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Thread: Ranger ute tub camper trailer
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29th June 2014, 12:06 AM #1Intermediate Member
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Ranger ute tub camper trailer
Ok I have recently acquired a PX Ranger single cab tub. I plan on making a camper trailer out of it. I know I could just buy a camper trailer which most definitely be cheaper and probably more practical but that isn't the aim of the project.
The plan is to make the trailer with a gross weight of 1600kg. Any advice on what size RHS I should use for the frame and drawbar? I have my opinion on size but just thought I would throw it out there.
The definite inclusions:
2 double beds
enclosed canvas room at back
trailer the same height as standard ute
the same alloys as my ute
side awning (maybe enclosed - I haven't decided)
The (very big?) maybes:
kitchen
water tank
electrics
colour code to my ute
I would love to make it with independent (air) suspension but I would say that cost may end that idea. Does anyone know of any suppliers for off the shelf independent suspensions? I could probably make my own but I would prefer something that has been engineered and tested. I have checked out www.vehiclecomponents.com.au.
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29th June 2014, 08:48 PM #2
I will try and find my plans and layout up that I did for D/C Hi lux and trailer, 15 years ago. but the first problem you will encounter will be the tubs in the tray, to keep the wheel travel you wont be able to remove them. the independent suspension was from a imported hi-lux surf front end, now I know am talking hi-lux but the idea can be from different brands, you have a lot of work to do. plan it very well an keep in mind weight and loading points.
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29th June 2014, 10:47 PM #3Intermediate Member
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Thanks for the reply Opel but are you talking about independent suspension out of a vehicle? I am talking about independent suspension designed specifically for a trailer.
Something along the lines of this...
http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/...-suspensions-1
I can't see why I would have any issues with something like that.
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30th June 2014, 02:57 PM #4Senior Member
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naddis01, Martin's Trailer Parts sells an independent suspension module called the Gaffa. It's not cheap though:
http://trailerparts.net.au/online_sh.../1099638942/ID
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1st July 2014, 02:14 PM #5Intermediate Member
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Does anyone have an opinion on RHS size for the chassis and drawbar to be rated 1600kg?
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3rd July 2014, 07:29 PM #6
This whole independent suspension thing on trailers baffles me....why.....serioulsy why what is the benifit.
I've looked at a number of these independednt suspension systems and they are cude..realy crude..like most trailer parts.
Betya the rear suspension on your ute is not independent.
My recomendation would be to get a set of springs and everything that goes with them out of a light utility....probably one that matches you own ute.
the springs will be way longer than any trailer leaves.....if you want to know about load ratings and stuff...look up the permissable rear axle loadings for the vehicle in question....the vehicle manufacturer has done all the work for you.
Now the other thing is you need to install these springs in the same attitude that they are installed in the donour vehicle.
That means stepping the chassis, because the front hangers are usually way lower than the rear.
The reason so many trailers ride so damn horribly is that the typical trailer spring is a short piece of trash, installed in a crude way on a flat chassis rail.
after that you can consider fitting shockabsorbers and perhaps removing a leaf or two..maybe.
remember the shockies that are used on the vehicle are designed to match the springs...the manufacturer has done all the work for you.
This will give you far better ride and travel than any springs you will buy from a trailer shop.
If you intsall a rear suspension more or less the same way it came out of the vehicle it will match the ride height and ride characteristics of the towing vehicle.
As for ground clearance and the like....same wheels as the tow vehicle and a beam axle....the trailer will clear better than the tow vehicle because the axle is smaller diameter and there is no diff.
All this and for less than the cost of an over priced, crude independent suspension baught from a trailer supplier.
Now iff you are still dead set on independent suspension.....one that was used on some army trailers of the past and on the Honda coupe 7 and 9.
Is the crossed arm leaf spring independednt suspension.
doo all of the above, but instead of a plain beam axle, a cross arm is swung off the opposite chassis rail..there is some fiddle involved in getting the stub axles placed symetricallly, getting the correct attitude on the stub axle and havening the arms clear each other.
but it is a fairly robust independent suspension that works realy well and is simple enough for a basic metal fabricator to build.
think about it.
cheersAny thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
Most powertools have sharp teeth.
People are made of meat.
Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.
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6th March 2015, 08:24 AM #7Intermediate Member
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6th March 2015, 04:50 PM #8Member
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Looks good.
What suspension did you end up with?
And did you figure out some sizes for your RHS?
Cheers
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6th March 2015, 06:02 PM #9Intermediate Member
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Thanks. It came up alright but there is still a bit to go before it is where I want it
My father in law ended up upgrading the suspension on his ute so he very kindly gave me the springs out of it so that is what ended up going under the trailer.
I ended up going with 75x50x3 for the frame and 100x50x4 for the drawbar.