by JunkMan » Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:40 pm
The reason you won't find much info on building an Apache type camper, is that the canvas is so expensive. Most people don't have the equipment or knowlege to sew up the canvas, and the upholstry type shops charge a fortune to do it. This is why you see so many old pop-up trailers bieng used as utility trailers and such.
I am in the proscess of converting a 60's Apache into a kayak/canoe trailer because the canvas was shot, and the trailer wasn't worth what it would cost to replace the canvas. I even have a heavy duty commercial Singer sewing machine, and my wife has done some upholstry work, but we didn't want to try to sew up canvas for a trailer.
As for plans for the trailer frame itself, look at the Hall of Fame for what people have made for their teardrops. Most of the frames are very similar to a utility trailer frame, or were originally designed to be a utility trailer frame.
I have built several utility trailers over the years, and they were all different, depending on their intended use, weight ratings that I needed, and what type of material I had availible. Without knowing what your intended use and weight rating is, not to mention your skill level and what equipment you have availible to you (welders, torches, etc.) it's hard to say what type of plan would work for you.
Jeff & Odie
Black Hills of South Dakota
