Crawler Hauler

[04-24Stealth]

Looking to build a crawler hauler on a budget. I’ve seen plenty gooseneck trailers with a cab over camper on the front and flatbed on the back for sale but people are usually asking a pretty penny for them. I have the resources to strip / remove the camper off an old 5th wheel frame and the skills to build it to what I want. My issue comes is sourcing the old/salvaged 5th wheel to start the project. Does anyone is the rdp family know where these get auctioned off or a 5th wheel salvage yard? TIA

 

[lbhsbz]

Looking to build a crawler hauler on a budget. I’ve seen plenty gooseneck trailers with a cab over camper on the front and flatbed on the back for sale but people are usually asking a pretty penny for them. I have the resources to strip / remove the camper off an old 5th wheel frame and the skills to build it to what I want. My issue comes is sourcing the old/salvaged 5th wheel to start the project. Does anyone is the rdp family know where these get auctioned off or a 5th wheel salvage yard? TIA

Why not just find a decent 5th wheel, keep the front bedroom, bath, and chop the backend off to make a flatbed? Would seem to be kinda dumb to cut out all the living space, just to buy a camper to set there and add it all back.

 

[4Waters]

You might be able to find one somewhat close

SCA's Repairable, Damaged & Salvage RVs for Sale

SCA's An extensive choice of Salvage title RVs, motorhomes and campers for sale. Bid on online, damaged RV auctions - FREE registration.

sca.auction

 

[Icky]

Not mine, but I saw this recently

2020 Genesis Supreme Overnighter 12-14.6RB

2020 Genesis Supreme Overnighter 12-14.6RB Gently used, everything works flawlessly. Added front stabilizers, and blackout shades for all windows. Tires purchased new last season have about 1000 miles on them. Great trailer! absolutely love it. Asking $18500 OBO, no reasonable offer will be...

str8uptoytrader.com

 

[endobear]

Copart

 

[monkeyswrench]

A lot depends on the weight and size of your crawler. If you start with an RV type 5th wheel, most don't have very stout frames. I've seen a couple of these though, with various skill levels and some were really nice:

 

[04-24Stealth]

Why not just find a decent 5th wheel, keep the front bedroom, bath, and chop the backend off to make a flatbed? Would seem to be kinda dumb to cut out all the living space, just to buy a camper to set there and add it all back.

Open to all options at this time. Starting to look around at flatbeds, complete builds, wrecked trailers and such.

 

[04-24Stealth]

A lot depends on the weight and size of your crawler. If you start with an RV type 5th wheel, most don't have very stout frames. I've seen a couple of these though, with various skill levels and some were really nice:
View attachment 1342638

The jeep is just under 6k plus dirt bikes for the wife and I. In the little searching I’ve done axle location on most 5th wheels are too far forward for me to feel comfortable loading the jeep mostly behind the axles and driving and distance.

 

[monkeyswrench]

The jeep is just under 6k plus dirt bikes for the wife and I. In the little searching I’ve done axle location on most 5th wheels are too far forward for me to feel comfortable loading the jeep mostly behind the axles and driving and distance.

My 40ft gooseneck has the axles at about the 3/4 mark of the overall length. From hitch to tail it is 48ft. It tows more like a semi trailer than a car trailer. I've had big 5th wheels, and like you say, the axle placement is an issue. It does make it easy to park and back into places with less room. The axles being further back make it much more stable at the same weight, but the truck needs a lot more nose room.

 

[4Waters]

The jeep is just under 6k plus dirt bikes for the wife and I. In the little searching I’ve done axle location on most 5th wheels are too far forward for me to feel comfortable loading the jeep mostly behind the axles and driving and distance.

Axles are easy to move when there are no wheel wells, put them where you want and put the fenders on when you’re happy with the location.

 

[HNL2LHC]

A lot depends on the weight and size of your crawler. If you start with an RV type 5th wheel, most don't have very stout frames. I've seen a couple of these though, with various skill levels and some were really nice:
View attachment 1342638

That on Air would be bad ass. Might be the next project for @bonesfab

 

[Havoc Powesports]

A lot of guys also use the slide-in truck bed campers mounted on the gooseneck with room behind them for their crawlers. Seen a couple take an old extended semi truck sleepers and mount it as well.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

What if you started with something like this?

Roetzel RV Parts

roetzelrv.shopsettings.com

 

[04-24Stealth]

What if you started with something like this?

Roetzel RV Parts

roetzelrv.shopsettings.com

That would be the goal. Haven’t seen trailers of that size in this price point so repo sites like this would be a great place to look.

The slide in camper route is probably what I will do when it comes to sleeping / living quarters. Pretty much anything with a bed, heater and indoor fridge is an upgrade from the tent set up we currently are doing.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

That would be the goal. Haven’t seen trailers of that size in this price point so repo sites like this would be a great place to look.

The slide in camper route is probably what I will do when it comes to sleeping / living quarters. Pretty much anything with a bed, heater and indoor fridge is an upgrade from the tent set up we currently are doing.

The tricky thing about a camper is the ones that are big enough to be comfortable hang over the back of the truck so they don't have a totally flat bottom. Probably not a big deal, but it adds a little something to the figuring. Plus, unless you get a real big one, the doors is on the back, which can be cool in some regards but a pain in others (getting in and out while it's loaded).

I'd suggest a smaller size travel trailer on top of the gooseneck, or possibly a smaller 5th wheel with the axles and everything below the frame removed.

 

[Icky]

Artic Fox Hauler Crawler

2005 Artic Fox Camper with a slideout mounted to a 2019 Big Tex gooseneck flatbed with mega ramps… 25+5 feet long, 15k GVWR. Everything works perfect, just had the whole roof rhino lined a couple weeks ago so it’s perfect for years to come, camper holds 46 gallons of water and 26 gallons of gray […]

str8uptoytrader.com

 

[calkid]

Artic Fox Hauler Crawler

2005 Artic Fox Camper with a slideout mounted to a 2019 Big Tex gooseneck flatbed with mega ramps… 25+5 feet long, 15k GVWR. Everything works perfect, just had the whole roof rhino lined a couple weeks ago so it’s perfect for years to come, camper holds 46 gallons of water and 26 gallons of gray […]

str8uptoytrader.com

I was going to suggest building one similar to this. Using a similar goose neck and an 11" camper with a side door for access while loaded.

 

[81Sprint]

Tons of info out there on google. This is one i came across pretty quick.

New Crawler Hauler

I wasn't sure if this thing was going to come together or not but I'm glad that it has worked out. I've been trying to get this thing going for a trip to Silverton in August but with the broken leg I wasn't sure I would get it done in time. Thankfully Devin stepped up in a huge way. A few...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Havoc Powesports]

this is a nice write up. Also the low deck trailer to keep the center of gravity down compared to a deck-over trailer.

Truck Camper On A Gooseneck - Truck Camper Magazine

Rick Spigelmyer tells us how he decided to load a 2012 Travel Lite 890RX onto a gooseneck trailer to go rock crawling.

www.truckcampermagazine.com