Miller's Camper Trailer build

[miller]

Hey all,
Its been a while! I haven't touched base on here for some time, apologies to those who have PM'd me i will get to you soon.
Life has been pretty hectic in the Miller house. I started a new business at the start of the year which has been amazing but a hell of a lot of hard work.
Thought Id give you a little update on whats been keeping me busy in the shed. I haven't really touched a G60 for a while except for when I've been selling off parts to cull my collection to make room for new project I'm into. I still love the G60's they just don't need to consume my life and shed anymore, some of you will know what I'm talking about

Anyway.. a couple of months ago I decided I would convert an old No.5 Military trailer I had into a camper for an up coming trip from Victoria up to the Binns track in Northern Territory.
Usually my old man and I go on our trips away and a swag or a roof topper is just fine but this time the Mrs and 2 kids are coming. I pretty excited about that but with 3yo and a 7mo I wanted there to be some comforts as not to scare them away from touring for good.

So two months has passed, we have 4 weeks til we leave and due to just starting a new business I still haven’t started the build... Until last weekend!

Here’s what I started with. She’s seem some good action and is fairly rough so I shouldn’t piss off too many purists when I cut it up.



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[miller]

I guess I should attempt to explain what I plan to do with this build. I picked up a rear fold Xtrail tent top for a steal so that will be the accommodation. I will be extending the tub 200mm at the front to allow for a pull out kitchen and pantry. Jerry and gas bottle holders along with a smaller box will be mounted to the drawer bar. Spare tyre will be carried on a swing out rear carrier.

I had the tub sand blasted some time ago so I went and collected that from storage this morning and dropped the chassis off to a mate so he can extent the chassis by 200mm and extend the drawer bar. I have slowly taught myself to weld over the last couple of years but the chassis isn't something I want to fail due to crappy newbie welds so I've left it to the Pro!

Heres the tub sandblasted. I cut the old guards out because these will be widened to suit the bigger rubber and width to match the GU.















The sandblaster thought i was mad to even attempt to rebuild what was left after the blasting.. challenge accepted! ;D

Next was to cut the front section off the tub just in front of the wheel arches. Im not too sure if i will just extent the tub or my latest thought is to build a box to sit in its place and tie it into the rest of the tub. This will mean the kitchen and storage will be completely separate to the rest of the trailer space and potentially more dust and water proof.





No turning back now!

I decided to measure the track width of the GU again and compare it to how wide it will be on this trailer. Its pretty wide! Im worried without widening the distance between the springs there will be too much axel overhang. Is that even a bad thing? ??? Just seems like it could be a leverage point for something to flex and fail.

Also I'm still tossing up between extending the tub or incorporating a box into the front. Decisions, decisions!

Anyway thanks for checking it out... fingers crossed i can get it done in time!

[Swerve]

Miller,

Thanks for the post, I can recall using these back in my Army Reserve days in early 90's and they were heavy trailers. Should be a good base for a build and no doubt you will sort your decisions out.

Can't wait to see more so hop to it !!! you have 4 weeks

[miller]

Thanks Steve, The steel in this thing is amazing quality and the welds are rock hard. I went through 4 cut off wheels chopping the front of the tub!

Bit of an update from today. Drawer bar and front chassis extension all done. I was hoping to pick up the new axle today but unfortunately it wasn't ready. When i have that in place i can finish the tub..

[Swerve]

Insert DROOLING smiley face HERE

ALSO WHATS THE BUGGY IN THE CORNER plus more about your ford !!!

[Esteban]

Excellent project Tim. Even better that the whole family is going to enjoy it.

I'm with Swerve: we need more info about some of the items in your shed. Now you'll have to post pictures of the 6 sides of it. Yes, floor included. Cover the n@ked ladies . There are kids in this forum.

[RiverPatrol]

What a great project. This type of conversion is actually pretty popular he in the states. It's a whole hobby converting the military trailers into camp trailers. They are extremely rugged and can handle being drug anywhere. I've seen some pretty amazingly set up trailers. This will be great to watch.

[Swerve]

Tim,

Don't forget to be mindfull of the weight. No doubt you know above 750kg you need brakes ? does the new axle have this or were you planning on staying below with total weight including tent etc

[miller]

Thanks guys.. Esteban, no need to fret. No naked ladies in my shed

The buggy: Swapped it for a G60 PTO I had. Ive always wanted to race these things since I was a teenager and couldn't resist when it fell in my lap. No immediate plans but would like to have it ready for next years race season.

The Falcon: Its a '62 XL. My first car was a '62 sedan which is currently being restored. Plans for this ute is to run an turbo injected straight 6 out of a later model EL Falcon. Keeping the outside looking rough but will have all modern running gear underneath. This has been my biggest distraction from G60s

Back to the trailer. Yes Steve it will have electric brakes. The axle is being made with the brake backing plates and drums etc. I picked up this Tekonsha controller on ebay for a great price too.

http://www.tekonsha.com/content/product ... part=90195