Building zook camper trailer (Painting Red need new name)

[pubic]

top work bloke, i love the idea of a little budget camper.

quick question... do you think your shackle angle will give the trailer a bumpier ride? or does it sit at mor of a 45deg angle when loaded?

[christover1]

top work bloke, i love the idea of a little budget camper.

quick question... do you think your shackle angle will give the trailer a bumpier ride? or does it sit at mor of a 45deg angle when loaded?

Thanks

I first had it at 45* but it compressed to easy, and shackle hit the mount, before full travel.
So I had to change it. Due to not wanting to drill new holes too close to old ones, that angle was my only choice.
A bit straighter than I would like, but as you suggest, it will sit about 45* when loaded normally.
About 30 kg in the camper top, and we carry around 200kg.
Springs will also settle in, with time..didn't allow for that with the old springs.
I took it out empty, and it rides very nice.
Also very quiet without the slippers knocking around.

I think the photo is deceptive, they lean more than they look.

[pubic]

cool...

hope it all falls into place as you plan...

again... good work.

[christover1]

I'd recommend getting some bumpstops on there now though - with the shackle arrangement it's now possible to overcompress your springs - not possible with the old slipper spring arrangement.
Steve.

Front zook bumpstops would be easier to fit, but I have broken and used up all my spares.
The rears were a dime a dozen, rarely worn out, and had 2 kicking around.
If it don't last, is easy enuff to change to a different type later.

[Guy]

Christipover .. you never cease to amaze me.

[christover1]

Took a few loads of garden refuse to the tip, one load being 140kg.
Trailer was very well behaved, and very quiet.
Plenty of travel left when loaded now, too.
Loving the shackle springs.
I'm pleased so far.

Definately need to get the tyres away from the shox, as there is more lateral movement now.
I will either fit smaller tyres, to match the rims, or larger rims, to match the tyres.
This could solve the shake and shimmer from tyres movements.
(10.50 tyres on 5.5 rims leaves a lot of billowing of sidewalls, and I believe correct rims should straighten up sidewalls, getting them away from shox and make tyres more stable, etc)
I could be wrong, tho, it can happen

christover

[GRPABT1]

I'd be inclined to fit a skinny rim and tyre on the trailer to help with power sap from big tyres.

[christover1]

I'd be inclined to fit a skinny rim and tyre on the trailer to help with power sap from big tyres.

That thought has crossed my mind.
With the huuuuuge power of the 1.3 would I notice

AT tyres may be better, and may be cheaper too.

[croatian4x4]

Hi christover,
Your build has inspired me to build my own!
How has your ebay roof top tent held up in the weather?? Anything in the ways of leaks or flaws that you can notice?

[christover1]

Hi christover,
Your build has inspired me to build my own!
How has your ebay roof top tent held up in the weather?? Anything in the ways of leaks or flaws that you can notice?

It's been out in some heavy wind without a problem.
Not been out in bad rain yet, but looks to be ok.
There must be some quality control issues on such a cheapy, but I haven't noticed any yet.

Good luck with the build, hope you can benefit from the thread.

christover

[christover1]

I finaly got some Tall n Skinnies (Thanx Mock)
16" rims from a LJ Zook.
Sleight drop in height has the camper sitting flat, cool.
(Can fit up to 7:50's later if needed)
Track width is such, that now trailer tyres follow car tyres exactly.
(better in sand at a guess)
And plenty of shock clearance.
An added bonus is, they weigh 12kg each less than the original tyre/rim combo. (Can put 24kg more gear in it)
And I can pick them up a lot easier
Thats all gotta be good.

christover

[GRPABT1]

Awesome, sooooooooo gotta get around to getting a cheap box trailer and an ebay tent like yours, cbf making my own trailer but I have more power so hopefully it'll be fine. Tall in skinny is what I was thinking. I'm gonna hack the gaurds off and build my own to fit huge tyres to match my lift, will end up with some truck tyre I reckon.

[christover1]

Awesome, sooooooooo gotta get around to getting a cheap box trailer and an ebay tent like yours, cbf making my own trailer but I have more power so hopefully it'll be fine. Tall in skinny is what I was thinking. I'm gonna hack the gaurds off and build my own to fit huge tyres to match my lift, will end up with some truck tyre I reckon.

I reckon your plan would be a lot less work,
and would probably finish up lighter.
It was my original plan, but couldn't find the right trailer at right price.
A lot of rusted junk over here.

[GRPABT1]

Yeah I only seem to find good candidates when I don't have the money spare so I've missed a few

[christover1]

Have started modifying the camper trailer to suit the new Vitara.
Nothing earth shattering, just had to adjust the hitch to keep it level.
It was leaning to far down at front.
Now its leaning back a bit while empty, but should be level when loaded.
If not will add a tad to shackle lengths.
If I do anything startling or interesting, I will take pix.
Then I will paint it red to match the new beast.
Need a new name, tadpoles aint red.

christover

[BOGFROG]

Hey Christover how about THE RED RATTLER & THE CABOOSE (for the trailer)? not sure on spelling? Robb.

[alien]

red with black spots - ladybug =) hahaha

[Guy]

Hey Christover how about THE RED RATTLER & THE CABOOSE (for the trailer)? not sure on spelling? Robb.

X2 for Caboose ..

[christover1]

How about Cherry Caboose, I new a girl like that once.....or was it twice

Excuse my welding, it is bolted thru with 4 ht bolts as well...thank good ness

[christover1]

Much tooooo red, so 2nd coat will add some brown in with the red,
hopefully closer match to Xoe color.

[christover1]

All done, best match I could do.
Time, dirt, mud, crud, sun, road grit should dull it down a bit
Princess likes to pose while we are test driving

[Moph]

Very very nice

[christover1]

Very very nice

Thanks
I stole Frogs rear lights,
better reverse lights,
better reflectors for the globes.
Other cheapies on trailer previously had no reflectors and just black plastic behind the globes..
LED's will come, but too many dollars still at the moment.

[christover1]

Now it sits more levelish, sleeping is much nicer without angular disturbances.
Looks better, too, which appeals to my egotistical side

[weaves]

That looks tops, i think the whole small trailer and rooftop tent idea is fantastic. I need to get me some fab skills so i can make stuff like this.

Need a new name, tadpoles aint red.

the tampon?

weaves.

[christover1]

I just realised I am not happy with the shackle angle, so tomorrow I reposition the upper mount, a tad.

[ljxtreem]

Looks awesome mate


Mock

[christover1]

Looks awesome mate


Mock

Thannx, it goes faster now it's red

[built4thrashing]

call it the Pimple........its red and angry and normally full of sh1t.

[christover1]

call it the Pimple........its red and angry and normally full of sh1t.

That would just confuse me, that describes too many of me mates