Combo Camper
I once owned a marina on a large lake in downstate Illinois that had a large campground next to the marina harbor. Over the summer season I observed the campers renting a camp site, and then towing their boats over to a launch ramp next door to launch their boat, and then returning to the campground to set up their camp for their overnight stay.
Some campers had their housing units on the back of pickup trucks that provided the amenities they wanted for comfortable camping, in addition to towing the boat. Others had larger RV’s with luxury living accommodations towing the boats. . Occasionally a camping party would arrive with two vehicles–one towing the boat, and another towing the pop-up camper or small house trailer. Others opened the trunk or back of a van and set up tents for their stay at the lake.
Although different in the boating-camping equipment, all had one thing in common. A camping and boating experience that included days on the water fishing or boating, and evenings and nights in their chosen overnight accommodations. Most pulled their boats up unto the shore at night before ending the day’s water activities.
The “go with nature” tent camping group stayed for the shortest time. I supposed because of the comfort factor offered by sleeping in a tent on hot, and sometime rainy, nights. Rarely did they last for more than the week-end, or at most only a few days.
The pick-up camper and luxury motor home set stayed the longest. Some were even there
for weeks and had to be asked to leave after 14 days.
Another thing everyone except the tent campers had in common, was what they did with their campers and boats when returning home. In addition to the cost of their equipment, most had to store the units either in their yards, or at rented storage yards. None of these RV’s or motor homes could be conveniently stored in their garages.
With this idea in mind—convenient, comfortable, and affordable boating and camping—the idea of the Combo- Camper was developed. It’s a reasonable and very affordable compromise when it comes to both boating and camping.
The Combo-Camper will really come into it’s own for those who want to travel to distant adventures towing their boat with a small gas stingy tow vehicle. The added weight of the Combo-Camper is only about 300 lbs more than a typical boat trailer.
If you currently have a boat on a trailer, and want to go the Combo-Camper route, you can easily sell the trailer and go with the Combo-Camper for the future. Nothing in the boating sales market sells faster than a boat trailer.
The Combo-Camper is designed to carry your boat to the lake, and then fold out to become a very spacious camper at a nearby campground. It gives you the best of both worlds, and can carry your current or future boat up to 18 ft long. The unique features offered includes a rotating axle that lets you lower the camper to ground level for stable and easy access.
Features:
The combo-Camper trailer allows you to have both your boat and camper in one unit. It gives you a light weight unit that can be towed with a light truck, van, or car, for long distances without worry. Then when your adventure is done, the complete unit including the boat, the trailer, and the camper, can be stored in your garage. This feature will be of significance to those who have zoning restrictions for parking boats and campers.
Once the Combo-Camper is set up at you camp site, you will have all the comfort of a lakeside cabin, including air conditioning and shower for Mamma and the Teens. No need to remind one of the need for these amenities for long time camping at the lake or river. If there is a lack of plug in at your site you may run your unit with a small generator. However, most camp grounds have hook-ups for electric and water.
The floor plan shown is for a family of four. An extension to one of the bunks could be added in the event you wish to install a double bed.
There is a galley counter that is 42” wide with a drop leaf table providing seating for 4 using chairs in the walk way. The interior space in the unit is huge with 6’-8” head room. By using the sampan roof structure the interior space carries across within the complete unit.
Setting Up should be about the same as setting up your camp with a family size tent. The components for
the structure can be transported inside the boat. The longest pieces will be the truss for the top, the tubing
for the roof, and the fiberglass slats. These items are 12 ft long when rolled for transport. The set up will
work best with 2 people, but one person can handle the job without worry. If your campsite has water and
electric, you can install the shower and the air conditioner. A small lightweight air unit can be installed in
the plans or kit.
The Combo-Camper can be fabricated from a set of plans, or can be purchased as a kit that requires bolting the pre-fabricated and welded components together. You can also make the unit in different lengths and widths by adjusting the structure dimensions shown. Cost of plans is $300 including the trailer and all the camper drawings. The trailer plans included can handle boat up to 24 ft and weights up to 10k lbs.
Harold