The TARDIS - A Four Wheel Camper Build

[Overland Hadley]

By the way I picked up one of those jacks at my local harbor freight to check out. When fully extended its 52" from bottom plate to the very top of the main body tube. So it might not be too useful for a normal slide in the bed truck camper (since the jacks usually bolt onto the camper higher than that) without either rigging up a drop bracket or using a longer extension tube (I'd shoot for a longer extension tube personally). Pretty basic design but it seems like it'd work fine for the occasional on/off. However it only has ~14" of travel so if you'd want to really lower the camper down you'd need to block it and then readjust the screw/drop let position before lowering farther which could get annoying. However considering you can get a set of 4 for the price of 1 actual camper jack it just depends on where your priorities are.

Thanks for the additional information.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Thanks for this thread it's informative...

Your welcome. I am glad it can be a help to others.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Lagun Table

After spending an evening in a friends Westy camper, I have been on the search for a good pedestal table. I have looked for the last eight months, but was not able to find what I was looking for.

Then ersatzknarf posted a link to the Lagun.

Not sure on the weight, but it is all aluminum so it should not be to bad. Edit: weight is just under 10 pounds.

Will mount a small Baltic Birch table on top.

EDIT: Want the real Lagun table, order from SV HotWire


Thanks ersatzknarf!


Review by leadsled9

I was lucky and got one of the last Lagun mounts before the huge price increase. With that said....knowing now how nice it turned out....I'd do it again in a heartbeat, even with the price increase. The table is such an integral and central part of the entire camper functionality. With such a small space inside of these campers...the table functionality becomes a major issue IMO. The before and after functionality of the table means having a table that can be easily adjusted to exactly where you want it.....instead of having a table that is always in the way.

A few issues that the Lagun table mount cleared up for me: 1) I had my table made to larger than normal specs...but that created an issue in that I couldn't open either lid on my under-the-seat storage to it's fully open position with the table mounted as the lids hit the table edge. Now I simply swivel the table over a few inches one way or the other to get full access to the storage boxes. 2) the table leg and mounting pedestal was always in the way for my feet...and I could [not] easily put my feet up on the opposite seat cushion....easy to do now. 3) I always had to dismount the table when traveling....not any more. 4) I like the table at different heights depending on whether I'm typing on my laptop or eating....easy to adjust now. 5) I like the table in different positions depending on what I'm doing....easy to adjust now. 6) the space between the two storage boxes is used for storing large items...and it was a pain to do with the table mounting disk in the way...no problem now.

The Lagun table mount is really a quality product. The materials and the machining work was top notch. My buddy didn't want to mess up the beautiful work on the original mount.....so he cut the necessary amount out of the MIDDLE of each piece...then welded it back together....ground it all down even....and refinished it with a beautiful powder coat. When he handed the mount back to me....I couldn't even tell they had been modified except that they were the correct length (see picture #1). You might want to consider doing the modifications the same way so as not to effect the machining or the design of the original mount. He did such a beautiful job and he wouldn't even let me pay him...so I bought him some Blue Moon beer....his favorite.

You may choose to alter the lengths of the vertical and horizontal mounts or not....but if you want to mount in the same place as I did...you will have to have the mounting plate modified so the nuts/washers will have clearance. The mount plate originally fit perfect if you didn't need the clearance. The height went right to the top edge of the shelf.

I advise those of you that wish to use a similar mount to get a table made that is larger than the standard FWC table. I'm very pleased with the way the mount turned out.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/4643/page__pid__53997__st__0&#entry53997

 

[herm]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56468

if you can weld the brackets and legs, a hydraulic system like mine would cost maybe 300 dollars. I had to have my brackets built by a shop, so it cost me more. I really like my system, it works great if the load is even on the cylinders, otherwise its goes up and down a bit un-evenly but still works pretty well.

 

[ersatzknarf]

Hi Nathanael,
You are very welcome !
You found the same set up at a MUCH better price ! ! !
Thank you for the link and saving me a bunch of dosh :sombrero:

 

[Overland Hadley]

Hi Nathanael,
You are very welcome !
You found the same set up at a MUCH better price ! ! !
Thank you for the link and saving me a bunch of dosh :sombrero:

I am glad you had not ordered it already, as Cascade Depot is a third the cost.

So thanks for the link, and your welcome for saving you the money.

 

[ersatzknarf]

Hi again Nathanael,

FYI follow-up : please, be sure to read the warning on the original website :

http://svhotwire.com/info/?p=772

"CAUTION: THERE IS A COMPANY IMPORTING A SIMILAR PRODUCT FROM CHINA THAT IS NOT OF THE SAME QUALITY"

 

[Overland Hadley]

Hi again Nathanael,

FYI follow-up : please, be sure to read the warning on the original website :

http://svhotwire.com/info/?p=772

"CAUTION: THERE IS A COMPANY IMPORTING A SIMILAR PRODUCT FROM CHINA THAT IS NOT OF THE SAME QUALITY"

I saw that, but both are made by Lagun. I found some posts from a AU forum saying they were available in the US for $75.

We could both order one and compare, I will order the cheaper one.

 

[ersatzknarf]

LOL ! Please, be my guest and go ahead first and order the less expensive one :coffeedrink:

It was the "Lagun Style" statement that made me go back and look.

If they are both made by Lagun, then it appears one place is charging a bit too much :Wow1:

For the application and if both are the same, your intention sounds fine to me. Just didn't want you to be disappointed :snorkel:

I saw that, but both are made by Lagun. I found some posts from a AU forum saying they were available in the US for $75.

We could both order one and compare, I will order the cheaper one.

 

[Overland Hadley]

It was the "Lagun Style" statement that made me go back and look.

If they are both made by Lagun, then it appears one place is charging a bit too much :Wow1:

For the application and if both are the same, your intention sounds fine to me. Just didn't want you to be disappointed :snorkel:

You are right!

That's the problem with having a million web pages open at the same time. I was looking at pictures from your link, thinking it was a picture from the sight I found.

Well, I will wait a while and order the real Lagun.

 

[pods8]

Well, I will wait a while and order the real Lagun.

Not sure what your priorities on a table are or not. My issue with a typical pedestal table is I don't like the raised base for the table leg. However I came across the sequoia system which has very little projection and thus removes much of the tripping/toe stubbing potential in my mind. Also seems like gear could be piled on top of it without being all tippy. I'm leaning in that direction currently.

http://www.itc-marine.com/legs.html

 

[ersatzknarf]

Don't worry, that is a very rare occurrence :sombrero:

Apologies for causing extra expenditure of valuable resources, however let us hope it is not in vain :snorkel:

You are right!

That's the problem with having a million web pages open at the same time. I was looking at pictures from your link, thinking it was a picture from the sight I found.

Well, I will wait a while and order the real Lagun.

 

[ExpoMike]

You are right!

That's the problem with having a million web pages open at the same time. I was looking at pictures from your link, thinking it was a picture from the sight I found.

Well, I will wait a while and order the real Lagun.

Damn... I was hoping you would purchase either one and give a report. I saw this info on WTW and think this is a much better setup but without anyone saying they tried them and give a real life review, I am hesitant to buy one.

 

[ersatzknarf]

Hi Mike,
You can ask this gentleman : http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20822

He has one in his very nice camper... :coffeedrink:

Damn... I was hoping you would purchase either one and give a report. I saw this info on WTW and think this is a much better setup but without anyone saying they tried them and give a real life review, I am hesitant to buy one.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Not sure what your priorities on a table are or not. My issue with a typical pedestal table is I don't like the raised base for the table leg. However I came across the sequoia system which has very little projection and thus removes much of the tripping/toe stubbing potential in my mind. Also seems like gear could be piled on top of it without being all tippy. I'm leaning in that direction currently.

http://www.itc-marine.com/legs.html

Thanks for the link. I will keep that in mind if I change my idea for a table.

I like the Lagun table because it mounts to a vertical surface, has adjustable height, and can swing from one area to another. (Out of the way, to cooking, to eating, to computer table.)