Camper Trailer - Looking for Advice

[rockweasel]

18mm is way too thick, sandwich something even if it takes a bit longer to do, really depends on how cold a temperature your going to camp in, don't forget ventilation!

A typical Scottish spring and autumn weather is what I have to sleep out in.
Windows and an air vent I can source from camper and horse box suppliers. Plenty on offer to choose from.
18mm was what I saw used on a trailer build, however come to think of it they didn't line their trailer with anything else, so there was no framework to stiffen it. The 18mm they used was structural.

 

[jsf55]

The thicker the wood the heavier it gets, if your trying to move it round a lot it can get tiresome, on the subject of tires that's going to be another big factor

 

[Gritineye]

LR wheels/tyres and those suspension units will be a complete miss match on a 750 kg trailer, it will bounce all over the road, everything breakable inside will break. Also they will use up a lot of your 750kg.

 

[rockweasel]

LR wheels/tyres and those suspension units will be a complete miss match on a 750 kg trailer, it will bounce all over the road, everything breakable inside will break. Also they will use up a lot of your 750kg.

The suspension unit is rated for a 750kg trailer and LR wheels. What am I missing (damper?)

 

[sako243]

Just to throw a little spanner in the works it might be worth speaking to Chris @ CLH Trailers and say Ed sent you. He's a really good and fair chap (incidentally with some serious metalworking kit) and specialises in custom trailers. If you're just after a frame he will almost certainly cut you a deal if it's similar to ones that he already builds. The biggest benefit is a few years ago he became type approved so the trailers wouldn't need type approval. Everything he does is galvanised by default.

You could have a chat with him about basing it off one of his existing trailers with tweaks to your spec. I'm sure he'd be amenable to holding off on the galvanising if you wanted to add some metal structure yourself and then get it galvanised afterwards. They do have contacts and distributors around the country now so should be able to sort out getting it trailered to closer to you.

 

[Gritineye]

The suspension unit is rated for a 750kg trailer and LR wheels. What am I missing (damper?)

Basically yes, uncontrolled unsprung weight of the heavy wheels and tyres that are built to take a much higher load.
Lowering the tyre pressures to achieve a smooth ride may make the bouncing worse.

Damping is only as good as the ability of the sprung weight to hold the top of the damper still, a damper that can control that size wheel may need more weight on top than 750 kg, and the weight of the wheel/tyres needs to be subtracted from that 750kg..

Smaller wheels/tyres that are matched to the weight of the trailer will not have so much inertia or momentum, therefore the sprung weight would be well able to control the bounce probably even without dampers.


Only my opinion based on experience of course, others may think differently.

 

[rockweasel]

Basically yes, uncontrolled unsprung weight of the heavy wheels and tyres that are built to take a much higher load.
Lowering the tyre pressures to achieve a smooth ride may make the bouncing worse.

Damping is only as good as the ability of the sprung weight to hold the top of the damper still, a damper that can control that size wheel may need more weight on top than 750 kg, and the weight of the wheel/tyres needs to be subtracted from that 750kg..

Smaller wheels/tyres that are matched to the weight of the trailer will not have so much inertia or momentum, therefore the sprung weight would be well able to control the bounce probably even without dampers.


Only my opinion based on experience of course, others may think differently.

I fired off an enquiry to the distributor. If that fails I'll contact the manufacturer. It could be that the suspension unit was intended for towing a light trailer across a muddy field at 10mph rather than strapped to the back of me heading up to the Highlands at 50mph.

 

[Gritineye]

I fired off an enquiry to the distributor. If that fails I'll contact the manufacturer. It could be that the suspension unit was intended for towing a light trailer across a muddy field at 10mph rather than strapped to the back of me heading up to the Highlands at 50mph.

Probably intended for plant of some sort.

 

[rockweasel]

I got a reply from Trailer Tek this afternoon to clarify what the suspension unit was intended for:

"hi its Shane the mechanic going on my years from working here yeah putting large wheels on a small light trailer the bounce would be pretty bad because of the clearance between the trailer and road it would seem like as you said an additional dampening would need to be fitted like leaf springs just to take out that extra bit of bounce but then the next issue is would leaf springs fit on ok with out to much trouble hope this help you out thanks shane."

But, as it happens, I already bought a trailer

My wife's friend turned up at 7:30 this morning to take her horse for a spin, or whatever they call it. She's into mechanics and knows a few farmers so reckoned it couldn't do any harm to ask if she'd seen a suitable trailer. She gave me a couple of suggestions on where to look. 5 minutes later I had found it online and made the call. It was still up for sale. An hour later I was at the gent's house exchanging pleasantries. He's self employed and cuts up fallen trees for firewood. This trailer has been his workhorse for the last 7 years, but his neighbour built a fence which makes the large trailer impossible to get into his yard, so he's reluctantly selling it and the large van that towed it. It is what I am after. Even suspension!! I crossed his palm and screwed a number plate to the back. Off I set. Through narrow village streets, back roads, red light districts and onto the motorway. I had a police car behind me at a roundabout, but they paid no attention. I didn't even know the trailer was there unless I looked in the side mirrors (it's a little wider than the LR.) Once I take the tub off I'll take it somewhere to get weighed so I know how much I have to play with.

 

[bigegg]

This turned up on my farcebutt feed last night:

https://www.gypsytakedown.com

It's a "buy the plans" type site, but a few pictures to give you ideas - there's some better ones of the same trailer on Pinterest.

 

[jsf55]

http://www.asolidfoundation.com/dd_frame.shtml

http://www.samstoybox.com/teardrop/td_as_purchased.html

http://richarjl.itgo.com/tear_drop_build.htm

Didn't realise you were looking for plans, these should help

 

[rockweasel]

http://www.asolidfoundation.com/dd_frame.shtml

http://www.samstoybox.com/teardrop/td_as_purchased.html

http://richarjl.itgo.com/tear_drop_build.htm

Didn't realise you were looking for plans, these should help

Inspiration more than plans, but it all helps. Thanks!

 

[Gritineye]

I built one on an Arrows trailer that was compact and easy to live in, I could post som pics if you like.

 

[rockweasel]

I built one on an Arrows trailer that was compact and easy to live in, I could post som pics if you like.

Yes please.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

his neighbour built a fence which makes the large trailer impossible to get into his yard

That was helpful of him.......

 

[Gritineye]

Started with one of these: arrow.1-3-4-ton.trailer.illustrated-parts-catalogue-2674-p.jpg

Bit wide behind a LandRover but not too bad if you're brave :-)















Overhanging the wheel arches is the key, I reckon it should be scaleable to fit on a narrower lower trailer, it would still work with 18" less floor space, slightly narrower bed and a little less headroom, total cost inc trailer around 400 quid.

The colours are key to making it look bigger inside, I could live in it quite happily for any length of time, wifey could only manage in fine weather due to an aversion to muddy floors!

Plenty of storage under the seat/bed and the dog slept on the green blanket beside the box with the mug on top.

Mind you I did have a big old lump to tow it with :-)

Cheers

Bernard

 

[rockweasel]

It might need an IVA.

If you make no changes to the chassi, hitch, brakes, axles, tyres, wheels, lights etc & just add a box like a load would be added even if perm fixed you are ok.

There is no annual testing for domestic type trailers.

I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons here.

Chassis: I will need to add a couple of drop down stabiliser legs at the back. I've had a look underneath and it looks solid, so nothing else required.
Hitch: I would like to replace it with one with a dampener.
Brakes: No brakes, no change.
Axle: No change
Wheel: No change
Lights: It has a light board at the moment. I'd fit permanent lights. Straightforward if I follow the guidelines.
Box: A wooden box fixed to the frame. I'm carrying wood just as the previous owner did, but mine just happens to be glued together.

However: No manufacturers plate. I don't know how old it is, just that it is (I have been told) 7 years+. I take comfort in the fact that the seller never mentioned having any issues (well, I guess he wouldn't), and the police car behind me yesterday wasn't bothered enough to stop me. It's a solid looking trailer with all the correct bits is the correct places and it didn't sway all over the road like a banana boat on holiday.

So: Do I go for IVA approval at some stage do be on the right side of the law? If so, when? Do I finish tweaking the trailer and have it tested, or wait until the box is on top and have the whole thing done?

Thanks!

 

[bigegg]

you could just have a replacement plate made from when it was originally built in 1999.

 

[rockweasel]

you could just have a replacement plate made from when it was originally built in 1999.

 

[Gritineye]

Maybe you're getting a bit carried away with all this, no plate and if you don't know how old it is how on earth is anyone else going to date it?

No need for a damped hitch if no brakes fitted, may even make plod think brakes have been removed.

The box will become part of the trailer if it can't be removed without 'workshop equipment' interpret that how ever you like.

IVA, no need whatsoever.

Years ago I had a car verified and asked the inspector about getting another chassis with no numbers verified, he said whatever you do don't stamp a made up number on it. Someone else had done just that and almost unbelievably had stamped an existing number, a world of hurt ensued!

Just carry on.