camper trailer assembly
Submitted: Thursday, Nov 01, 2007 at 21:40
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51172
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yogi4
G'day All,
I have just purchased a 12 ft tent which fits onto a 7ft X 4 ft trailer( which I am having made as I speak).
Can anyone advise me on how to fix the tent to the trailer. Do I bolt it on through the wooden floor of the tent ( bed floor) to the top of the trailer or do I bolt it onto the light frame that is screwed onto the wood base. Any help will be appreciated.
regards
Yogi4
Reply By: kruiserkev - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 01:38
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 01:38
G'day Yogi,
What is the makers name of your tent. I have recently just done the same with my trailer, however
mine came with gas struts, so it was just a matter of fixing the top to the trailer with hinges, latches and some wing nut bolts through the bed base for extra towing security.
Do you have gas struts with yours ?
The gas struts will allow you to lift the camper top up while its on the trailer, providing acces to the tray, but if you dont really need that, bolt it through the bed base to the top of the trailer, but use large washers on the timber to spread the load and make sure you seal the holes you have drilled to prevent the moisture getting in. It will make access to the tray a bit more work but you will be able to have a better dust seal if it is permanantly fixed.
cheers.
AnswerID:
269642
Reply By: yogi4 - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 08:43
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 08:43
Thanks Kev,
You reply is most helpful. I will bolt it thru the floor as suggested.
regards
Yogi
AnswerID:
269665
Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 09:19
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 09:19
Kev is spot on with his response. I decided to bolt
mine as I felt the hinge /strut thing wasnt as secure as I would like. I used 3/8
cup head bolts so no protrusions under the bed, % spaced them
about 40 cm apart. A little tip... drill the trailer top sill first, then
place your tent on, check for equal overhang each side. Set front & rear to your liking, then use a punch through the trailer holes
from beneath to mark the tent board. You can then slide the top to each side etc to drill the board from the bottom & should fit
with no trouble & without having to remove. It is difficult to drill
accurately down through the top & trailer together, & most drills
wont allow you to drill straight from underneath.
cheers...oldbaz.
AnswerID:
269670
Follow Up By: yogi4 - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:31
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:31
Old Baz,
Mate , heres a dumb Q for you. Do I mount the Tent with the pull over ring to put up the tent, on the near side , that is as I am about to open up the tent from the trailer , the tow bar is on my right.
( As you probably have guessed I am a newbie to this. The last time I went
camping was in Long Khan provence in 'Nam in '71) but we never had tents or mattresses) LoL
Yogi
FollowupID:
532625
Reply By: yogi4 - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 10:12
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 10:12
Thanks Ol' Baz,
I was wondering what size bolts I should use. Thanks for telling me. Did you use wing nuts or plain nuts.
regards
Yogi
AnswerID:
269680
Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 16:13
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 16:13
Yogi, just plain hex nuts with a flat & spring washer. Dont overtighten as the heads only pull into the ply. I forgot to mention that before I put the top on I glued a rubber strip to the trailer front & sides & drilled through it & trailer together. Got it
from Clark Rubber, about 3cm wide & 1cm high. glue all along the length & it wont dislodge when sliding top about.....oldbaz.
FollowupID:
532602
Reply By: yogi4 - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 17:11
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 17:11
Thanks Ol'Baz. Your a whizz kid.
The board is 18mm so I suppose 30mm bolts will be the go. ditto for the rubber as
well. I will contact cement the rubber on and I will also do the inside of the swinging tailgate to prevent dust coming in there as
well.
thanks again
Yogi
AnswerID:
269738