[christover1]

Camera operator has no sound on is cam, so I had to add something .
Guess I could have dubbed in some V8 sounds.

Should be another vid with sounds coming.

[jdk81]

The mound of rocks that ate your auto locker springs was nasty!
It was a scary moment was you were recovered. It looked like your trailer was close to bouncing over and landing on its side.

Any pics of new shocks and position/angle etc?

[christover1]

jdk81 wrote:

The mound of rocks that ate your auto locker springs was nasty!
It was a scary moment was you were recovered. It looked like your trailer was close to bouncing over and landing on its side.

Any pics of new shocks and position/angle etc?

Will get some shots today sometime, it got too dark to take pix yesterday.
Is not perfect, but is much better than it was, plus new shox helps, one had actually seized.
I saw the trailer bounce rather high in my mirror,
which was also when I thought about better shock mounts.
It still has more ground clearance than the Vit, so You were correct there.

When I dropped a tyre in the shed, it bounced quite high,
so much less air in trailer tyres is probably going to help.

Have to go into Camberwell tonight,
so will drag the camper for a test, aiming for all the speed humps

[christover1]

I need another crack at them rocks

[christover1]

Remounted the shockers to about 45*
They are Ultima4x4 shox, MADE IN AUSTRALIA for a nice change.
Trailer is lighter than a car, so they should be OK.
Top mount is around 40mm higher, and used the original trailers jerry tie down point as bracing.
Upper shock bolts were recycled bolts from Matts GV that he parted in my garage.
Lower shock mounts are axle plates from my old Sierra,
which were removed from above axle to underneath, about 90mm lower than they were.
Took 5psi out of the tyres, too.

[jdk81]

Shocks look more functional
How far to bumpstops?

[christover1]

About 40mm to bumpstop.
I have shaved 5 - 10mm or so off a Sierra rear bump rubber.
I compressed a spring as far as practical in a garage,
then drooped it.
Got roughly 80mm full static travel at spring, probably has a bit more.
That was roughly 40mm travel at shock, which was roughly expected at 45*.
Gave myself room for shocker changes if needed, or heavier ones.

[christover1]

Put some stickers on it, so I can see if they stay on, before spending money on tyre track stripes.

[pete_79]

christover1 wrote:

When I dropped a tyre in the shed, it bounced quite high,
so much less air in trailer tyres is probably going to help

I found this to be very true.
The first run out of the shed with my trailer I had the tyres at about 30-32 and it bounced around a fair bit. I run them at 22 now and I'm really happy with how it rides.

[christover1]

Ordered an AZ sticker to make it complete.

After it's first trip will weigh it and change the rego details.

[pete_79]

Will be interesting to see the new final weight compared to it's original form.

[christover1]

pete_79 wrote:

Will be interesting to see the new final weight compared to it's original form.

Using cheapy bathroom scales, in a garage that slopes forward,
I got 162kg at the left wheel, 164kg at the right wheel, and 59kg at the jockey wheel.
So it weighs roughly 385kg (+100kg if I get in )
Was aiming for under 400, so very happy with that, though was hoping for 350.
Brake free towing limit on my Vitara is 450kg..
Ball weight was supposed to be less than 50kg, but it is pointing down hill,
and the jockey wheel is back from the ball position a bit.
Most loads, like camp food will be behind the wheels, so should be ok.

So since first weighing present set up Ihave added around 65kg,
which includes insulation, lining, battery, solar panel, wiring, lights and bedding.

Original trailer with tent weighed around 280kg+ ish,
Which was 220kg trailer, 40kg tent,
but I had added jockey wheel, jerry racks, extra metal to raise sides,
and larger tyres since its weigh in.

Proper weigh bridge for rego will be coming in a couple of weeks.

[pete_79]

It's surprising how the little things add up.
I've never been a true backpacker or hiker, but now I know how they must feel when packing for a trip after trying to keep my trailer under or as close as possible to the 350kg unbreaked limit for the Jimny.

This one looks like a good setup and it survived the first test run, that's always a good thing.
Well done.

[christover1]

[christover1]

Fitted insulation to door and back wall as well.
Didn't think I'd need it there, but I did.
Condensation was quite evident on the door and danglies, but nowhere else.
Probably lost a bit warmth out there, too.
Was a bit tricky with the wiring and stuff, but all good now.

Considering a 2nd layer of thinner Perspex/poly for inside the side windows,
like double glazing without a vacuum, in place of curtains.
Door is a large window, which may be easier to curtain.
Still thinking, not concerned about privacy, I like seeing out.
Anyone lookin in deserves what they see

Contacted VicRoads re rego, looks to be easier and cheaper to start a new rego.
Too many complex hoops, surrounded with red tape,
to just change the details on current registration.
Like first time, get a new VIN issued, stamp the chassis,
weigh it, fit ID plate, fill out papers and register.

[jdk81]

christover1 wrote:

Condensation was quite evident on the danglies

way too much info chris

[christover1]

jdk81 wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Condensation was quite evident on the danglies

way too much info chris

[christover1]

Weigh bridge done, officially 380kg, which I am very happy with.
I had it at 385 with my dodgy bathroom scales

Got to VicRoads this morning, and got a helpful bloke, who decided to change the description, rather than start a new reg.
He didn't want me grinding off old VIN numbers.
No Vass cert needed, as some employees wanted
Just a weight cert and a visual check to see if lights were in right spot, and VIN matched etc.

So now it is officially a caravan.
On the ID plate I listed model as a C-Van

[buzbox]

Nice work, Personally I think the only thing that is missing is, well shag carpet on the walls and a lava lamp.

Groovy baby

[pete_79]

Congratulations.....

You've done well to get through that process so easily...

[christover1]

buzbox wrote:

Nice work, Personally I think the only thing that is missing is, well shag carpet on the walls and a lava lamp.

Groovy baby

Could be a future idea

[christover1]

pete_79 wrote:

:woohoo: Congratulations.....

You've done well to get through that process so easily...

Thanks, they can make you dance sometimes.

[christover1]

Booty fabbed a door curtain.
Should last for this Winter.
Should keep my dangly things dry.

[pezz]

Good job chris

[christover1]

pezz wrote:

Good job chris

Thanks.

Will do some for the side windows next week.

[christover1]

Repurposed another 2 pillow cases for the side window curtains.
Decided against double glazing mainly on cost reasons, but also curtains were easier.
Not sure using pillow cases was economical or tight wad thinking
But they do colour match nicely, are double thickness, and required a lot less hemmings.
Had to borrow Mum's sewing machine, not a tool I need very often.
Am ready for the next cold trip now.

[Zook_Fan]

Camper looks great! While you've got the sewing machine you could cut a little hole in the front of the pillow and hem it up and you'd have a bit more storage area for light things!

[christover1]

Zook_Fan wrote:

Camper looks great! While you've got the sewing machine you could cut a little hole in the front of the pillow and hem it up and you'd have a bit more storage area for light things!

Not a bad idea.

[pezz]

christover1 wrote:

Am ready for the next cold trip now.

keen for a pyrenees/mount cole trip?
thinking about a overnighter soon

[christover1]

pezz wrote:

christover1 wrote:

Am ready for the next cold trip now.

keen for a pyrenees/mount cole trip?
thinking about a overnighter soon

Going on a trip with the CCJC club on long weekend.
So some time after that would be good.