Convert Cub to Slide-on Camper

Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 11:31

ThreadID: 86833 Views:3960 Replies:4 FollowUps:8

This Thread has been Archived

scottforster

Dear All

I have looked longingly at our (very) old Cub Camper. An absolute basic model. A tent on wheels with space for a queen bed and a hard floor.
We love it but it is limiting in carry space.

So I have a plan.

The camper is 2260mm long by 1780mm wide. My plan is to rotate it 90 degrees and plonk it onto the alloy tray of my twincab (Ford 4x4 DL T.Tdiesel)

The tray is 1800x1800mm.

After rotating the Cub it will fit length wise without overhang. The width is legal at 2300mm. The overhang on either side allows me to put jacks and legs on the four corners of the camper.

Therefore I can raise the cub off the tray drive forward and lower the camper into place. The tray height is 900 above ground height and the camper needs to be lowered by 300mm to 600mm from ground. (I have researched jacks that will do the job- but advice is always welcome).

I plan to weld square sections lengthways under the Cub and attach the jacks to this. Giving me more strength and assisting in aligning the Cub to the tray.

Lowered into place I have 4 sturdy legs in place and ready to flip open the camper.

Why would I want to do all of this? It gets the cub off the big bounce of the trailer and away from the dust and spray. It frees me up to carry a trailer that I can convert into a camp kitchen and locate next to the camper and or carry toys. Plus as a sailing family we can tow the Catamaran and camp at the regattas.

I'm hoping I'm not Robinson Crusoe on this one. So has anyone done this before
and plonked their Cub onto the tray? Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Scott

Forster NSW

read of it you think that's a good idea and I could take it further...

Of course my brain went into overdrive and I thought, well what can I do with that 'wasted space' beneath the Cub. I've got 600mm of space that needs to be filled.

I thought of welding a frame beneath the cub. Initially a strong frame (chassis) for the camper to sit on when riding and on the ground. Then including a couple of sliding draws or cupboard spaces to carry the fridge, stowage for the annex and a sink etc.

Thoughts and comments that do not resemble my wife's comments are appreciated. So comments that begin with But why... or So what's wrong with... and Do you really... have already been submitted in person!

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 12:00

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 12:00

I've seen another brand of camper mounted on a small tray back truck, Iveco or one of those, it had a dual cab, looked like a great unit.

AnswerID: 456768

Follow Up By: scottforster - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 14:08

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 14:08

Cheers and thanks. I'll followup.

FollowupID: 729902

Reply By: Member - Ann D (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 12:16

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 12:16

Hi Scott,

A good place to place this would be my swag.org,There is one person who has tuened his cub into a Tvan.

Many of the Guys on myswag have either converted or made there own,and there
are some great reads,lots of helpful info as well.

Good luck.

Cheers
Ann D

AnswerID: 456770

Follow Up By: scottforster - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 14:13

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 14:13

Wow.
MySwag is huge.

Thanks Ann for the link. I'll spend my time looking and researching as there is so much to look at.

Glad to know I'm not R.Crusoe and there is plenty of worthwhile information out there are some willing assistants such as yourself.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Scott

FollowupID: 729903

Reply By: Member - Nip (QLD) - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 16:32

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 16:32

Hi Scott,

I was up the Cape last year (on a motorbike I must admit) and there was a chap there with the body of smallest of the old jayco campers on the back of a Rodeo extra cab trayback. Looked the goods and he reckoned it worked a treat although there was a bit of rear overhang. He appeared to have it a little higher so that one bed folded over the cab at the front. I must admit I thought it'd be worth pursuing if I went back to a 4x4 ute rather than the 100 series I've got now.

I know this is a little left of what you are asking but it's also along the same theme. I like your idea - that could of course just make us 2 people who have a problem!

Cheers Nip

AnswerID: 456789

Follow Up By: dazren - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 17:26

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 17:26

Make that 3 robinson crusoes, as i like the idea also, cannot see why it would not work, and it would be very practical, why waste your towing ability on towing something '' as you say, is a tent'' now you can carry your bed and still tow something useful, So i say go for it, on the condition that you post a few photo's and keep us posted, we would all find it interesting. dazren

FollowupID: 729915

Follow Up By: scottforster - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 18:52

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 18:52

Thanks for the motivation Dazren. Yep, I will keep you posted and up to date on the production. We're off camping this weekend and I am sure we will plan out the whole thing over a few bottles of wine and rum.

Nip, legend for riding up to the cape. One of my bucket list rides is going to be around Tassie on a postie bike...
Gotta go.

FollowupID: 729926

Follow Up By: Member - Nip (QLD) - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 19:29

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 19:29

Scott,

Have done the Cape on the bike a couple of times but on something with suspension. I'm too old and not masochistic enough to ride the postie bike. I've been up in the 4x4 as well which is a different sort of trip. I like the far west stuff too.Pic of the 650 from last years run attached.

Hope this camper plan of yours comes together since like Dazren I'll be interested to see how it develops.

Image Could Not Be Found

FollowupID: 729932

Follow Up By: scottforster - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 21:58

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 21:58

Ah, the 650 looks the stuff. I was living in NE and Central Arnhem land in the 87-93. We had a Dakar (DR 650). Great bike but very tiring to ride on ungraded tracks. back then it was 8hrs from Ramingining to East Aligator. Then another 4 to Darwin. Ah the days- when it was dirt from the Border store to Jabiru. When you got to Darwin all you wanted to do was sleep- even after spending 10 weeks in a dry community.

How do you carry the extra fuel?

PS Does the X have heated grips like the F?

FollowupID: 729956

Follow Up By: Member - Nip (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 08:38

Thursday, Jun 09, 2011 at 08:38

Scott,

Sorry to get off the track of your original post.

However, to answer your question - do you mean the BMW F650GS Dakar? If so it's pretty much the same reliable motor (tweaked a bit) but the rest is completely different, no frills like heated grips. Has 270mm travel both ends, 30kg lighter and with the big tank (shown) it carries 25lt. For desert stuff using a fuel bladder as well is the go since it just rolls up and gives another 12lt. Not brought in any more, only imported for about 3 years (2007-09) - great bike but too expensive at the time (over 14K plus ORC) so didn't sell well. There's a fair resale on them now since plenty of people want one to set up like this. I'm keeping mine!

Cheers Nip

FollowupID: 729979

Reply By: Farmboywa - Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 21:57

Wednesday, Jun 08, 2011 at 21:57

Goforit scottforster, I admire your lateral thinking and inginuity. I would be careful about having too much weight to the rear of the rear axle which would be increased by anything being towed.

AnswerID: 456830

Follow Up By: scottforster - Friday, Jun 10, 2011 at 12:24

Friday, Jun 10, 2011 at 12:24

Yes, I am concerned with the weight distribution. The weight's all behind the rear wheel.

I'm off to chat with the suspension boys about some constant-load setups.

V1 of the setup will be the camper on the tray with the camper on 600mm legs on the tray. I'll see how the load looks as I add eskys and cookers!

Cheers

Scott

FollowupID: 730077