Mini Redneck Ramada

[Colorado_Outback]

I have lurked around Expo Portal for many years, but never posted. Here is my trailer build.

Picked up this 88 Mitchell mounted to a brand new 6x10 Hickman utility trailer on Craigslist the other day. The camper is in good shape for being almost 30 years old, its pretty much original and doesn't show any signs of leaking. The PO resealed the roof and a couple spots and painted it white. He did an OK job.

Planning on pulling it with my Cherokee.
The camper is 950lbs dry according to the PO (not sure about that), the trailer is just under 900lbs so I'm shooting for a loaded weight of around 3K. Max tow weight for the XJ is 5K so I figure I'm in the neighborhood. I'm sure the XJ will benefit from a re gear (I'm stock now) and I know I wont be winning any land speed records at that with the 32's..

Found the vin tag, it was painted with a couple coats of white.

The four X's indicate that it was equipped with electric, stove, heater and fridge.
Not sure what the D.7.6.1003 is or the 008057 its too faded to tell.

I'm trying to find another picture of a tag online but no luck so far.

I Pulled a tape on the base and its 7'6" on the nose, maybe the weight is 1003? (he speculated hopefully haha)

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Took it out a couple weekends ago for the first time.

Waiting for me at the China Wall parking area after wheeling the Cherokee all day.

I live in mountain country, going up hill you have to beat it like a rented mule. I didn't have any over heading issues, just kept my eye on the gauge and backed off when it started really climbing.

 

[Colorado_Outback]

The heater was making a really annoying screeching/squealing sound so we pulled it out to take a look. I figured it was a bearing on the fan making noise but all the bearings seemed in good shape and spun smooth. Cleaned some dead bugs out of the case and intake but couldn't really locate anything that I thought would be making a noise like that.
Got to looking at how the heater is mounted in the camper, its supported by the cabinet framing in the front but there's nothing supporting the rear of the unit, it was just hung off the two bolts that secured the exhaust/intake to the exterior of the camper. So my dad made block to support the rear and its all quiet now.. weird.

The previous owner put these eye bolts in so that he could use some old chain turnbuckles. He also used some random wood as cleats on the base. He did a pretty poor job over all.

I decided some 3" 3/16" angle would work around the base, and I made these brackets that are welded to the top rail of the trailer and bolt through the original mounting holes for the factory tie downs.

Also relocated the spare to the passenger rear to make room for a tongue box.

I'm working on completing the spring over lift on the trailer now.

 

[The Swiss]

Interesting trailer you have. I like it. The camper appears to be in nice shape over all. Looking forward to seeing how you improve it for your needs and to where you take it.

 

[kiznips]

I think this is going to be a sweet build!


I love lamp

 

[CLynn85]

Simple but effective. I like it!

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Thanks guys.

This rig will mostly be used by me and my 4yo son as a 4wheeling base camp. As a single dad this will make getting my son into the woods a lot easier on me

Future plans include:
Electrical over haul.
Adding a 2nd propane cyl and moving them to the front deck.
Relocating the battery down to the trailer deck.
ARB Awning with wind break.
A bunch of other stuff I cant think of right now.

I made some headway on the spring over lift last night. Got the new perches welded and the axle hung. Still need to square it and tighten it up. I think it will be closer to 4" than the 3" that I guestimated.

You can see in this pic that its nose up by a couple inches. That's with my adjustable hitch all the way down as well.

This tire was about an inch off the ground before I flipped it.

One of the first mods I did to this trailer was move the stock tail lights up and in to keep them from getting beat off the bottom of the trailer.

 

[libarata]

Great build! It is the same concept I have been looking at. Would you consider turning the camper around for wind resistance?

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Great build! It is the same concept I have been looking at. Would you consider turning the camper around for wind resistance?

I think if you flipped it 180* you would end up with more wind resistance with that flat face facing forward. Plus it would mess with the balance of the trailer and make it a good bit longer over all.

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Total lift ended up being 4 3/8". Its tall

Before

After

 

[java]

Nice!

 

[Xbcasey]

My dad had an almost identical setup when I was younger. Simpl, effective and versatile, I love it!

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Got the leveling jacks mounted on the rear.

Made a mount for an old Coleman roadtrip grill that I had laying around. Mounts in the stake pocket on the trailer and knocks down flat.

Picked up a dual bottle mount and a charge controller. Those will be the next things on the list along with re plumbing the propane feed and rewiring the stereo.

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Its a light weight. 2280lbs with 240lbs of tongue weight. That's with a full water tank, pretty much ready to party minus the food box and beer cooler.

 

[Colorado_Outback]

Some pics from the weekend.