DIY: Build Your Own Utility Trailer Shelter

Camping is a fun pastime. Not everyone owns a travel trailer, RV, truck camper or SUV. Small utility trailers are available on the market. Some fold for easy storage. Most are light enough to be pulled by small cars.

In a disaster or for camping, take a utility trailer and turn it into your weekend or disaster shelter.

I love building things for myself and friends. A friend dared me this month to turn her son’s folding utility trailer into something useful. She wanted it to be versatile enough to fold back up and store in the garage when the specific use was finished.

Her small hatchback car was outfitted with a hitch; her son had pulled this trailer loaded with lawn care equipment and more.

We had been discussing disaster preparedness. She wondered what she would do if she had to evacuate. I suggested a tent; she didn’t like sleeping on the ground and had trouble putting them up. I suggested an RV; she didn’t have the money to buy one and her car couldn’t pull a small one anyway. I suggested building the trailer into a teardrop, but the trailer would never fold away again. She didn’t have the money for a hotel and did not want to go into a hotel or mass shelter.

Perhaps you’ve had a similar conversation with a friend. They seem to shoot down everything you suggest. Yet, there was an answer.

I finally suggested a portable tent/shelter built on the trailer. When needed, the trailer could be taken out, set up for work and the shelter built on it. Hauling it would be easy.

She agreed. When we finished, she truly liked the result. Her son approved the few changes to the trailer. I thought he would- the changes are removable.

This shelter will hold one or two people. Four small children could sleep inside one as well.

The PVC pipe used in this design is ¾” schedule 40. It is strong and lightweight. You can paint or stain this pipe any color desired.

You will need:

• · One folding trailer- 4×8 (5×8 are available)
• · Four bolt-on trailer stabilizers
• · One trailer jack
• · Trailer level (opt)
• · ¾” sheet of plywood, treated for outdoor exposure
• · 17 each pipe clamps- ¾”
• · UV stabilized tarp to cover the frame
• · 12″ zip ties (PVC pipe clamps work well also)
• · PVC cement
• · 3-way connectors, 10 each
• · T-connectors, 6 each
• · 90° connectors, 2 each
• · Weather sealant for wood
• · General woodworking tools
• · Bolts, washers and nuts for securing the plywood to the trailer.
• · 4-way connectors, 2 each
• · PVC pipe clamps (optional)
• · ¾” Slip-tees, 12 each
• · ¾” Eyebolts, ¾” long
• · Paracording, bungee cords or rope

Step One:

Sand the plywood and treat it with sealant. It helps to purchase outdoor plywood that has been treated for the elements. It can be painted if desired.

Step Two:

Mark a line on one side of the plywood three inches in from each side. Lay the plywood down with the markings pointing up. On the long sides, make two equally spaced marks between the corners. On the short sides, make two equally spaced marks between the corners.

Step Three:

On each of the four corners, place a 3-way connector. Face the corners toward the inside of the space and the other connector pointing up.

On each of the two inside connectors, place t-connectors near the tongue-side marks and two 90° connectors near the backside marks. This will be for a doorway. One insertion should point toward the corners and the other should point up.

Step Four:

Measure between each of the connectors and cut PVC pipe to fit inside them. Allow enough for insertion. Dry fit the pieces together. You should have a rectangle with an opening on one side of the bed. Check for square. If the measurements are right, cement the frame together. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

Step Five:

Fit the pipe clamps over the frame and secure it to the bed. This will be the only fixed piece of the shelter.

Since the trailer is 4×8, the sides will be four-feet tall. It is not meant to be a large building. On a larger trailer, it can be taller. Keep in mind that in high wind, this will act like any other tent. It will be tied down with to the floor with cording.

Step Six:

Cut 12 pieces of PVC pipe, each 4’4″ long. Insert them into the secured connectors.

Place 3-way connectors on top of the poles at the corners, and t-connectors on the poles between. Measure between the connectors and cut PVC pipes to fit. At the door opening, cut a pipe to fit across the top. This makes the door frame.

Do not cement these pieces together.

Step Seven:

Remove the side pieces and place two slip-tees over each pipe. Place the top pipes back in place. You should have two slip tees in between each t-connector on the sides of the frame.

Cut 12 pieces of pipe, each 3’3″ long. Insert the pipes into the slip tees. On the tees nearest the two inside t-connectors, place a 4-way connector on them. The insertion holes should face toward the front and back of the shelter.

On the tees closest to the front and back, place a 3-way connector with the insertion pointing to the inside.

Push the slip tees against the nearest connector and wall pipe. Measure between the roof connectors and cut pipe to fit. Insert the pipes into the connectors. Do not cement.

Step Eight:

Fit the tarp onto the frame. You can use PVC pipe clamps to hold it in place. You can also sew or glue ties on the inside of the tarp to tie it onto the frame of the shelter. Make a door with a solid frame to fit in the space, or fashion a door with a zipper.

Place the eyebolts at four equal points on each side of the frame. Secure to the bed. The cording ties the outside tarp to the frame and secures it in high wind.

Step Nine:

Using a marker, mark the pieces of the shelter so it can be taken apart and put up quickly. Disassemble the frame and the shelter. Make or purchase duffel bag to put the pieces in.

Secure the bed to the frame. Keep a spare ratchet wrench and socket with your disaster gear so the bed can be secured to the trailer quickly.

Step Ten:

Take the trailer and shelter for a weekend trial. You can transport the tent flat on the bed. Secure your gear to the bed. Once at the campground, assemble your shelter and go inside. This allows you to customize or tweak the design to your best advantage.

You can insulate this for cold weather use by using ecofoil wrap for water heaters. The double bubble wrap also works. This can be found at DIY stores and at Amazon.

Do not cook inside the shelter or use a fuel-burning heater.

This tent allows the trailer to be used for different things. You can set the shelter up on a patio for backyard camping.

Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects and more.