camp trailer advice

Hi!
I have just bought a homemade camp trailer off a mate. it has a battery which runs 2 lights, a cassette player and a12 v socket. also has a small 10 amp solar panel. has anyone got amy ideas on how to set the trailer up so it is detecting friendly for the whole family (teenage girl and boy and 2 under 4)
Any help on inverters etc v generator would be great. basically want to be self sufficient and comfortable for around 7 - 14 days at a time. we have the cooking part, sleeping and hot water sorted just need a decent reliable power source. any ideas would be great.
Thanks

G'day cq ... I'm thinking maybe Central Qld????

I originally bought my trailer from NSW (eBay as with most things I buy!) $1999 7' fully enclosed box trailer, made with light weight aluminium plate. 2 levels. 4 doors each side for all camp storage. 2 doors at front 4 all gas equip and elect stuff. 800kg fully loaded with tents, food, all camping equip etc.

I'm in SA ... you should come see my camp van !!!! I have solar set up for lights inside the trailer as well as all around etc. Gas for instant hot water, shower, sink etc. and for BBQ (built onto back of trailer) ... now if only I knew how to take pics ... I could put them up here for you.

Yes, have inverter too! Small solar for keeping battery topped up. Additional big solar for extra batteries, run laptop, all 12v stuff including electric blanket!!!!!! 240v/12v fridge. Extra water can be carried on top of trailer using pvc pipe setup. 240v for when at power supplied camp site. Also carry a small generator.

I take my camp trailer everywhere ... even to the last Laancoorie bash!!

PS ... keep having to come back an edit this post ... to add more features!!

good to some advice as just bought camper box to fit up on box trailer , a bargain for bare shell $300 , have 90 amp deep cycle to run led lights and 40 watt panel to inverter and making a canopy of back and side will post up some pics when get started , putting 2 single beds in plus water storage etc side swing tailgate with small kitchen and few other mods





cheers starry

Sounding good, starry!! I really have to learn how to put pics up here ... it would be so much easier than typing

I have set our solar panel up on a lead so I may move it around to take maximum advantage of the sunlight available because the panel works on the least amount of light available. I.e. if one segment is even partially covered the panel will only charge at that rate ignoring the fact that the rest of the panel is in full sunlight.
We have a Coleman Hot Water on Demand system with a shower tent, chemical toilet, 80 l water tank & good cooking gear. My bride reccomends the Thermos Slow Cooker because while you are doing something else your tea is cooking itself after a few minutes of preparation in the morning. It works while you are travelling too.
For the smaller kids we recomend an activities basket with whatever takes their fancy, be it colouring books, puzzles, whatever. The older ones are usually happy with electronic devices (as you have probably found out.)
Between the ute & camper we have 3 batteries set up so the battery in the camper can be charged while driving as well as with the solar panel.
Depending on his age, a campfire keeps an early adolescent boy happy including gathering firewood, tomahawk in hand (make sure he can use it safely though.)
In the evening, board games keep most of the family happy & united. For most kids, the best present you can give them is your time!

Hi G.K. ... sounds a bit like my camp trailer! I love my tent, but the camp trailer does everything else!!

I've got 2 sets of solar. 1 is a small panel and is dedicated to keeping the 12v lights on the trailer battery topped up. (Hope that made sense?_) The other is a large dual panel setup that keeps my other deep cycle battery on full charge, and the car battery if required. The deep cycle is in a special carry box that has all kinds of extra plugs and things on it ... so can use as multi purpose.

Yep! Love the idea of hot water whenever wanted ... got the same. I'm usually on my own, so the 12/240v fridge + gas bbq and cook top do me pretty well. It is big enough to fit right across the back of my trailer!!

GOT to get a porta loo though, and I like the idea of your 'Thermos Slow Cooker' ... am guessing that would be available at most good camping stores? I use a pop-up room for my shower, if there's anyone around

The Thermos cooker is available at good Camping Shops, it is especially usefull when you plan a long day's travel, just give your bride enough time to get it set up & she will thank you at days end when most of her work is already done.
Our camper sits on the back of the ute, it is a hard floor unit (Deefa) made by 3 Dogs Camping. I made a kitchen to suit our needs & a frame for wire baskets which hold our clothes.
2 fridges call it home. They live on a sliding tray which slides out either side of the camper with a battery in a case between them.
The legs come out at 135 degrees when it is off the ute (a 5 minute job) & make it look a bit like a lunar landing craft but it is very stable on them.
An 8' awning runs down the kitchen side with ends & a side, when our daughter travels with us she sleeps in a swag, on a stretcher, in the awning & is very comfortable there.
There are LED lights throughout & 2 cigarette lighter outlets in the sleeping area, very comfortable.
I reccomend carrying what our friends call "Pufteenths" which are blocks of wood (140x45x300mm) to use to level the ute on sloping sites when we leave the Deefa on it for overnight stops.

I have a ONE favourite thing that I use when camping ... you're not going to believe it! ... I have a 12v electric blanket! Yep! You read that right The USA is full of amazing 'land lubber' gear!!

It's brilliant! Even when I'm just driving at night, I plug it into the cig lighter, and 'Voila!' Instant comfort

Yep! My fridge is on a sliding tray in my trailer. Can take out if wanted.

Now that is luxury!