Camper Trailer top only

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 11:01

ThreadID: 62532 Views:5565 Replies:6 FollowUps:3

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Pug8

Hi,

We are looking to have fitted the canvas camper top (camper trailer) to our existing on road 7"x4" (50cm deep) on road trailer which we currently use for camping with all our gear. Since we are not going to get the custom built trailer, I guess I'm wondering whether this might be a decision that could bite us later.

In regards to canvas, I have heard varying accounts of the ideal thickness for walls and roof, understanding that it comes down to weight. What is the minimum thickness? What is the ideal fly mesh to use? What else should we consider - what about colours and heat?

Any advice regarding fitting a top only to our trailer would be appreciated.

We are WA based and are considering Down Under Campers, Outback Campers and Cavaliers to build the top - any comments on these companies / experiences would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 15:57

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 15:57

I cant comment on the specific brands you mention, but I fitted an Oztrail 9 top to a new 7 by 4 offroad trailer & have found it to
be quite adequate for our needs. Chinese of course, but no problems encountered apart from a few cinder holes from fires in
the Bungles. I opted to hard bolt the top to the trailer as I wasnt
happy with the security & movement that occurs with the side
hinged setup. I found the rear access more than adequate & have
never wanted to side lift the top. It is my personal opinion that
any worries re leaking, canvas quality, durability etc are all cured
by a suitably sized silver tarp. No wet packups, no stains, cooler,
& takes only minutes to fit with a hand full of oco straps. Got a bit
lazy in the Bungles (45 Deg) & paid the price of a few minor holes.
If getting one made (or buying) pay heed to trailer height, as this
affects the length of side walls required to neatly meet the ground. I have a few tips re actual fitting but can supply those later if wanted. cheers...oldbaz.

AnswerID: 329863

Follow Up By: Pug8 - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:05

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:05

Thanks. Yes I would like tips re actual fitting too. Do I need to get legs fitted to the trailer for when its set up (ie. to stop tipping)? I noticed while camping one camper trailer had wind down legs.

FollowupID: 597321

Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:55

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:55

I was going to fit trailer legs but tried it without first & didnt bother, didnt seem to be any appreciable movement. I do carry tapered chocks & kick one in either side of both wheels. I level
fore & aft with the jockey wheel & either dig a bit out or run up on a piece of timber to level sideways. Tips for fitting...if you are going to mount with the side lift & hinge option directions should come with the top so I'll leave that alone but if hard mounting is the go....here goes.....
Place trailer on level surface, in shed is good, as power is handy.
Place trailer in such a position that the top can be placed on trailer
& later opened up without moving trailer. Dont place top on yet.
Ensure that top can be loaded on trailer easily as it may weigh up
to 150 kg...fork lift or several strong blokes may be handy.
Decide bolt space, suggest 30 cm, & mark & centre punch holes
along either side & front..not back. mid way on top rolled edge of trailer. Drill Holes. I used 3/8 Gal cup head bolts & 7/16 drill.
Glue 1" by 1/4 flat rubber strip down centre of sides & front. Buy
at Clark Rubber or similar. Have a couple of beers while it sets or
leave overnight is even better. Run drill through rubber & existing
holes, push wire or needle up from bottom to locate spots.
Place top on trailer carefully to avoid dislodging rubber. Measure
& adjust overhang to be even..sides & front & back. When happy
mark underside of top through holes. I used a centre punch, keep
it straight. At this point you must open the tent so that all canvas & the mattress if fitted, is clear of the area where you are about to drill. It is then necessary to lift top to one side so that drill can be held vertically underneath top to drill holes as marked.
Repeat on other side & front. If this sounds complicated consider
that you cannot drill both together as insufficient space exists to
get drill vertical. OK, when done replace top so that holes line up.
You now need someone in the tent on the bed area to put the bolts in, & someone else to put washers & nuts on under the rolled edge . Put all bolts in before tightening any. Jobs right.
You may use surplus rubber strip to seal rear door as I did.
I hope all that makes sense. Bolts are 1 1/2 long.....oldbaz.

FollowupID: 597325

Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:09

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:09

Giday Pug, just home for a spot of lunch.

My bro-in-law bought a camper top for his trailer last week from a crowd in Malaga [dont know who they are but will find out tonight].

The unit comes with plywood over a steel frame, canvas, poles, annex [walls extra] foam mattress, floor....the works.
Needs aproximately a metre from the top of the trailer to the ground to sit well. Cost him $1500. 7x4 trailer.

He is very happy with it and is currently opened up in his back yard. Are you anywhere near Northam.

Cheers.....Lionel.

AnswerID: 329865

Follow Up By: Pug8 - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:19

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 16:19

Thanks Lionel. Would appreciate the name of the company - might be Adventure Campers? Sorry south - Bunbury. Our trailer is 1m off ground and apparently that is suitable.

Would appreciate any comments on the setup and things to ask for / exclude from Bro-in-law.

FollowupID: 597324

Reply By: disco driver - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 19:30

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 19:30

Hi Pug8.
Albany campers, as part of their range of campers, make a tent assembly that bolts onto a 7x4 deep wall trailer. Looks a well designed unit too.
From memory the price was pretty competitive as well.

I seriously considered buying one but eventually went poptop caravan because of my physical limitations and age.

Google "Albany Campers" and or "Crump Canvas" for more info

Disco.

AnswerID: 329903

Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 22:28

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2008 at 22:28

Hi Pug, info as requested mate.

Star Products
66 Boulder Rd
Malaga WA
Ph 08-92492666 Fax 08-92497233
Email: starprod@starproducts.com.au

These camper tops are imported from China and ready to bolt on.
Im in no way an expert on canvas products but the unit appears to be well made and robust.

Normally retail at $1850, they are on special at the moment for $1500.

Designed primarily for a 7x4 the steel sub-frame sits nicely on the trailer and only took us an hour to fit.

Oldbaz has the right idea, but we did take a couple of short cuts.
The top was first lifted onto the trailer and centred. In our case the steel sub-frame lined up perfectly with the outer edge of the trailer. We then lifted the top off, turned it upside down and ran a bead of silicone round the frame where it met the trailer [not the rear tailgate]. Popped the top back on and used self drilling Tek screws from under the trailer edge into the camper frame.

Just one hint: the camper top has two access doors under the bed so we fitted a ply partition across the trailer 600mm from the rear. this is used to store the BBQ, folding chairs, and whatever takes your fancy and is accessed from the tailgate. The rest of the gear from the doors. If you want to fit such a partition, do it before the top goes on.

Just over a 100kgs the two of us managed but another couple of blokes or blokesses would have made the job easier.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers.....Lionel.

AnswerID: 329940

Reply By: Member - Vic S (VIC) - Friday, Oct 17, 2008 at 23:00

Friday, Oct 17, 2008 at 23:00

We have just finished building our own trailer from the ground up and purchased a tent top off ebay,the quality is not as good as the last one we owned which was a Cameron from Adelaide but at $1500 it fitted our budget at this time.
When fitting the top we found no use for the lift up top as most have lift up panels under the bed,Clark rubber sell a 4mm thick in different widths neoprene self adhesive on one side that is a great seal for dust and water for between the top and trailer and you will also need to seal the tail gate.On our last one I used high tensile bolts to bolt the top on which worked well but eventually left rust marks down the side of the trailer ,this time I have used 6mm stainless steel bolts with stainless washes and nyloc nuts 4 per side and 2 on the front.
Our old one had legs that slid up the corners with a bolh to lock them in place they worked well but a pain to use on the new one we hve fitted Alco fold down legs which are fantastic.If you get a custom made top it will have the correct side height for your trailer if like us you go for a multi fit we have hed to dig the wheels down 50mm to get thct height or the other way you could park it on blocks.
Good luck with it all ,happy for you to email if you want.
Vic

AnswerID: 330457