My offroad Camper

[PaulC]

Steve, Number One weighed in at 600kg and I had 750kg rated springs on it. Worked an absolute treat. Number Two weighs in at 450kg with 650kg rated springs and that works a treat as well.

Cheers
Paul

[Steve F]

Steve, Number One weighed in at 600kg and I had 750kg rated springs on it. Worked an absolute treat. Number Two weighs in at 450kg with 650kg rated springs and that works a treat as well.

Cheers
Paul

Cool, I'll go from there, just our of curiosity what did your finished frames weigh?

Cheers
Steve

[PaulC]

Sorry but I did'nt weigh the frames. I used Larry's design and calculated my finished weight from that to get my springs on number 1. Number 2 was always going to be between 100kg and 200kg lighter. Number 3 will be between 50 and 100kg lighter than number 2.
Cheers
Paul.

[Steve F]

I'm too worried to weigh my frame I can just pick it up by myself and move it, that's with springs but no axle or hubs. I figure it must be around 100-120kg now but I'm not a good judge of weight. I hope I can build the rest and get it to come in under 600kg, I want it around 500kg though.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Frame is pretty much done, I have the time but not the cash so things are moving slower than I'd like but now I can weld on a few tabs to bolt the floor to and get on with some woodwork.

Testing the height, I haven't mounted a hitch yet and wont until I get further down the track, I want to try and keep it level when on the jeep.



I'm running a 45mm offroad axle and Ford hubs and bearings which are the same stud pattern as the Jeep wheels I have. The Jeep centre caps will just fit over the dustcap on the end of the axle (not mounted yet)



I hit the welds on the top of the frame with a flapper wheel to make sure the floor can sit flush easily. You can also see the rear stabilizers here, one is not parallel to the frame (see above) as nothing is tightened up yet. I need to put the frame on it's side in the garage to keep it out of the way as long as possible which means taking the axle back off and stabilizers (it weighs less)



Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Was feeling a bit rough today but got some more done this morning before going for a good chuck and a little lie down

Anyway, got the floor mostly done.



The tyre support, the mount section will be above the floor and accessed via a door in the bulkhead, the chain will drop through the floor, the tyre getting pulled up tight against the floor when raised.



And under the floor, minimal framing and 1/2" ply floor. The centre beam does not go all the way to the back as the tyre fits in at the rear against the floor. I'll put two beams either side of the tyre though to help line it up and strengthen the floor around it.



Anyway, it's getting there, I hope to get the frame and floor painted tomorrow and then it's on to the wall framing

Cheers
Steve

[The_Highlander]

That would be great for my Ranger . I got a lifted Ford Ranger

[Steve F]

That would be great for my Ranger . I got a lifted Ford Ranger

Yep, should suit a lifted vehicle well I may still have to go spring over yet depending on final height once the body is on the frame. Little update, the floor is all painted underneath and the frame has a few coats of hammered finish paint on it now. Here's a pic after one coat, the second went on tonight, I seem to be doing lots of work after the sun goes down, next weekend I have a whole weekend on it so should get the walls framed and hopefully up, may even get that piece of ply in the background made into the kitchen bulkhead tomorrow. The axle goes back on tomorrow regardless



Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Floor on and bolted down with 16 3/8" bolts, although I'm going to take the perimeter ones out and counter sink them so the wall frame is easier to fit nice and flush.



Underneath it's painted with a good outdoor paint, not sure how it will last but it's easy enough to check on and repaint if needed. At the far end you can see where the wooden frame was routed out to allow the spare to tuck up against the floor.



Went to get the ply for the walls but it was stored upright and every piece was bent up so it's off to a specialist place where they store it properly.

Cheers
Steve

[highlandercj-7]

Steve have you thought about using a Jeep fuel tank for your trailer. CJ's us a nice steel 15 gal tank that is small and compact. Mount it under your trailer You can then use a electric fuel pump to transfer the fuel to your Jeep. Perhaps make a swing away spare tire holder like your XJ to mount your Trailer spare.
Here's a link to the tank:
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?jeep-sid=2&plID=0&partID=11067

[Steve F]

Steve have you thought about using a Jeep fuel tank for your trailer. CJ's us a nice steel 15 gal tank that is small and compact. Mount it under your trailer You can then use a electric fuel pump to transfer the fuel to your Jeep. Perhaps make a swing away spare tire holder like your XJ to mount your Trailer spare.
Here's a link to the tank:
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?jeep-sid=2&plID=0&partID=11067

I did think of a swing out etc (I made the one on the XJ) but I didn't want to add too much more wait with the steel required. Most of the time I wont need the jerry cans so I wont have them on, basically if it isn't needed every time it'll be removable

Anyway, got the profile cut today, both sides, did one and used the first as a template for the second. Here it is proped up with a TJ flare for the mudguard (I think I'm going to use a couple of these as I have a few spares ) The door is where the join in the ply is so there will be minimal join to hide. The hatch is part of the wall at the moment and a cut will be made with a router using the framing as a guide.



The flare will be used as a template to cut the wheel arch out and thin ply will be laminated in a curve to form the inner arch.

Cheers
Steve

[Kankujoe]

Lookin Good!

[Wright]

Say, just a thought here, using that jeep fuel cell as water tank. after a couple of Mod's and maybe coating the inside with like an enamel coating... just thinking out loud....

[highlandercj-7]

Say, just a thought here, using that jeep fuel cell as water tank. after a couple of Mod's and maybe coating the inside with like an enamel coating... just thinking out loud....

If I were to use the fuel cell as a water tank I'd get the stainless tank IMHO.

[Wright]

True.... what was I thinking?