Thread: A problem for all the budding engineers

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

its easy enough to do with a small winch some steel cable, turnbuckles and some clever mounting and teflon slider pads

If you look at the way old pop top caravans used to lift its just a remake of that.

Yes. I did have a bit more of a think about it and realised would lift the bottom of the inner pole from the top of the outer pole. But I don't want to go down the winch/pulley road.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

its easy enough to do with a small winch some steel cable, turnbuckles and some clever mounting and teflon slider pads

If you look at the way old pop top caravans used to lift its just a remake of that.

Thats what I meant but it didn't come out that simple

No rope and pully, easy, immitation sissor lift.

make two pair of diagonal braces anchor the front of the top and the bottom, fit roller guides and attach a long threaded rod with a crank to the front of the top of the frame then into the cross member of the top frames rear roller. Wind it in and up she comes.

get lazy, match up a cheapy 500lb winch drive to it and wire it off the aux feed for the trailer or the trailer battery.

make up some drop down bars to releive the weight from the screw if your going to be really cheap and make it from threaded rod from bunnings It will lift it but I wouldnt want to rely on it for support.

or cheaper again........(and still no ropes or pullies)

If theres going to be 2 of you to lift it a pair of long screw lifts fitted centerally at the front or the rear and wind up in sync.

or be lazy, take handy dandy 500lb winch drive make up a chain drive out of a pair of bike chainwheels and hang that under the center of the frame to drive each end...

then insert the main stay poles.

And for the super dooper how cheap am i version....

a ratchet pawled sissor lift

much like the first one but you lift the whole lot by hand and as it rises a one way ratchet will stop it from dropping while you reposition to lift it. (you can also mechanise this one but then you have to use the rope and pully things again)


IF youd like Pm me and I'll draw up some basic Tech drawings of said lifting mechs.

IF any of them take your fancy I'll spec em up and if you happen to be down my way with the parts and a carton of my fav neck lube I'll even build it up for you. (minus the winch drive, Im not that lazy...... yet)

How about just temporarily or permanently shortening the bottom of the sides of the annexe? Perhaps you might have to shorten your own legs as well, though.

Hi Graeme, I did think of this but it really has to be at min 1900 or you cant stand up.

I like Daves ideas. I am now thinking maybe a scissor action to lift it but make this out of a light section and only use it to lift the tent up, not hold it then have heavier supports to place under.

Electric motors, similar setup to electric windows just uprated motors on each side operated by the one switch therefore they run together. A hand brake or locking mechanism when the tent is erected.

Adam..

Consider 4 cheapo hydraulic rams (or 2 on a scissor lift arrangement)

Cost - Sub $95.00 each

Cheap hand pump on draw bar....

Pump up to height, pin in position/fit mechanical locking device

Easy as....

Tombraider

I have been collecting pics of custom camper trailers over time, never know when i'll build mine , there might be some here that answer your question...

http://disco.bordignons.net/trailers/

Matt.