Hammock camping trailer

**Timberrr** · 07-03-2014, 20:47

You've given Gumbo a whole new set of ideas to corral into another project for me.
Safety issues are involved so I'm gonna need some advice on this.

I just picked up a 5'x8' utility trailer on eBay.

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I like Brien's idea of having the arms swing out so they project at an angle like this \_____/ to hang a hammock outside the trailer.

Basically there will be four arms that are right angles (2-1/2' on one side, 3' on the other) that are bolted to the 1' side of the trailer. They will stick straight in - as a yak rack, or project out at 45* from the corners - to hang your hammock.

Now to the questions: What dimension of stock should I use to build these arms to hold a 200# hanger? Outside diameter? Wall thickness? I'm assuming steel. Recommendations for type or grade of steel? I'm also assuming round stock to accommodate the changing angles. I'm open to suggestions on the shape of stock. If the angles are mitered and welded, is that strong enough by itself? Does it need a brace in the corner? Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.

**EVAC John** · 07-04-2014, 11:11

Have a good time with it, I will give you "most"

of what I know from building a couple support systems already.
The lowest I will go is 14 gauge 1 1/2 sq tube or .083 wall thickness. From what I learned by collapsing the first few attempts with my 200lb frame is that these things need to be sturdy. They need to be strong enough to support the vertical load, which is pretty simple but braced for the lateral loads that come from swinging in the hammock.
When it comes to these things you will be surprised at how much force can be exerted on a single load point, I know I was.
Bracing is your friend and usually a piece of 1inch x 1/4 or better flat bar seems to be strong enough.
Somewhere I have pic of one of my bigger trailers with the support arms extended I will share with you, it uses a system that goes over 90degrees to swing out and support a tarp and hammock. It may be helpful to see it before you start cutting steel.

**EVAC John** · 07-04-2014, 11:18

support arm pic, hope this can help you out.

**Timberrr** · 07-04-2014, 13:57

Originally Posted by EVAC John

support arm pic, hope this can help you out.

WoW! That thing is sweet!
I didn't think of telescoping arms, but why not...?
Well, back to the drawing board.
Thanks for the pointers - Very helpful!

**MikeyC3PO** · 07-08-2014, 01:15

If you make a square upper frame like in the above pic and utilize hollow x-bars, your hammock supports can be stowed inside them. Slide out and pin to deploy, slide back in to store. Sorry, no sketch... think hydraulic cylinder.

**EVAC John** · 07-08-2014, 07:50

Originally Posted by MikeyC3PO

If you make a square upper frame like in the above pic and utilize hollow x-bars, your hammock supports can be stowed inside them. Slide out and pin to deploy, slide back in to store. Sorry, no sketch... think hydraulic cylinder.

Thanks Mikey, the arms on my big trailers do exactly that. They also rotate and stow along side the top frame.
I have been working on this design, molding it and playing with it. I have about 2 more trailers to build before I can start welding on this one, but it is going to happen.

**oldgringo** · 07-08-2014, 08:52

My hillbilly engineering tells me that if you intend to hang from what are, in reality, lifeboat davits, they will need to be hell for stout. My .02.

**MikeyC3PO** · 07-08-2014, 09:27

Hinges and linkages worry me when it comes to the DIYer, too many degrees of freedom. For you, a fabricator, the engineering behind the design is much more substantial. I keep to the KISS theory for diy. This is your selling advantage over a diy job. My diy solution would look a bit like the attached pic if using an existing trailer.
Dont know how to preview so hope the pic shows.

**cmr2** · 07-08-2014, 15:51

Maybe a rack system over a trailer as that is mostly what the design is around , this gives a broader market . Most already have utility trailer for a purpose and no need for new one , two markets

**EVAC John** · 07-09-2014, 09:03

Originally Posted by cmr2

Maybe a rack system over a trailer as that is mostly what the design is around , this gives a broader market . Most already have utility trailer for a purpose and no need for new one , two markets

That's pretty much what is going to happen. I have a new, bigger kayak trailer that this hanging system is going to be worked into. The new kayak trailer will be done tomorrow and I will drop a pic of it on here so you all can see what is developing.