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
