Tandem Axle Camper Trailer

That's part of the reason for scrimping on weight elsewhere by building in lightweight materials.
It is likely to be carrying an 80L engel, an outboard, kitchen, 2 lpg bottles, generator, 2 105amp batteries, 160L water + waste, tinny, king mattress and food and clothing as well as the basics.
That in itself is a heap of weight, so hopefully the trailer base will come in around the 700kg mark including front boxes, but excluding the removeable bits like the tent and that mentioned above.
I haven't yet weighed the suspension and axles, but the chassis and panelling is less than 350kg. That means 350kg for the suspension, which should cover it.

We are in QLD so they transport dept is going to be rubbing their greedy hands over this one, but what do you do?

Cheers Cam

Cam,
As far as the transport people go, wouldn't you be best off to just take the trailer in for rego when it is "just" a tandem box trailer... IE: BEFORE you start adding the camper stuff and boxes etc etc?

Just a thought....may not be feasible with what you are specifically planning to do.

Good luck.....

Roachie

Hi Colin,
Yes the clearance is the main positive aspect, and the main negative as I see it is the harder manhandling effort, especially in sand.
It is our hope to drive straight and be happy with whatever we end up with. Though in reality the grass is always greener "just over there a bit".

Most of the bias is to the front so it is mainly ramp over that is compromised, but that is common enough anyway. Where it is likely to go, that shouldn't present a problem, but dragging the backside can be.

We know it is not cheap, but this is not a budget camper.
It may feel better when it is done, but at the moment it does feel good.

Cheers Cam

Thanks Ed,
We are aware of the "poor" manoevering ability, hence why my reply elsewhere to just accepting where we park.

I am glad you wouldn't go back and that helps ease my mind somewhat.

That's an interesting rig you have. Quite similar to what I have come up with. Do you have any issues with tyres hitting the guard tops or are they recessed similar to a car?

Cheers Cam

Cam,
I have about 4 - 5" clearance between tyres & guard, and I've also fitted bump stops between axle(s) & frame, and these will bottom-out before the tyres touch the guard, so no issues there..
Suspension is the simple "roller-rocker" leaf set-up (beam axles)..

Catch ya later.....

Ed C

:)

The aspect of manoevering the tandem "could" be overcome by utilising a full air bag suspension set-up. So, when you need to turn the camper in a tight spot, you would "simply?" dump the air from one pair of bags and jack the other pair up to maximum.... a bit like the sophisticated semi trailers do when they're running empty trailers; they jack up one of the tri-axles on the trailer.

Air suspension is currently advertised for around $500- per axle by Pro-bag at Dapto, NSW, so it could be a distinct possibility for you to consider.

Sorry...... I just took the time to FULLY read Ed's comments and notice that he has already mentioned the air bag idea.... DOH!!! hahaha

Ed, I'm curious about the weights involved with your great looking camper? Tare, GVM and ball-weight (if you don't mind publising of course)....

Cheers

Roachie

Gees, there's enough people on the road now who can't back a standard configuration caravan/trailer to save themselves, let alone with a dog type trailer hung on the back.

Introducing another pivot point would make it totally impossible for a lot more people.

It may be OK for those of us who have had a fair bit of semi and/or roadtrain experience, for anyone else..........................Forget it!!

They go on holiday to enjoy themselves, not to spend most of the break trying to back the outfit/rig into a narrow van site.

Disco.

Absolutely - if you need 2 more wheels to cart all your stuff around with you, you've probably got too much stuff!! I guess that's the take home message here. I go bush to get away from stuff, not take it with me, but hey, each to his own.

Paul B Kalgoorlie