elbekko Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 If we're posting pictures of non-aerodynamic loads, this is how it looks with my trailer behind. Overall dimensions I think not far from what you're going to build, although I've never measured the height (). Just went out to have a measure, and it's right at 2.2m tall. It's a bit like towing a drag racing parachute. I remember being fully loaded (~2000kg) + the car stuffed with things, going down the hills on the A1 in Germany around Wuppertal (not small hills), and having to press the throttle going downhill to maintain 90 km/h... Fuel consumption was somewhere in the "don't even ask" range. A bit of aero work will help immensely, especially if you want to add another 60cm on top of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Don't you have a pic of your Merc coupe with that trailer as well? 😄 I can certainly confirm it's a parachute, I remember one of the first times I borrowed it I pulled over because I thought I had left the hand brake on as it was surprisingly hard to build speed even when empty. But a very useful parachute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 I'm going to get it mounted (when I find a suitable trailer) sort the rear extension and see what it's like. If I don't like it/it tows like a parachute I can alway chop the front edge and bevel it off. I've towed enough box trailers and caravans to know what it's like. To be fair often when I'll be towing this I'll have a Canadian canoe on the roof of the truck. If that doesn't work as a wind deflector nothing will. Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 26 minutes ago, Escape said: Don't you have a pic of your Merc coupe with that trailer as well? 😄 I must have, but can only find this one; which looks even sillier. 7 minutes ago, miketomcat said: To be fair often when I'll be towing this I'll have a Canadian canoe on the roof of the truck That might help. Plus the Ibex is probably a bit higher than a P38? I don't doubt your abilities to fix it, but if you're going to be doing long distance with this thing you'll want to take it into account as soon as possible. You'll get any cost back in fuel savings very quickly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I would cut the wheel arches and drop it as low as possible; not just for aero reasons, but also stability plus how often do you see a caravan blown over due to side winds? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 21 minutes ago, Daan said: I would cut the wheel arches and drop it as low as possible; not just for aero reasons, but also stability plus how often do you see a caravan blown over due to side winds? I will more than likely cut the wheel arches to lower it as much as possible, it's quite likely I'll need room for two axles anyway. I just ordered some materials to make a fibreglass lower rear panel, shower tray and wheel arches. So it moving forwards. I'll get it to complete external box and fitted to a trailer as soon as possible. The interior might be a bit longer. Mike 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post miketomcat Posted February 5, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 5, 2023 (edited) Some progress today. Fridge compressor removed (dog nam it that's heavy) along with one of the internal units, the other one was built in! I can't twist it sideways to get it out of the door, I'm going to have to remove the bulkhead to get it out (it was coming out anyway). Whilst fighting with this I let the girls loose with power tools. They've drilled out the rivets holding the shelving racks in to allow them to be removed. Again two of them have been built in and will be removed when the bulk heads come out. Oh and finally I managed to lock myself in it. I was trying to adjust the lock on the rear door to get it to work better. Unfortunately when you pull the door down the internal catch can be released however the external bar drops in place. Que a phone call to the wife to let me out Once she'd stopped laughing I was freed. Mike Edited February 5, 2023 by miketomcat 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 Some useful looking racking in that - just need someone from a supermarket to misplace a few of those plastic crates and you're away! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonimouse Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 15 hours ago, FridgeFreezer said: Some useful looking racking in that - just need someone from a supermarket to misplace a few of those plastic crates and you're away! I've got loads. A friend used to be a delivery driver for Asda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason110 Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 4 hours ago, Nonimouse said: I've got loads. A friend used to be a delivery driver for Asda I’ve got a few too. Cracking for storage on shelving under my workbench 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbeaumont Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 On 1/30/2023 at 6:20 PM, Bowie69 said: I'd be really surprised if you couldn't manage to get something very workable and nice for under 1200Kg tbh. Just got to lay off the marble worktops and ceramic tile wet room. That would be impressive - there aren't many four berth caravans under 1400kg, and everything is fairly flimsy to achieve that. Our Bailey Ranger is a whisker under 1300kg gross, and not much of that is available payload (it's very easy to overload it). It definitely wouldn't survive anything that remotely qualifies as "off road". Even driving across camp sites shakes it about. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 1 hour ago, geoffbeaumont said: That would be impressive - there aren't many four berth caravans under 1400kg, and everything is fairly flimsy to achieve that. Our Bailey Ranger is a whisker under 1300kg gross, and not much of that is available payload (it's very easy to overload it). It definitely wouldn't survive anything that remotely qualifies as "off road". Even driving across camp sites shakes it about. This is exactly my experience with caravans. Ours will have a king size bed, bunks for the girls a toilet/shower and so clothes storage inside. Due to the exceptionaly antisocial nature of caravans there will be an awning on the side and the kitchen will be a pull out on the outside too. My aim is 1500kg but if it's under 2000kg fully laden I'm happy. We plan to carry a wood burner to use in the awning and either blown air heating or a hot water based heating system, I want to use a webasto type water heater with a clorifier (hot water tank) to give hot water. We definitely want some solar but don't plan to make it electric heavy. Mike 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 We have a trailer. It's a bit rough and ready but it was cheap. We need to strip the deck and ramps off, give it a clean and coat of paint. Then we can get the box on it. Mike 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wytze Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 1 hour ago, miketomcat said: We have a trailer. It's a bit rough and ready but it was cheap. We need to strip the deck and ramps off, give it a clean and coat of paint. Then we can get the box on it. Mike That looks sturdy to.. The box will not flex to bit's on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 That looks the right type of thing. Are they Indespension units? Before you strip it, it may be worth checking the suspension units still move ok with load on as older rubber does go hard? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 Yes it is nice and sturdy that was the appeal. They're knott axles seem to work fine the guy used to carry a Jimny on it. It towed beautifully on the way home, and the brakes worked well. It's on 14" rims which I can get some 26" AT or MT tyres for, so will fit with the style. The beauty with our design is if it doesn't work I can just switch the trailer out. Mike 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Knott are pretty good, off to a great start with that Mike. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Looking forward to seeing this come together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 The interior has gone through some design changes recently due to switching from single to double axle and the position of wheel arch in relation to door. Unfortunately in the end it will be "looking" a little rear heavy but this will mean the majority of the weight will be at the front. As the bunks and toilet will be at the back. The kitchen, largest storage and heavy items will be up front. Mike 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Looks like a good platform! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Sweet! Give me a shout when you need to borrow a couple of hi-lifts and some colourful language to get the box mounted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 After much deliberation I'm going to move the trailer on and look for another. We had to change the interior to make this one work and it ended up looking tail heavy. Much as I want to get on with the build I also want it right and this was niggling me. For various reasons mainly cost I may revisit the caravan chassis. Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Could you just move the axles back a bit? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 That triggers IVA. Which I may end up doing anyway. It's also not galv. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Ah. Same with extending the tongue, I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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