Building zook camper trailer (Painting Red need new name)

[want33s]

Holy Crap!! That thing is like the Tardis.
That camper looks cool! Did you order it to suit your trailer or is that the regular size ?

[WRXZook]

How much?

Thanks, looks great.

[just cruizin']

make it fold forward over the drawbar then the jockey wheel will support the weight

[christover1]

Holy Crap!! That thing is like the Tardis.
That camper looks cool! Did you order it to suit your trailer or is that the regular size ?

I built the trailer with the tent size in mind.
There are different sizes tho, but most were about the same.

[christover1]

How much?

Thanks, looks great.

Got it for $520 from ebay. New.
Most fetched 580 - 700 but I bid during a long weekend, and was lucky not to have a lot of competition

I have seen much higher quality tents at much higher prices.

After I've checked it out propereley, I'll publish the seller.

[christover1]

make it fold forward over the drawbar then the jockey wheel will support the weight

I don't have enough length to clear the zooks body.
But that would be a good option for some.

[alien]

shoulda made the trailer the same height as the zuk's tray and built a bit of a cage to go into the tray for strength - then you could allow it to sit on the body =)

[christover1]

I want to use the trailer as a normal trailer, when not camping, so I needed a quick on/off system.
I didn't want to use roof rack type bars, which its designed for, as I wanted it as low as possible.
Also I want the trailer box sealed up nicely.
I used the original tracks as locators, so that lining up the bolts holes would be easy.
I've drilled bolt holes thru the section that was designed to take the weight, as a lot of the floor is light weight hollow alloy with poly styrene filling.
I've welded some nuts under the rim of box, so I don't need to crawl inside.
I welded a nut to a plate first, so no upside down welds needed. The plate was a tad wider than the rim, so a bit stuck out for welds.
I only seem to like welding on the flat.
This way I don't to do any bending to fit it up.
christover

[grimbo]

Chris you keep amazing me with what you can build on a such a tight budget.

I'd be interested to know who you got the tent from. PM if you like.

Can't wait to see the final configuration, maybe even out on a trip

[Squik]

Yeah Chris... where did ya get the Zook-sized tent?

[fool_injected]

Chris you keep amazing me with what you can build on a such a tight budget.

I'd be interested to know who you got the tent from. PM if you like.

Can't wait to see the final configuration, maybe even out on a trip

ebay, there is link at the begining of this thread or search rooftop tent ~$400

EDIT: http://search.ebay.com.au/search/search ... category0=

[christover1]

Arco Interior designs via ebay as said by FI.
Got it for $520
tho they usually go higher

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-ROOF-TOP-TEN ... dZViewItem

[christover1]

Design and build quality seems ok for the price.

He operates out of his garage basement, thus reducing costs.
This is not uncommon, but can put people off.

He seemed like a honest and helpful chap, but so can any good saleman/businessman.
He is a proper business, paying all taxes etc, and gave an ABN on the receipt.

I must note altho canvas is made in South Africa as stated, the build is still Chinese. A little on the edge of devious.

Should be ok if I don't swallow the tent

[ed.]

Awesome build up, just spent 1/2 day reading it LOL

Should be ok if I don't swallow the tent

So are you just going to lick the canvas?

[christover1]

Awesome build up, just spent 1/2 day reading it LOL

Should be ok if I don't swallow the tent

So are you just going to lick the canvas?

thanks.



That lickin' must be affectin me already.
Just did the most booty fab build I ever did, which is sayin something for me

Needed a trolley, as taking it in and out the house was risking damage to the tent, and/or my back. Not that it weighs much more than 45kg, but it is awkward.

Lopped the legs off an old chair, and tied some left over gal on with some coat hanger wire



It will do the job, maybe

[fool_injected]

Neat and easy to build rear stabiliser

[christover1]

Neat and easy to build rear stabiliser

brilliant
that looks like a christover booty fab job
cool thanx.

[christover1]

I started on the registration process today.
Got a VIN number from Vic Roads and got it weighed locally.
Came in at 220kg, a bit higher than the original plan, but I am still happy with that.
We used gal instead of aluminium, that may have added a bit?
And a much sturdier draw bar than first planned.
Its now at the Trailer Factory getting the VIN stamped into chassis and compliance plate fitted.
Not sure if they'll be happy with rim/tyre combo, we wait n see.
Then back to Vic Roads on Friday for more paper work and money spent.
Probably good we decided to reg it, as the cut off point is 200kg.
Vic Roads said very important to reg trailer if used outside vic.

[christover1]

Intense anger turned to a happy smiling face late this arvo.

The Trailer Factory in Kilsyth rings up at the last minute, sorry we won't put on compliance plate or stamp a VIN number unless you fit a heavy duty axle, hd springs and 4wd hubs.
WTH, its meant to be light weight and carry a light load.
I didn't want a roadworthy done, just some stamping.
I have to give benefit of doubt, they may well have been sincerely worried about my safety, that of the public, or thier own reputation.
But its my name on the thing, not theirs, and Vic Roads don't want to even see it to reg it.
Hopefully they weren't just chasing sales?

Anyway, on my way home, fuming at all the stuffin around, I called into Croydon Trailers, a division of Blackburn Trailers, on Jesmond road, who gave me a hammer and stamps and said go and do it yaself. Then only wanted $5 for a compliance plate. So I gave him $10 and told him to buy a beer or too. Now I'm happy, and $23 better off.

One company loses a huge possible benefit, and one wins.

[alien]

you're a machine =) thats awesome!

[christover1]

30679 views

Holy Carp,
There must be more than me growing old and/or soft, but still being wise enough to keep a zook

[christover1]

Finaly its registered, camper fitted properly, and ready to roll.
We just need a good trip, and some money to go now.
I had to fit a handle to tailgate, as sunction from the seals made it too hard to open.
Could be a good thing, though.
I dispensed with the zip on the cover, altho it would seal better, it was too fiddly for me, especially if cold, wet and/or muddy. Bunjee type clips were fitted, allowing for bedding, so it will be tight enough.
I will have to take a repair kit for the cover, as I've already made a hole in it
I photochopped it out
I still need a jockey wheel for lugging it round in the garage, and maybe for relocating it at a campsite.
I'll probably go bigger tyre, for convenience, and higher load rating for when we both in it when not hooked up to the car. Will need support legs in that situation, too.
But it is ready to roll now, just will leave it hooked up.
christover

[grimbo]

well done Chris, can't wait to see its first pics from a trip

[christover1]

well done Chris, can't wait to see its first pics from a trip

thanks
me too

[ljxtreem]

Looks great Chris

Mock

[christover1]

Looks great Chris

Mock

Thanks.
Me hopes it gives years of service, and hope it goes wherever the frog can.

[christover1]

Thanks go to entire zook club members and forumites.
Also to outerlimits and Myswag.com forumites.
Also to my friends, family and strangers.
For lots of advice and encouragement, and quite a few parts, too.
Like everything I achieve its a communal effort.
cheers all

christover

[Guy]

Chris you are truely an amazing man .. as Grumpo . Oops grimbo .. I mean Graham said, the things you can pull off for the budget you have are truely incredible. Looks great .. may you have many happy and warm trips in frog with your loverly lady friend and your tadpole.

[christover1]

Chris you are truely an amazing man .. as Grumpo . Oops grimbo .. I mean Graham said, the things you can pull off for the budget you have are truely incredible. Looks great .. may you have many happy and warm trips in frog with your loverly lady friend and your tadpole.

Thanx

Took it out for it's final Off Road test in Toolangi.
I'm happy, we just need a camping trials now.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CZYEBfIG3b0

[PJ.zook]

That trailer really came out great, good work! It just looks the part too, like it was always meant to be towed behind a zook lol.