Small Pop-up camper

[stumpXJ]

Its a similar set-up to the late 60's early 70's chevy pickup trucks.

Here you can see where the trailing arms mount.

Worked like a champ, and pulled like a dream. Washboard roads were no problem. I also had shocks on it, but they arent shown.

 

[Lowrange2]

What poundage air bags are those? Did you have them on a switch to raise and lower or did you just have a schrader valve to raise and lower?

 

[stumpXJ]

Just had them on a schrader valve and used my CO2 when needed. Im tellin ya, it was an awesome setup. I had greasable poly bushings from ballistic fab on the ends of the arms and panhard. It was a slick setup, and very plush when I needed it to be. Pretty sure the bags were Firestone 3500 lb's like the axle.

~Stump

 

[Lowrange2]

We talking light weight air bags?

2600lb air bags?

I assume you made your brackets for the top?

The only problem I see with this is that I don't plan to lift this camper any more than I must to fit these tires... So basically there won't be anywhere to lower it. Unless I made bump stops, Then I could lower it down onto the bumps and have it stable for camping...

Hmmmm.

 

[stumpXJ]

Yeah, maybe it was 2600...shit I dont remember. I am sure its in my build thread somewhere.

Yeah, brackets were easy with some scrap 1/4" plate I had laying around. I pretty much had everything I needed except for the bushings. The airbags were left over from my old Tacoma. I had them on as helper springs.

The bags dont neccesarily have to provide lift or not much, unless you want them to. Just depends on which bags you get, where you put them on the arms, and how you fab the mounting brackets. Just another way to give the thing a suspension instead of relying on leaf springs. Most guy who go with leafs other than trailer springs, use CJ springs since they are fairly short, but still offer a good ride.


If there is no easy way to open up your wheel well opening, all of this is probably for naught. Just rock it like it is for a while till you figure something out.

 

[Lowrange2]

That's the plan.


I need a manual for this thing!

We need to go camping and have you show me what's up with it.

 

[Lowrange2]

I did a good bit of measuring and decided that if I do decide to lift the camper and change out the axle I'll need a 70"-75" axle.

The only one that's easily accessible to me is a 60". Can these Tractor supply axles be widened?

Edit: Nevermind. Found these.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/carry-on-trailer-reg-idler-axle-for-5x8-trailer-0175415

As long as their bolt pattern is 5x4.5 we should be good.

 

[DrMoab]

Check northern tool and Henderson wheel and tire.

 

[Xtreme XJ]

So the MJ springs that I have would be the way to go... I can do that. QUOTE]

If you DIDN'T bag it & went with longer leafs I wouldn't use MJ springs... maybe O.E. XJ spirings... 5.5" shorter & less wobble... less mushy...

I relocated the spring hangers on the MJ bed trailer I'm working on and went with the O.E. XJ springs over the axle. I feel it was a noticable improvement.

Just a thought on looong springs...

Curt

 

[stumpXJ]

I agree^^

The MJ springs are LONG. Most guys who build leaf sprung trailer use a CJ leaf. Or something in the same length range.

 

[Lowrange2]

I'll probably go with the bags if I get around to doing it. I have the step to worry about...

Plus, I was thinking...

I held the tires up to the side of the camper and ballpark measured how high I would have to lift it to fit them with minimal cutting. I'd have to lift it almost 10 inches.

I'll tow it with my DD XJ which is only lifted 3" with 31s. If I lift it 10 inches the hitch is going to be 7"s too low. That means that the only way to do it is cut a lot more out of the camper and less lift.

That's fine with me but much more work than I intended originally. I need to lift the frame about 4 inches and make the tires fit.

I'll run the bags so if I want to put it behind the Trail Jeep all I have to do is put some more air in the bags...

Oh yeah! I cleaned the inside out and spray painted the wheels black! Much better! lol

 

[stumpXJ]

Slacker....

When we goin camping?

 

[Lowrange2]

When I have a weekend off, the kids aren't playing soccer, being in pageants, going to Columbia, going to the grandparents or having some church thing.

When is the next group pow-wow? I need to figure out a battery set up. My converter doesn't have a hookup that I see.

 

[stumpXJ]

Hmm.... Not sure, itll be soon though. Before it gets too hot. A few are camping this weekend.

~ Stump

 

[Lowrange2]

Found a diagram for the converter.

It is capable of operating the lights and other 12 stuff off of a storage battery but not suitable to charge the battery. I'll have to wire in a separate charger to charge the battery when it's plugged up...

I can stick a couple batteries on the tongue and that should last me a good while when camping.

Stump, what's the best way to go about connecting the Jeep's power to the camper if I needed it? Is it feasible to have the Jeep charge the batteries while in tow or is the stock alternator not up to the task?

 

[DrMoab]

My jeep does just fine charging the batteries on my trailer.

 

[Lowrange2]

Cool. That's good to hear.

 

[stumpXJ]

Yeah, your Jeep should be able to charge the batts, or at least maintain them. Are you running a single or dual set-up on the Jeep? You dont really need the converter to charge the batteries, just make sure they are charged before you go. I usually leave my deep cycles hooked up to a Battery Tender at the shop, that way they are topped off and ready to rock when we leave. (I also use one on the Teal B*tch, since it doesnt see a lot of driving time.)

~ Stump

 

[stumpXJ]

Does it have a 7 pin round style connector for the trailer or something else? Trailer brakes?

 

[Lowrange2]

It has trailer brakes. They aren't hooked up. It has a flat 4 plug on it at the moment.

How do I go about running power to the batteries? A 10 gauge wire thru the plug to the positive post on the camper batteries?