Thread: Camper Trailer WIP

I did a couple hours work yesterday & a few more again today.

Yesterday, I Fully welded the the rear wings to the sides & the Front to the sides. Naturally, distortion is a problem when welding material this thin, but I was able to minimise it by doing short quick Vertical downs using the back step method. Then some heavier Verical down stiches on the back, as the most of the original weld is ground away, leaving only a sealing run. Kepping the Dust & Water out is my prime concern on this trailer.

Pic 1. Using some double sided tape, I have set the tail gate 7mm away from the back, using some plywood strips. A 10mm sealing rubber will be put around the tail gate after it is painted. This should give a dust & water tight seal aroud the tailgate. I have also attached a piece of 25 x 25mm RHS across the top at the back to seal against.

Pic 2. The Tail gate is almost finished, I still need to drill the holes to mount the Anti Rattle Locks, & add a rope rail. I also need to weld a stop on the hinge side.

Pic 3. The front is fully welded on the inside. Still need to make the tool box, & this will be welded to the front.

Pic 4. These seams are fully welded on top & under, then the top has been ground & blended to give a smooth & rounded finish.

I am happy with the progress so far, but I am over welding again & looking forward to getting into the wood work stage to fit it out. I can't wait to see it finished.

Steve

I put the tool box together last night & I welded it on tonight. I have also welded the seams on the lid corners & rounded them off. I have the catches, lockable, but I still need to get a couple of hinges.

I have given a lot of thought to putting in a water tank or a water filter. I have decided to go with the filter, but I still have to look into these. I have heard there is a inline filter available, but I don't know how good it is. a bit of research required.

I have also decided to fit some brackets the same as the rear leg brackets, to the out side of all 4 wings. These will serve as boat rack brackets. Ok, so I don't have a boat, but you never know, I might get one one day. Besides, this will enable me to pickup lenghts of timber etc without removing the tent. This is not something I want to do. once it is on, I plan to leave it on.

The boat rack can be made at a later date, but I want the brackets on for painting. I plan on painting it in just over a weeks time, & as Friday is the only day that I can spend all day on it, I need to do a little when I can.

I still need to tack on a couple of tubes for the wires to run through, & maybe a bit of RHS on the back to fit a bike rack. Then it will be the axle, springs & brakes on Friday. Then the guards, steps, jerry can holders & gas bottle holder.

A good run on Friday should just about do it.

Steve

I was going to say don't weld the tool box on, it's better if you make it separate and bolt it on, allowing you to remove it for whatever reason, including repairing it should it ever get damaged...

...But I won't now.


Looking good now, you're flying through it. I just wish I could spare more time to work on mine.

You going to put jerry can holders, or LPG bottle rings?

Hi Yonnee,

I will have 3 jerry can holders & 1 gas bottle holder. The gas bottle holder can take either a 4.5 or 9kg bottle.

This means I can carry 60lts of water without a tank, so we can still go bush if we choose, & with the purifier, I can refill from any tap. I also have 2 x 20lt square containers I could use if I needed them, but I can't see that happening.

Steve

Nearly finished now, I will be getting it inspected & registered later this week & off to get it painted on the weekend.

Still have to put on lights & safety chains, spare wheel carrier, Jocky wheel, hinges & locks on the tool box, rear left hand step & left hand side boat rack brackets & jerry can holder & gas bottle holder.

Also have to do something about a water filter this week & make a bracket for that.

Steve

You've done a great job and quick as well. Don't forget to show us the painted up pics in due course.

Tricky,

Great work on the camper trailer, well done.

A company I contract to makes dual filter water purifiers with internal silver colloids to destroy bacteria. They are battery powered with electronics to let you know the state of affairs.

Have a look at pbswater.com.au

They are located in Campbellfield, Melbourne.

Contact Bruce Sansome on (03) 9308 0988

Ken

Originally Posted by Harry72

Looking good Ticky!

Thanks Harry, I'll be up your way on the weekend. My brother lives at Mundoora & he is painting it for me.

Originally Posted by hux

Don't forget to show us the painted up pics in due course.

Thanks Hux, I must admit, I am looking forward to seeing the painted job myself. I'll post a couple of pics next week.

Originally Posted by neksmerj

Tricky,

A company I contract to makes dual filter water purifiers with internal silver colloids to destroy bacteria. They are battery powered with electronics to let you know the state of affairs.

Ken

Thanks Ken & thanks for the info. I had a look at the site, But I think I have found a local place that does inline (lay down) filters that take a standard 10" cartridge. I think this will fit in with what I have planned for the kitchen, not that the kitchen plan is all laid out at this stage.


I fitted the last jerry can holder, gas bottle holder, rear step & Left had side boat brackets this morning, then I wired up the lights & plug & went & had it inspected & got my VIN plate. I went outside for about 1/2 an hour tonight & cut & fitted the LHS Rope Rail.

I don't know If I need rope rails as the tent cover is zipped on & I don't plan on using the trailer for anything else, but it just doesn't feel right to build a trailer & not put on some rope rails. Anyway, I need to have all the welding finish by tomorrow night as I am leavinfto get it painted first thing Friday Morn.

Steve

A quick suggestion for your tie-down rails and your guards.

The bottom corners have always bugged me from day one on your guards. No offence, each to their own if you like them, but 10 mins with the grinder before painting...



Yonnee.

Hi Yonnee,
I know what you mean about the corners, I have been looking at them all week & scratching my head. Funny thing is, they have kinda grown on me.

Your idea is a little too radical for me, but I am thinking about a 20 - 25 x 45 degree snip, even if only to prevent ripping open the jeans or the leg as we walk past it.

I am heading off for the 2 hour trip to my brothers place at 8:15am tomorrow, but I have packed the 4" with the cutter & 9" with a flap disc, and of course, a cartoon of burbs. Ill worry out clothes & less important stuff in the morning.

I have mounted the rope rails high. I like full length rails above the guards, especialy on tandums, but even on single axle trailers. The front of this one presents a little problem, but I am working on a solution. I bought 3 stainless U Bolts with SS Plates front & back to spread the load. At $25 each, its a quick way to rip up the best part of 100 bucks, but they are very strong even on very thin material. I have a problem in the centre, but I think I can overcome this with a bit of SS angle & a couple more SS bolts.

I had a tarp made for my last trailer, a 6 x 4. The tarp is 10 x 8' with tabs at 6 x 4' & a 2' drop all round. It looks ok, but I may get it altered at some stage if I find I need to.

Any way, last pics before paint.

Steve

Painted yet!!???

Good taste in wheels too

My trailer is painted & I have fitted the tent. I lent my camera to my son & could not get any pics of the painted trailer before the tent went on.

My trailer is painted & I have fitted the tent. I lent my camera to my son & could not get any pics of the painted trailer before the tent went on.

Pic 1. The tent with the annex fitted.
pic 2. Annex removed & Annex Roof folded back over tent
pic 3. veiw accross the front
pic 4. looking toward the back.

I still have a bit to do, the wiring is only twitched together & that need to be soldered & I have some heat shring to go over each wire & then the loom.

I also have to fit the number plate light. I have spent a bit of time searching through a chandlery catalogue for Stainless fittings, & I stumbled across a marine flush mount 12v power outlet (Cig lighter socket) I think I will mount this on the rear Right hand step. this will be a handy socket to plug in a 12v compressor to pump up air beds etc.

Steve