Off-Road Pop-up Build, (tent trailer)

[DesertXJ]

Hey Everyone,

Well I went on a hunt for a trailer to build for some desert adventures with my kids and came across this 1978 Coleman Concord. I had heard about it through a lady on Facebook and called the guy. He was just getting ready to put it up for sale. I asked him if he would wait until I could get up to his place to look at it (about an hour away) over the weekend. He said he would and and we made plans to meet on the upcoming Saturday. I loaded up my wife and one son and took the drive. We arrived and he had it all opened up for me. It was exactly what I was looking for. I mentioned that to my wife and she said "well its not what I had in mind" lol. So we struck a deal for $450. and off I went. It towed real nice behind my wife's Envoy so it should do find behind my Cherokee XJ.

Here's some Pics of it right after we picked it up, we stopped at a local Walmart to do some shopping, so I snapped a couple of pics with my phone.

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Well we got her home and the next day (Sunday) We started in on the dissecting and disinfection....

We pulled all the canvas off to do some patching and repairs. Overall the canvas was in great condition for the age. There was just some seams that were starting to have issues and one zipper that will need to be replaced. I called a local saddlery and they do canvas repair so we'll be sending off to them.

The guy had replaced the suspension with some new make shift stuff and replaced the donut tires with some 13" trailer tires. I'll be redoing the suspension and might do some different tires not sure till I get some final measurements.
There are some electrical issues, Which is no biggie for me as I'm an Electrician, and as a past RV mechanic. We are going to do some interior remodeling, Different cushion covers, and some paint

I'm going to build a rear fuel rack with hitch mount, a spare tire holder under the trailer. and what ever else I can think of...

Here's some more pics of it in our Driveway,

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[DesertXJ]

Just picked up a Kawasaki 55o watt Generator for it for $150.00 from a guy here locally. will post pic soon!

[Mark Harley]

I like that spare mounted on the back!

[k9lestat]

i cant wait to see what you do with it.

[DesertXJ]

I like that spare mounted on the back!

lol.........yeah I was thinking ok that's gonna do a lot of good! when I saw it too.

[Mark Harley]

It is a nice size, Keep us posted on the work.

[Black_ZJ]

How funny, I used to work at an RV dealer as well doing minor repairs and love the tiny folding tent trailers. Are you going to pull out all of the unneeded stuff like the stove and sink and increase the floor space while decreasing weight? And I see a classic Z car in one of the pictures, details please!

[DesertXJ]

How funny, I used to work at an RV dealer as well doing minor repairs and love the tiny folding tent trailers. Are you going to pull out all of the unneeded stuff like the stove and sink and increase the floor space while decreasing weight? And I see a classic Z car in one of the pictures, details please!

I think I might keep the stove and sink not sure, I'm still formulating a plan, and do you want details on the Z,

its a 1983 280zx, Its my son's he was working on it he has a parts car and a complete extra drive train set up, Its actually going up for sale as a package, He just started Snow College here in Richfield and is going to sell off all his toys while he's going to school.

[TRegasaurus]

While you’re at it, have the mattresses and cushions reupholstered. After all those years, the foam must be shot.
Nice find.

[DesertXJ]

While you’re at it, have the mattresses and cushions reupholstered. After all those years, the foam must be shot.
Nice find.

yep that's in the work plans also, unfortunately the upholstery shop I use has decided to shut down because of health issues uggggg!!! they did such great work at such reasonable prices. The new guy that is doing it is all about the money and as the norm where I live wants to charge 2-3x what the work is actually worth..Guess we'll be trying to find someone new...