joshporter.net » Camping

Project Tent Trailer continues…

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 04:01:24 +0000

Yes, I have had a major lack of posts about the tent trailer project over the last year, but rest assure, the project is still around. I have made small steps in moving forward with the roof rebuild over the past few months and now have a structure to mount back on the trailer. Unfortunately, when I was working on getting the canvas frame ready to re-attach to the new roof structure, I discovered a broken lift cable. Here’s a diagram of the lift cable system found on older Lionel/Bonair tent trailers.

Instead of reinstalling the roof structure and moving on, I decided it’d be easier to replace the cable, perhaps even both front cables, before the new roof was on. It was at this time that friends of ours were installing new vinyl flooring int heir house and had enough left over that I scored some new flooring for the trailer for free. I plan to install this before the new roof goes on as well. When these two tasks are done, I’ll get the new structure on and mounted, then it’s just a matter of applying the new roofing material (vinyl decking) and going for a camp-out. The plan is to not have the trailer in the garage this summer, even with another baby on the way, we’ll figure out how to get out camping at least twice hopefully.

Finishing the Brakes…

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:57:48 +0000

I’ve finally found the time to bleed the brakes and get the wheels back on. Had the trailer out for a test drive and everything looks to be working as it should, so I’m pretty happy with the outcome of this whole brake project. Being able to maintain the existing surge brake system was a big goal for me as I really didn’t want to go through the expense of changing everything on the trailer along with installing a braking controller in our tow vehicle. And now, on with the next phase of this project…

Trailer Update

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:15:44 +0000

After taking a break for a few months on the trailer project, I recently found some time to focus back on this project. I’ve managed to get the axle back under the trailer, almost ready for the wheels to go on and brakes to be bled. After this, the roof project starts, and even that has had some changes in the conceptual design phase.

Here’s a few of the latest project pictures…

Since taking these pictures I also decided to replace the U-bolts. As I’m sure you can see in most of the pictures, the corrosion just isn’t worth the threat of breaking the axle out in the back country. Some new custom made 7/16″ U-bolts have replaced the old 3/8″ U-bolts, just a bit more peace of mind while on the road.

I’ll update on the roof once the trailer is a roller again.

New Foundation Brakes

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:25:41 +0000

I finally ordered the new brake assemblies this week and have now got them installed on the axle. Rather than order individual parts to fix the old Atwood brakes, which would have been a nightmare to find parts for, I decided to just go ahead and pay the few extra dollars and replace the whole assembly from the axle flange out. All that’s left to do on the axle is install new brake lines then it can go back under the trailer.

Stripping the Trailer Axle

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:28:38 +0000

I was heading outside to let the dog out anyways so I figured I’d throw the axle up on the workbench and have a closer look. This lead to getting some tools out and seeing if a few days of soaking in penetrating oil would make it easy to get the brake assemblies off.

Well, it turns out, that was a success. I have removed all but two of the backing plate mounting bolts. Considering that I had only soaked the curb side, I didn’t even think I’d be able to get any of the nuts off on the other side. THe other two are soaking right now, and I’ll likely let them soak for a day or two before trying again. I did manage to scratch my arm when the wrench slipped off trying to get the last two nuts off so I figured that was a sign to stop.

I was also able to remove the clips that are screwed to the axle that hold the brake line. Unfortunately I broke the T connector where the rubber and two side brake lines meet. I’m sure it won’t be a big deal to figure out a new method to mount the new T connector, but I’ll figure that out when I get there.

Right now I’m trying to decide if it’s worth my time to strip down the axle with the wire wheel and give it a good coat of undercoating, but we’ll see how ambitious I am over the next few weeks. The U bolts looks like they could use replacing but I’m not sure I want to open that can of worms yet.

Trailer Hitch Reassembly

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:08:19 +0000

I was able to reassemble the hitch this morning for a final test fit to make sure all of the parts fit in their respective homes. Now I just have to get to the store to get some Never Seez and new mounting bolts/washers for the master cylinder and this part of the brake project will be done. At least until I have to connect the new brake lines, as I am sure I’ll be modifying the front shield to make it fit due to a slight change in design, more on that when I tackle that task.

For now, a few shots of the test fit.

Trailer Painting

admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:33:29 +0000

Well the used parts came today and I got to work on prepping them for paint and installation. Unfortunately I won’t be using the inner slide I ordered as it has a through bolt that has broken off and is seized in place. I tried to get it out but that just ended up making things worse. No problem, since the inner slide I originally had is usable.

I spent most of today stripping paint off a bunch of the smaller parts and painting them silver. I also prepped and painted the new shock.

Tomorrow I plan to get most of the hitch reassembled so that I can move on to working with the axle. Still no pictures, and at this point I’ve missed a few shots of the bare metal before paint, but I don’t really want to hold up the project just because I can’t find the camera.

UPDATE: I’ve added pictures to the past couple of posts. Check out the photo gallery for more pics.