Safari Cab "Overland Camper" Trailer Build

[jscherb]

Drool on popcorn...

Pass the popcorn, here you go...

I had to think about it a while; some additional structure would be required inside the top to support the load of the pop-outs, and I never publish a drawing that couldn't be built, so I had to work out the structure. It definitely could be built.

 

[jeepdreamer]

I think this is nuts! Here i am wandering Germany (just got to Koln) and I'm standing next to a several hundred year old cathedral, surrounded by very attractive European women... And I'm drooling over this drawing!!! Lol!
You pretty much nailed my thought despite the difficult/sad description i offered. I'm not quite sure what the length of the top is and i didn't want to re-read the thread... But i imagine a 6 footer like me would be ok.?. My thought was also for it to be modular, maybe almost self contained. Your idea works but maybe becomes an either/or proposition? If the tent unit had it's own assembly it could maybe be removed or swapped around sides..? I was kinda picturing (bare with me) say a shallow fiberglass tub with a matching lid that insets and seals to the larger, outer portion. Then you would really only need the tent material to sort of sandwich I'n between? I used to have a hammock tent that kind of gave me the idea. But by making it an add on, self contained unit it could be purchased later or one at a time as a family grew. And who knows.. Maybe it could be adapted to other types of shells.. Like a topper on a pickup if the same design considerations were applied?
Not that your ever lacking for ideas but maybe this gives you another reason to stay up late... Lol! Cant wait to see if this inspires anyone else...
Here's your popcorn!

 

[jscherb]

... I'm not quite sure what the length of the top is and i didn't want to re-read the thread... But i imagine a 6 footer like me would be ok.?.

The inside floor is about 86" long. Plenty of room for me to stretch out (I'm 6' 6"),

 

[College Kid]

Pass the popcorn, here you go...

I had to think about it a while; some additional structure would be required inside the top to support the load of the pop-outs, and I never publish a drawing that couldn't be built, so I had to work out the structure. It definitely could be built.

This is an amazing idea!!!!!!

I'd be very very intersted in seeing a working proto type of this. It is such a great idea as I have spend many a camping trip stuck in my jeep fogging up the windows. This would offer a great option when you get stuck out in the weather. It offers some great area for sleeping, but also just an area to put gear while your in the trailer.

 

[jscherb]

This is an amazing idea!!!!!!

I'd be very very intersted in seeing a working proto type of this. It is such a great idea as I have spend many a camping trip stuck in my jeep fogging up the windows. This would offer a great option when you get stuck out in the weather. It offers some great area for sleeping, but also just an area to put gear while your in the trailer.

Or you could apply the same concept to the Safari Cab hardtop for the Jeep...

You'd end up with a sleeping platform that was almost 8 feet long (across the Jeep), and about 4' wide (might have to mod the roll bar a bit to move the rear down bar out of the way).

 

[jscherb]

I did do some mockup experiments with hinged side panels for the LJ Safari Cab a while back:

And I just finished the gas strut design for the camper front hatch:

All that was pretty easy to do. Probably could make a "crosswise camper" with them swinging up like in these photos, and using gas struts to hold them up; that way you could keep the side windows. The canvas parts would hang down from the swing up side panels, then a fold-up sleeping platform could be designed to lay crosswise in the Jeep.

 

[College Kid]

Or you could apply the same concept to the Safari Cab hardtop for the Jeep...

You'd end up with a sleeping platform that was almost 8 feet long (across the Jeep), and about 4' wide (might have to mod the roll bar a bit to move the rear down bar out of the way).

I envy your photoshop skills!!!

Its so funny you already have these. I actually saw your orginal post and started trying to mock up that exact design. I was thinking that it would be awsome to have your "alpine" top with a bit more head room and then those fold out sections. Then you could design a sleeping platform that comes in line with the top of the tub and sleep accross the entire section.

Wish I had your fab skills my mind is racing with ideas that I know will never see the light of day due to my own elementary skills.

 

[hudsonhawk]

With the flip up hatch on the front of the trailer, how will you keep water (rain) from running down the hatch when it is opened and letting water into the trailer? The drip rail around the top won't stop that.

 

[jscherb]

With the flip up hatch on the front of the trailer, how will you keep water (rain) from running down the hatch when it is opened and letting water into the trailer? The drip rail around the top won't stop that.

There will be a drip strip along the top outer edge of the hatch. Water will run down the hatch, hit the strip and be diverted to either side of the hatch. That strip isn't installed yet.

 

[jscherb]

I'm finishing up the last few details so I can shoot the trailer parts with primer; this morning I did the access cover plate for the inside of the front hatch, to cover the hole I made for mounting the latches and t-handle hardware inside the hatch.

I love doing little details like this, they really set a project apart and give it a factory look.

This plate started out as two cover plates I found in Toyota Land Cruisers in the Pick-n-Pull, they were the right height but only half as wide as I needed. I welded the two of them together to make one long one, and filled in the twelve mounting holes around the edge with welding as well. Then I made three clips to secure it in the opening in the hatch, and the plate is held to the clips with three screws. It's ready for priming now.

I may also make a mold from this cover plate so I can reproduce them in fiberglass for future hatches and barn doors.

 

[jrudolph95]

On a the LJ you could have one side of the camper for sleeping and the other be a kitchen. Also, I don't know if this would work but an awning on the back of the trailer to cover the kitchen while you cook.

 

[cobound]

Love following your builds! More patience and skill than I can fathom!

Nice,

B

 

[jscherb]

Today I'll finish shooting the camper panels in gray epoxy primer; here are a few shots of the parts I primed yesterday.

Tomorrow the camper will get reassembled.

 

[bob91yj]

Wow, just wow. The stuff that you come up with and then follow through on never ceases to amaze me. Still waiting patiently for the top/soft sides to be released!

 

[jscherb]

Wow, just wow. The stuff that you come up with and then follow through on never ceases to amaze me. Still waiting patiently for the top/soft sides to be released!

Thank you. I guess I've just got too much time on my hands .

"The company" plans to be an exhibitor at the All Breeds Jeep Show in York, PA this coming weekend (http://www.pajeeps.org/). Featured at their exhibit will be one or two Safari Cab hardtops, the new sailcloth roll-up side curtains, and this camper trailer. Anybody from this board planning to attend that show?