New Design - The Jack Knife

[stomperxj]

I was browsing through some old plans I downloaded from somewhere and came across this vintage Australian trailer and thought I'd give it a shot.




Specs:
6'4" wide (for a cross sleeping platform, could be made narrower)
6'0" long when closed, 9'-4 when open
12" wheels
Torsion axle
6'+ interior height at the highest point

Those are the only pictures I could find. I didn't get the interior figured out quite yet so its just kind of a concept at this point. I did figure out how to hinge the two lids and the track in between them. I think the biggest issue would be sealing all the different areas and making it as water tight as possible. The good things about it are it has a lot of head room and there is enough space for at least a 55" wide bed at the front...







Just some food for thought...

Jess

[madjack]

...hey Jess ...would be beyond trick to duplicate...after looking at the pics, I think it a real doable build...you can see the lifting rod which is what make so trick...one lift and it's set...cool...I thin sealing for the road would be simple...sealing for the rest would take a little thought...got see if we can find more info on the unit...maybe some of our folks downunder could scoure their sources for info....
madjack

[Miriam C.]

Well with the hydraulics we have now that might be fun to just open up.... Lotta wood and energy though..........

[stuart_w]

It's Australian.

Go to this Vintage Caravan Forum and search for 'Propert'.

There are lots listed under 'Members Photo Albums'

Board: http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?

One Example: http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=4122

[High Desert]

kind of a double jointed winter warrior. Sure is nice and compact when it's down. Good pics in the link that stuart_w provided, thanks.

So who's gonna try it? Mike, madjack, someone ready for a new one?

[stomperxj]

It's Australian.

Go to this Vintage Caravan Forum and search for 'Propert'.

There are lots listed under 'Members Photo Albums'

Board: http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?

One Example: http://vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=4122

Thanks for the links stuart! great pics...

[stomperxj]

Ok I downloaded a ton of pics of these things... They are in my photobucket account:



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/ ... ?start=all

Cool little trailers

[schaney]

How about a hybrid between this and your off-road clamshell?

Make the top about 3' tall and sloped towards the back. Then it folds up about 2/3 of the way and the rear portion has a canvas cover. The bed would extend over the top and you'd have room to standup on the end. Hmmm, sounds like an interesting trailer for somewhere down the road.

[S. Heisley]

It is a cool design and looks very do-able. The two things I see with it are that, with the top tipping down to the front, you'd have to be careful with placement of the tongue jack so the upright bar portion of the jack wouldn't hit the lifting-forward cabin wall; and, if you wanted a tongue box, it'd have to be a low shape. But, if you had a low tongue box on the front, the top could rest on that for support and it would give you more useable space, maybe for a bed/sitting area? Go for it!

[stuart_w]

Just found this also:http://www.ourtouringpast.com/my_caravans.html

[Saeldur]

I wanna see a pic of a jack knife. Do you have any?

[planzman]

Sorry for lurking for so long, but the military keeps me busy.

If I could get help with design planning and layout, this might be my first TTT.

[boffingham]

Hi Jess,

Did you get any further with your design, I am thinking of buidling one as well. What did you use for your Cad drawings? Can you share the files as it would be a good starting point for my design.

Thanks, Barry

[starleen2]

you can see from this angle that the mail lift (outer shell) has some sort of lifting board on the edges. It is visible at the lower right up at the front. The second shell rides on this lift to raise it in one lift - it acts like a lever! The support rod then locks into position to keep it from collapsing on itself

[stomperxj]

Hi Jess,

Did you get any further with your design, I am thinking of buidling one as well. What did you use for your Cad drawings? Can you share the files as it would be a good starting point for my design.

Thanks, Barry

I never got any further with it Barry. I use Autocad. If you want my files to start with PM me your email address...

Jess