look what I picked up today!! late 60's Apache aluminum tent trailer

[jeep-N-montero]

An early 60's Apache Raven, been in the same family since new. Overall it's in great condition, canvas is completely intact and all zippers work, and the screen only has a spot where it needs to be sewn back together. The tub is all aluminum and needs to be reattached to the plywood along the sides where the rivets popped out, but that's a very easy fix. I already took measurements to raise the frame and put larger tires under it, and measured out where I will weld in some 2x2 square to tighten things up. Also plan to weld in a longer tongue and some supports for an awning. And the best part about it was the price, they were asking $280 but walked away with it for $175.

 

[tanglefoot]

Congrats!! That looks almost exactly like one I had--a '73 ****** (that's what the title said--I don't think the expression existed back then). I used a folding table from Target that fit really nicely in the center area.

They freshen up really nicely with some spray paint and vinyl tiles on the floor. I even built a little cabinet with a drop-leaf that I stored in the truck while in transit.

I made some suspension lift blocks out of pieces of C-channel and bolted everything together with longer U-bolts. It off-roaded pretty well. If a tire slid into a rut and the trailer high-centered, I just grabbed onto the back of the trailer and shimmied it back onto level ground. It's a great forest-service road camper. The track is narrow enough that I didn't have too many clearance problems under the axle. It also easy to level in uneven campsites.

Have fun with it!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Congrats!! That looks almost exactly like one I had--a '73 ****** (that's what the title said--I don't think the expression existed back then). I used a folding table from Target that fit really nicely in the center area.

They freshen up really nicely with some spray paint and vinyl tiles on the floor. I even built a little cabinet with a drop-leaf that I stored in the truck while in transit.

I made some suspension lift blocks out of pieces of C-channel and bolted everything together with longer U-bolts. It off-roaded pretty well. If a tire slid into a rut and the trailer high-centered, I just grabbed onto the back of the trailer and shimmied it back onto level ground. It's a great forest-service road camper. The track is narrow enough that I didn't have too many clearance problems under the axle. It also easy to level in uneven campsites.

Have fun with it!

This one actually uses shackles for the rearward leaf attachment, so lifting it will be a piece of cake, just need to measure the width and hop on ebay for some used pieces.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I use to have a very similar Apache, surprisingly well built little campers.

 

[fjcruzn]

Excellent find! Post up your progress on the rebuild!

cheers,

dale

 

[ajsmith]

Great score, I second the motion to post up some pics of your progress....

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Great score, I second the motion to post up some pics of your progress....

Oh I surely will be, making my list as we speak. Found some longer shackles on ebay, just need to measure the length I need and order them. Already have some 12in wheels from one of my other trailers I can swap in, there is a listing in the classifieds for some 2x2 square for cheap, and may even have a friend that will let me borrow their heavy duty sewing machine to make a new canvas cover for the trailer.

Hoping to get it mostly done before the weekend.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

As luck would have it, I found a place that sells updated replacement parts for the trailer http://www.apachecampertrailers.com/index2010.html

 

[jeep-N-montero]

So tonight I replaced all of the old screws that attached the aluminum side panels onto the plywood floor, removed all of the old wiring, and removed the old carpet and floor liner that was in there. Tomorrow I am hoping to pick up the 1/4 in thick by 2 in wide by 80 in long steel that will be welded in to connect the front and rear stabilizer jack mounts on each side, this will greatly stiffen the chassis and also offer protection from rocks. I also hope to pick up some longer shackles and finish replacing the remaining attachment screws on the front and rear aluminum panels.

 

[highlandercj-7]

You didn't but it you stole it lol. SWEET find! I have a 61' Chief. Awesome trailers.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

You didn't but it you stole it lol. SWEET find! I have a 61' Chief. Awesome trailers.

Funny thing is that I may have found another and am waiting for the seller to call me back. Shhhh, let's not tell the wife....

 

[jeep-N-montero]

So I found this to put inside for a collapsible table http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=15939896&cat=&lpid=&search=trailer legs and also found a seller across the country that has an original zip-off awning that I am buying off him. This is turning out nicely! Now back to work.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Today I cut, primed, painted, and installed a new extended tongue and also got the sliders cut and prepped as well. Almost started a fire with my grinder inside the trailer, not good! In the morning I am installing the sliders and taillights, hoping to take it camping for the weekend.

 

[ajsmith]

Today I cut, primed, painted, and installed a new extended tongue and also got the sliders cut and prepped as well. Almost started a fire with my grinder inside the trailer, not good! In the morning I am installing the sliders and taillights, hoping to take it camping for the weekend.

Post up some pics, I'm always interested in cool fab work

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Well, the rear main seal went out on the Jeep yesterday, but did manage to get the sliders installed and the lights. Will post pictures soon, spent most of today doing yard work and honey-do's.