Tent Trailer EXPO Build

[sawtooth4x4]

I know, I have the attention span of a squirrel sometimes. I've tried a pickup bed camper, tent with cots and nothing has what I really want. With a wife and 4 kids, i need water, shelter, somewhere to stand, cook and sleep. All in one place. I also wanted something lightweight and easy to pull behind my Range Rover.

So after lots of searching on KSL.com. I picked up a little fixer upper Tent Trailer, circa 1981 Rockwood. I'm not sure how awesome it will be be. But for $200 it had what i needed most, a dry place, wheels, water capacity and CHEAP. $200. I didn't even haggle because it was approved by the wife.

So without further ado. I hauled it home behind my F350. I could barely see it in the mirrors. But it did just fine going freeway speeds.

Right now it needs a new top vent as its been broken for a long time. the roof has a little damage from it, and some of the canvas needs to be patched and sewn up.

It only has a sink and cook top. No heater, fridge or 12V battery. Storage is also limited, but I'll build a little roof rack for the top and put my Thule cargo carrier on it.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

Since I will pull it primarily behind my Range Rover, I'll be swapping out the axle, putting it on 285/75/16 tires and using rover wheels. Then I won't need to worry about spares very much.

I've been thinking about using an old M101 trailer as its base as well.

I'll start with the basics, fix the leaks and go from there. I'll try it out with the family in the next few weeks and see what its like.

 

[Spork]

Looks like a great deal for $200. :greg:

 

[sawtooth4x4]

future stuff.

 

[phatfoto]

If I ever get out from under medical expenses and more pressing projects, I have a trailer to modify as well. I get a lot of inspiration from this thread at EXPEDITION PORTAL...

 

[frieed]

I really want to build a trailer but until I have a vehicle that goes where my current fat pig does (F150 with a really sweet 36 gal tank} can't , it doesn't make sense.
At this point, I'd love to provide welding/fab help to someone doing their own.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

I'm going to need to start doing something to this soon. We have a camping trip planned up in Wyoming in about 3 weeks.

 

[sawtooth4x4]

Started to do some canvas repair last night. Please excuse the ugliness of my stitching, I am in no ways a professional.


I bought a canvas sewing awl last night at Cabela's in Farmington, and then went to town.

 

[Bart]

That is tough work and I admire your diligence in keeping it a do it yourself project. Well done.

 

[THSDragoon]

That's looking way cool! This is the kind of trailer camper that my wife and I want to get eventually. First though I need to get a towing hitch for my trooper...


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[sawtooth4x4]

So today I concurred the axle flip. It went much easier then I ever thought possible. Took all of 30 minutes. Used some PB Blaster on all the bolts and ubolts. Then ran to Maverick to get a soda.


Came, jacked it up, unbolted the wheels, unbolted one leaf spring. Then I unbolted the U-Bolts. Then I flipped the axle under the springs, and bolted it all back up. I gained ~3" of lift. Not bad. Didn't cost a penny.


Pre-lift

All jacked up and sitting on 4 jackstands. Safety first.

Taking stuff apart

Going back together

Done

 

[Hickey]

Are you going to have the axle aligned, to correct the camber?

 

[sawtooth4x4]

I suppose I should do that.


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[sawtooth4x4]

We are all ready for a week of camping up in Wyoming next week.

And the grounded child got to wash my truck and camper. Ha ha ha.

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[sawtooth4x4]

All packed up and ready to head out for the weekend.