallish fridge/esky and the option for a
cooker of some sort.  Maybe make it so the cooker can swing out onto the rear
landing. If such a beast was doable, I reckon you'd end up with a living area in
the order of 3.8m x 2.4m (not including rear landing).  Heaps of room for a
camping rig for 1 or 2 people.

I'm not too worried about power, water facilities, etc, as I dont see them as
something I need in my camping rig.  I can come up with simpler setups for these
myself.

I'm actually thinking of getting some aluminium box, and welding up a basic
version of this, but I'd probably pay to have someone do it professionally, if I
could find someone who could turn my ideas into reality..
Most camping trailer manufacturers I've spoken to will only build their set
models, as they have had to rationalise what their building to keep up with
demand.

One of my (many) dreams....sigh.

 

Cheers,

Rod.....Out Back

buy a good used one for $5-8k.

mate tried building one, the canvas killed him at around $5k alone.

I don't know where you are living but in the four years it took me to find
the camper I liked we saw a lot of very good new campers in the base model
(without fridges, built in S/S stoves , sinks etc) for under $10-12,000.
On the secondhand market even more upper spec models from $7000- $14,000 my
advice is take your time and look around, even in the trading post or e bay
you can find a good one, I picked up a Cape York Camper 18 months old in A1
condition new price $18,000 for $9500.

Terryc said....

that seems an awful lot for what's basically a 6x4 trailer with a fold
out tent attached.

Or do you mean the likes of the Jayco Doves, Finches, etc.?