Thread: Design and build a camper trailer - novice

Well it was a pretty good day today. I put the door rubber on the kitchen door, plus did a couple of tidy up bits, then it was tow the trailer into the yard for the first time. Filled the water tank to flush it out, but then found that I had a couple of leaks in the plumbing.... quick fix on that and then onto cleaning. Set up the awning and cut the fly mesh so that the kitchen is accessible.

The Mrs was pretty excited so she was cleaning it all out and putting in non-slip stuff.... then loading kitchen essentials in. Esky and cooker in, ready to go. Tomorrows job is to wire the D90, so that the it will charge the battery while driving (solar panel will not... it's shaded by the tent) there will also be an accessories signal wire to activate the pressurised air system.

As yet I haven't made the lifting legs... they have me perplexed a little. I have some trailer jockey wheels that I'm modifying for the job and I'm troubled with how to make it all compact, strong and simple.

Hey DB, just remember to make your legs out far enough to clear the trailer wheels/guards.
Just weld matching tube (for the trailer side) to the top of the leg, give it a foot to stand on, you can actually buy feet for this type of thing, so get the legs without wheels, unless you want to be able to roll it around, which could be a bonus too.

Not the best picture for your purposes, but talk to Ranga about his excellent stands.

Originally Posted by Chops

Hey DB, just remember to make your legs out far enough to clear the trailer wheels/guards.
Just weld matching tube (for the trailer side) to the top of the leg, give it a foot to stand on, you can actually buy feet for this type of thing, so get the legs without wheels, unless you want to be able to roll it around, which could be a bonus too.

Ahh yea Chops, got the wheel arch width under control The problem with just welding a RHS on the side of the Jockey is that I end up with a great big right angle 'thing' that will take up lots of room! I was hoping to carry them with me camping so that I can use them to stabilize and level as well. SO I was hoping to make the 'insertion tube' fold flat or close to flat against the jockey.

Gainwibrow - I can't open the file... Could you repost it without the zip?

I shoudl have mentioned that the solar panel seems to be working well in that configuration. I didn't put the tent up and so didn't pivot the panel yesterday but I"m going to assume that it wont make a huge difference. I was getting up to 8amps of charge (120W panel).

Originally Posted by Chops

Hey DB, just remember to make your legs out far enough to clear the trailer wheels/guards.
Just weld matching tube (for the trailer side) to the top of the leg, give it a foot to stand on, you can actually buy feet for this type of thing, so get the legs without wheels, unless you want to be able to roll it around, which could be a bonus too.

Chops, have you seen feet for sale? can I ask where? OR what do I google to find them? Would "trailer stand foot" work?

Is this the sort of thing you are looking for? They can be bought off ebay or caravan places.

Google wind down stabiliser legs and there are heaps.

Or this?

Google trailer jack for this type.