Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

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Re: $850 budget Trek Freedom Camper

Postby Gold5one » Fri Mar 18, 2022 5:46 pm

Rear door is finished, hinges and lock, too. I am looking at building a small fold up rear ramp for the door- Just in case I need to load up, chickens, or goats, or baby pigs, llamas, or a pony.
Looks like, I'm basically done with the camper body.
Next step is to get it weighted.
I think I rushed this project really well- 22 days of work since I started this topic>
I returned an armful of lumber to Home Depot today- didn't need it after all. Every time I looked at my pile of salvaged wood, I saw a way to use it. Last year I ripped down long 2x4s ceiling boards from a remodel job- getting two 2x2 with a 1-1/2 by 5/8" center piece left over. Rather than scrap them, I saved them. All clear material, not like the crap in the stores now.
I'm going to coat the roof again and another coat of paint/stain to the outside for good measure.
Click to enlarge-
168563 168564
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Gold5one » Sat Mar 26, 2022 3:25 pm

Today was graduation day!
I made an easy trip on Saturday to Loves truck stop to get it weighted- 460 scale weight and I allowed 25lbs for the pretty light tongue= 485 lbs empty-
The trailer tongue will be a lot heavier when I'm loaded for a trip. A steady fuel economy mpg reading was 29 mpg just cruising at 50 mph.
I expect it will be closer to 22 mpg at 62 mph when finished and loaded with grub/ice and camping gear. I only drive 62mph in the right lane on the interstate. I have a 2020 Dodge Journey with the 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. The 4 speed OD transmission allows for manual tap shifting when you need that. I have the normal 4 cyl factory towing limit of 1000 lbs. It's geared reasonably low based on the tachometer rpms.

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"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby featherliteCT1 » Sat Mar 26, 2022 4:44 pm

Nicely done! :thumbsup:
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby twisted lines » Sat Mar 26, 2022 5:19 pm

Having the same towing capacity this is very comforting to see numbers & walls.
Thanks for sharing.
Racking up; And Rapin foam
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby bdosborn » Sat Mar 26, 2022 6:13 pm

Wow, that's a light one.Good job.

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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Gold5one » Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:36 am

Thanks everyone!
Bruce, I don't think there are many 4x8 sized builds in the 500lb range.
I took a couple days off to think through my problem- How to prop open the roof hatch? Yesterday I saw the 4 Harbor Freight end panel 2x4 cargo brackets left over- and I immediately saw my solution! (maybe this has been done before?)
The scrap 2x4 I cut up for test purposes gives me 6ft at thge end and stand up goes back almost two feet= enought to put my jeans on in the morning. .
Now to close it in- I will use luan for the end, with door height extension to make entry and exit easier- and maybe screened vinyl with snaps for the sides. I will rig up a couple of strong bungee cords to make sure a strong wind doesn't flip it open.

168657 168658
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Hepcat » Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:57 am

Clever solution. Do you have any detail pics of the lifting and locking mechanism? I am currently thinking along tho most simplified lines for the rear hatch of the Bop-a-Tear...like just two loose poles supported by the galley work surface or so
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Gold5one » Sat Apr 09, 2022 7:43 am

Lifting and locking parts are not done, nor will they be for a couple months- My gall bladder came out on April 3rd and this is the first time I have turned on my laptop since I got violently sick last Friday- I will be in recovery and rehab mode for awhile,
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby TimC » Sat Apr 09, 2022 11:00 am

Mark, Godspeed on your journey to full recovery!
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Gold5one » Sun Apr 10, 2022 4:30 pm

Thank you Tim for the encouraging words.
Once I am off this 24/14 antibiotic shoulder carry infusion pump I will know that I am cleared for takeoff.
I had an epiphany while in the hospital- I can make a helper hatch lifting device using a small spare garage door opener spring - one spring and two pulleys connected to two metal side arms.
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Gold5one » Mon Jul 04, 2022 3:55 pm

We sold our house on June 30th- Cash, as-is buyer- we have a month to live here rent free, to pack up and get moved- my Trek Camper build will end up being a cargo trailer to help move some of the small stuff 600 miles to a rental home, then a U-haul truck for the rest.. Cash talks, it was way too much $$ to pass up. Camping is a lot better where I am headed too.
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby pchast » Mon Jul 04, 2022 9:28 pm

Sounds like a good deal..
Good luck in the new location.
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby bdosborn » Tue Jul 05, 2022 8:50 am

Gold5one wrote: Cash talks, it was way too much $$ to pass up. Camping is a lot better where I am headed too.


Now's the time to do it, I'm betting that housing prices are headed down. Where are you going?
Bruce
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Re: Trek Freedom Camper- only 485 lbs

Postby Gold5one » Tue Jul 05, 2022 10:30 pm

Word is , home prices will be trending down a lot soon. I think the FL panhandle is the last quiet place left in Florida- so far the developers have avoided that area.
"the slow road has the most adventure"
Mark

2022- Trek Freedom camper- journal
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=74522

Weekender-XL build journal
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61445
sold-2018
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