Hello, I have just got a used Erde 122 (3 x 4 feet x 15 inches high). I would like to build it upward and to do it safely as we are off to Switzerland in a couple of weeks. I want to make a wooden thing to give me extra capacity, but am not really sure where to start. I thought about just constructing a wooden thing and sitting it inside the trailer, but then the water would leak down into the trailer between the wooden insert and the trailer itself. How do other people make theirs?
My wish list is this:
1. I'd like to extend upward to 24/25 inches or perhaps a bit higher (if this is safe?)
2. I'd like to be able to put my roofbox on the Erde, if this is safe to do so.
3. It must be water-tight.
4. I'd like to be able to see and/or access the stuff at the back of the trailer when I open it up and not feel like I'm looking into a deep dark cave.
If anybody can give me tips on how to make such a wooden extension thing, I'd so appreciate it. How or where would you suggest I do a door .... should the door be at the back, or a top-opening one and if the latter, how would this work with a roofbox on it, etc.
If anybody has pics so I can take a good look at what you've done, that would be great. My car is a VW Golf Estate, 1400 cc engine, in case that's a factor in what I build.
I did this. I bought some 9mm play from B&Q. I got one sheet cut in half to give me two pieces 600 by 2400. I used some 22 by 45 timber in the corners, these reach right to the bottom of the trailer so the weight of the box and lid is supported on these four pieces of wood. I basically made a three sided box that exactly fits inside my trailer and used a few self tapping screws to attach it to the sides. I painted it before fitting and used silicone mastic to stop any water getting inside.
At the back I used aluminium angle and wood so the rear section slides up and out to make loading easier. All is covered with a plywood box cover secured with padlocks. (I'm sure it would take a roof box) Once the lid is removed it is easy to see inside but it is high to lift stuff over the sides so heavy stuff comes out through the back.
A major advantage for us is that most of our camping gear now stays permanently in the trailer so no need to unload after a trip or load up before going away
I'll take some photos if the rain stops
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
I am thinking of doing the same thing, but what you will need to watch is the weight the trailer can carry. I intend to put all the bulky, but light,stuff in the trailer and carry the heavy stuff in the car. You could build a wooden frame on top of the trailer, then use a tarpaulin over it to make it watertight, I think that is the way I'll do it.
When we had our trailer I made a box lid that sat on the sides of the trailer that similar to Johns lid had timber in the corners but only 1 inch long to position the lid on the sides correctly. I also fitted hasps so that it could be secured.
------------- Nigel
March 2012 - Dove Meadows
6th July Moving to Hayle
Quote: Originally posted by nigel16 on 16/7/2011
When we had our trailer I made a box lid that sat on the sides of the trailer that similar to Johns lid had timber in the corners but only 1 inch long to position the lid on the sides correctly. I also fitted hasps so that it could be secured.
Same approach I took, though mine didn't have a solid lid. I fitted some handles to make it easy to lift off...
John your comment: "At the back I used aluminium angle and wood so the rear section slides up and out to make loading easier. All is covered with a plywood box cover secured with padlocks. ". I am not sure I know what you mean by this, I can't quite picture what that would be ....? Good tip on using the sealant between the wood and metal, I think this is what I'll do too.
Naebother: with regard to fitting it on top of the trailer, I'd be a bit uneasy ... I'd constantly be fearful rightly or wrongly that it would blow right off .... I think I'd prefer the wooden frame to sit snugly all the way down the trailer.
It sounds like if my trailer was wooden that it would be easier to modify and build up. I forgot to mention that I'm a female (small) with a 5 year old boy, so I dont think I'd be able to lift the lid off (solo) of the great trailer that you show in a pic Pwatson, nor would I be able to lean over into it deep enough to get the gear out of it! I need to have a side door or a back door for me to access the depths of the trailer once I have it extended upward. I'll do a search on Trailers and see if any other pics show up that might help me get started.
Another question, I know that it wouldn't be good to keep a tent in the trailer during winter (outside) because of mould/damp .... but would camp chairs, canvas beds be ok or would they get mouldy too?
As for travelling with the weight ... I was thinking of keeping the tabletop fridge and tent (25kilos) in the boot, and keeping the poles (25 kilos) and kitchen/cooking equipment, chairs, tables, etc in the trailer itself. And thinking of keeping the roofbox for cloths and duvets. What do you think?
Nigel16, I've just read your thread on building your own trailer extention, its brilliant. Sorry I missed it first time around. Unfortunately the image isn't showing up on my computer, but your detail is great and I'm using my imagination!
I took a few photos of my trailer and extension http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc461/john4703/
I hope they make things a bit clearer. I do not store my tent in the trailer as it is carried in the car but virally everything else is in there.
Post last edited on 17/07/2011 19:13:46
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
Just thought I'd post my trailer pics, it was a 4' x 3' x 1.5'.
I have now extended the sides by using 18" corner posts from Towsure, and getting some 18mm far eastern plywood cut to size by my local timber merchant. This has doubled the capacity of our trailer!
A lick of yacht varnish and some clear silicon has finished it off nicely!
It was very easy to do. Did most of it with a decent DeWalt battery drill, a small riveter, a handful of self tappers and "lego'd" it all together!
Hi, thanks both of you for taking the pictures, I'm really really impressed. I have a couple of weeks before we head off, but a thousand other work things to do also (not holiday related), so I hope I can get to the trailer to do the necessary work. If not, then the trailer is already 15" deep and it came with a soft cover, so at least I'll have that if I can't quite get the trailer raised on time! Thanks a mil ... I'll print off these pics and show them to my local wood man in the hardware shop and get his help to get all the bits and pieces I'll need for the job. THanks !
Hi Newcampers, what exactly is Far Eastern Plywood .... I haven't come across that term and would like to be able to tell my wood fella, in case they call it something else in my area. Also, how did you attachd the metal corner posts into the construction? I have a hand drill, but have only ever used it for masonry or wood .... do I need something different when dealing with metal (i assume so) ....
Hi Humbird,
Far Eastern plywood is what the timber merchant recommended, apparently it is the step down from Marine ply which is used to build boats, it is durable yet strong and highly water resistant. (once treated with a varnish)
Firstly, I fixed the corner posts to the trailer with a small riveter but you could achieve the same result with self tapping screws or some 6mm nuts, bolts and washers.
To drill the metal I used HSS (High Speed Steel) drill bits which I picked up from a DIY store.
It took me about 5 hours to do and that was including the drive to the timber merchants with the measurements to get the plywood cut.
I attached the posts to the trailer first, then took the measurements between the inside of the posts to get the cutting size for the merchant.
I then drilled the posts, then drilled a pilot hole into the ply and then screwed them together using 2" woodscrews.
I then used a clear silicon sealant between the bottom of the ply and the top of the trailer to create a water tight seal. I will admit it is a bit awkward to unload as it is quite deep, so I will be modifying one side with a hinged or removable section to get easier access.
Good Luck!
I've decided to improve mine by building a box over the tow bar for my Calor gas bottle, mainly because I'm fed up getting blue paint over other camping gear. I think a box made to exactly fit will stop the bottle moving around and also I'll make it with holes in the base for ventilation. It might also help if we go on a ferry to have the gass in what will look like a proper box.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
Some great DIY solutions here....BUT.....Is it not just easier to buy the side extensions from Erde and then a lockable lid? or if thats too costly a Erde cover to seal it all in....I know I have seen pictures on other threads of similar set ups.
------------- Snowmen fall to earth in kit form........
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Topic: Advice to build wood hard top on trailer?
