I need some help...

[JKDetonator]

I am pleading with the "thinkers' and "doers" on this forum to help me come up with an idea for my trailer. I have an old M-100 that I have welded a framework onto that allows my tent to be a little over 6' off the ground so I can add the room beneath the tent on occasions. The problem with this set up is that with the tent mounted up this high it acts like a drag chute behind my anemic 3.8L V6 JK Unlimited. We go down the hiway and trails OK, but in a cross wind or head wind it will really drag down the jeep. What I would like to improvise is a "lid" for the trailer that will sit flush when traveling and then raise to the 6'+ level at the campsite. I just don't know how to engineer this in a simple and rugged manner. I'm welcome to any and all ideas...kind of like the Pop Up on some of the pull behinds that will be rugged enough to hold a 150# tent, and 500#'s of occupants/gear. I eagerly await your thoughts, plans, ideas, pics, drawings, etc......:coffeedrink:

Oh! Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Respectfully,
Derwin

 

[socaljeeper]

I have seen some use the racks from Thule to accomplish this. The drawback is they are expensive and require two people to set-up the tent. You can try fabricating something similar using some telescoping tubing and a cross-bar. Here is a link http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/BaseRacks/Feet/422XT Xsporter Adjustable Aluminum Rack.aspx

 

[Errant]

Yep, best I've seen so far is with the Thule setup that Patrick mentioned. I have an M100, as well, but prefer to keep my RTT on top of the Disco. It opens over the back so that the changing room encloses the cargo area. The dogs sleep in the cargo area below us and the M100 holds all of the gear.

 

[jarmstrong]

how deep is the box? what I am thinking is 2" I.D tubing at the 4 corners with 2"square tubing that would slide inside and then raise up a platform and put a pin thru a hole at the right heighth locking it in place.or ther lower legs laying down if they need to be taller, then locking in place when setting up,could be heavy though depending on how much tubing it takes and might be tough to do alone.. just an idea.
Jerry