Campster12 build

[chriskoebb]

The trailer is cut down to close to what I think I need to start modifying to be a campster12. I am going to buy a mig weilder and fix a few spots on the trailer and add 15inches to the back to make the length to the size of the campster drawings. I opened the sides in front of the wheels so I can
replace the axel to a 3500lb straight axel with brakes. I will then put 14" tires on. I am going to do the drop floor portion but leave the support in the
middle so I dont have to redesign the trailer.

[chriskoebb]

I am converting a deckover to a campster12. Going to read more on build Journaling before I try and add more photos... newbie here lol

[rebapuck]

Everybody is a newbie at first. You'll get all your questions answered here.

[angib]

I am going to buy a mig weilder and fix a few spots on the trailer and add 15inches to the back to make the length to the size of the campster drawings.

Will that put the wheels in the right place? Adding length behind the axle is a recipe for a trailer with too low a hitch weight and hence poor stability.

[chriskoebb]

I am going to buy a mig weilder and fix a few spots on the trailer and add 15inches to the back to make the length to the size of the campster drawings.

Will that put the wheels in the right place? Adding length behind the axle is a recipe for a trailer with too low a hitch weight and hence poor stability.

If I go by Grants design I have my axel in the right place allready, but if you measure from the back of the trailer to the center of the wheels I am 15 inches shy. So im hoping I am doing the right thing by adding the 15 inches in the back.......

[chriskoebb]

Everybody is a newbie at first. You'll get all your questions answered here.

This seems to be a great resource full of very nice people! Im looking forward to building this and meeting some good people along the way.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

I am going to buy a mig weilder and fix a few spots on the trailer and add 15inches to the back to make the length to the size of the campster drawings.

Will that put the wheels in the right place? Adding length behind the axle is a recipe for a trailer with too low a hitch weight and hence poor stability.

I must have missed something here ... Adding length to the trailer behind (aft) of the axles would be the same as adding weight behind (aft) of the axles making the tongue weight less (Kind of like adding more weight to one end of a teeter-totter). This usually makes a trailer and tow vehicle less stable, and can increase whip.
Maybe that is what your were saying Angib ... I just missed on the first read

If the trailer length is okay, moving the axle towards the rear (aft) will make the tongue heavier ... Just my 2 cents Chris

[chriskoebb]

I am going to buy a mig weilder and fix a few spots on the trailer and add 15inches to the back to make the length to the size of the campster drawings.

Will that put the wheels in the right place? Adding length behind the axle is a recipe for a trailer with too low a hitch weight and hence poor stability.

I must have missed something here ... Adding length to the trailer behind (aft) of the axles would be the same as adding weight behind (aft) of the axles making the tongue weight less (Kind of like adding more weight to one end of a teeter-totter). This usually makes a trailer and tow vehicle less stable, and can increase whip.
Maybe that is what your were saying Angib ... I just missed on the first read

If the trailer length is okay, moving the axle towards the rear (aft) will make the tongue heavier ... Just my 2 cents Chris

That makes since. I would be adding 15" to rear and almost 36" to the front of the box part of the trailer. Effectively making the box on my trailer from 96" long to
147" long with the axle being at 121" from the tongue of the trailer Per Grants design of the campster. I guess it would have helped on my part if I would have gave all the information. now that I am buying a mig wielder I am thinking of just putting a deck back on my trailer and selling it and build from scratch.lol . Although we Did come up with a name for the Camper. "The Movie Trailer" Coming soon to a town near you!

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Are you going with the full size 12ft long by 7ft wide by 5ft high box?

I guess going with what you have or selling and building/buying depends on you ... And I couldn't tell you the best way to go ... I would have (and considered it before going the cargo route), like you, probably built my own frame; thus, giving you the option to build size and strength to meet your needs/wants. With that said, you already have a frame that may give you a start with the mods you need to make or maybe even build a smaller trailer. As you already know, the choices, decisions and direction need to be weighed by you, because you have to make the final decision.

With your background, you will make the right choice and we are all rooting for you ...

[chriskoebb]

Are you going with the full size 12ft long by 7ft wide by 5ft high box?

I guess going with what you have or selling and building/buying depends on you ... And I couldn't tell you the best way to go ... I would have (and considered it before going the cargo route), like you, probably built my own frame; thus, giving you the option to build size and strength to meet your needs/wants. With that said, you already have a frame that may give you a start with the mods you need to make or maybe even build a smaller trailer. As you already know, the choices, decisions and direction need to be weighed by you, because you have to make the final decision.

With your background, you will make the right choice and we are all rooting for you ...

I think I"m going to go ahead and Build a Frame since I need a family camper and I really want electric brakes for safety with building a larger trailer. Besides I need a wielder any way!

Thanks for the encouraging words!

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Ah ha, the truth comes out ... excuse to buy more toys
I had to throw that in, I really can relate to building your own frame ... you know what you want and build it your way and get what you want & need ... I am much the same way!


I had to sell my welder when I moved from Arizona and had to replace the 50's era, 250 amp Hobart pipeliner with a 220v Hobart 190 MIG unit. I really liked the old welder and hated to let her go, but moving a huge welder on wheels would have been a chore. Now I can again build all those things, ah, ah, ah, well, you know, those things I need to weld.


Make sure you keep us in the loop on what and how with lots of pics and good luck on the build

[chriskoebb]

Ah ha, the truth comes out ... excuse to buy more toys
I had to throw that in, I really can relate to building your own frame ... you know what you want and build it your way and get what you want & need ... I am much the same way!


I had to sell my welder when I moved from Arizona and had to replace the 50's era, 250 amp Hobart pipeliner with a 220v Hobart 190 MIG unit. I really liked the old welder and hated to let her go, but moving a huge welder on wheels would have been a chore. Now I can again build all those things, ah, ah, ah, well, you know, those things I need to weld.


Make sure you keep us in the loop on what and how with lots of pics and good luck on the build

I will do so! Yes any excuse to get more toys

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Same here ... I had to take the Granddaughter to St. Cloud (about 45 mi. northwest of home). On the way back, I almost stopped at Harbor Freight Tools (there) to see what they had for sale (I have my list of needs), but didn't.

I am glad I picked up a snow-thrower (a used 5 hp unit) a couple of weeks ago ... I had about 10 inches of snow in the driveway this morning and there is already another 3 inches, after I "blazed" it!

The snow is falling like crazy and the wind piles it on the back deck ... I just looked out there and the snow ranges from about 12 inches to 2 ft. !! I just finished and will shovel that off before it get dark.

[chriskoebb]

Same here ... I had to take the Granddaughter to St. Cloud (about 45 mi. northwest of home). On the way back, I almost stopped at Harbor Freight Tools (there) to see what they had for sale (I have my list of needs), but didn't.

I am glad I picked up a snow-thrower (a used 5 hp unit) a couple of weeks ago ... I had about 10 inches of snow in the driveway this morning and there is already another 3 inches, after I "blazed" it!

The snow is falling like crazy and the wind piles it on the back deck ... I just looked out there and the snow ranges from about 12 inches to 2 ft. !! I just finished and will shovel that off before it get dark.

Whoa! i'm sure right now you are missing the Arizona weather a bit. I guess I can not complain about it dropping down to 34deg...

Looking forward to getting my mig wielder and getting some practice in on my trailer i'm going to make back to a utility trailer.

I will go ahead and post some pictures as I go even though it is not slated to be a Teardrop anymore.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Are you going to get a bottle of gas to go with it or use it as a Flux-Core_some machine allow it?
If you go with gas, be sure to get the right mixture ... it can make big difference. Good luck with it and keep us in the loop ...