DIY – Outfitting a Trailer to Create a Mobile Base Camp
Martin Banks 04.12.23
A mobile base camp is an extremely valuable resource for outdoor enthusiasts, especially hunters. Imagine if you had a portable shelter with food, storage space, extra supplies and a safe place to sleep. You could purchase an expensive RV, but more people are taking the cost-effective DIY approach and outfitting a trailer by themselves. You don’t need to build from scratch, but you can convert a standard enclosed trailer into a mobile base camp in these seven steps.
1. Find Your Ideal Trailer
First, you need to find an ideal trailer for your outdoor needs. An enclosed aluminum version is your best option. This trailer type is lighter and more maneuverable than other bulky models used for hauling heavy equipment. It also often comes with ramp doors, bi-fold tailgates, and other features that make loading and unloading much easier.
Aluminum trailers are the most popular choice for food trucks and mobile offices because of their ability to navigate tight spaces. This trailer type will have no issue accessing remote locations for your hunting trips. Plus, aluminum trailers resist rust and need less maintenance. Make sure the trailer’s interior has enough room for refrigeration, cabinets, a twin-sized bed and a small desk. These features are must-haves for any mobile hunting base camp.
2. Install Utilities
Once you get your perfect trailer, heat and electricity should be the first items on your to-do list. You can put up LED light strips along the interior. These strips are energy-efficient and don’t need to be connected to a local power source. You can use them wherever you go and easily replace the batteries.
Your best options for climate control are cordless portable fans and heaters. Like LED lights, they don’t need an external power source. Put them in a safe spot inside the trailer where they won’t become a tripping hazard. Remember to charge them before every hunting trip and bring a portable charger in case they run out of power.
3. Stock up on Outdoor Essentials
Now it’s time to stock up on essential outdoor gear. You need to cover the basics before focusing on your unique hunting equipment. Remember to include these items:
- First-aid kit
- Food and water
- Extra clothing
- Sleeping bag
- Navigation tools
- Fire-starting supplies
- Self-defense weapon
Keep the weight displacement in mind as you load these items into the trailer. You should have more weight in front of the trailer’s axle so it doesn’t sway back and forth on the road. This is especially important if you want to load something heavy, such as an ATV or hunting stand.
4. Gather Your Hunting Supplies
After you cover the essentials, you can start gathering the fun stuff. Start by installing a freezer for your meat when you get a kill. Sanitation is the top priority when dealing with a dead animal, so these items should be part of your hunting trailer, too:
- 5-gallon bucket
- Game bags
- Cutting boards
- Foldable table
- Disposable gloves
- Cleaning utensils
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Container for your dressing kit
All equipment for dressing the animal should be right next to one of the entrances so the bad smells can filter outside. You must separate your trailer into work, play and storage areas.
5. Add Extra Storage Compartments
You must add extra storage compartments along with your hunting equipment and other outdoor essentials. The trailer will accumulate more supplies the longer you use it. You also need somewhere secure to put your personal belongings and hunting rifle. Consider getting a safe or lockbox for these precious items.
For all your other gear, you can simply mount cabinets, hooks and racks to the walls as needed. Put some empty storage bins in the trailer so you have a place for new equipment. The more storage space, the better.
6. Establish a Sleeping Area
Your trailer should have plenty of space for a twin bed or cot. Establish your sleeping area in a dark corner as far from the entrance as possible. Ensure the bed is secure and doesn’t slide around while driving. You could drill the bed into the trailer’s wall, but adhesive anchors are cheaper and less labor-intensive solutions.
7. Remember to Include Some Entertainment
Don’t forget to include some entertainment. Load the trailer with books, handheld gaming devices and board games to help you pass the time during long nights in the wilderness. You could also take a page from the trucker’s handbook and install a TV and gaming console to make yourself feel more at home. Just don’t make too much noise.
Trailers Make Hunting Simple
A mobile base camp will make your hunting trips go much more smoothly. Everything is packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice, and you don’t have to worry about setting up camp when you reach your destination.
Just remember these seven tips, and your trailer will be ready in no time!
