Mild camper conversion of No 5 trek trailers (Ex-North Force).

[DT-P38]

Hi all,

As per previous post, here are some pic's of the two units we recently scored from Manhiem's ADF Auctions in Darwin.

The intent being to roadworthy then put a light & low cost frame in that can hold our rooftop tent. At this stage just gonna put tubs/boxes inside for moving/storing camping gear and then bung a sympathetic canvas tarp over it all and start using it.

It will be a slow process due to low priority, but any feedback, comments, ideas or photo's of similarly modified units would be appreciated.

Regards, Dave.

[Mick_Marsh]

The intent being to roadworthy then put a light & low cost frame in that can hold our rooftop tent. At this stage just gonna put tubs/boxes inside for moving/storing camping gear and then bung a sympathetic canvas tarp over it all and start using it.
How dare you ruin them!
Sacrilege!
Give them to me, NOW!

(Reckon that'll stir 'em up Dave?)

What do you think of a frame, hinged on one side like a book. with gas struts. Fill the top part with marine ply as a base for the tent. Have the bottom part of the frame (which is a bit bigger than the trailer) clamped on the trailer.
Another thing you may consider, is fixing a stabilising leg to the rear.

[DT-P38]

Hey Mick,

If I end up with the last one of these I pledge/ to all who care that I will restore it to better than new condition and donate it to the most appropriate ADF Trailer museum around at the time!

Also that "book hinge" design has me thinking about it all again... I just can't visualise it too well. Can you sketch?

Dave

[Landover]

I would assume you would do it like a typical camper trailer tent. You hinge the board on one side with some sturdy hinges (I've used gate hinges on mine as there cheap and strong), and on the other side use some pull down clips to hold it down. Then you add a shocker or two to make it easier to lift and stay up when accessing the trailer.

I can send pic's if requied.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Except it's only a No.5 (not a trek) trailer, there are hundreds of them out there, go for it! :twisted:

[Mike_S]

Probably a bit more than you want to do, but have you seen the build on Disco3 performed by one of the forum members on an ex-army Sankey trailer ?

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - My Sankey off road trailer build (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic47201.html)

Went from this

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/346.jpg

To this

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/347.jpg

There's a few others who've done the same, only kept the Sankey tub as well.

[DT-P38]

Not quite Landover, trying for a different set up using stuff we already have...

Yes, Mike S same principle of a roof top tent above an old army trailer however, ours will be very, very rudimentary and will retain as much of its current state as possible.

I have been getting annoyed with all the "mod cons" we are dragging around for camping these days and want to teach my kids to travel a little more lightly when getting away... sort of heading more toward Bear Gryll's style survival camping than what the ladies now call "glam-ping".

On the remlr site there is a photo of a No.5 with a tall "office"(?) tarp/tent on top that I will be trying to mimic for a cover. That way it should look very plain and discreet when packed away. When open our rooftop tent is very similar to the disco3 one in that it has an awning under and around the ladder... then I just want to ensure that the new tarp sides can also extend out onto poles for a usable awning style coverage around the three other sides. Maybe after that we'll source a big bugger cam net to go over the lot and the tow vehicle and that will do it. All gear and other bits in bags and boxes and away we go!!!

Cooking on open fires, travelling with minimal perishable stuff in one fridge that stays in the car... wash in a bucket or the creek, you know... "Old school" style camping not all this fluffy stuff we have all been heading toward for the last decade or two. I feel like these days I spend more time setting up and packing up (and loading and unloading) than enjoying the outdoors. Oh yeah and don't forget the maintenance and cleaning of all the extra kit. Bloody glam-ping? Bah, humbug!

I know its going to cause a stir, but if the girls dont like it, well stiff ****! They can stay home and arrange cabin, holiday home or hotel/motel holidays.

[Mike_S]

Sounds good (and cheap, I like cheap :) )

This one looks very simple, tbh the top looks like a Defender Utility rear end

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1366.jpg

[Mick_Marsh]

Except it's only a No.5 (not a trek) trailer, there are hundreds of them out there, go for it! :twisted:
You're thinking of Track Dianne. These No5 trailers were advertised as Trek.
Dave, this is of interest to me. Who were the trailers manufactured by? Is there a dataplate that says Trek?
My Crump and Cornish 1 ton cargo trailer was made by Crump and Cornish (no surprise there). The ones in Darwin and quite a few in Townsville were advertised as Haulmark as they were made by Haulmark. A fellow who lives not far from me has several 1 ton cargo trailers made by a different manufacturer again.
Who made your trailers Dave?

[slug_burner]

Not quite Landover, trying for a different set up using stuff we already have...

Yes, Mike S same principle of a roof top tent above an old army trailer however, ours will be very, very rudimentary and will retain as much of its current state as possible.

I have been getting annoyed with all the "mod cons" we are dragging around for camping these days and want to teach my kids to travel a little more lightly when getting away... sort of heading more toward Bear Gryll's style survival camping than what the ladies now call "glam-ping".

On the remlr site there is a photo of a No.5 with a tall "office"(?) tarp/tent on top that I will be trying to mimic for a cover. That way it should look very plain and discreet when packed away. When open our rooftop tent is very similar to the disco3 one in that it has an awning under and around the ladder... then I just want to ensure that the new tarp sides can also extend out onto poles for a usable awning style coverage around the three other sides. Maybe after that we'll source a big bugger cam net to go over the lot and the tow vehicle and that will do it. All gear and other bits in bags and boxes and away we go!!!

Cooking on open fires, travelling with minimal perishable stuff in one fridge that stays in the car... wash in a bucket or the creek, you know... "Old school" style camping not all this fluffy stuff we have all been heading toward for the last decade or two. I feel like these days I spend more time setting up and packing up (and loading and unloading) than enjoying the outdoors. Oh yeah and don't forget the maintenance and cleaning of all the extra kit. Bloody glam-ping? Bah, humbug!

I know its going to cause a stir, but if the girls dont like it, well stiff ****! They can stay home and arrange cabin, holiday home or hotel/motel holidays.

Give the kids a bed roll, a sturdy pair of shoes and a billy and make them walk. That 'll teach them how they use to do it, it will be cheaper on fuel too.

Anyone can do it rough, the enginuity comes from doing it comfortable enough not to put them off yet not have to drag a forty foot caravan around.

Good luck with the camper. Using what you already have is a good way to recycle plus you already know it is good or you would not be trying to reuse it.

[juddy]

What's with this fad over here with the ex adf trailers? They fetch silly money, yet people complain at a Sankey for half the price, which are a better made trailer, and that's got nothing to do with the fact I have one, as I am not really a trailer fan.

[PaulP38a]

Dave - I was all excited for you until I saw those trailers on the back of your missus' Cruiser... sacrilege... where is your Rangie?

I will be watching with keen interest how your project develops. I am also after a good/basic off-road camper setup for infrequent use that does not cost a fortune.

Cheers, Paul.

[Landover]

I was meaning to make a floor for the top like Discowhite did on his 130 trailer. See link.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/trailers-vans-campers/32210-130hcpu-camper-trailer-build-11.html

[DT-P38]

You're thinking of Track Dianne. These No5 trailers were advertised as Trek.
Dave, this is of interest to me. Who were the trailers manufactured by? Is there a dataplate that says Trek?
My Crump and Cornish 1 ton cargo trailer was made by Crump and Cornish (no surprise there). The ones in Darwin and quite a few in Townsville were advertised as Haulmark as they were made by Haulmark. A fellow who lives not far from me has several 1 ton cargo trailers made by a different manufacturer again.
Who made your trailers Dave?

I have no idea other than the auction description said Trek trailers. I can not even find any markings/stampings/plates other than the modifications ones. They have decommisioning labels that highlight some details like ARN numbers, items requiring servicing. I can only guess the came out of Maribyrnong?!? Is there some common area I should look to triple check?

[loanrangie]

Probably a bit more than you want to do, but have you seen the build on Disco3 performed by one of the forum members on an ex-army Sankey trailer ?

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - My Sankey off road trailer build (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic47201.html)

Went from this

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/346.jpg

To this

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/347.jpg

There's a few others who've done the same, only kept the Sankey tub as well.

Nice looking trailer but would have been better off starting from scratch as it doesnt resemble an army trailer any more which defeats the purpose i think.

[DT-P38]

Yes my thoughts exactly

[Mike_S]

He couldn't have made the running chassis of a trailer that strong for what it cost to buy the Sankey. It was never intended to look military, so doesn't defeat the object at all.

There are plenty of others that have used the full Sankey and just put a box on the top.

[Mick_Marsh]

He couldn't have made the running chassis of a trailer that strong for what it cost to buy the Sankey. It was never intended to look military, so doesn't defeat the object at all.

There are plenty of others that have used the full Sankey and just put a box on the top.
Isn't the Sankey a wider track than the Landrover much like a 1 ton cargo?

[DT-P38]

What's with this fad over here with the ex adf trailers? They fetch silly money, yet people complain at a Sankey for half the price, which are a better made trailer, and that's got nothing to do with the fact I have one, as I am not really a trailer fan.

No.5's are simply what I've always viewed as being the "Army Trailer" both growing up as an Army Brat and seeing them around on the road all my life.

My thoughts for the intended "recycle" were simply that I wanted "that look" and also that robust unstoppable build quality. Like PaulP38a commented it's "a good/basic off-road camper setup for infrequent use that does not cost a fortune". It's also a step in the right direction for a dream I have of owning a 101 for my "boys trip" camping rig someday... even though they didn't, they look like they came out of the same factory!

I guess it just makes sense to me that if I can cheaply buy one of these thats been around for approx. half a century and its still complete and servicable then we can pretty well expect to get good service from it in domestic use. I am learning already that it may need some minor mod's moving forward, but at this stage I want to limit that to:
- the frame for the roof top tent;
- a couple of sail tracks placed appropriately for awnings to hang off;
- some drop down stabilizer legs; and
- maybe shocks to dampen those monster heavy duty leaf springs.

I hope not, but as with all toys it will probably evolve to include a tailgate conversion and a slide out kitchen and a solar/battery/genset power setup and a diesel heater, and a airconditioner, and 2 fridges, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.........

[DT-P38]

As of tomorrow I will have the pintle hitch sorted and should be ok to tow a trailer around for quotes on the box steel frame to support the Roof Top tent.

Can anyone recommend AULRO (and budget!) friendly trailer manufacturers or steel fabricators?

Next step will be a sympathetic canvas cover so any referrals in this area would be good too.

Appreciate any input/guidance, Dave.

[DT-P38]

Well I got the pintle hook sorted and used yellow pages, google and ebay to guide me to budget trailer and steel fabricators... three quotes todate for a simple frame to sit the tent on range from $350-450.

Two simply quoted to my suggested design (simple frames and supports of box section steel with mounting points for the original tarp hoop to sit up top too). However, the one I prefer so far suggested some angle iron sitting directly on the lip with the angle wrapping into the trailer hence removing most of the lateral pressures of off roading. That guy also had a simple and discreet latch down set up which goes well with the "sympathetic" and easily reversible conversion I am aiming at.

I have another fabricator to see this coming week and then it will be build, paint and get some canvas done...

Also learned one very interesting lesson with towing a No 5... make sure there is a greater distribution of weight toward the vehicle end so that there is a decent amount of down force on the hitch. I had it set up virtually balanced flat and the thing got VERY, VERY skittish! In fact, it was bouncing violently from side to side at any speed over 40-50Km/h to the point it started pulling the P38 around somewhat. And that was with relatively little weight (say 200kg's) on board. With half the weight (but better distributed) it rode very nicely on the return trip.

Oh I also let the pressure down on the olympics to approx 20PSI to reduce bounce. This seemed pretty smooth but shocks may be elevated on the minimalist mod's list still. Perhaps I'll wait and see with a decent load of gear on first.

Will share some photo's when I have the frame and tent sorted.

Hoo-Roo, Dave

[loanrangie]

The angle iron frame would be my choice and what i'll be doing with the trailer i'm building. Although it wont be a rooftop tent it will either be just a simple canvas canopy over a steel rod frame or camper trailer style tent.

[DT-P38]

Dude I thought was happy to do hasn't called back in a few weeks...

Sooooo, I am picking up my seconds grade precut 50 X 50 box and 50 X 50 angle tomorrow to start building the frame/roof top tent support myself. Two trailers worth only cost me $200 so thats a great start at $100 a trailer. Hoping I can get decent canvas covers made for a couple of hundred each.

Any experienced welders got tips for an absolute back yarding hack?

[loanrangie]

Dude I thought was happy to do hasn't called back in a few weeks...

Sooooo, I am picking up my seconds grade precut 50 X 50 box and 50 X 50 angle tomorrow to start building the frame/roof top tent support myself. Two trailers worth only cost me $200 so thats a great start at $100 a trailer. Hoping I can get decent canvas covers made for a couple of hundred each.

Any experienced welders got tips for an absolute back yarding hack?

I would say practice on some old steel offcuts if you can, i dragged my old mans 35yo cig arc welder out and last weekend got a fair bit done on my project (pics up on weekend ). I first used it back when it was new in '77 although a bit rusty (me) a quick few welds got me back up to speed.

I'm no expert but i find moving the arc in a forward then back movement gets me a good clean weld with good penetration on thick steel , i was using 130amp for 2.5/3mm and down to 60-70amp for 1.6/2mm .

[cewilson]

Sounds good (and cheap, I like cheap :) )

This one looks very simple, tbh the top looks like a Defender Utility rear end

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1366.jpg



That has so much potential. You could set the top half up for storage, kitchen, battery power etc. Plus it is a great base to put the roof top tent on. That would leave the whole tub for even more storage.

I like it a lot :)