ACT camper trailer.

[layback40]

I purchased an ACT camper trailer last year in South Australia. The previous owner had it from when it was about 4 years old. It still has the dealer label on it ~ Andrews Motors in Adelaide.

The previous owner had removed the 10" wheels, widened the wheel arches as far as possible & fitted 13" Holden wheels. This included adding lengths of rectangular section to lower the spring mounts. This has strengthened it.
The axle has also been shortened & had a box brace put on it.
He fabricated a set of roof racks to take a tinny.
It has had a well installed in the floor for use as a shower.
The canvas had a few rips on the bits over the beds. I have stitched these up & sealed/reinforced with hot melt glue. A very easy repair. I found a rubber spray paint product that could be applied to the canvas & soaks in to strengthen it. I know it should be replaced but I am on a budget.
I have put the axle below the springs & fitted 15" wheels (30 9.5 15) that match my jeep. They fit with reasonable clearance on the sides. I had to fit new hubs & spacers to make it work.
Over winter I fabricated a rear spare carrier that holds 2 spares & has a step on each corner to aid putting the roof up. It also provides extra strength to the frame.
Installed a pair of bright LED reversing lights.
Lengthened the legs as the camper sits much higher now.
I decided to fit a pair of gas struts to the front uprights to aid lifting They wok well & now its an easy one person job to put it up..
The old 3 way fridge works well on all 3.
Have fitted a strip of LEDs on the inside along the ends & over the sink.
Have a square multi LED on the inside over the door. Have a strip of waterproof LEDs to fit on the outside along over the door side.
Have just fitted a power lead from front to back in the jeep with Anderson plug. Got a 130w solar panel to power the fridge & charge a decent battery so the fridge & lights have power when needed.
Have fitted a Treg style hitch.
Am fitting a small electric water pump for the sink.

Have taken it up to the high country a few times. goes well. Doesnt leak even in thunder storms.
More pics to come.

The first pic is a favorite spot near Hotham. On a cold wet day the bath on the fire is great.

[layback40]

A little history ~ ACT is Australian Camper Trailers. They originally made similar campers for the army.
Its a 1970's model. Probably about 1978.
The previous owner used it a lot for family fishing trips.
At a pinch, you could sleep 2 at each end & another 2 if the table was put down across the seats to make another bed. would be like sardines though.
It has outdoor carpet on the floor on top of the original vinyl.
Weighs about 350 kg bare & so doesnt need brakes.
The diesel XJ pulls it with no problems. My long term average fuel consumption on the XJ is running at 9.2 l/100km. towing the camper only adds about 1 to 1.5 l/100km. sits happily on the speed limit on blacktop.
Was no problem climbing up Mt Murray track & twins jeep track on the way to Hotham.
The white sides & top are fiber glass, the floor is marine ply sitting on a steel frame. The beds at the ends have 5 ply (marine) bases.
Has an 80 ltr plastic water tank just in front of the axle.
A 2 burner plus grill stove along side the sink.
The fridge is an Electrolux adsorption chest type. I have run it on 12v while traveling with no problems. Gets plenty cold enough to keep things frozen.
Need to make Jerry can holders for 4 plastic cans for the front of it.
With the spares on the back there is very little weight on the hitch.
The last time away in the Buckland Valley, I watched a couple with a rooftop tent on a Disco. It took them more than twice as long to put it up as what it takes to put this up. I was previously considering a roof top tent.
There is plenty of storage space inside it when its not up. Room for an outboard for the tinny (12'), but would need to put it up to get the motor out. I am thinking of making a mount to hold the outboard across the front instead/as well as Jerry can holders.
Thinking about fitting shockers to it. Just light duty ones, I have a pair of 120Y shockers that may be adaptable.

[low ranger]

We sell a few roof top tents at work, & after fitting them up & showing customers how they work, I would never own one. PITA.
Have you considered fitting an extended drawbar to your camper for better towing & weight balance?

[layback40]

Originally Posted by low ranger

We sell a few roof top tents at work, & after fitting them up & showing customers how they work, I would never own one. PITA.
Have you considered fitting an extended drawbar to your camper for better towing & weight balance?

The drawbar is extended about 300mm. It allows the camper to be erected without unhitching.
With the success of the gas struts on the front, a set are being put on the back.
A gas hot water system has been added. the camper had a shower well in it when I got it. it will be great to be able to have a hot shower rather than a cold wash in the river, especially during spring when the snow is still melting.
The planned Jerry can holders worked out great. They are in the form of 2 plastic lined bins.
Havent added the shocks yet. May not bother.

[piggy]

I have a hard floor Aussie Swag camper trailer.
I took it to BATC (Brisbane axle & trailer components)
They made a complete new chassis for the camper to sit on.
It is now an electric braked, tandem wheel camper trailer that has a 1600 long tray on the front that holds our motorbikes & above the bikes is a roof top tent that our son sleets in, infront of that is a large box that holds the dry stores & slide out kitchen.
all folded up, from tow hitch to tail lights it is now 6.9 meters long, & the JK tows it with ease. never had an issue even on the beach (which is where we use it most).
The tray on the front holds 3 bikes my husky 450, sons 250 & wifes 140.
if your thinking of modding your camper BATC have all of the ideas.
cheers piggy

[layback40]

Originally Posted by piggy

I have a hard floor Aussie Swag camper trailer.
I took it to BATC (Brisbane axle & trailer components)
They made a complete new chassis for the camper to sit on.
It is now an electric braked, tandem wheel camper trailer that has a 1600 long tray on the front that holds our motorbikes & above the bikes is a roof top tent that our son sleets in, infront of that is a large box that holds the dry stores & slide out kitchen.
all folded up, from tow hitch to tail lights it is now 6.9 meters long, & the JK tows it with ease. never had an issue even on the beach (which is where we use it most).
The tray on the front holds 3 bikes my husky 450, sons 250 & wifes 140.
if your thinking of modding your camper BATC have all of the ideas.
cheers piggy

Most tend to build heavy duty tanks. I have gone the other way & opted for light weight & maneuverable.
My off road m/c days are long gone. 30 to 40 years ago too many hard falls of my Bultaco Matador.
One day I may get my Ducati (900ss) back on the road for show only.

[piggy]

funny how we tend not to bounce, get up n keep going like we did when we were younger.