Box Trailer Slide on Camper Design

[swampman]

as you guys say cheers... wow you answered my question and then some ..it sounds like there are way more regulations in your part of the world.. over here you buy/build a trailer throw some plates on it and bobs your uncle. no inspections that i have ever seen.. just proof of ownership basically.. any way after i asked the question i thought of a couple ways to move that thing and the jacks like on a pick up truck camper came to mind.. i hope you guys dont mind me stealling some of your ideas..cause i gotta do somthing this yr. i own a palamino hard top camper..sleeps 8 and its just way to big to be draggin through the bush.. my kids are grown and its just me and the girlfriend most times.. i look forward to seeing your project completed.. thanks bryan

[Tiny]

Originally Posted by swampman

i hope you guys dont mind me stealling some of your ideas..

isnt that what the forum is about

[glend]

Have bought my materials and will commence the panel cutting next weekend, my neighbor is a good welder and he has offered to beef up my box trailer with some gussets and we might swap the springs. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone on their views of the need to attach shocks to the trailer. I've heard that the rebound or bounce can break things and that shocks cut down on the stress to the camper structure. What say you?

[Steve F]

I'll be adding shocks to me after its all registered, currently my springs have the short rebound leafs in them but I think shocks is a better bet.

Cheers
Steve

[glend]

Well I have started my box trailer slide-on camper/caravan and have completed the assembly of the lower tub section and side wings. Checked for fit on the trailer, and have now primed and painted that section. I used some old Marine Primer and Brightside gloss enamel – it well could be a rectangular boat , its epoxy resin coated, seams fibreglass taped on the outside and filleted on the inside. About to put aluminum rub rails on the bottom to raise it up a few mil and protect the tub from slide damage and scratches.

I have attached a few photos so you can see what it looks like as it comes together. It’s still upside down on the jack stand in these photos. I’ll turn if over next weekend and start on the side walls. I had a good look around the Sydney Caravan show last weekend and took some photos of the Avans and various other things to get some idea of how they seal their tops and folding hard side panels.

[WHHEMI]

If you are going to use off road i would recomend shock absorbers and electric brakes just my opinion i tow a tvan and would hate to tow without shocks or brakes

[glend]

I finally managed to get the camper out of the garage (after fifteen days of rain). The photos here show the basic structure. The bulkhead near the rear door is the side of the toilet cubicle (yes an internal toilet). At the front there will be a two seat dinette table which drops down to form a cross wise berth. There will be a full length berth on the toilet side, and the kitchen will be opposite the berth on that other side wall. The opening in the side is the where the hinged panel goes that will lift up to form the roof of the sleeper extension (which hinges from the bottom and folds out that side). I have to get my neighbor the welder to put on the extended drawbar in 50x75 RHS but for now I can move it around as is. The roof panels are made and were test fitted today, I hope to have a trial assembly next weekend. It will be taken apart again for priming and paint work. Constructive comments welcome.