Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
Roof Tent on Trailer height adjustment
Hi all,
Have looked at a few of the trailer builds on here but cant quite find what I am looking for. SWMBO and myself are both 6 footers and our Sankey conversion with tent on top and folded out stands at a little over 5 foot.
I dont want to raise centre of gravity whilst travelling so I need to design a system to raise the height by about 12 inches when it's setup. That'll allow us enough room to stand up straight underneath it.
I've seen a few designs from scissor systems to simple frame that you lift manually and prop underneath with axle stands to auto mated systems. I want to steer clear of the automated system for fear of adding too much weight. A nice simple system that a laymen (with poor welding skills) such as myself could build fairly quickly and easily would be the ideal.
Ideas and especially pictures would just perfect.
Thanks all.Cogito ergo sum!
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
3rd Jan 2018 10:47 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Re: Roof Tent on Trailer height adjustment
abermarc wrote:
Hi all,
Have looked at a few of the trailer builds on here but cant quite find what I am looking for. SWMBO and myself are both 6 footers and our Sankey conversion with tent on top and folded out stands at a little over 5 foot.
I dont want to raise centre of gravity whilst travelling so I need to design a system to raise the height by about 12 inches when it's setup. That'll allow us enough room to stand up straight underneath it.
I've seen a few designs from scissor systems to simple frame that you lift manually and prop underneath with axle stands to auto mated systems. I want to steer clear of the automated system for fear of adding too much weight. A nice simple system that a laymen (with poor welding skills) such as myself could build fairly quickly and easily would be the ideal.
Ideas and especially pictures would just perfect.
Thanks all.
As a matter of curiosity, do you see it as a priority to be able to stand underneath your RTT?
I am in the process of having mine lowered (from around 6 foot) so that it is a better towed profile.D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
3rd Jan 2018 1:21 pm
abermarc
Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
Interesting you should ask that question.
When we initially came up with the simple design we were a little limited by out materials. Basically ours is a tub on top of a tub! It works well but in terms of height it is what it is. It also happens to afford loads on inside space. In it's next iteration I plan on making a custom box to put on top of the chassis. Thus reducing it's height and width and making it more stable. That said though, it used to pull well behind the 90 and always felt absolutely solid, never put a boot out of place.
What alwasy worries me was taking it off road and hitting a side slope. There's somethig about the shape that just gives me a gut instinct that it's side slope angle probably isnt very great. I tried working that out accurately once but I'm no engineer and didn't really egt anywhere with that.
However, all that said, we do all the big LR shows up and down the country, some of which are without EHU and can be very cold. So ability to setup the annex under the tent and live in it comfortably is an absolute must for us I think, particualrly now as our latest addition will be 6 months old when the first show comes about in March.
You can get a feel for the height in these two pics...........
Cogito ergo sum!
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
3rd Jan 2018 2:03 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
It's a nice set up.
I suppose it is all about where and for what purposes you use the trailer and how important to you that space is. Personally, my "living room" area is currently a tarp off the side of the vehicle that can be lowered/raised according to the weather conditions.
I am aiming at around 5 feet under the tent - to provide for an additional sitting area but not a living area as such. I am also, personally, seeking to separate my "living room" are from the sleeping area by having them on opposite sides.
Whilst not a trailer, this picture gives an idea of what I am hoping my trailer will eventually look like, with the awning on the side away from the tent entrance.
Click image to enlarge
Interestingly, I bought my sankey and rtt combination from alfamale above! D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
3rd Jan 2018 2:15 pm
abermarc
Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
alfamale wrote:
Something like these could raise the height and also allow you to level the trailer but, at 40kg a pair, they're not light!
Thanks for the thought but as you say probably a little on the heavy side for what I'm after. Am happy with trailer height. It's tent height in relation to trailer I'm trying to improve.Cogito ergo sum!
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
3rd Jan 2018 2:35 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
What about the Thule one displayed in that picture?
I believe it may be this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THULE-Xsporter-P...SwTuJYq1LeD3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
3rd Jan 2018 2:38 pm
abermarc
Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
professorpool wrote:
It's a nice set up.
I am aiming at around 5 feet under the tent - to provide for an additional sitting area but not a living area as such. I am also, personally, seeking to separate my "living room" are from the sleeping area by having them on opposite sides.
We had cosnidered a similar setup so we could have living area, sleeping area and kitchen at the rear all seperated from each other but then we thought that we won't always use it at shows and it is likely it will see some pitch time on 'proper' camp sites and that either side setup would make it too wide for most standard pitches. As you say though, it very much depends on personal use and we are all going to be different in that respect.
Another thing I'm considering is making a removeable bracket for our awning because when we are travelling with it outside the UK of course all European pitches are backwards so our awning pretty much just opens up onto someone elses front door!! Being able to switch the awning to the other side for European adventures wold make setting up ever so slightly easier.
I think I've settled on a system now. I have ordered an electric scissor jack which will sit in middle of roof and tent. Then four folding legs will sit at each corner. The electric jack will lift the tent and then it's just a matter of going to each corner and locking the supporting legs in place. the jack I've seen has a SWL of 1.5 ton and a max extension fo 40cm which should be ample. Total weight of all the extra bits will be around 6kg, on top of a tent that already weighs 65kg I thought that was an acceptable weight gain.
Watch this space I guess!!!Cogito ergo sum!
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
3rd Jan 2018 2:48 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Yes 100% interested in links and photos! D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
3rd Jan 2018 2:51 pm
abermarc
Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
They will be forthcoming, just as soon as I'm happy with it. Everyone keeps telling me I should do a build thread.............maybe I will one day Cogito ergo sum!
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
3rd Jan 2018 3:40 pm
Tony686
Member Since: 23 Oct 2007
Location: Essex
Posts: 636
Mine with the tent low down
CLUB DEFNER
3rd Jan 2018 10:04 pm
abermarc
Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
Looks smart Tony686.
I think I may have convinced myself of a new design now. Take a look at this. I see more strength and stability in this that my original 4-leg idea. It'll obviously be made from steel instead of wood..............or maybe even aluminium to keep weight down, would alu be strong enough?????? Plus I'll keep the electric jack idea in place of the manual screw mech.
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
4th Jan 2018 2:23 pm
biskit
Member Since: 23 Dec 2009
Location: in my Mancave.
Posts: 1376
Mantec sump guard.
Prospeed tree slider/steps.
Flack duel battery system.
18"Compomotive/AT3 tyres
Brembo 4pot front brakes
4th Jan 2018 3:50 pm
biskit
Member Since: 23 Dec 2009
Location: in my Mancave.
Posts: 1376
Mantec sump guard.
Prospeed tree slider/steps.
Flack duel battery system.
18"Compomotive/AT3 tyres
Brembo 4pot front brakes
4th Jan 2018 3:53 pm
abermarc
Member Since: 06 Dec 2017
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 238
biskit wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpT7Qh9yUa8
I like this one. Pretty much exactly what I have in mind. For once it's great to actually see my idea isn't unique, it has actually already been attempted and to see it in action is a massive bonus.
Thanks Cogito ergo sum!
Disco 3 - Daisy - Ultimate combo of beast mode and comfort!
Defender 90 - Ruby - RIP
Disco 1 - Lilly - Tame!
Disco 1 - Truck with no name - Beast!
Disco 1 - Bertie - Beast!
Sankey 'twintub' DIY Camper Conversion
South African Multii-Trail Custom Overland Trailer
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
