camper trailer project

[blackduck]

Ive had the urge to build a camper trailer for some time now
I figured id build my own due to the insane prices of whats on the market
add frieght to perth to the price of the trailer and have a stiff drink
its a simple little box design with a roof top tent
works well and about 1/5th the price

[Shiney]

Looks awesome

[Tackleberry]

Awesome result. 

What is the tent you have used as I have been looking at a Gordigear rooftop to put on my trailer, but that one looks a great size also?   

Good work. 

[Abe]

Love your work 

[Williamson]

Nice job.   

I wish I was that clever and had skills to do that type of project.

Has it been weighed?  No brakes?

[Sicman]

Looks good 

[StinkyPete]

Nice job Blackduck. 
Can you post the all up mass when you've figured it out.

[Lionel]

Good plan blackduck.
I've got a brand new roof top tent in my garage waiting to do something similar. Except I was going to tow it behind a 4WD to avoid having to climb up on the roof of a Landcruiser.
If I can get a trailer light enough I should be able to follow your lead and tow it behind the bike as well.

[ST2UP]

That's brilliant      well done mate

 

[tj189]

that is very impressive 

[Pocket STocker]

Looks very cosy indeed 



Pockey 

[blackduck]

Cheers for the positive feedback
The tent top was purchased from a local suspension mob here in WA (west coast suspensions) its pretty much standard size 2.4 x 1.2 m unfolded, at 1.2 m wide its about 100mm wider than the elite
big thing was the cost most tent tops i looked at were up around and over the 1K mark, this one i picked up for $660
its light duty but i dont plan on using it in winter
the box trailer is made from RHS and gal sheet, I took the easy way out and went for beam axle and leaf springs, not realising just how heavy a beam axle is Im toying with croping the axle and making it independent using polyair bags or bike shocks
I went unbraked after towing a mates elite behind his GTR, I wasnt thrilled with the feeling of it booting the bike up the bum every time you touch the brakes
so i just ride to the environment and slow down a tad sooner
it hit the weigh bridge at around the same as an elite about the 150kg mark with about 80kg carrying capacity
it tows ok behing the ST but you do know its there
i figure i can make another one lighter by downsizing the material and introducing gussets as strengtheners and re hashing the suspension
I kinda think i might have over engineered the first design
if i decide to flog this one off i might give it another go

[Lionel]

Thats a good price for the tent.
Mine cost over $2,000 a few years ago from ARB. Its probably the heavy variety.

[johnnyYTED]

 
  blackduck great job done there  You have given me a few ideas  for my trailer,
 

[winston66]

Hi Blackduck,

That looks to be an interesting and quite a successful design.you have certainly put some thought into the construction.
I do hope that it is as successful and as useful as it looks.
Pls. keep us informed as to how it preforms for you.
Cheers , Winston66, Northampton

[Wombat]

Good report. I am planning to build similar but one question. What is the length of the axle to order. also what is the track width.
Thanks again
 

[blackduck]

Wombat
the tent top is 1200mm wide and so is the axle
I picked it up at Martins trailer parts in Oconnor
but its heavy, combine it with the springs and it weighs a tonne (or ton) figuratively speaking
my mod 2 would to be buy stub axles and make up a cantilever using 4wd bushes in rhs or pipe
use shocks from a decent size bike or polyair airbags the ones made for leaf sprung vehicles
most of the rest of the stuff you need can be got of evil bay for a dam site less than what i paid

[Wombat]

Thanks for the info.  Will look at different suspension options but at the moment the KISS principle is winning.    My idea is to have a basic chassis and bend Ali panels for the strength aspect. You will need to come along to coffee or RTE so we can all meet.

 

[Brock]

Here is a suspension option....

Should hold 300Kg

[Hendo]

Hi guys,

Talk of axles etc. reminded me of what I was looking at when I was considering making a trailer. I quite liked the idea of torsion half axles like the ones on this webpage.

 http://www.ucfamerica.com/flexhalf.html

It just seemed so simple and easy to engineer. Thes are also used under some of the classic industries trailers i have seen.
f
There are some being flogged off on ebay as well.

[alans1100]

The torsion bar suspension that Classic use doesn't require shock absorbers to mounted as in Brocks picture.

They rely on the tyres with a lower air pressure of 12-15 psi depending on load.

[Brock]

You can get them from Trailer Parts. When I had a look, they didnt have any that were short  enough in the trosion block part. Not for my needs any way, so I made my own suspension system.

[StinkyPete]

http://www.satrailer.com.au/product_catalogue/independent_susp.htm

Flexitor is another option for lightweight suspension.

[Brock]

Another problem I found with those, was the load rating was higher than I wanted. Couldnt get anything lower than 250Kg. May as well have had solid suspension, as it would be an overkill for a 300Kg rated trailer.

[blackduck]

Here is a suspension option....

Should hold 300Kg

Thats exactly what im looking at although im tempted to go with the air bags for vertical load carrying
problem is its sitting there nice and shiny black
the minute i try and mod it ill have to re paint the whole thing
and not to sure what that does for the rego compliance
in my experience building this one the hardest part was getting it past roadworthy
especially when you consider the national standard differs in places from the WA one
I built mine to the national standard - bad move that !!!
thinking plan B is to sell this one and start again