Suggestions on Customizing a "Reenacting Trailer"?

[JennaLeigh]

So, we've decided to invest in a 5'x10' cargo trailer to haul to reenactments. Instead of loading and unloading, then loading and unloading, again... we can simply unload and load. I figure that means less time dealing with the hassles and more time simply enjoying this hobby.

For those that travel with such a cargo trailer, do you have any helpful hints on customizing it to efficiently haul a family camp's equipment. We'll want to weld in some shelves for boxes, a slot for tent polls, hooks for my dresses, etc. Obviously, we're looking for design advice on how to keep these items from shifting and falling during transit.

We're trying to not re-invent the wheel, so any experience anyone has had customizing their "reenacting trailer", would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You...
Jenna L. Kennedy

[cjdaley]

I'd talk to sutlers. They go to more events than most reenactors and travel further distances.

I've had a few trailers and currently have a 5X10.

CLOTHING: Down one side I have a clothing rack, I just went to Home Depot and got brackets that supporting a clothing bar like in a closet. I used self tapping metal screws to bolt this to the cross beams in the trailer. This does keep the clothing on there. I've traveled to scores of reenactments and none of the clothing has every fallen off the bar.

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/028705/028705002068md.jpg

GEAR: With a 5X10, there isn't much else you can do after that. Home Depot also sells heavy duty black plastic bins with yellow lids. That's what I keep my tent, inventory, cooking gear and personal stuff in. I can put 15 of these bins into the trailer. I've toyed with putting shelves in the trailer for the bins, but I think it would reduce the interior space too much. They hold about 500 lbs of junk and are way sturdier than your average plastic bin.

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/064594/064594938002md.jpg

TENT POLES: All my tent poles are longer than 10 feet so they get strapped to the roof of my car, but in my old trailer, I got simple hooks like this to put down the other side of my trailer to strap the poles to.

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/079325/079325777621md.jpg

Trick your Trailer:


Put a mirror on the inside of the door so you can straighten that cravat before the big battle.
Install hooks for a hammock for comfy sleeping.
Fold out bunk beds: http://www.blazinbelltech.com/furniture.html
Put a sink with foot pump to wash up before the long drive home.
Let them know who you are, get your unit's graphics painted on the side.
Don't put bumper stickers on the trailer.
Get an add on awning for tailgating on Friday night.



Don't get a ramp, get a door. Some sutler like the ramp, but a 5X10 isn't tall enough to walk into and you'll just smash your shins all weekend.

The simpler the better when designing the inside of the trailer. Another reason for not putting shelving in the trailer is that I frequently use it for a changing room and sometimes if I get to an event late on Thursday night, I'll use it for sleeping quarters.

Hope this was helpful, again, I wouldn't do much to it until you check out how sutlers and other reenactors design their trailers.

WARNING: Remember to get a spare tire, lug wrench that'll fit your bolts and keep the tire handy. You may never need it, but AAA doesn't cover two wheeled vehicles so this can be a disaster and a bad way to start off or end your weekend.

Hope this was helpful.

Oh and make sure your tow vehicle is rated to pull the trailer unlike the guy in this video: http://www.hemitruckclub.com/maximumtow.wmv

[KarinTimour]

Another issue is to make sure that it doesn't get stolen. A friend who lives in the Midwest had their trailer filled with all their reenacting gear stolen from their driveway in the middle of the day. In one fell swoop, all her family's gear had to be replaced. The police said that the theives probably just wanted the trailer, but their insurance didn't begin to cover the replacement costs.

Just a thought,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[Pete K]

My Boy Scout troop "inherited" a trailer from a former leader. Make sure your shelves (if you install them) allow for a balanced load. His design had all of the weight over one side and the front of the trailer. We had many problems with the wheel bearings and a cracked tounge. It was a "free" gift which kept on giving (bills).

[tompritchett]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but given the increasing cost of gasoline (and don't count on it ever coming back down), have you considered the alternative of pairing down how much you take to events so that you no longer need the trailer? As a mainstreamer, who has a car that needs premium and routinely is taking 2 - 3 other members to most events, and in an unit where we have always had to carpool for various reasons, this has been approach that we have had to adopt. For example, instead of a supply tent packed to the gills, the supplies, including food, now have been pared down so that they barely take up one half of my tent. (Four years ago, I used to fill my tent with just my own gear) As most of our members are new and young members, most of our tentage is owned by just a few members and every one shares, with the exception of me because my tent serves also as the supply tent. By no means am I arguing that you have to go "campaign" style, but maybe you might want to look at all that you are bringing and see if you can pare it down such that you do not need a trailer. Just a thought.

[Altecfive]

I understand with the load and unloading deal. We invested in a company trailer. The trailer really holds all spare uniforms we have, spare dog tents, and all extra gear. Most of the room is eaten up in our crate and barrels for our quartermaster impression. But, it is really easy to load everything in it, and it stays loaded all the time. We only bring the trailer to our larger events, otherwise it stays home. Tom makes a good point about gas, but with my truck set up I only loose 1 mile to the gallon. I can sacrifice that for the impression we do and how the extra gear has comes in handy when something breaks or someone forgot something.

[hendrickms24]

My Boy Scout troop "inherited" a trailer from a former leader. Make sure your shelves (if you install them) allow for a balanced load. His design had all of the weight over one side and the front of the trailer. We had many problems with the wheel bearings and a cracked tounge. It was a "free" gift which kept on giving (bills).

FYI
You do need a little more weight up front on a ball hitch or the trailer will dance side to side on you.

[Charles Weathers]

Another issue is to make sure that it doesn't get stolen. A friend who lives in the Midwest had their trailer filled with all their reenacting gear stolen from their driveway in the middle of the day. In one fell swoop, all her family's gear had to be replaced. The police said that the theives probably just wanted the trailer, but their insurance didn't begin to cover the replacement costs.

Just a thought,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

I work for the feds and we had a box trailer stolen. Of course, the thieves don't realize that it was a federal offence since it belonged to the gov't! I bought this...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326380_200326380

One for our boat trailer and two for personal trailers at home. Works great and only $35!

[flattop32355]

Instead of loading and unloading, then loading and unloading, again... we can simply unload and load. I figure that means less time dealing with the hassles and more time simply enjoying this hobby.

You know it had to be said.... ;)

Best trailer you can use is a knapsack. It carries your bedding, personal belongings, extra clothing and ammunition, and if necessary, your excess pantry items. Easy to load and unload, easy to transport. Very little trouble backing it into tight spaces.

[cjdaley]

Best trailer you can use is a knapsack. .

No doubt and I had a rough time going from a shelter half to a hospital tent and a knapsack to a trailer, but that's the life of a sutler.

In defense of others....most of us in the campaign world don't realize that the future of this hobby is in families and a family of four with young kids may not be able to fit all the tentage, clothing, food and camping accessories. I took my son to an event recently and couldn't believe how much extra crap you need for a 6 year old kid. I think we need to give the families of the hobby some slack as the future participants of the 160th Gettysburg are just now starting to attend events.

Also, I know some people who do a kick ass staff or clerk or band impression and the equipment, books, tentage and crud you need for those impressions just don't fit in a hatchback. What about folks who do a medical impression for living history events, or laundresses, or camp cooks. It's pretty hard to hump all that gear in on your back.

Again, I agree with anyone who says a knapsack is the way to go for your average infantryman...it's just not for everyone.

[flattop32355]

Again, I agree with anyone who says a knapsack is the way to go for your average infantryman...it's just not for everyone.

That's why I gave the post the title I did, and stuck in the smiley. :D

Equally as silly as privates with wall tents on the company street is a wife with children trying to make do with what we are supposed to carry in the military camps.

Yeah, family camps are period inaccurate. They aren't proper for a military-only event. But for a typical mainstream event, I have no problem with them. If it comes down to bringing the family or not coming, bring 'em on. Teach them well, and when they're ready, bring them into the military branch, if they so desire.

I can overlook an area designated for families much easier than I can a poor military impression. Those little dudes and dude-esses are the most likely to jine the hobby in the future.

[cjdaley]

That's why I gave the post the title I did, and stuck in the smiley. :D

Equally as silly as privates with wall tents on the company street is a wife with children trying to make do with what we are supposed to carry in the military camps.

Yeah, family camps are period inaccurate. They aren't proper for a military-only event. But for a typical mainstream event, I have no problem with them. If it comes down to bringing the family or not coming, bring 'em on. Teach them well, and when they're ready, bring them into the military branch, if they so desire.

I can overlook an area designated for families much easier than I can a poor military impression. Those little dudes and dude-esses are the most likely to jine the hobby in the future.

We're on the same page pard. ;)

[trappedonrr]

We just bought a trailer as well. and for the same idea

[tompritchett]

Equally as silly as privates with wall tents on the company street is a wife with children trying to make do with what we are supposed to carry in the military camps.

Yeah, family camps are period inaccurate. They aren't proper for a military-only event. But for a typical mainstream event, I have no problem with them. If it comes down to bringing the family or not coming, bring 'em on. Teach them well, and when they're ready, bring them into the military branch, if they so desire.

I forgot to qualify my suggestion as not necessarily being applicable to families. I stand so corrected and I full heartedly agree with what you are saying about "growing" the next generation of reenactors.

[chatrbug]

Thus why we stay mainstream or in camp of convenience. And yes... 4 children and 2 adults take a lot of stuff...even though I try to keep it down. Even with just one set of clothing for the weekend (which is hard to due with children because there's always going to be mud puddles or something that's going to soak them!), undergarments, blankets, food, something to cook the food in, tents... all that right there wont fit in our little Durango. And our 4 children absolutely love events... so yes.. they are definitely the future.

[trappedonrr]

I assure you, if it was not for chatrbug, I would not be a part of the hobby. If there is an event with no family, I am out of it. I like history, but too much of my time is taken up by work and fire calls. I will march fight and drill to remember the soldier. I will camp and set street like the soldier. But the family is my legacy.

Off the tirade. Check your insurance to make sure your liability covers the wagon. Most insurers do. And If you haven't, practice backing it and then try your hardest not to back.

[GypsyLady]

I bought this...
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326380_200326380

One for our boat trailer and two for personal trailers at home. Works great and only $35!

Thank you SO much for posting this lead! We just bought a closed trailer, too, and were looking for some sort of low-cost wheel lock. I went right online and ordered one, and we should have it before we pick up the trailer in May.

I also appreciated the post about loading the trailer with the weight over hitch--not something that had occurred to us, but we'll rework our outfitting plans.

We bring a LOT of gear to make our civilian (Gypsy) impression work, and are adding a peddlar's cart this year. When our girls came along, we had to also haul their costumes plus cots and extra quilts, but truly even w/o them, and streamlining as much as we've been able, we bring a LOT. (I tried to attach a photo, but can't make it small enough).

Each time we'd go to an event, we'd rent an open trailer ($50) from a place across town (~20 minutes + 10 min. to hook up), which was the only place we could find. It was almost an hour round trip just to pick up the thing, and then we still had to load it and tie everything down--another hour or so--plus drive 1-2 hours to events. Often it was near dark when we'd be setting up. Coming home, we had to break camp and then unpack it all again at home to return the trailer. When it rained, everything got soaked. We were only able to make it to 1-2 events each season.

Now, we can leave the trailer packed and just hitch up and go. We'll park it in our driveway so everything's right there. Nothing will get wet if it rains on the way to or from an event. Our garage will have less stuff in it. So, we'll be able to show and tell more folks about how Gypsies fit in to the Civil War (and other timeline events we take part in).

[Poor Private]

Another way to go is what a Lt in our unit did. He bought an old UPS style truck. He made cabinets, shelves gun lockers for all his stuff. And he has a detachable ramp to run his Mt. Howitzer down. Sides are painted, he carries all his long stuff (tent poles, 15' flag pole) along the side. worse comes to worse he can set up a couple of cots in the back for sleeping. One time he used it to haul our small company of union soldiers to a predetermined spot flag down and hitch a ride on a steam train. We looked like the keystone cops in this bugger. I have been looking for one for myself to convert the same way.

[TimKindred]

Well,


There is always this option:

http://steampunkworkshop.com/bus1.shtml

For someone with a little technical ability and a few thousand dollars, you can have the best of both worlds :)

[Bummer]

One of the best things like that I ever saw was an old step van a small mess had tricked out...the inside looked just like a winter quarters hut with canvas roof (inside the real one) and log walls, built in bunks, a small fireplace, and the whole thing. They started the event as soon as they left home (don't know how they justified the road noise though) driving at night and each taking their 'trick' in turn driving.
And on arrival they could go to camp or stay in the 'hut'.
I always thought that was a cool idea.