ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Build Diaries, How-To, DIY => Topic started by: Derek on October 04, 2012, 07:17:09 AM
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I know not exactly all zuk topic but going to color match and modify for off highway travel and make towable by my fourdoor. At only 650 lb. I found this trailer on craigslist last week. I towed it comfortably at 70 down the freeway with no problems slowing down. So far got canvas off and the very loud 70's carpet out. Metal in great shape and only one corner of the ply floor rotted. Off to pressure wash this evening after work.
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I made it to Lopez Inland this summer camped out what a grant place did a lot of hiking. Are you going to fall classic with the trailer. Doug
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It looks like a fun project and how nice will it be to get off the ground camping.
Rob
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The goal is to have it at the Fall Classic this year. We'll see how much I need to haul in my Tracker to keep the weight down. :D
Keep us updated!
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Got the trailer apart. Little further then I was hoping. Drilled out all the corroded snaps. The rot in the front right corner had to be replaced but to get the old piece of ply out it was a complete disassemble. My friend found some paint from an old car project that looks like a perfect match. Going to cut some new plywood and try to get some stiffness back in the tub. With it apart it is lick a wet noodle. once I paint the frame I'll wire it for backup lights. just going to use a flat five type connector. I'll post how I tied in the trailer plug to the sidekick.
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I will see what I can do about getting some new vinyl stickers so you can strip the current ones off.
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Was able to pressure wash almost all the rust off of the frame then treated the whole thing with a rust converter. Added some heavier safety chains with shackles. moved the tongue out six inches so while tents up it will clear the spare tire on the sidekick without detaching it. For clearance did a spring over axle conversion (real easy on a trailer). Cut the new ply. Lastly wired a flat five plug on the sidekick so I will have backup lights on the trailer. Hopefully I'll have time to top coat the frame today with hamerite.
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I will see what I can do about getting some new vinyl stickers so you can strip the current ones off.
I'll get you some sizes. Probably a TR decal also. Oh and a zukiworld maybe.
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first coat of hamerite on the frame underside will see how it looks in the morn. left the picture phone at home. looking to get it ready for Nov.
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Apparently the Nimrod company never thought the none treated ply would rot. A real pain to get everything lined back up and bolted to the frame. Now have pressure treated ply in the front and all stainless bolts and washers holding the tub down to the shiny frame. the hamerite paint scratched off easier that I thought it would when I was sliding the tub back on the frame. but will touch it up later. Hopefully today I can get the lights cut in and wired.
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Are you going to put a coating on the new plywood or just paint it up?
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I'll coat both pieces of ply but for now I have some outdoor carpet in grey to cover it. Got the new lights installed yesterday. of course forgot my phone for pics. The back up lights are great and very bright. Think I'll put a set on the Sidekick also. I'll get some pics today then it'll be ready for sand and paint.
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Here is the lights and the flat five trailer connection. Got all parts from local Napa store. Could've gone LED in the same housing but the extra cost didn't make since for a low use trailer. Remembered the reverse light switch was being intermittent on the sidekick so ordered one today. Going to add extra reverse lights on the kick also with an override switch to manually turn them on for trail operation or to help with camp setup,tire change or what ever. Have put rig in reverse for a little extra light in the past without the draw of the headlights so figured a switch would be nice since I'll be into that wiring to replace the switch anyways. Also noticed I added side marker lights to the trailer for safety and to see clearance at night around trees and what not.
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Going to get some gromits and seal up the holes you drilled for the light wiring?
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Yea I have a bunch of stuff kicking around the shop to seal it up. Still have to secure the wires on the underside of the trailer and finish bolting the flashing were I replaced the plywood. The guy helping me paint it will be back from hunting soon but with the weather I'll probably have to help him clean his shop so we can move it inside.
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Looks like an interesting camper project, the older tent trailers were nice and basic, keeping the weight down.
I picked up a 40's vintage all aluminum Higgins tent trailer recently that I'll be rebuilding over the Winter.
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h343/schaney2/Explorer%20Box%20Tent%20Topped%20Camping%20Trailer/043-Higgins.jpg)
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Shaney,
Nice Old Pop Out Camper project! It has that perfect "Resto-Look", even the hub caps !!
Hate to say it on a Zuki Site, but it has that "Bantam Trailer" look to it.
Build a rack on it for that Cedar Strip Kyak on the wall, it'll be a "neck cranker" on the highway heading "North" !
CAPT
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Capt, It is a very cool old trailer, have some "custom" ideas on how to rebuild it. Yes my woodstrip gets a lot of looks, can be a pain launching when a crowd gathers :)
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Can't see much in the pic but stiffened the edges of trailer with some scraps of our Yamaha outboard crate scraps. Got the paint site somewhat cleared tonight. Plan is to paint Sunday, wife is getting reducer and sealer tomorrow. Hope BRD HNTR can make it out to shoot it if not releasing birds?
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Looks like an interesting camper project, the older tent trailers were nice and basic, keeping the weight down.
I picked up a 40's vintage all aluminum Higgins tent trailer recently that I'll be rebuilding over the Winter.
That's why I picked up this trailer. light enough to be towed buy a zuk. This one a little wider than what I was looking for but the space will be nice and the price was right. On a different note I did find a air mattress on amazon that would fit the slide outs that has a MP3 speaker amplifier built in made by colman. That would be one way to bring the trailer up to date.
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Yes, the older, vintage ones that were a bed & tent are normally very lightweight. A few modern comforts will be nice. The Higgins I picked up is also wider than my normal trailers, but will be a fun restore project. Here is what my normal fiberglass trail / backcountry trailers looks like.
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h343/schaney2/Fortune%20Creek%20trail/fc8_zpse3e5ddea.jpg)
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Can't see much in the pic but stiffened the edges of trailer with some scraps of our Yamaha outboard crate scraps. Got the paint site somewhat cleared tonight. Plan is to paint Sunday, wife is getting reducer and sealer tomorrow. Hope BRD HNTR can make it out to shoot it if not releasing birds?
Releasing birds Friday & Sat. evenings, and Kris will be up for weekend. We should be able to be out. Where are you painting it?
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Nice little compact trailer! Good size for a Suzuki! Should be nice to try on the Fall Classic. You might consider replacing the wheel bearings if you haven't already. Cheap maintenance and good piece of mind. Plus throw in the old ones for spares.
I had a 1969 tent trailer that I fixed up and kept for a year or so... but it was too large for my 4dr sidekick... that and $94 annual Oregon DMV fees made switch back to tent / rooftop tent camping...
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Yes wheel bearings are definitely on the list of things to do. Although any company that's called Nimrod could've only used the best of quality bearings. Will eventually go to a larger size tire to slow the axle speed down a little bit and give some clearance but these ones are paid for for now. Or now inspired to design something from scratch once the shop gets built (in a couple of years). Snaps and rivets ordered and will work on the canvas this weekend also. Like to see what others have reasonably towed. Hope I can salvage this forty five year old canvas for the meantime although it doesn't appear to be in that bad of shape.
And found the perfect mattress to entertain with
Queen-sized inflatable mattress ideal for camping or accommodating guests
Built-in amplifier and pair of speakers for listening to iPod or MP3 player
Hands-free 4D QuickPump automatically inflates and deflates mattress
Double lock valve locks in air 2 ways; durable, heavy-duty PVC construction
Measures 74 x 9 x 60 inches (W x H x D); supports up to 600 pounds
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With the help of Drone637 , BRD HNTR and especially Steve for shooting paint and letting me use his shop we found a window in the weather and made it red. Lots of sanding then one coat of primer sealer and two coats of metallic red. Turned out good. Will let set for a couple of days then try and remember how all the sliders bolt back on. Should have taken more close ups before disassemble but you never think about it at the time. Hopefully get to work on the canvas today.
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Coming along, looks good painted ...
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Although any company that's called Nimrod could've only used the best of quality bearings.
LOL ;D
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Did some stitching on the canvas but pretty hard with a conventional sewing machine. Fear that the roof canvas is a little weak from age and UV but it'll have to work for now. Cleaned out a water tub for the horses and dyed the canvas a little darker to match things up. The canvas still had some waterproofing so hoping I don't end up with a tie dyed purple tent top. We'll see when I rinse it out.
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For sewing the canvas, I noticed that there is a heavy duty sewing machine in Ian's shop. And I think he is due back.
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How did the re-assembly go?
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Going to assemble tonight or tomorrow on my day off. It was good to let the paint kick off all the way then off to work to rivet snaps and cut carpet. I need to get the canvas out of the dye also. I was going to do most patches with iron on patch material but there is only a few small pin holes. Then once dry I'll spray it all down with water sealer, rebuild the bearings and paint the rims. Add heater and pack.
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Got most of the assembly done yesterday. Noticed that the slider rails flexed more the I would like so put a 5/16 bolt and nut on a cable so it wouldn't get lost and when you set it up just pin it through a hole I drilled. The color turned out really close and looks good with new snaps all over it. I'll get the canvas rinsed and drying today.
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Looking good!
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That looks great!
Rob
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Well the canvas is kinda a bust. I was hoping to get a couple of trips out of it but after washing and trying to set it up the canvas keeps tearing and the stitching just pulls out. Also the old aluminum zippers just fell apart. Found some replacement canvas sights online but probably no way to have it for the fall classic. Really bummed but will reassess today. And the new snaps don't seem to hold very well at all. Well we'll see.
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Bummer on the canvas, from what I've seen these guys can do replacement tents for most vintage popups at a reasonable price, www.rvworkshop.com/index.php/categories/camper-canvas-replacements (http://www.rvworkshop.com/index.php/categories/camper-canvas-replacements)
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This is one of the sights I found and got a prompt response. After the frustration of yesterday and letting the canvas dry I hope to stretch it out and see were I am at. It looks great folded up. I might have to go redneck with some tarps and what not and see were I am at. You headed to the classic again this year? At least the frame and body I am really happy with. Six to eight weeks on canvas from all I found so far plus the saving up. Will check the local canvas/sail maker shop on the next island but sure they can't compete with someone with patterns and such online. I have some iron on patches ordered so I might go with Frankintent for this fall. Wife had already ordered mattresses for the slide outs when the canvas bit me in the a## but after this morning I was in better spirits. Looking forward to towing it down south.
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I had a new top for my Appleby made by Bear Creek Canvas. While a bit pricey the quality is great. http://www.bearcreekcanvas.com/ (http://www.bearcreekcanvas.com/) Cost was about $700.
(http://keithert.com/appleby/Image000.jpg)
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Yes it is a great site that way. I have a conflict that I'm trying to work out for attending the Classic this year, hope to at least make it Saturday. Tarping it might not be so bad for the Classic if the tent is solid enough. The "double wall" might keep more heat in and once it snows you won't be able to tell :)
With rvworkshop & bearcreek specializing in doing replacement canvas, they normally can make it for much less than someone doing a one-off job for you. I know with the custom sewing I do, I can touch their price.
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So far two replies back on canvas and for some reason they are both exactly six to eight weeks out and both $920.00 waiting for a reply from bear creek.
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I believe rvworkshop is the main supplier of replacement canvas and they have a hand full of dealers.