yellowrubicon
New member
I am planning a one month trip from Virginia to the Rubicon Trail, then 2 weeks in Moab, then on to Colorado, and then back to VA. I wanted a camper that I could tow behind the Jeep TJ but didn't want something too fancy as I intend to convert the thing back into a real military trailer when I get back from my trip. This is what I started with: a very clean 1990 model Casel M101A2, ex-Air Force purchased in Richmond VA for around $400. I converted the bulbs to 12 volts and left most everything as it was except for converting the wiring harness to a 4-flat connector.
Here is what I started with:
https://picasaweb.google.com/101158770944521826840/MilitaryTrailer#
When towing this thing down the interstate the front of the trailer with about a gazzillion sq. feet of flat wind blocking resistance was KILLING me. I decided that it would be much more aerodynamic to strip off the hoops and the tarp covering the trailer and replace all that with a simple flat top that could be hinged up at one end.
Its hard to explain how this would all work but I made several YouTube videos of the project. I did not embelish the innards of the trailer with anything fancy. I plan to hang a mosquito net inside the frame of the top to keep out the critters and made covers for the sides and back out of canvas painters drop cloths (you can see that in the last video of the series.) I will sleep on a 4 inch thick pad of foam. I will have a deep cycle battery inside to power a fan and lights. A simple 400 watt inverter will power the PC and charge the cell phone, etc. A porta potty will take care of middle of the night "drank too many beers" potty chores. Like I said, I didn't want to put anything permanent inside that I couldn't undo later as it will go back to being a utility trailer once my trip is over.
Camper Conversion Introduction:
http://youtu.be/FNXw-tvgXEw
Part 2:
http://youtu.be/7cXTEHlSIdY
Part 3:
http://youtu.be/7cXTEHlSIdY
A Lunette Lock for the trailer:
http://youtu.be/W4_A04MHzgU
Making a Template for the Canvas sides and back:
http://youtu.be/Bp_3gWmpfwo
Completed Camper:
http://youtu.be/wjo8WQ6u-EQ
Here is what I started with:
https://picasaweb.google.com/101158770944521826840/MilitaryTrailer#
When towing this thing down the interstate the front of the trailer with about a gazzillion sq. feet of flat wind blocking resistance was KILLING me. I decided that it would be much more aerodynamic to strip off the hoops and the tarp covering the trailer and replace all that with a simple flat top that could be hinged up at one end.
Its hard to explain how this would all work but I made several YouTube videos of the project. I did not embelish the innards of the trailer with anything fancy. I plan to hang a mosquito net inside the frame of the top to keep out the critters and made covers for the sides and back out of canvas painters drop cloths (you can see that in the last video of the series.) I will sleep on a 4 inch thick pad of foam. I will have a deep cycle battery inside to power a fan and lights. A simple 400 watt inverter will power the PC and charge the cell phone, etc. A porta potty will take care of middle of the night "drank too many beers" potty chores. Like I said, I didn't want to put anything permanent inside that I couldn't undo later as it will go back to being a utility trailer once my trip is over.
Camper Conversion Introduction:
http://youtu.be/FNXw-tvgXEw
Part 2:
http://youtu.be/7cXTEHlSIdY
Part 3:
http://youtu.be/7cXTEHlSIdY
A Lunette Lock for the trailer:
http://youtu.be/W4_A04MHzgU
Making a Template for the Canvas sides and back:
http://youtu.be/Bp_3gWmpfwo
Completed Camper:
http://youtu.be/wjo8WQ6u-EQ
