Travel Trailer Conversion to Bike Hauler

[john ennis]

Looking for an enclosed trailer to haul 3-4 bikes and found an old 22' travel trailer. Looks like the bikes would fit inside but the rear door will need some mods to get the bikes in easy. Anybody ever converted one of these to a bike hauler? Am I nuts?

[Andy Winters]

I'll be interested to see the outcome, I was thinking of doing this until I found my playmor toy hauler. Take pics!

[Alan Bechard]

Back in the early to mid seventies my dad bought an old motor home. I believe it was a Travco, it had a fiberglass body and the large bed all the way in the back. He cut out probably a 6' X 6' door in the side and made the side into a swing type barn door.

I think the Travel trailer idea is a lot better. The maintenance on seldom used motorhomes is killer when you go to use them.

I would just be careful on a travel trailer that there is enough structure there to carry the weight or load with the section removed for the door.

I would also caution that you need to make the door plenty big. I pull bikes out the front door of my trailer sometimes and it is tight. It would be aggravating if that was what I was supposed to use.

Hope it works for you. Al B

[DIRTBAG]

John:

In the early 70's a company in Calif manufactured a unit called the Smuggler, I have not seen one in person but used to drool over the pictures back when I had neither a pot nor a window. As I recall, they were rear entry and the floor would open to each side to protect the cupboards/upholstery and the bikes would rest on the sub floor. The nice thing about this was that it was designed to place the bike weight over the axles, which should have helped the handling.

I used to see a fellow from Bozeman at Washougal that purchased a used 5th wheel and replaced the entrance door that was in the back with a larger standard house door. He took out the hideabed and water tank in the back and set it up for two bikes. By moving the water tank to the front of the 5th wheel he helped offset the weight for towing. He claimed to be able to pull it at interstate speeds with no ill handling.

I have been looking at 5th wheels so that we can have a comfortable bed and have looked at hanging the bike off the back. Trouble with that is the weight may be a problem and since we boondock 95% of the time I would want a way to protect it from all the dust that would kick up around it. I tow with a 5.3 GMC so do not want the weight that most of the nicer toyboxes have, nor the length. If I did'nt have so many unfinished projects I would like to tackle something in a fiver with the features of the old smuggler.

Tom

[KevinB4stk]

A ccouple of years ago I saw an old Airstreem with a door instaled in the back of it , it was probably a 48" door and about 5' tall. They pulled 4 bikes out of it, they were packed in there pretty good.

[john ennis]

Well, I bought the 1971 Shasta 22' travel trailer I spoke of before on e bay for $1000! It is in remarkable condition considering its age. Sleeps 5 comfortably, full kitchen, A/C, heat, hot water, toilet/shower etc. To convert it, the bathroom and the closet in the rear must go. If I widen the door (or add a door opposing the existing one, it should give me about 44" which should be plenty. Two bikes will ride directly behind the axles and one more can be stored forward between the beds. The water storage for the bathroom is in the rear so that weight will no longer be present. Water storage for use is in the front. I will start the tear out soon. If anyone has any more suggestions, let me know cause I'm clueless and wingin it.

[circuitrider]

This thread has me thinking...we have an old trailer that we may convert into a bike hauler.
Mike Sr.

[slowpokedennis]

Their's a couple guys from K.C. that have an older airstream that they use. The bathroom is in the rear and I think the plumbing was bad so they ripped it out cut a door .

[john ennis]

Update: Gutted the entire back 1/3 of the trailer (bathroom w/ sink and closet). Can keep the shower in the back left corner. These old trailers may look ok but water damage is a major issue around the bathrooms and bathroom vents. Repair is simple as the construction of these things is very simple (1X2s). You can go to a travel trailer dealer and order any size door you want. I ordered a 44" door to replace the 20" door. Still a little tight for man and machine up a ramp, but I'm at the back of the trailer already from where the existing hinge support is. While you have it ripped up, replace any piping to the rear (to the shower)and close off all those needless vents that just invite water. I have $1500 in it so far and anticipate another $300 for tires. Hopefully, I'll be bringing my "work of art" to bike week - Sandlapper Enduro on the way/FL GNCC/Alligator Enduro. Look for the Blue Suburban (PA plates)with a really ugly white Shasta Trailer.

[Timr]

How did the trailer work out on your bike week trip?

[john ennis]

The trailer worked great. The 44" door is just enough room to get bikes in comfortably. Definately a worthwhile project if you can find an old trailer in decent shape.

[DaisyCutter]

John,

A piece of your converted trailer fell onto the trail and took out another headlight on my drz400. You now owe me 67 bucks.
The first one was a freebie

DaisyCutter

[john ennis]

Check is in the mail "Daisy"

[A-Tek]

I have thought of buying a C class motorhome with a rear bed and doing something along these lines. The C class ones would still have the bed over the cab and the couches that fold out into beds , the rear bed could be pulled to make a small work/storage area in the rear. Much cheaper than a Fun Mover.

[tekebird]

what would you guys pay for a 40' Bus, with a side entry door and wheel chair/dirt bike hydraulic lift. basically equates to a 10X8 shop and a 30 ft motor home shell?