My Gawd I'm stupid, I guess

[67Dart273]

In the quest for some sort of camper, here's what "we" wound up with, .......at least for now. Last night I found an old 82? Coleman tent trailer and talked the guy down to 300 bucks. YES it has a title, more than I can say for about 40% of stuff on CL. HERE is the plan. This thing is supposed to weigh 950 empty. I already figured out how to lighten it up and started in!!!

It's a little beat here and there, some minor problems with the canvas, but no real leaks, or mildew. The winch already needs work, we broke that trying to "demo" it and is part of the reason I talked him down

Cooktop and sink is interestin' LOL you fold them both upside down to travel. THAT IS going to change.

 

[67Dart273]

Already yarded out the front / rear bed extensions, there won't be any. Took the sink and cooktop out of that cabinet, and I'll just install it in the bottom cabinet. I can cook LOL "sitting down.". This will save weight, bulk, and simplify things I can sleep on the crossways single bed over the top of the two other cabinets, OR simply put pads on the floor and sleep "in the middle." The heater I guess will stay. Already fired up the cooktop, it works!!!! and came with a sizeable amount of LP !!!

 

[67Dart273]

One of the telescop uprights needs help. Yes LOL, that is a bumper jack

 

[67Dart273]

Here's the part I was dreading, and it turns out "I can do this." The front and rear trim pieces are broke at the corners and very delicate, wx and sun damage. They seem to be plastic, not fiberglas. But I realized that simply some flat sheet and corner angles, I can replace them both.

NOW PAY ATTENTION, girls, LMAO. HERE is the plan...........

1.....Yard out the beds, already done, and set up for "single" bed

2.....Install the cooktop and sink on the bottom half of the existing cabinet. I can cook sitting down, and probably won't do much. The sink drain is simply a garden hose, there is no tank. Water supply will be equally easy.......buy gallon jugs at the store.

Grey water (drain) can be a simple plastic jug under the thing, in the bed of the truck.

3.....Repair front / rear panels, and ditch all the rear lights. THE REAR will become the FRONT

4....Remove stabilizer jacks, and tongue. Remove tires / axle. MOUNT UNIT on top of the Dodge "white whale" rear bed rails. THAT'S RIGHT LMAO, it will simply sit on top of the bed just like a canopy.

5...Rework the entirely stupid door, which folds down into a step. Useless, gets damaged, and HEAVY. Plus, it won't work at all the way I want. Fab a simple side--hinged door.

6.....Repair the hoist, canvas, and rework the canvas for no--extensions.

See? easy. NOT

 

[Abodybomber]

Del,I always liked those trailers. Good luck,that's looks like a good price.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Interestin little beastie.

 

[67Dart273]

Interestin little beastie.

I may be using somewhat different language towards the thing "later on" LOL

 

[TexasDart]

I used to go to some popup websites...they have some really good info on finding parts and you might be able to sell some of your extra stuff. Good luck on your crazy project.

 

[67Dart273]

.......... crazy project..........

Yes, LOL I woke up "the morning after" and already had buyer's remorse. I just got back from the local DMV. The trailer "investment" just cost me another 32 bucks for title and transfer fees. I didn't register it yet, as it "might be awhile" (hell I might not LIVE that long) before I get it useable.

So far as replacing the rear panels, I think I'm gonna take a much simpler approach. Some flat sheet and simple angle stock on the corners will work just fine. If I cut it myself, I'll only need one finished side......the bottom, as the top and sides will be hidden by the top trim, and by the side angles. Of course it won't say "Coleman" LMAO but it turns out Coleman isn't Coleman, anymore, anymore than Chrysler is LOL

=========================

FIRST order of business this week is to fix the cable system for raising, the "wiffle tree" and THAT is going to be SOMETHIN

 

[Princess Valiant]

looks like its time for a hitch on the back of the dart. I would tow that with my wagon. :???::burnout:

 

[barbee6043]

I say after you get t pretty, get some gigs at state fairs and sell corn dogs out of it!!!! and put a hitch on the back of the car trailer and tow it..

 

[67Dart273]

LOL. Today, and pretty much "dictated to be first fix," I am working on the "whiffle tree." This is the lead screw under the trailer used to crank it up. Turns out the NYLON nut is stripped. I bought a piece of grade 5 5/8 threaded rod and am reworking that. Actually, "it's about" back in there now.

I'm afraid that at least one of the cable assemblies needs help. I think I remember seeing one of them kinked in the telescoping corner posts. It'll be "a race" to get that going up / down before the next rain LOL

This is not mine, but what they look like. The long threaded leadscrew winds the "tree" up and pulls all 4 cables

 

[zigs]

Del didn't know things had gotten that bad. If you need a place to stay ,the doors always open.

 

[67Dart273]

LOL. I just hope this doesn't turn into a huge turkey. It's a fair amount of work just to get it somewhat functional, above and beyond the paltry money I have into it "so far."

 

[oldkimmer]

U will getter done Del..........kim..........

 

[71340Duster]

Looks like a project! Our family had a Coleman pop up and camped it in all the time on the Oregon Coast, great memories. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[barbee6043]

on one of the satellite channels is a program " flipping RV's". basically they buy sell restore old RV trailers. kinda interesting. they really do some azazing work. these trailers were built many times in the 40's!! and the owners spend big $$ on them.

 

[TexasDart]

Flyte camp...I like that show!

I was doing a lot of research on Popups at one time and the cable system, roofs and the canvas are the first to go, of course. A lot of the campers have roofing issues...sometimes due to the big AC unit people put on top of those. Check out some of the popup websites, those guys are pretty creative...ie...cheap..frugal...etc..

 

[Mopar Tim]

I only have one question. you think a Hemi will fit in there? It will keep the rain off you head while camping, much better than a tent. good idea. MT

 

[Louie70Dart]

I hope you get it going, and I know you will. Nice thread, a cool change of pace, one that is not normally seen.

 

[67Dart273]

Made some progress today. Trimmed off the rear frame horns which originally had anchors for the expanding bed extensions. These won't be used. top photo is "formerly the rear" soon to become the front "as a camper."

Bottom photo shows remove of "most of" the tongue. the stub sticking out "I hope" will provide the start for the LP gas bracket.

 

[67Dart273]

Reworked the raising mechanism, know as the 'whiffle tree.' The original lead screw is acme thread and the damn nut......which stripped.......is nylon. So I bought a 3' piece of grade 5 USS allthread, and a couple of "coupler" nuts. One got welded into the "tree" to replace the stripped nylon, the other is welded to the front to provide a crank socket

Also, I got the axle out (2 whole bolts) and removed the stabilizer jacks.

 

[67Dart273]

Removed the POS original door which is heavy because it swings down into a step. This won't work "as a camper" as the pickup bed will be "down there." So I'll fab a simple side hinged door.. I painted myself into a corner on this one. Had it on the hoist and could not get the door down far enough to remove it, so I had to eff around and "install" it onto the bed of the 'white whale' on concrete blocks, just to pull it out and remove the door.

Damn thing must weigh 40 pounds.

 

[67Dart273]

My favorite free construction material. I'm about out of these, steel locker panels I got for free. I'll trim them to fit, and the cut edge will be hid up under the top seam. I bought 2" drip edge moulding (90 angle) at Lowe's and will probably double them for strength. A hole 11 bucks for 2 10 footers!!! They will fit into grooves in the side panels, and wrap around the front and rear panel and just screw it together. These are quite a lot heavier than the original plastic, but after all, I got rid of the axle LMAO

 

[Louie70Dart]

Pardon my ignorance, but are you going to fit this into the bed of your truck?