Done drawin', got an Esterel!

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Done drawin', got an Esterel!

Postby navigator » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:31 pm

All the drawing, calculating and dreaming on how to build the trailer I want is over. Been looking for two years, finally found the production trailer I have based so many of my designs on: an Esterel!

It's an '87, and in excellent condition. Well, judging by photos and the seller's description, anyway. Haven't seen it yet. Will have to drive 800 miles (one way) next week to pick it up...

At 16.5' (overall) it's 4' longer than I would like. But for the price, and not having to build anything, I'm quite happy!

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Postby Micro469 » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:15 pm

John
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Postby hiker chick » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:19 pm

Congrats!

Terrific to find your dream.

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Postby regis101 » Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:04 pm

I watched a coupla hits on you tube. I'd go for one. Me likes 'em better than a tent trailer.
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Postby starleen2 » Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:58 am

Cool video :thumbsup:
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Postby PKCSPT » Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:24 am

Sets up like the Aliner type trailers with more room. Seems like a nice easy setup.
Hope you enjoy
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Postby kirkman » Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:14 pm

Now that's nice! Congrats!
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Postby Ageless » Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:54 pm

Nice find? How about some interior pix?
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Postby regis101 » Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:30 pm

I like that when in the folded position it's low enough to have a bike and/or boat rack at a decent height for easy loading and unloading.
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Cool

Postby eamarquardt » Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:51 pm

That is cool. Easy to set up, per the video! Is it insulated at all? That would be a real plus. Searched the net and found one for sale in Quebec and another in Penn (if I remember right).

Good find.

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Congratulations

Postby bgordon » Mon May 03, 2010 4:10 am

Navigator,

That's great! You'll be pressed to find a better folding trailer than an Esterel. I would have owned one if they were available around here!

Hope you make wonderful memories with your new camper.
Barrie

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http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=38781
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Re: Done drawin', got an Esterel!

Postby teardrop_focus » Mon May 03, 2010 10:15 am

navigator

Been looking for two years, finally found the production trailer I have based so many of my designs on: an Esterel!


Nice! Congratulations! She looks sweet! :P

Arne's looking for Esterel surge brakes system parts! Maybe you could lend a hand...

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=37012

:thumbsup:
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Chris Squier / teardrop_focus :-)~
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Postby S. Heisley » Mon May 03, 2010 2:28 pm

Congratulations on your new trailer! She looks good in the picture. I don't envy the 1600 mile round trip to pick 'er up, though! Don't forget to post more pictures when you get it home! We'll be watching for them!
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Postby navigator » Wed Jun 02, 2010 5:46 pm

Sorry for delay on more pics, will get some better ones soon. The trip to get the trailer went well: three days of driving. On the way home the wind was HORRIBLE (closed I-40 due to dust storms), but the trailer made little difference to my Tahoe's handling. Lost the roof vent somewhere in NM, and of course it's an odd European size, can get one but will cost $95. Will probably just enlarge to standard 14" square.

Took it out for the Memorial Day weekend, Thurs-Mon. Pulled it up a mountain and camped at 9,200', with a snow bank in front of our spot. Temps from 40s-60s, but slept very warm without using heater. Yes, the trailer is insulated; the upper walls are a composite of aluminum/foam/plywood, the lower body walls using fiberglass instead of aluminum. The floor is ply/foam/ply. The roof is fiberglass/foam/fiberglass. The wndows are double-layer plastic (lexan?), like a thermal window (as was the roof vent).

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The ladder is used to place the chain that the air chairs hang from. The awning poles were later adjusted to be level. There were three of us in the trailer: me, the wife, and our 13 year old daughter. A bit crowded, but not bad. Better for two...

I would reconfigure the interior, remove the mini kitchen and other items, and try to maximize the storage space. Wife not so sure about that. Maybe later...

It tows very well, and it's great to be able to see over it. The design is not the best for dirt/off road, as the tongue is mounted under the frame, hanging 6" under it. The spare is mounted under the frame, too, reducing rear clearance.

The brake system is cable operated, and works fine. It is an "over run" type; when you slow down, the hitch's inner tube moves forward as the trailer pushes forward, tightening the cable and activating the brakes. There is also a parking brake, very handy.

I am considering mounting the tongue to the front of the frame, instead of under it, but will have to look it over very closely to make sure it's strong enough that way. Would also like to change out the AL-KO torsion axle for a TorqueFlex, to get more clearance and to have electric brakes (and easier-to-obtain repair parts). Change from 13" to 15" wheels, too.

But, overall, I really like it! It is very easy to put up and down, is quieter, warmer, and darker (with curtains closed) than a tent trailer, has 6' 2" headroom open and is only 4' high (from ground) when closed. It's easy to move when unhitched, since it only weighs about 1,400 lbs.

Talked to a fellow in Indiana who had one for sale on Craigslist for $1,900, no takers; he then put it on eBay and sold if for $3,200! Person who bought it was in TX...

Esterel's were imported to the US for a couple of years, so there are some around, and they are "Americanized" with DOT regulation lighting, and 110 volt instead of 220 volt circuits.
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Postby SonofT@B » Wed Jun 02, 2010 6:16 pm

Love it! Can't wait to see the inside pics. We only got to about 90 over the weekend here.
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