Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Rooftent Trailer Project.
Decided I want to convert my general purpose trailer to put a roof tent on top of it. just a small 2 man tent - approx. 1.4 wide and weighing about 65Kgs.
ive got one of these trailers, the 8x4 unbraked. I was going to build a roof on it and then fit a roof tent.
However, im now thinking it may be a bit top heavy and affect the stability of the trailer.
what does the collective trailer and tent gurus think ?
the tent would be at the back of the trailer and open out over the rear trailer tailgate. It would stay on the trailer so would get towed now and again with nothing inside, just the tent on the roof !
the trailer has an unladen weight of around 300Kgs and the tent will weigh no more than 75Kgs.Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
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20th Oct 2014 10:55 am
sailorboi
Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2021
Not a guru but I would say it Prob would be a little too heavy when empty. Could you counter act it in any way by adding some permenant batteries or something under the body of the trailer if there is space??
Then the batteries would be there when needed and take some of the top weight off but still give you the free space inside the trailer??
Not sure otherwise how to keep the weight down low? Put water in the tyres 07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
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20th Oct 2014 11:18 am
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Dunc just my thoughts.
first off it will not remain an empty trailer, you ill want to go away and take BBQ, lighting, gazebo etc so the trailer will quickly get filled up.
Secondly, I do not think the trailer will be strong enough, having had similar trailers they are good for tip runs but light weight and flimsy so I think you would either need to do a lot of strengthening which would add a lot of weight to the trailer or better still get a more suitable trailer.
Jut my thoughtsMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
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D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
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20th Oct 2014 11:21 am
Scarab
Member Since: 11 Jun 2011
Location: Hastings
Posts: 1283
Looking at the height of that trailer plus a roof tent I would say it would be too top heavy.
Could you not create the base for the RTT so it was easily detachable in the case you needed to tow with nothing else in the trailer?
20th Oct 2014 11:21 am
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
Would the sides be strong enough to take the tent and you sleeping in it?
I would also look at legs at the back as all he weight seems to be there, agree with Simon about putting weight low down I the front, but I'd be worried about the sides - can you add some strengthening points to the trailer/wallsIggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
20th Oct 2014 11:27 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
the trailer is solid, not flimsy which is why I bought this one. i'll put some strenghening bars across the roof and a few verticals to the support the extra weight on the roof. I ordered the steel last night
Im just concerned that when ive done all that, it might be top heavy when empty. it will get towed when empty as Ill leave the roof tent on top of it all the time, so need to be confident it wont start snaking around.
mine has rear support legs. id probably add some to the front as well.Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
20th Oct 2014 11:32 am
Discotres
Member Since: 25 Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 8491
Could you fit some type of jacking system that would raise it when ready to use it, or some kind of robust scissor system, maybe buy an old tower crane unit and adapt that
Having it lower when travelling would be best, unless a huge amount of ballast was used
20th Oct 2014 11:36 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
I thought I could fill the trailer with used ipads to keep the centre of gravity low - got any for sale Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
20th Oct 2014 11:38 am
Discotres
Member Since: 25 Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 8491
Funny you say that
New ones arrive here next week so keep an eye on the for sale section
20th Oct 2014 11:39 am
sailorboi
Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2021
Weight down low to counter act the top but ye you would need some strengthening. Having seen this trailer at Duncan's it is very well made and I am sure it would be strong enough but strengthening would be needed.
How about putting in a thick ply floor and then some steel sheet weighing about 75kg that would give you some weight low and spread evenly across the floor??
Again not a pro by a long shot and just throwing some idea about
But I do like the iPad solution 07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
20th Oct 2014 11:47 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
ive got some 100mm x 100mm - 6mm thick steel tube I could put underneath. note sure how much it weighs thoughDuncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
20th Oct 2014 12:00 pm
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10148
I'm just about to do a deal on this trailer , to use for camping and work the chap has excepted my offer of £650 , so I'm heading 5 miles away in a min to look before he changes his mind
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if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
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20th Oct 2014 12:45 pm
Iguana
Member Since: 14 Oct 2013
Location: 'Sunny' Zomerset
Posts: 9424
Nice one Stew
Dunc, sure we can arrange to take mine off and try it on your trailer? Or how about loading a pallet on the trailer with some 60kg of weight to do a test drive?
Cheers
IggyIggy/Ieuan
Current LR =
2015 RR Sport Autobiography
&
1992 Land Rover Defender Camper
- Gone but not forgotten:
MY10 D4 GS
MY05 Disco 3 'S'
MY14 FL2 HSE manual in Blue
MY15 Disco 4 HSE Lux in Santorini Black
MY08 Disco 3 SE manual in Buck Blue
1960 Series 2 88" (No idea why I sold it!)
20th Oct 2014 12:57 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
great offer thanks.
although im starting to think I may just turn it into a mobile bed..Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
20th Oct 2014 1:45 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
what am I going to do with the 9m of steel box tube ive ordered Duncan
-----------------------------------------------------
If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
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