I'm thinking of using my two horse bumper pull trailer as my tent this year, is that wierd? I figure cover it with a tarp, hang netting over the windows, set up my cot and my table and there ya have it a dry off the ground portable tent?
Think it would work? My tent leaked like mad last year there was a foot of water standing inside my tent at one point, I gave up and made my bed in my truck but it wasn't very good for getting dressed and it was stuffy. I am working again this year so I need my rest :) and some down time. I have been told I can sleep in the shop, but picking up my bed every morning does not sound very relaxing. I think there is enough room behind the shop for me to park it and use a electric cord to run a fan and a lamp or my electric blanket if needed.
So is that wierd? or do you think it would work?
Our master smith camped that way for years, so it's not that weird :)
Would it smell a bit, or is the trailer unused?
Couple of years ago, some folks used theirs across the way from us. Stretched a blue tarp between the 2 for a place to sit outside sheltered.
smell? I live,breathe and sleep horses! I love the way they smell manure and all :)
and no it's pretty open and I'd go pressure wash it before the season. I think I will plan on using it this year, it's got to be better then that tent or my truck! :)
I think it sounds like a good idea. Much better than a wet tent, and you'll be off the ground so that'll help on cold nights. If you don't get the bottom clean enough when you wash it, you can always throw down a rug for your camping needs.
I think it sounds like a ready-made travel trailer, to me!!! It could even be prettied up to look like a Gypsy wagon (or whatever appeals to you) on the inside if you wanted it to, since you'll be in it for several weeks...
+1 -- just get some good tarps and stuff to keep insects out. Maybe even mosquito netting during the warm part of TRF, and when the weather gets cold, break out the LP gas heaters. If the metal gets too hot/cold, maybe consider putting your sleeping area atop of plywood as insulation.
Craigslist usually has lots of rugs for sale for really decent prices, particularly if they're damaged on the corners or something, and that plus sheets of plywood make for pretty good flooring (unless you've already got plank floors, then just the rugs should be good), especially if you add a nice comfy air mattress. If you'd like a raised platform for your bed, just a sheet of 3/4" plywood cut to the size of your mattress and covered with a piece of carpet (to avoid splinters) set up on a cinder block base works really well. Just make sure to brace the center, also!
It's certainly been done before. A tarp, an air mattress or cot... Go for it!
Marga
Yes they work well... and if you don't want to have to walk to a privy at night set up a 5 gal bucket with cat litter in a large garbage bag... Works well... I used this while camping to show! Horses camped tied and I stayed in the truck and used the trailer as a privie and dressing room!
Sounds like a very workable idea. You can probably lock the trailer, so your belongings should be extra safe.
Just a note. Actually, being off the ground will make it WORSE on cold nights. You should bring something to insulate your floor underneath you. If you are using an air matress or sleeping pad underneath blankets or a sleeping bag that should help some. When you sleep in a car or anything elevated from the ground, cold air is allowed to circulate underneath you and will actually make your floor even colder than being on the ground.
I have a cot to sleep on and having a dry bed is a top concern for me. My tent stay was a total bummer as it leaked so bad along the windows at one point there was a foot of water standing in the tent, I could have had fishes happily living in there.
I have a bunch of tule and thought it might do as sketter netting and I have a big tarp to throw over it and bungee down. It has to be better then sleeping in the back of the RAM and in the soggy tent.