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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:26 pm
by want33s
:shock: :shock: 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 ?

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:55 pm
by WRXZook
How much?

Thanks, looks great.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:35 pm
by just cruizin'
make it fold forward over the drawbar then the jockey wheel will support the weight

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:03 pm
by christover1
want33s wrote::shock: :shock: 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.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:06 pm
by christover1
WRXZook wrote: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 :D

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

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

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:08 pm
by christover1
just cruizin' wrote: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.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:45 pm
by 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 =)

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:54 pm
by 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

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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:15 am
by 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

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:16 am
by Squik
Yeah Chris... where did ya get the Zook-sized tent? :D

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:25 am
by fool_injected
grimbo wrote: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=

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:41 am
by 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

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:47 am
by 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 :roll:

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:38 pm
by ed.
Awesome build up, just spent 1/2 day reading it LOL
christover1 wrote: Should be ok if I don't swallow the tent :roll:
So are you just going to lick the canvas? :P

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:20 pm
by christover1
ed. wrote:Awesome build up, just spent 1/2 day reading it LOL
christover1 wrote: Should be ok if I don't swallow the tent :roll:
So are you just going to lick the canvas? :P
thanks.
:D
:rofl:

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

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

:oops:

It will do the job, maybe :rofl:

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:28 pm
by fool_injected
Neat and easy to build rear stabiliser ;)

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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:05 am
by christover1
fool_injected wrote:Neat and easy to build rear stabiliser ;)

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

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 1:19 pm
by 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.

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:09 pm
by christover1
Intense anger :bad-words: :bad-words: turned to a happy smiling face :D :D :D :D 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 :bad-words: 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.

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 7:38 pm
by alien
you're a machine =) thats awesome!

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:08 am
by christover1
30679 views :shock:

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

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:14 am
by 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 :oops:
I photochopped it out :roll:
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
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Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:31 pm
by grimbo
well done Chris, can't wait to see its first pics from a trip

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:38 pm
by christover1
grimbo wrote:well done Chris, can't wait to see its first pics from a trip
thanks
me too

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:49 pm
by ljxtreem
Looks great Chris :cool: :cool: :cool:

Mock :D

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 4:45 pm
by christover1
ljxtreem wrote:Looks great Chris :cool: :cool: :cool:

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

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:35 pm
by 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

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:35 pm
by 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.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:24 am
by christover1
love_mud wrote: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

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:44 am
by 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.