Building zook camper trailer (Painting Red need new name)

[christover1]

Not a startling earth shattering bit of work done, but least it is a step forward.
Springs were rated at 750kg a pair, so being as I only need half that, I have removed one leaf. I can shove it back easily if I am wrong.
While I was at it I loosened off the locating clamps and reversed the locating pin ready for spoa conversion

[christover1]

My next bit of research is into wooden trailers. If they have enough of a metal chassis, could save me some work (Or create heaps more)
I can chuck the wood, use the chassis, and stick a box on of my own preferred size (1100 x 1100 or 3'6" x 3'6")
Woodies seem to be cheaper, as I guess nobody likes a woody

christover

[christover1]

This is the rough plan, wether I use this particular trailer or not.
Guard extensions won't be as severe if I get hold of a 3"6" width trailer.
This one has advantage of 4ft bed rather than 5ft, giving better dep angle.
Comments and ideas appreciated.
christover

(LOST PIX)

[sierrajim]

Comments and ideas appreciated.
christover

How far into the bush do you want to tow the trailer with a standard zook clutch and no gearing?

Dollar wise you might find it worthwhile to stay with a regular trailer hitch for the meantime and spend a little more on the trailer itself.

Having an A frame as opposed to a single draw bar means that you have that little extra space to carry/store stuff if needed.

[christover1]

Comments and ideas appreciated.
christover

How far into the bush do you want to tow the trailer with a standard zook clutch and no gearing?

Dollar wise you might find it worthwhile to stay with a regular trailer hitch for the meantime and spend a little more on the trailer itself.

Having an A frame as opposed to a single draw bar means that you have that little extra space to carry/store stuff if needed.

All valid comments, thanks.

Final product is intended to be capable in hard stuff, but not extreme.
Will be left home on Adventure Tour type trips (tho intention is that it will be close to being able), but it would be used in a snow trip across the high country and trips on the harder side. It'll get a few shake down trips before I get too adventurous.

I don't have a stock clutch now, though I can't tell you what it is, as it came with a motor I got. It should suffice, if not I will have to get a bigger donk and an auto ( a good excuse anyway )
Even with 32's my gearing is around 10% lower than when it had stock 26" tyres, so though it won't be great, it should be adequate if I don't overload.

Gearing may improve in future, too.

I don't intend to carry much more than the tent, table and cooker.
Basically stuff I already carry in the zook.
I wish to avoid too much carry space, to keep it light.
That is I want to avoid the temptation to overload.

Hopefully final trailer weight will be less than 2 of me

Single draw bar is my preferred option, as I've always find them more suitable off road, especially on tight turns and switchbacks etc.
Would be no good for heavier trucks and loads though, I guess.

I definately will be sticking to a stock hitch while I develop the trailer.
As you say, more $$ to get trailer right.
And more shakedown times.

Thanks for your valued input and making me think.

christover

[cj]

Chris,

If you're trying to keep it light and don't need much space then mount the tent cot sideways across the trailer and shorten the trailer bed length as this will also help your departure angle. Basically bob your trailer

http://www.backtrax.com.au/

[christover1]

Chris,

If you're trying to keep it light and don't need much space then mount the tent cot sideways across the trailer and shorten the trailer bed length as this will also help your departure angle. Basically bob your trailer

http://www.backtrax.com.au/

That thought has crossed my mind. If I end up with a 5x3 or 5x3.5 it will get bobbed to back of rear spring mount. About 300mm off.
This one is around 1200 long 4ft?

I like your thinkin

[Potter]

hey Chris here is another one for you http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=1149

[christover1]

hey Chris here is another one for you http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=1149

That would be great.
But alas, it would mean ignoring bills and food for too long

It is basically what I'm aiming at.

thanks
christover

[Gwagensteve]

That thought has crossed my mind. If I end up with a 5x3 or 5x3.5 it will get bobbed to back of rear spring mount. About 300mm off.

careful about your hitch weight chris. sierras are only rated for 45kg of hitch load (10% of total towed weight) so with a bobbed trailer you might not be able to get very good balance.

I know you are aiming for 200kg, but the weight will add up much more quickly than you think.

Steve.

[christover1]

That thought has crossed my mind. If I end up with a 5x3 or 5x3.5 it will get bobbed to back of rear spring mount. About 300mm off.

careful about your hitch weight chris. sierras are only rated for 45kg of hitch load (10% of total towed weight) so with a bobbed trailer you might not be able to get very good balance.

I know you are aiming for 200kg, but the weight will add up much more quickly than you think.

Steve.

Yes I've seen many a project grow beyond what was intended.

I agree, gotta keep the balance and weight right.
I'll make it up as I go.
If its too heavy or difficult to tow, I'll just keep at it.
Will have quite a few shake down runs during developement.

Actually 200kg is total I aiming at, hopefully trailer will be a tad less than that.

christover

[mugginsmoo]

chris,

are you going to use the "slipper" type springs on your trailer?.
they have a habbit of "eating" the chassis where they contact. maybe you will need to put a sacrificial "pad" in there. or i could find you a set of sierra front springs with shackles (got no shocks left) that you could have for this project.

mitch

[christover1]

chris,

are you going to use the "slipper" type springs on your trailer?.
they have a habbit of "eating" the chassis where they contact. maybe you will need to put a sacrificial "pad" in there. or i could find you a set of sierra front springs with shackles (got no shocks left) that you could have for this project.

mitch

I may do the sacrificial pad thing, I like that idea, thanks for that.
I do have some front springs, I looked hard into using them.
The arch wasn't enough to provide the lift I need, without long shackles.
If its not successful using the slippers I have, (they came brand new with the axle and hubs) I may go Sierra rears one day.

I don't think I need huge travel anyway.
I have softened up the springs and intend to fit shocks.
I have seen too many trailers lifting wheels, even over driveways
(TV insurance ad)
While lookin for a frog diff, I found some shocks in a draw and I have no idea where I got them.
Will probly use em on the trailer.

Hopefully trailer will be ready by the time you finish your project.
Then we can have a double shake down test trip

christover

[cj]

While lookin for a frog diff, I found some shocks in a draw and I have no idea where I got them.

How big are your drawers? What else have got in them? I know I don't have one big enough to think I might have a diff in there.

[christover1]

While lookin for a frog diff, I found some shocks in a draw and I have no idea where I got them.

How big are your drawers? What else have got in them? I know I don't have one big enough to think I might have a diff in there.

I have huge draws, mainly to fit in my huge ................................belly

I did have a diff in my draw, just that it was the wrong one.
It's an old, almost antique, pine tall boy.
Would be worth money, if it wasn't covered in oil, and drilled full of holes

[christover1]

Not much action to speak of, as I've mainly been bidding on trailers for a starting base, and doing lots of planning/thinking etc.

But now we have some tyres to build the trailer around, thanks Bill.
Will be fighting with and/or fitting them over next day or so.
christover

[christover1]

Got 1 tyre fitted without too much pain.
But 1 needs to come off another rim, and it defeated me.
Off to a tyre shop tomorrow, to get it off.
Will fit it up myself, tho.
The Vit rims look but are hard to get at the valves. (maybe some extensions?)

[mugginsmoo]

use a spare rim (with no tire on it) and frog to break the bead then leaver off the tire.

Mitch

[christover1]

use a spare rim (with no tire on it) and frog to break the bead then leaver off the tire.

Mitch

I've made Frog too light, it just won't break beads.
Been driving over it all morning.
Tho just with a rim could work, I may try this if the tyre shop wants too much coin...
thanx..

[christover1]

Well I am starting to feel like I am getting somewhere.

I'm happy with final track width, as it is only about 70mm over my zook track. Thats 35mm each side, I can live with that.

A quick measure tells me trailer will fit in the garage, just
And I should get away with some factoru mudguards, with a bit of rubber as flares. I like the outer edge to be soft, better for sliding along banks etc.

Have been bidding on a 5 x 3.5 trailer, just have to wait n see if its mine.
christover

[christover1]

Oh, and I think I will use something a tad more robust than an occy strap to hold the springs on

[moose]

Chris , my little trailer(5x4) is based on Zook specs !!
Same track width , & gaurds are same width as WT flares !!
it has dane some seriuos k,s !!
needs a bit of luvin' !!
but as James said , go for an "A" frame , more storage !!
oh yeah , mine has 750kg springs !!
just bounces a lot when empty !!! (saves on tyre wear , if they dont touch the ground !!)

[christover1]

Chris , my little trailer(5x4) is based on Zook specs !!
Same track width , & gaurds are same width as WT flares !!
it has dane some seriuos k,s !!
needs a bit of luvin' !!
but as James said , go for an "A" frame , more storage !!
oh yeah , mine has 750kg springs !!
just bounces a lot when empty !!! (saves on tyre wear , if they dont touch the ground !!)

I'm hoping to get a lot of k's out of it.
Not sure how well the holden type wheel bearings will last.
Probably fit it with something better later on.

I'm not to concerned with storage, it won't be carrying a lot.
I've kept the leaf I took out, in case it sux too much.
I'm really just chasing a bed off the ground (Its getting harder to get down on my knees) so it wont carry much at all.

If I'm successful on the one I'm bidding on, it has an A frame draw bar that is the length of 2 cricket fields, so probably shorten and re-use it.
(no idea why its so long, must be to suit whatever it was used for?)

[Gwagensteve]

Chris,

I know you are on a budget, but did you ever price a new trailer to see what you were up against?

I priced a stock "heavy duty" 6'X4' trailer, brand new, the other day at $795.

Obviously, I didn't ask about anything smaller, but they had all sorts of smaller stuff.
Knowing that trailers go high on Escam, and that you are planning lots of replacement parts, I thought it was worth throwing it in there that that's the price of a whole new getup you could expect many years of use from.

It would be a shame to spend 1/2 that on an old trailer and then fond out it is not up to the use you had planned for it, especially after spending the $$$on fixing it up.

I am mostly concerned about corrosion in the rails etc that is hard to see.

Steve.

[cj]

If I'm successful on the one I'm bidding on, it has an A frame draw bar that is the length of 2 cricket fields, so probably shorten and re-use it.
(no idea why its so long, must be to suit whatever it was used for?)

Well at least it is the right colour and given your turning circle I don't think the length of the drawbar is an issue although the rampover would suck.

[sierrajim]

I've got an A-frame here if you want it Chris, has the plate welded to it for the hitch and two safety chains.

Looks to be 50x50 box in fairly good nic.

As a side note, my 6x4 has a SUPER long draw bar, originally the old bloke i bought it off built it to carry a canoe, never got around to shortening it.

[christover1]

I priced a stock "heavy duty" 6'X4' trailer, brand new, the other day at $795.
I am mostly concerned about corrosion in the rails etc that is hard to see.
Steve.

I have looked into new ones, did that 1st, so I'd know a bargain or a rip off. Smaller ones are actually dearer, probably cos of sales numbers? Have also priced metal to build my own. Actually cost more, but would be more exactly what I wanted.
It amazes me how high the small trailers go on ebay, I think there is a cash only market operating. Cos the same old junk reappears with paint on
Hidden rust is definately a concern, but .

[christover1]

If I'm successful on the one I'm bidding on, it has an A frame draw bar that is the length of 2 cricket fields, so probably shorten and re-use it.
(no idea why its so long, must be to suit whatever it was used for?)

Well at least it is the right colour and given your turning circle I don't think the length of the drawbar is an issue although the rampover would suck.

I was just wingeing about that to myself today as I was trying to park at the tire pump

green trailers are the best

[christover1]

I've got an A-frame here if you want it Chris, has the plate welded to it for the hitch and two safety chains.

Looks to be 50x50 box in fairly good nic.

As a side note, my 6x4 has a SUPER long draw bar, originally the old bloke i bought it off built it to carry a canoe, never got around to shortening it.

I could possibly need that, especially if my draw bar turns out to be angle rather than box.
I'm guessing it could be trimmed to suit if needed, somehow.
thanks, I'll let you know if needed.
christover

[christover1]

If I'm successful on the one I'm bidding on, it has an A frame draw bar that is the length of 2 cricket fields, so probably shorten and re-use it.
(no idea why its so long, must be to suit whatever it was used for?)

Well at least it is the right colour and given your turning circle I don't think the length of the drawbar is an issue although the rampover would suck.

PS. I missed out on the green one above, but presently am bidding on another green one but its not sexy frog type green, more like a face after too much seafood and red wine type green