Another off road trailer/camper build

[tone]

This is my first trailer build that I've done and don't have a whole lot of knowledge in the trailer world so bare with me...

I picked the trailer up two days ago from a guy that was giving it away due to he couldn't keep it anymore cause he was moving and had no place to store it. I drove up to his place changed the tires and hauled it off to start it's new life down here in the desert. The guy didn't have any paper work for the trailer but wrote me a bill of sale(kinda weary about not having the paper work for it.). Anyway on to the build... I did a google search and got some inspiration from a build someone else did to a pop up http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/354638-offroad-popup-camper-build.html I would like to do something similar to that build essentially.

The day I picked it up:

Popped the top when I got home not knowing what was in store for me:

The canvas was all mildew/rotten/ripped so off with the canvas:

After I got the canvas off I noticed the roof was rotted out from a leak in the top somewhere and the rear part of the floor was also rotted from the leaky roof so I thought that I might as well strip it so I started taking everything on the inside out:

Got everything out and ran out of sunlight so this is where I stopped for the day:

Tomorrow I plan on trying to strip everything off down to the frame so I can start beefing it up. This is gonna be a slow build cause I haven't won the lottery yet but I'm gonna try to get it done as fast as my wallet let's me!

Is there anything that I should worry about this early in the build or any advice that would be helpful that I should know? Also is there a good (cheap) place online that I can get a new canvas and maybe some other replacement parts that I might need? Like I said I'm new to this game and don't really know too much in the trailer world.

I'll be updating this thread as I work. Should have another update by Wednesday so stay tuned!

Input, comments, and questions welcomed!

 

[tone]

One question while it's on the brain, what type of wood would be ideal for this rebuild?

 

[tone]

I also need to find a place to get a replacement canvas, would anyone happen to know where I could pick one up at?

 

[Stallacrew]

I would pick some canvas and vinyl up at the fabric store and have someone sew it locally, and then spray it down with the water-proofer we used to spray on our New Balance 580's.

 

[tone]

Got off to a late start today cause I worked a grave yard shift...

Pile of parts pulled off yesterday:

Can't really tell but in this pic I had just taken the aluminum off, the foam was moldy in some spots:

The screws in the roof were nothing to write home about, most of them were loose and the ones in the rotted part of the wood were held in by the calking:

My dog was trying to help me pull this thing apart :

I ended up getting the roof off leaving the sides for a template until I can get the wood to replace. I'd like to start on the roof first and start working my way down. The only thing I have noticed is that trying to save most of the OEM parts is starting to become a pain in the butt due to the fact that they are either rusted, in bad shape, or gonna take some elbow grease getting them cleaned up:

Then I decided to take a beer break considering it is my day off and all:

And that's where I'm at right now, I'm gonna start taking some of the interior pieces off and putting them aside for later use. I'm a one man team right now so progress is slow unfortunately, oh well I'm having fun and can't wait to start building!

 

[Xtreme XJ]

Tone
While I haven't used this guy yet he was willing to answer some of my Q.s.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1046758

Curt

 

[tone]

That's a link to this thread... Lol

 

[scottmcneal]

Tone
While I haven't used this guy yet he was willing to answer some of my Q.s.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1046758

Curt

That's a link to this thread... Lol

SNAP..

I'll keep my eye on this, it looks like a good build..No i can't help you i have my own chit to get done before anymore rain comes..Sorry

 

[Xtreme XJ]

That's a link to this thread... Lol

Well... it's been a loooong week...
Next week... SEMA !!!
Check this... hopefully it work this time...

http://canvasreplacements.com/

Curt

 

[tone]

What a great day to be outside working today!

This is one of the many black widdows that I've found in this trailer:

Started ripping the back off:

Got all the lifters and walls out along with the vinyl flooring:

My junk pile keeps getting bigger!:

Got the floor ripped out, screw finding all the screws under the vinyl that didn't come up to unscrew the floor, that's what muscles are for, to rip it off:

Once I had the floor off I unscrewed all the screws that were still in the frame then ran out of sun light. But today's destruction is brought to you by:

That's all I got done today, but will wire wheel the frame/prime/paint on my next couple days off. I'm trying to decide weather or not I wanna use rhino liner on the frame or if I should just paint it with some good paint to save weight? Also gonna try to see if I can't find some stock leafs from a Cherokee and different axel so I can take care of that part while it's stripped. Another thought was that I was gonna box the corners of the floor instead of angling for added space, is there any reason I shouldn't?

 

[tone]

Thanks to Paul Airhart for helpin me rip things up!

 

[Xtreme XJ]

I was gonna box the corners of the floor instead of angling for added space, is there any reason I shouldn't?

Are you talking the box... or the frame ??

You mean the F & R ?? Angled up ??

Curt

 

[tone]

The front and rear where it's angled up \______/

 

[RCP Phx]

Wind resistance would be about the worst of that idea,the double corners(factory) also allow more "flex" without "tearing".You can barely see my 21' behind my son's new 92 body!!!!
BTW,anybody need a 96 hatch,LOL !!

 

[scottmcneal]

Tone you and paul never call me a redneck again..Would leave it alone..

 

[Johnnie Walker]

FOr canvas I would probably get some from your local army surplus store.

 

[scottmcneal]

Hellloooooo..
Are we doing any work on this thing tone?

 

[tone]

I can only work on this on my days off, not in a hurry any way..

 

[scottmcneal]

Come on tone..How many hours do you work a day? Man when you getting the metal for the frame? Get the weight of it so you can add that to your totals ok..I got some axles we can use, may have to cut them down but thats no biggie

 

[tone]

Making slow progress due to working alot of OT. But I sanded the top part of the frame with a drill and a wire wheel, talk about back killer! Then painted the topside:

Will do the bottom side tomorrow hopefully and go get a piece of wood for the floor and weather proof it/throw it on...

This little pregnant feller jumped out at me towards the end and met his fate with a screw driver: