Australian Retro Rambler

[edgeau]

On to the hatch! I have 3 of 4 ribs cut out today. I was apprehensive taking the jigsaw to my sides for the notch but worked out ok. I still needed to sand with #40 grit to smooth it off a bit.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

Wet weather and work taking me out of town has slowed progress but the hatch frame is almost there now. One more horizontal spar should do it.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

I didn't buy enough ply to finish the hatch and the second batch turned out to be harder to bend so I had to take it off the trailer to finish the outer skin.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

Reading lights are in, interior shelves and beading where the galley wall meets the floor done as well. It might just be useable for the post Christmas trip!

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

Well I have been rather lacking in posting because it was ready for the Christmas trip! Not that it is finished exactly but definitely useable. In fact it has now done four trips and my lovely wife is very pleased with it. I still need to do the tounge box, line the hatch and add some gas struts.
You will notice in the later photos we added a pull out awning on each side. These are the type often attached to the roof rack of a 4WD. They are really quick and easy to set up.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[Patrike1]

Great build!
Love the removable idea - Want to see that in action.
Cheers, Patrick

 

[edgeau]

Great build!
Love the removable idea - Want to see that in action.
Cheers, Patrick

I suppose I should video it.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

After a 10 month delay I am making sawdust again! Started the tongue box this weekend.
The keen observer will note the floor extends on one side. This will be a Jerry can holder. Spare wheel will attach to the other side.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[ojgrsoi]

Great idea!!

 

[edgeau]

Amazing how a few coats of staining varnish can make mismatched recycled packing crate wood look top notch.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

A wet weekend slowed me down but I have made some progress. The battery is now secure and I have a lid that still needs a hinge. After that I will secure the Jerry can.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

Box works! I got some nice over centre clamps from a packing crate to secure the lid. Once the lid was done the next priority was a cabling hatch. Because the TD is removable I had to avoid hard wiring in the connections to the box. When the TD is off I don't want plugs flapping in the wind and getting damaged. So a spring loaded hatch allows me to tuck them away.

I attached an extra square of ply where I wanted the access and used a hole saw to get the opening through both layers. I then simply slipped on a hitch cover and tightened a few grub screws. Much easier than building the hatch from scratch [emoji6]

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[redbicycle]

Nicely done!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

After a year of camping I finally got a permanent mechanism for holding the hatch open. I was considering gas struts but this is more period authentic which appeals to the better half [emoji6]. Varnish added after the photo.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[redbicycle]

Looks like it works a treat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[swoody126]

"it was so simple like the jitterbug it plumb evaded me" (Jimmy Buffett in God's Own Drunk)

sw

 

[edgeau]

Looks like it works a treat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[edgeau]

"it was so simple like the jitterbug it plumb evaded me" (Jimmy Buffett in God's Own Drunk)

sw

I like simple [emoji3]

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[MickinOz]

Hey edge, thanks for the greeting in the Newbie section.
You build diary is one of the reasons I wanted to join the forum.

I was hoping to ask a few questions.
It looks like you used one of those Easytrailers out of Melbourne?

Things that kinda sorta maybe bother me:
Are those pressed steel couplers any good? They look a little light to me.
Are the 12 inch wheels up to the task?
Any trouble with the trailer frame itself?

My head says it would all be find, but after a lifetime of using "proper" Aussie style trailer hitches, and welding things back together after they've been cracked on our terrible roads..............

Regards,
Mick

 

[edgeau]

Hey edge, thanks for the greeting in the Newbie section.
You build diary is one of the reasons I wanted to join the forum.

I was hoping to ask a few questions.
It looks like you used one of those Easytrailers out of Melbourne?

Things that kinda sorta maybe bother me:
Are those pressed steel couplers any good? They look a little light to me.
Are the 12 inch wheels up to the task?
Any trouble with the trailer frame itself?

My head says it would all be find, but after a lifetime of using "proper" Aussie style trailer hitches, and welding things back together after they've been cracked on our terrible roads..............

Regards,
Mick

I had similar reservations about the hitch. I even had a proper one on hand to swap to. But so far so good. I have done several 3hr runs at 110km on highways with no issue. I have not done extensive dirt roads.

The wheels are going fine but I do intend to carry a spare bearing set because it is not the standard Holden or Ford type you would pick up anywhere.

The frame is solid as but some powder coating on the wheel arches is starting to peel a bit so will need some paint soon. The only real issue I have is the form ply bed was in the weather for the first 12 months and is delaminating a bit.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk