Thread: A problem for all the budding engineers

Your just full of ideas aren't you.

I now have it sorted........I hope. Sorry I did not end up going with any of your ideas.

There is going to be an arm attached to the 4 corners of the rack holding the tent. The other end of each arm is attached to the side of the trailer. (obviously a structurally braced position). All 4 arms run in the same direction and all mave together so the tent lifts up and back.

Is that clear as mud!

Ok, so I can't explain it well it really needs a pic but is should work.

Damn. And I thought for sure the hole idea was a winner

Originally Posted by scrambler

Damn. And I thought for sure the hole idea was a winner

Yea I liked the idea of a portable hole
The goodies definatly found plenty of uses for them.

Exhaust jacks, setup in sync with eachother once inflated locking pins are extended to secure the tent into position.

Just watch out for over inflation and carbon monoxide poisoning in the tent after inflation

Works for the hovercrafts

Originally Posted by matbor

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.

I like this design


you might find one with bigger wheels and not even have to build anything
Stevo

Hi Adam,

I can think of a number of ways to do it. It all depends on how much you want to spend and or how easy you want it to be. You can use screw jack sissor lift systems, you can lift each end independently and pull out cross braced legs (rather like a trestle table), you can use air powered rams on each corner with a mechanical lock at either end. Lots of ways of skinning a cat. You want some help let me know.

Thanks Ian. I have been thinking about it more and I have alomost come to the decision that I won't lift the tent up!

I had a look through all Mat's great photo's and there are quite a few trailers which are running roof top tents...and none try to lift the tent up and I reckon there is probably a good reason the experts dont do it...other than cost.
When you are doing trips like the Simpson and Cape York you want things to be as simple as possibe. Most of the money in the trailer is being spent on the axle/hubs and suspension. The only reaoson i needed it to lift up was to attach the annexe....which would only be used rarely....so I decided to save the trouble and just carry my centre pole tent, which we can set up as a change room if we camp for more than a couple of days.

PS. When is the next trip? I am busy all September but will be hanging out for a trip in October.

Originally Posted by dobbo

I was thinking along the same lines,
Another would be to use a pulley system on each corner a cable boat winch on the trailor and locking pins on each corner.

The same sytem used on wind up camper trailers, you can buy a kit to convert from liftup to wind up from here - www.caravansplus.com.au .