Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Put the top onto the trailer to get a first look at what it will look like
Custom Off Road Camp Trailer
- Thread starter Brucker
- Start date
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
I had paused working on fixing the twisted tongue and the Lock N Roll hitch but now needed to tackle them. The trailer is originally bolt together. Decades of wear and tear, no maintenance, as well as some improper modifications left this a mess. The client did not want the frame welded together and to continue to be bolt together so working through the assembly to re-align things got interesting so I had to get creative. I ended up having to shim the frame rails in multiple areas as well as reinforce them. Once they were properly aligned, I bolted the original forged hitch into place.
I had also been waiting on a return call from the manufacturer of the Lock N Roll. I wanted their opinion as to building a proper extension. I followed their advice and got started on building a new piece. I used receiver tubing and drilled it out so that it could be plug welded in multiple positions. Then drilled and cut a pin to weld into place as well. Once they were properly fitted, they were welded solid. Then I cut some "wings" to be mounted as to slide into each frame rail and get bolted into position.
Once fully welded, it was bolted into position. And the assembly is finally aligned properly and set to the proper length.
I had also been waiting on a return call from the manufacturer of the Lock N Roll. I wanted their opinion as to building a proper extension. I followed their advice and got started on building a new piece. I used receiver tubing and drilled it out so that it could be plug welded in multiple positions. Then drilled and cut a pin to weld into place as well. Once they were properly fitted, they were welded solid. Then I cut some "wings" to be mounted as to slide into each frame rail and get bolted into position.
Once fully welded, it was bolted into position. And the assembly is finally aligned properly and set to the proper length.
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Next on the list was making the top, pivot open. In order to accomplish this, there needs to be hinges attached. The client wants to keep the top as a bolt on item. So the hinges will need to bolt onto the trailer or to the top, or both. I decided to weld the hinges to the top and then bolt the assembly to the trailer, through the exo. I used some standard weld on heavy duty door/gate hinges and modified them in size and to be bolt on. This would offer the simplest, strongest, and most cost efficient hinge for the application. I also made matching bolt through shims so the hinges could be properly aligned to the top and trailer.
Then drilled through the exo so the hinges could be bolted onto the trailer side. Then attached them to the trailer and put the top back on to weld the hinges to it.
With the hinges welded and bolted into position, I tested out opening it with the shop built gantry crane
Then drilled through the exo so the hinges could be bolted onto the trailer side. Then attached them to the trailer and put the top back on to weld the hinges to it.
With the hinges welded and bolted into position, I tested out opening it with the shop built gantry crane
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Took the top back off and clamped the lower scissor frame assembly into position and then clamped both the the fab table. And everything was welded together.
Once cooled, the assembly got attached back onto the trailer. Then the scissor lift was installed. It was then tested
The upper springs finally arrived so they were installed into the assembly using eye bolts
Once cooled, the assembly got attached back onto the trailer. Then the scissor lift was installed. It was then tested
The upper springs finally arrived so they were installed into the assembly using eye bolts
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
The top will carry a LOT of weight. In order for the top to open easily some gas struts will need to be used. I weighed the majority of the components and figured out which struts to order so that the top will open itself and keep itself open wide when not latched into position. Yet still not offer enough resistance that it will easily be able to be shut but anyone. The stock ends of the struts just aren't sturdy/stable enough so they will be replaced with some hiems. I then also made some custom clevis mounts for each end of the struts.
The top got propped open and the struts got tack welded into position. In order to get them to operate correctly, they need to be mounted in such a way that they take up a decent amount of room within the trailer. And the space between them and the top when closed is decent. This space will actually get filled with a section of PVC tubing and will be used to hold the clients fishing rods. This will protect the rods and ensure there in no wasted space. The client opted to do the PVC work themselves.
The top got propped open and the struts got tack welded into position. In order to get them to operate correctly, they need to be mounted in such a way that they take up a decent amount of room within the trailer. And the space between them and the top when closed is decent. This space will actually get filled with a section of PVC tubing and will be used to hold the clients fishing rods. This will protect the rods and ensure there in no wasted space. The client opted to do the PVC work themselves.
Love the fishing rod storage as when the photo first loaded the wasted space was my first thought.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Ha, yeah, it's kind of interesting what each of us sees. My first thought was this is a classic application for a torsion spring to provide torque in a low clearance situation.
SteveH
Hard Core 4+
What does the scissor lift on the lid accomplish?
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
As we all know, there are many different ways to accomplish the same task. Some are better than others. I struggled sourcing a torsion spring(s) that would work, mount in easily, be delivered in a timely fashion, and be semi cost efficient. At a certain point, one must stop spending the client's money on research, and actually complete the task. So knowing that the client was going to be attaching a rod holder or two to the interior of the top, I opted for this result. Client is happy with the end result, therefore I am alright with this compromise.
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Brucker
Hard Core 4+
I thought I covered this in the first real paragraph of this thread. I apologize if I didn't. The scissor lift is for the RTT. It will remain tight to the trailer during transport. Meaning a smaller, less top heavy trailer to drag through obstacles and much less wind resistance when towed along the road. Then the RTT can be lifted to the correct height it was designed to be used at. The RTT being used has a front annex room. It is designed that it will fit someone under 6'4" tall can fit in it when standing. So the lift will pin out at multiple heights to accommodate different parking locations/ground elevations.
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Lol . Unfortunately, I am the engineer, fabricator, salesman, accountant, janitor, etc. So if I shoot any of them... Thank you for the chuckles!
DaveInDenver
Rising Sun Ham Guru
Food for thought next time @Brucker.
There's a company over in Denver, AAAA Specialties, that has made-to-order assist springs for WilderNest lids a few times for various owners. Other than the lid going a full 180° it seems like a fairly similar configuration. The spring goes through 90° and helps you open the lid up to vertical when gravity takes over and then keeps it from slamming shut when you close it. It has a balance point at about 15° open when it's brand new and not yet fatigued with 25 years of cycling. That's about when they decide to go the great coil spring boneyard with fantastic fanfare and report.
These guys are closer to you I think, although I've never personally had them make anything to know their capabilities.
www.newcombspring.com
There's a company over in Denver, AAAA Specialties, that has made-to-order assist springs for WilderNest lids a few times for various owners. Other than the lid going a full 180° it seems like a fairly similar configuration. The spring goes through 90° and helps you open the lid up to vertical when gravity takes over and then keeps it from slamming shut when you close it. It has a balance point at about 15° open when it's brand new and not yet fatigued with 25 years of cycling. That's about when they decide to go the great coil spring boneyard with fantastic fanfare and report.
AAAA Specialties•Spring Design & Manufacturing
aaaaspecialties.com
These guys are closer to you I think, although I've never personally had them make anything to know their capabilities.
Torsion Springs | Newcomb Spring Manufacturer - Newcomb Spring Corp.
With a network of locations across the US and Canada, Newcomb Spring provides custom torsion spring manufacturing to customers around the world.
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Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Latches arrived. Client wanted something simple, stout, adjustable (could be tightened over time), and the ability to be locked with padlocks. I came up with a few options and a short list of each one's positives and negatives. These were chosen.
In order to align them properly, spacers will need to be made for the trailer side. And the top will need to be slightly modified. I took the opportunity to drill and tap the spacers to accept the latches.
Modified the top to accept the latch hook and then installed them.
Tacked the spacers into position and mounted the latches
Removed the latches and welded the spacer solid and once cooled, installed the latches once again
In order to align them properly, spacers will need to be made for the trailer side. And the top will need to be slightly modified. I took the opportunity to drill and tap the spacers to accept the latches.
Modified the top to accept the latch hook and then installed them.
Tacked the spacers into position and mounted the latches
Removed the latches and welded the spacer solid and once cooled, installed the latches once again
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
The lock out pins arrived as well. With them in hand I drilled a couple of the holes in the necessary locations. There will be a few more to drill but this will get me going for now. The client knew there would be some dead space under the RTT due to the jack's collapsed height. They inquired about water resistant drawers being made to fit in front of and behind the jack. Once they realized the cost involved, they opted for some mass produced. They chose the exact models they wanted and sent over their dimensions as they had a long lead time. Using those I set the collapsed and "standard" height hole locations for the scissor.
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Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Finishing up the last few things before I can tear it all apart and paint it. Made delrin inserts for the upper sliders and then installed them. These will be on the top and bottom of the slides. This should keep away the metal on metal contact to provide a smooth sliding surface. These are held into place with a machine screw and will also be glued into palce during final assembly. Might be hard to see, but the hardware is countersunk below the surface as well.
Then figured out the location of the rest of the lock out holes and drilled them.
Drilled the upper mount for the jack. Then installed it with some temporary hardware. You may notice that I didn't trim down the jack to match the mount. This wasn't out of laziness or neglect. This will actually keep the "10 year warranty" the jack came with intact.
Last but not least, installed the front storage box back on to the trailer tongue.
Then figured out the location of the rest of the lock out holes and drilled them.
Drilled the upper mount for the jack. Then installed it with some temporary hardware. You may notice that I didn't trim down the jack to match the mount. This wasn't out of laziness or neglect. This will actually keep the "10 year warranty" the jack came with intact.
Last but not least, installed the front storage box back on to the trailer tongue.
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
There are other things that need to be addressed such as the drawers, rod holders, some stability corner jacks, and others. But the rest of the stuff besides paint will be left up to the client. Here is a look at the completed assembly (minus RTT) before it all gets broken back down for paint.
Everything in it collapsed and closed positions:
With the top opened:
Everything in it collapsed and closed positions:
With the top opened:
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
And with the scissor extended:
Brucker
Hard Core 4+
Time to break it all apart so it can all get labeled (stamped location identification into each piece), cleaned, primed with at least 2 coats, and painted with at least 2 coats.
After everything was as apart as needed, everything got cleaned up by way of da sanding, cleaning with acetone and the like and the big parts and pieces that could, all got power washed then dried.
After everything was as apart as needed, everything got cleaned up by way of da sanding, cleaning with acetone and the like and the big parts and pieces that could, all got power washed then dried.