Caravan conversion

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 16:51

ThreadID: 4593 Views:4679 Replies:3 FollowUps:3

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wherethefugawi

does any one have info on requirements to convert standard Jayco? or similar type camepr van to Off Road.
Is it worth the efffort? versus 2nd hand purchase

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Reply By: diamond - Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 17:10

Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 17:10

i recently converted our camper not a jayco(sunwagon).all i did was weld some 4x2" box section to the chassis used existing axle and leaves they were 7 leaf.bought a pair of six stud hubs that suited axle holden type bearings.usualy where the wheel well is there will be a chassis that will limit the size wheel you can fit i could only go 30x9.5x15 with out having to do to much work.then the hard part comes that is cutting out the side of the van so you can get the wheel off and on.this took the most time extending the wires and making sure i sealed everythink up.all up it took me 1 weekend with help from the kids

AnswerID: 18502

Follow Up By: William - Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 18:08

Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 18:08

Just welding on some 100mm x 50mm (4" x 2") RHS does not make a standard camper into an offroad camper. You have added considerable weight and probably achieved little to nothing. Using 100 x 50 RHS is just plain ridiculous.

FollowupID: 11561

Follow Up By: diamond - Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 18:27

Sunday, Apr 27, 2003 at 18:27

its seems to work for me i wouldnt take it into the real hard stuff of course.but the little off roading i do it has worked fine .been to fraser once.rainbow beach once.and quite a bit finding a good camping ground last week all still together.unless you have $5000+ to buy a second hand off roader that would probably need another $2000 to make nice it was my only option.also friend who came away last week with us did the same thing to his fold out camper.made it from qld did the same ofroading we did looking for campsites and made it back to qld today no problems.now the guy only asked for opinions so i gave mine.now most campers have 5 leafs i think and mine has 7 so the extra weight really didnt afect it and when you said will probably achieve little or nothing you way wrong there i couldnt see our camper going half the places it went last week on the little 165x65x13 tyres fitted

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Follow Up By: Craig - Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 21:21

Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 21:21

We did the same as Diamond ,we have been to Frazer the Cape and other places , don`t fall into the trap of over engeering your trailer with over engeering comes extra weight and extra strain on your vehicle , most important if you going to do a trip like the Cape ( lots of corrigations ) ensure you fit shockies and a good hitch ( Tregg).
regards
Craig.

FollowupID: 11874