The "Perfect Shooting/Hunting" trailer.

[284winner]

This seems like an appropriate topic for this forum. I've gone thru several trailers from fully enclosed to fully open as hunting/shooting setups. Always looking for the perfect compromise of enough inside storage combined with outside storage or a shooting platform if needed for a prairie dog shoot or just a deck to set chairs on in the shade under an awning. With the introduction of the big hybrid utility trailers, I started a search for a factory that built smaller ones and possibly aluminum models to reduce weight if hauling a pickup camper out west on hunts or shoots. My search ended when I discussed this build with a company and after sending some plans to a location down south for this project, got it worked out. I had a 7 X 17 aluminum hybrid built for my needs. 8' long open bed and 9' enclosed front cab( 6' plus 3' V nose). The open bed will double as a shooting platform if on a Dogtown( stabilizers installed under each corner of the trailer for rock solid stance) or just a shaded sitting area out of the sun as an awning will shade the entire rear deck. This design will serve perfect as dry storage for gear as well as open area for quad, water, fuel, propane, game, tree stands, blinds etc. Lightweight at around 1400 lbs. I installed two 35" bunks/shelves built off E track mounted to the side walls. If necessary could be used as sleeping quarters in a pinch. I've finally found what seems to be the perfect compromise. Attached are pics.

 

[JRS]

 

[284winner]

View attachment 1015482

Similar but an aluminum model with a retractable awning over the bed rather than a permanent one. I've had a vendor setup like that but was very heavy and only offered in am 8' wide model in steel only. In fact nobody that I know of builds these trailers in aluminum except the company I solicited to build for me. That's a perfect setup for sure if a guy had a diesel truck where weight is no factor

 

[Sniper338]

View attachment 1015482

Holy hell Ive never thought about a trailer like that for shooting. That would come in handy as hell all over the place!!!

 

[JRS]

Pace American makes an array of aluminum trailers in just about any configuration you could possibly want.

 

[284winner]

I searched for months trying to find a company that builds and aluminum hybrid style trailer. Nobody offered one that they had already produced. Possibly Pace would build one but they currently don't build them. Only steel models are in production today. Hunting Hybrid Trailers is the biggest company building them but as I say are 8.5 wide and 20-24' long weighing in at 2500+ lbs and steel. Steel has rusted and pitted my sheet metal on past trailers I've owned. After two maybe three years, they looks very bad. This is another reason I went with aluminum. Longevity and weight. Many companies offer aluminum but all I spoke with never suggested to build me one. I'm very happy with the one I purchased so have no need to look any further. The other bonus is I paid a fraction of what most companies were asking by driving 1000 miles to pick it up. It's the only way I'll order and purchase these trailers. Local companies really get crazy on price and not much negotiating there.

 

[284winner]

Another thing I included in my build is a location to mount a loading press. The bottom bunk in the trailer has reinforced mount location for a press. Don't see myself using it but was a forethought when building the bunks/shelves.

 

[284winner]

Another thing I included in my build is a location to mount a loading press. The bottom bunk in the trailer has reinforced mount location for a press. Don't see myself using it but was a forethought when building the

Holy hell Ive never thought about a trailer like that for shooting. That would come in handy as hell all over the place!!!

As I said I've had a few different models and lightweight is the name of the game for me. This model seems to be the perfect size and weight. Especially when hauling a 2400 lb truck bed camper with it. Headed to Wyoming next fall and it will accompany me on that trip.

 

[284winner]

Just had a custom cover made for the open bed of the hybrid trailer. Sure wish a tonneau cover would have fit it, could have saved a bunch of money. Just the word custom cost money. I have a sled deck for the rear open bed to get my BR Pivot bench about 3 ft off the ground. Should help a bit.

 

[jimmymac]

That is slicker than owl poop on door knob. Nice trailer.

 

[284winner]

I've had some people wonder why not a complete enclosed. Everything can be dry and out of the weather is there comment. I actually considered it as well EXCEPT for the gasoline cans and quad being inside with hunting gear. No matter how tight you may think a gas can is or a quad gas cap can be tightened, there is still a gasoline odor inside wherever those items are stored. That was why the decision was made for an outdoor area for quad, gas, propane etc. Hunting gear bags, clothing, gun covers, bow covers etc all gather those odors.

 

[jaytee]

If you dont mind me asking, what was the cost of this setup?

 

[Cemetery21]

Very nice! I thought you were going to say that cabover slide-in would mount on the trailer - make the trip, slide camper out and set up base camp.

I've studied on trailers for 40 years or so and never pulled the trigger. Very nice to see a thoughtful setup.

 

[284winner]

Very nice! I thought you were going to say that cabover slide-in would mount on the trailer - make the trip, slide camper out and set up base camp.

I've studied on trailers for 40 years or so and never pulled the trigger. Very nice to see a thoughtful setup.

The camper in the truck bed works great. It stays in the truck due to me never leaving camp. The trailer bed has a tight tonneau cover that I had made and snaps around the upper sides. Has flat fiberglass bow beams that keep it rounded and tight allowing rain/ snow to easily slide off. Snow slides off easily because in November at deer camp, I run the generator under that tonneau heating it melting any snow that falls on it. The bed also doubles as storage for fuel, propane, water and coolers. I had the trailer made for exactly why I use it. It's years of buying other set ups that has led to this final one. After hauling tow behind, fifth wheels and outfitter tents, this is the simplest most practical. Fifth wheels need a trailer behind them for quads( long and heavy). Tow behinds don't allow that option and are less appealing to tow back deep in the woods. Tents work but tough breaking down in 2-3' of snow. The truck camper trailer setup rides good, tows good and makes it thru deep snow if necessary with the bed weight and small trailer. Aluminum trailer too was a must. No rust or corrosion like steel trailers. All around the best hunting camp I've had for quick and easy set up and take down.

 

[284winner]

The camper in the truck bed works great. It stays in the truck due to me never leaving camp. The trailer bed has a tight tonneau cover that I had made and snaps around the upper sides. Has flat fiberglass bow beams that keep it rounded and tight allowing rain/ snow to easily slide off. Snow slides off easily because in November at deer camp, I run the generator under that tonneau heating it melting any snow that falls on it. The bed also doubles as storage for fuel, propane, water and coolers. I had the trailer made for exactly why I use it. It's years of buying other set ups that has led to this final one. After hauling tow behind, fifth wheels and outfitter tents, this is the simplest most practical. Fifth wheels need a trailer behind them for quads( long and heavy). Tow behinds don't allow that option and are less appealing to tow back deep in the woods. Tents work but tough breaking down in 2-3' of snow. The truck camper trailer setup rides good, tows good and makes it thru deep snow if necessary with the bed weight and small trailer. Aluminum trailer too was a must. No rust or corrosion like steel trailers. All around the best hunting camp I've had for quick and easy set up and take down.

Another consideration for this hybrid trailer was for a great platform for setting up 2 BR pivot shooting benches for prairie dog shooting. I added a stabilizer jack in each corner of my trailer to keep it solid for shooting from. If necessary, the trailer can be used to sleep in with the two 32" wide bunks/shelves inside. There in place using E Track mounted to the sides.