Building the AlumEscape

[Waygoner]

Did you notice any change in handling after adding the bike rack?

 

[2012Taco]

Not particularly though I know the tongue weight was increased from before. I'm not a big guy but I could still scoot the trailer around in my work area by hand with the bike on it so I'd guesstimate the tongue weight to be around 225lb to 275lb. The trailer w/ bike should be around 2,500lb so I'm comfortable with the weight distribution as it sits.

 

[Titanpat57]

Loved seeing you and Don's trailer(s) first hand...awesome workmanship!

Looking forward to the next one!

 

[2012Taco]

Loved seeing you and Don's trailer(s) first hand...awesome workmanship!

Looking forward to the next one!

Likewise Pat, I'm diggin' your stargazing window, side table/kitchen setup and Foxwing! Perhaps I'll nab some ideas

 

[stomperxj]

Taco - I can't believe I never subscribed to your thread. Not sure how I missed it. Excellent work! It turned out really nice. I'm stealing back some ideas from you now

One question - Where did you source those tail light housings?

Great job man!

 

[2012Taco]

Haha thanks stomperxj, I actually got quite a bit of inspiration from your SawTooth build - loved that one.

The tail light holders came from ebay from a vendor called "closertowholesale". If you search for "Double White 6" Oval Mounting Boxes for LED Brake Stop Turn Tail Lights" they should pop up. He carries them in white and black I think, I rattle canned mine silver to match the aluminum which finished it much nicer than the white.

:beer:

 

[stomperxj]

Thanks for the info on the tail light boxes

 

[1store]

Great build. Like how you done the guards around the fenders.

 

[2012Taco]

Thanks for the info on the tail light boxes

For a new build you have brewing??

 

[2012Taco]

Great build. Like how you done the guards around the fenders.

Thanks, work great so far!

 

[2012Taco]

ARB Awning!

Spring update - I got a great deal on an 8' ARB awning from Sierra Expeditions and got it mounted up on the camper!

I decided I wanted to fab up and exo-cage type mount rather than punching any holes in the body. I also wanted to keep the awning tucked close to the body and slightly elevated to keep rain or wind from sneaking in between the awning and camper plus keep headroom reasonable. The exo-cage is 1" by 1-1/2" 1/8" wall rectangular steel that I mitered, bent and welded up to fir the body with a snug clearance.

The front was handled the same way and everything was painted up before burning it into the trailer frame. I also wired up some lighting through the back.

:beer:

 

[Titanpat57]

down right sexy!

The awning room they make is a great bargain, and would probably work great on that.

 

[WillBeck]

Awesome!!

Really like all the simple details in this.

 

[2012Taco]

Thanks Pat, I was debating getting one of their rooms (not the screen thing) but they evidently have a full fabric roof of sorts that would then block the lights I put in. I'm thinking I'll DIY something together, at least a shade or windbreak for the outer wall using some tan sunshade fabric I picked up off amazon. It blocks a good bit of light so if I eventually made three walls I'd be comfortable getting changed in there and should block a lot of bugs, wind and sand, plus rain. Biggest problem I'm working now is how to sew up the edges so I can make it last but still be easy to string up. I wish I paid attention in home economics......

 

[2012Taco]

Awesome!!

Really like all the simple details in this.

Thanks bud, I look forward to putting some more nights in this year to iron out some packing schemes for some longer trips in the next few years!