Poptop camper setup for offroad adventures.

[bob_or_jim]

Guys, I have a pop top camper project on the go. Is anyone interested in seeing it on here? If you are ill start posting some pics.

[tgaguy1]

Definitely. This is something I have thought about as a project for some time. Well once I have finished all the other projects. Look forward to seeing your progress.

[Smurf]

Yep, we have been toying with doing the same.
Post away.

[bob_or_jim]

Ok so the project come along from another sprog being on the way (makes 3). Thing is that I like camping and so does my family but with the last few trips ending with a SH!T load of rain it sort of puts them off, especially with the tent being firmly located on the ground.

So along comes the ideas......rooftop tent? No because if you want to go anywhere then the tent needs packed up. Bigger family tent (large canvas type), nope because will need a trailer just to cart it anyway, hence the pop top. Also has a trailer but has a hard roof, 2 queen size beds and keeps the family off the ground.

Anyway i put the feelers out and this is what I got (last 2 pics)

First I went about removing the canvas for some repairs and tipped it on its side to "alter" the suspension. Fighting with a small garage otherwise I would have it upside down.

Got some arms made and had some LJ78 hubs and stubs from another trailer project so there finding there way onto Phillip (thats its name).Also ordered some Rangerover rear airbags from a chinese supplier (yet to arrive). Decided to lift it to make the drawbar level with the surf http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=30760 This leaves me room to fit 31's and push the axle back 200mm.

The first pics are of the suspension design. Both arms are made and fully welded up. Waiting on airbags and run out of welding wire to finish the mounts off. Then ill add the shock absorber mounts and think about making some longer stays as the facrtory ones wont reach the ground now. Also have to think about a new style coupling as the normal ball/hitch type only allow 15 deg of twist/updown. Thinking of a UJ type.

Bring on the next days off.

Cheers

[kbjj]

Nice, like your suspension setup. Here's a pic of mine and the tow coupling


Made and fitted this multi extreme angle tow hitch thingy

[bob_or_jim]

Exactly what I had in mind. Thanks for that ill take some mental measurements and get right onto it. Had thought ide use nolothane type Hilux leaf spring bushes in it for ease of purchase. Also thats what my other bushes are.

Cheers

[mercutio]

ask on the aussie sites about off road tow hitches i have seen a few over there price it up see what is cheaper

[Smurf]

http://www34.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-p ... 011808.htm

No where as heavy duty as Jeremys one but it could be beefed up.

[Bubba]

How much for the canvas repairs? Just ball park

[bob_or_jim]

Unsure at this stage, its just a rip and a zip to replace and maybe a couple of minor things as well. Will let you know once I send it in. Probably wont be until next week.

[Bubba]

Thanks I would be interested in the cost. My parents have one sitting at there place but the canvas is a bit stuffed, Ive always toyed with get it redone.

it was a great camper in it's day

[rokhound]

I built up a scamper 18 years ago that had 31's on it. Towed really good behind the old 60 series in the day.

[mylux]

Thanks I would be interested in the cost. My parents have one sitting at there place but the canvas is a bit stuffed, Ive always toyed with get it redone.

it was a great camper in it's day

Check this out full reco.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/caravan ... 412457.htm

[bob_or_jim]

Thanks I would be interested in the cost. My parents have one sitting at there place but the canvas is a bit stuffed, Ive always toyed with get it redone.

it was a great camper in it's day

Check this out full reco.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/caravan ... 412457.htm

Looks good aye. Pitty my awning wont fit it though.

[Bubba]

Thanks I would be interested in the cost. My parents have one sitting at there place but the canvas is a bit stuffed, Ive always toyed with get it redone.

it was a great camper in it's day

Check this out full reco.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/caravan ... 412457.htm

hang on, so it's $1400 to replace the canvas, am I reading this right?

[bob_or_jim]

You read it right mate. Sounds like thats got the ol head thinking!

[bob_or_jim]

http://www34.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/other-accessories/auction-767011808.htm

No where as heavy duty as Jeremys one but it could be beefed up.

Thanks Smurf for pointing this out. Looks like it will be the way Ill go (providing I win it )

[Smurf]

http://www34.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/other-accessories/auction-767011808.htm

No where as heavy duty as Jeremys one but it could be beefed up.

Thanks Smurf for pointing this out. Looks like it will be the way Ill go (providing I win it )

Give us some feedback as I have been thinking of using one on our camper too

[oldblue]

Made one of these a few years back, but was told that it had to be tested & certed before I could get a WOF .

[bob_or_jim]

Yeah I was thinking I may have to do the same. I have plans to have the ability to use both options. Will see what the wof man thinks

[bob_or_jim]

So update time, things have been slowly coming along. Ill get a pic of it on its feet but here are some for the mean time. Just waiting on the mud guards to be folded up and this ill fit those too.

[lax2wlg]

Cool

So is it a swing-axle setup or are those axle tubes mounted rigidly?

Out of interest is there any reason you didnt just go for a single rigid axle setup?

[bob_or_jim]

Hey mate, sorry the pics are not all that clear. The reason I went this way was to go for an independent setup. I can take some pics of the mountings if you want but basicly the front bushing is setup bundera/rangie style and the rears are just your normal pivot on a pin style. I wasnt a big fan of the flat axle due to the lack of clearance in the centre with the smaller tyres on the pop top (there 31's). I sort of worked on the thought that ill most likley be winching more than most others due to towing a trailer so I may as well help myself by keeping as much clearance as possible.

I hope to get the guards fitted soon so can have some good pictures of it in action.

[bob_or_jim]

Took the ol girl for a tow down the road, handels the pot holes really well with the camper not even moving over the bumps. Few little things to tidy up and shes WOF time ready for our camping trip.

[3VILC]

Dad used to repair the canvas himself with patches cut from old ripped canvas tents you can pick up for next to nothing..hardest part is the fiddly waxing the stitching etc and the waterproofing spray is probably expensive these days if you can even still get it. That thing survived a hurricane a the UK, with us sleeping in it! Good old holiday weather haha. Attached to wouldve been about a 18ft caravan we had back in the day.
Get the Mrs a good sewing machine

[bob_or_jim]

Canvas is sorted, there is a local guy here who is pretty reasonable. The labour was cheap but the materials is getting up there. Had a quote from a few places for a new top and there around the 3k mark so makes the $1400 pretty cheap. Ended up opting for repairs at this stage and will see how much use it gets. If we use it enough ill give it some new clothes in a year or 2.

[bob_or_jim]

Got my WOF sorted the other day, while I was there I asked about the offroad tow coupling similar to the one towards the top of this page. Seems to think it wouldnt pass a WOF. Talking to some others in the know and they think it would be ok. What are your guys thoughts.

P.S. Im not really that worried ill just bolt it on and off for WOF's, just thought if it was legal Ide leave it on.

Cheers

[KIWI_TERRANO]

Coupd always got eye to pintol hook like jase (vwilly) did on his trailer

[bob_or_jim]

Yeah there not bad, still limited in articulation and plus I already have my Tregg coupling

[slide]

Got my WOF sorted the other day, while I was there I asked about the offroad tow coupling similar to the one towards the top of this page. Seems to think it wouldnt pass a WOF. Talking to some others in the know and they think it would be ok. What are your guys thoughts.

P.S. Im not really that worried ill just bolt it on and off for WOF's, just thought if it was legal Ide leave it on.

Cheers

Mandatory equipment

1. A trailer must be fitted with a tow coupling that is fit for purpose and in sound condition.

So there you go. Its fine for wof. And arguably the standard coupling would fail in this case, as its not designed for high flexability therefore NOT fit for purpose.
(oh, go have a read- it says it (A trailer must be fitted with a tow coupling that is fit for purpose and in sound condition) three times.
So as long as the trailer is fitted with a tow coupling that is fit for purpose and in sound condition, there's no reason an inspector can fail it.
(I put it three times too )