Cummins_expo
Adventurer
I seem to have a bit of a Pop-Up camper addiction... When this was posted by SweatyButcher in the for sale finds forum I jumped with joy as I have been looking for this type of combo for years. I ideally wanted the K5/Bronco Fourwheel Camper option. But I have come to appreciate the Hallmark name as well.
I contacted the seller and struck a cross country deal! Fortunately, I had a friend stationed at Ft. Carson and he checked it out for me. His words " this is a time capsule and in great shape".. So I trusted a stranger and wired a deposit. I had to get the time from work, he was nice enough to hold it for 2 weeks while I made arrangemnts.
Having bought and sold and built so many rigs over the years I should have known I would experience a few hiccups. I don't have a a fladbed car hauler of my own anymore, so I secured one from a co-worker ( should have checked this out)
Get off work and head over to co-workers house to grab a trailer. I pull up to his house and look on the side yard and see a scrap pile on wheels... Looking past this I assume the trailer I am to borrow was perhaps behind the house getting detailed.
No such luck! Now, I am sure this trailer with its custom mobile home axles, home brew cross beams, and patch work scrap steel deck probably hauls like a champ. Maybe the boy scout in me was too strong- But I graciously declined the trailer. So here I am loaded and ready to go- NO TRAILER. I scramble and start calling Uhaul, letting them know I need to tow my new Ford Fiesta from Colorado Springs to Prescott. Reluctently I book an OUTRAGOUSLy priced trailer. Tuck my tail between my legs and hit the road. In my sorrow I called a buddy of mine and asked if he knew of anybody with a car hauler I could borrow last second. 20 miniutes later he calls and says a buddy across town has his jeep in the shop and an empty trailer. I rejoice, but hold back awaiting the condition of said trailer.
To my surprised I arrive late at night to a beautiful free trailer. In great shape and almost all the lights worked. ( we could take our chance with one tail light or trouble shoot it at a truck stop later). I exchange some hellos and thanks yous..Hook up and hit the road. About an hour into my drive I get a call. Hey buddy- "Um what did you say you were gonna haul back with that trailer?" I respond oh just a k5 with a camper. The line is silent....... "Well heres the thing- the trailer should be okay on weight.. But its a tight fit with my jeep"... So while I drive I have Suzy my co-piolet look up the width of a stock k5.. I get numbers all over the place. WMS easy number to find. Finaly OD no so much.
To heck with it- We will make it fit!
We drive all night only to stop for a quick cat nap somewhere in Utah. Get on the road to Colorado.
During my two week waiting period, I decided to check Craigslist Colorado for some builder parts.. I score a Dana 44 with ARB and fresh 4.56 years for cheap. The guys would even toss in the new in box ARB compressor. My plan is to build around 34-36'' tires and the 44 should be just about ok for the type of wheeling this camper will see.
I know- skip to the good part. We arrive in Colorado Springs after axle detour- Yeah I bought the axle before I even purchased the K5. And we arrive to the awesome Grandpa rig in all its glory! It is everything seller said it would be.
More to come!
I contacted the seller and struck a cross country deal! Fortunately, I had a friend stationed at Ft. Carson and he checked it out for me. His words " this is a time capsule and in great shape".. So I trusted a stranger and wired a deposit. I had to get the time from work, he was nice enough to hold it for 2 weeks while I made arrangemnts.
Having bought and sold and built so many rigs over the years I should have known I would experience a few hiccups. I don't have a a fladbed car hauler of my own anymore, so I secured one from a co-worker ( should have checked this out)
Get off work and head over to co-workers house to grab a trailer. I pull up to his house and look on the side yard and see a scrap pile on wheels... Looking past this I assume the trailer I am to borrow was perhaps behind the house getting detailed.
No such luck! Now, I am sure this trailer with its custom mobile home axles, home brew cross beams, and patch work scrap steel deck probably hauls like a champ. Maybe the boy scout in me was too strong- But I graciously declined the trailer. So here I am loaded and ready to go- NO TRAILER. I scramble and start calling Uhaul, letting them know I need to tow my new Ford Fiesta from Colorado Springs to Prescott. Reluctently I book an OUTRAGOUSLy priced trailer. Tuck my tail between my legs and hit the road. In my sorrow I called a buddy of mine and asked if he knew of anybody with a car hauler I could borrow last second. 20 miniutes later he calls and says a buddy across town has his jeep in the shop and an empty trailer. I rejoice, but hold back awaiting the condition of said trailer.
To my surprised I arrive late at night to a beautiful free trailer. In great shape and almost all the lights worked. ( we could take our chance with one tail light or trouble shoot it at a truck stop later). I exchange some hellos and thanks yous..Hook up and hit the road. About an hour into my drive I get a call. Hey buddy- "Um what did you say you were gonna haul back with that trailer?" I respond oh just a k5 with a camper. The line is silent....... "Well heres the thing- the trailer should be okay on weight.. But its a tight fit with my jeep"... So while I drive I have Suzy my co-piolet look up the width of a stock k5.. I get numbers all over the place. WMS easy number to find. Finaly OD no so much.
To heck with it- We will make it fit!
We drive all night only to stop for a quick cat nap somewhere in Utah. Get on the road to Colorado.
During my two week waiting period, I decided to check Craigslist Colorado for some builder parts.. I score a Dana 44 with ARB and fresh 4.56 years for cheap. The guys would even toss in the new in box ARB compressor. My plan is to build around 34-36'' tires and the 44 should be just about ok for the type of wheeling this camper will see.
I know- skip to the good part. We arrive in Colorado Springs after axle detour- Yeah I bought the axle before I even purchased the K5. And we arrive to the awesome Grandpa rig in all its glory! It is everything seller said it would be.
More to come!
