part apache part coleman part reading

[sassy gopher]

Hi, been lurking on here for awhile. I love the ideas and build guys have come up with. last year I made the transition from tent to camper. Its a 65 apache silver buffalo. smaller than most popups but larger than most tent trailers. I drove about 4 hours away to get it and took it camping before even bringing it home. here is the night I got it.


I have dome some basic fixups on it and used it as often as I could. Over the past year I have learned what I like and what I don't about it. learned how it reacts to the places I take. I have decided on a list of requirements for making it the way I want it. I want to make it more trail worthy. nothing too crazy. I do rock crawl now and then at rausch creek but the camper stays in the parking lot.

for size comparison my apache is the silver one, the white is my buddies 65 sears trailer with 32's


I just picked up an 82 coleman Williamsburg as a parts trailer. it has a furnace, water heater, electrical converter/inverter, etc. What I have in mind is to beef up the coleman frame. then find a midsize aluminium utility body. Once on the frame I want to attach my slides. bunks and tent from the apache to that. I am open to suggestions but after much thought this really seems to be the best setup for my needs. I do not plan on monsterous tires. just something to provide decent clearance.

Basic needs are as follows

-sleeping for 4+
-under 1500lbs loaded
-low enough to still see over in the rearview
-HEAT!
-sturdy enough for trail riding
-access to storage from outside the unit
-simple

 

[Expedition Essentials]

Nice apache. I have an apache I'm building right now that is similar to yours with the exception it is a rear door raven. Would have to go a different route with yours but I'm pretty sure you could pull off a better frame and ground clearance under yours.

 

[sassy gopher]

I have seen your build and it is awesome. the side door of the buffalo does make big tires a lot harder to accomplish. I have toyed with the idea of an eagle or raven. I like the higher walls of the buffalo for packing stuff in.

 

[Expedition Essentials]

If you are anywhere close to Allentown there is a 74 eagle for 300.00 on CG. Looks to be pretty nice. That would work perfect.

 

[sassy gopher]

that's only an hour away, hhmmm. but 3 trailers in my yard might make me "that guy" in the neighborhood

 

[sassy gopher]

the thing with the clam shell tops is you have the same issue as a side door. the clamshells wont open if you add fenders. maybe it could be made to lift off instead of hinge out. my soft cover is a pain though and pools with water. I keep a tarp over it most of the time.

 

[Expedition Essentials]

Getting ready to make a clam shell top for mine. In theory, as long as it opens enough to clear the bed slides it will work fine, not with the original clam shells though. Will be starting on it as soon as comes back from paint.

 

[sassy gopher]

can't wait to see what you come up with. I have been thinking of ways to make them with handles so i can simply lift them off and set to the side. i just feel they will end up too heavy for one person.

I'm slowly tearing down my parts trailer. I've pretty much sold enough off it to recoup what I paid far it. still searching for an aluminum midsize utility body in my budget. I love the apache chief and scout but need more sleeping area then they provide. so once done it will be a buffalo chief. hate to loose the cool apache body but function over form is what I am after

 

[sassy gopher]

So six months or searching for the right deal on a utility body and nothing. I ended buying the white trailer in the pic off my buddy. It's a 67 ward. Already has a 3500lb axle from the owner before my buddy. It's a drop axle though and REALLY wide. My buddy did a soa and mounted jk take offs on dodge magnum wheels and wider fenders. Nice thing is those are the same wheel I run on my lj. Bad thing is you see me in your rear view you will think your being followed by a dually. So first order of business will be to put it on a diet

 

[highlandercj-7]

Nice. Can't wait to see it hitched to the LJ.

 

[sassy gopher]

Here it is picking it up. And my first "mod" I took the storage pockets off my camping cots. Perfect fit and they fold down with the canvas.

 

[sassy gopher]

I like the fact I can set it up while still hitched. Canvas is in really nice shape except for the rip on the driver side corner. My other buddies dog got caustrophobic in the middle of the night and made an escape hatch.

 

[highlandercj-7]

Nice!

 

[sassy gopher]

Took jscherbs idea and ran with it. Replaced the box that came on the camper with a hf atv rack.



I got a buyer for the apache so those funds will go toward a narrower axel to bring the width from 89" down 69-70"

 

[sassy gopher]

I was supposed to be cleaning the garage yesterday. Found the cooktop from a parts coleman I have. And this idea came to me.

The shelves I had for years. Lightweight and set up and take down easy. They also fit through the small door of my camper.


I was a little Leary about plastic and heat but did a test run with all 3 burners going and noticable heat transfer. I eventually want to build a pullout galley so this is just to get me by for now.