Zelix Homemade Trailer Build

[Token]

The straps have stitched loops at the poles and pull the poles and the tent up evenly during opening.

 

[StumpXJ]

What Token said.

The strips are sewn into the fabric of the canvas, and they have a small loop (non-sewn portion) where the bar goes through. It keeps it in place.

Your canvas should already have that right? Thats all that I know of keeping the bars in place other than being bolted to the hinge. There is also a bar on the outside of the tent in the center if I remember right, it kind of holds up the rain fly.

Also, for attaching the canvas to the frame, are you going to try to find a piece of extruded aluminum for the canvas rope to slide into or do something else?

What about when the tent is open at the hinge area? What are you planning for interlocking the two halves? I know if I dont have my tent all the way open so they lock into each other, and I climb inside, the two halves come apart. (not good...)

Looking good man!

~ James

 

[Zelix]

The straps have stitched loops at the poles and pull the poles and the tent up evenly during opening.

Thanks I thought so...

What Token said.

The strips are sewn into the fabric of the canvas, and they have a small loop (non-sewn portion) where the bar goes through. It keeps it in place.

So it's actually sewn into the fabric?

Your canvas should already have that right?
Thats all that I know of keeping the bars in place other than being bolted to the hinge.

I didn't see any strapping unless I was completely drunk off of a 1/2 of beer or lost my mind. I'll have to take a picture of the inside of the canvas.

I suppose I could just make the strapping as a separate thing. If it's made to the right measurements it might work.

There is also a bar on the outside of the tent in the center if I remember right, it kind of holds up the rain fly.

I was wondering how that works.... but hadn't thought about it too much as I have more pressing issues to resolve.

Also, for attaching the canvas to the frame, are you going to try to find a piece of extruded aluminum for the canvas rope to slide into or do something else?

I am going to check with a local awning & patio store near here to see if they have something. If I can't find something I was thinking of using this 60-inch ShelfTrack standard for use with ClosetMaid's ShelfTrack system

I thought of bolting it horizontally on the outside of the base perimeter steel and basically clamping the canvas rope securely. I'm not sure at this point but it seemed like a reasonable idea.

What about when the tent is open at the hinge area? What are you planning for interlocking the two halves? I know if I don't have my tent all the way open so they lock into each other, and I climb inside, the two halves come apart. (not good...)

Looking good man!

~ James

I still haven't given thought of that. I know I need something. I was thinking of making some sliding out brackets that will attach to two vertical poles holding the platform up. I'm not sure it the ladder is suppose to carry any of the load or if the 1/2 of the base that's bolted down supports the other cantilevered half.

The platform will be considerably heavier than manufactured ones. I'm using 3/4" thick plywood for the base. I don't want to be concerned about the base collapsing. I don't mind the extra weight and think it'll firm up and make the base solid.

I appreciate any comments, concerns, input or ideas.


Alan

 

[StumpXJ]

Thanks I thought so...



So it's actually sewn into the fabric?

If I remember right... I think it is, except where the pole goes through.


I didn't see any strapping unless I was completely drunk off of a 1/2 of beer or lost my mind. I'll have to take a picture of the inside of the canvas.

I suppose I could just make the strapping as a separate thing. If it's made to the right measurements it might work.

I cant imagine it not being in there, maybe you should switch to bud light for the beer. I bet you could drink atleast two without catching a buzz.


I was wondering how that works.... but hadn't thought about it too much as I have more pressing issues to resolve.



I am going to check with a local awning & patio store near here to see if they have something. If I can't find something I was thinking of using this 60-inch ShelfTrack standard for use with ClosetMaid's ShelfTrack system

I thought of bolting it horizontally on the outside of the base perimeter steel and basically clamping the canvas rope securely. I'm not sure at this point but it seemed like a reasonable idea.

I was thinking the same thing, just some sort of way to clamp the rope down on the perimeter frame. Should work just fine!




I still haven't given thought of that. I know I need something. I was thinking of making some sliding out brackets that will attach to two vertical poles holding the platform up. I'm not sure it the ladder is suppose to carry any of the load or if the 1/2 of the base that's bolted down supports the other cantilevered half.

The ladder does support it quite a bit on the outer edge, but in the middle it does require a way for the two 'frames' to interlock when the tent is open. I was thinking you could just weld a piece of 1" wide flat steel full length on the bottom side of the frame that mounts to the trailer (on the hinge side only). Make 1/2" onto the mounted frame, and it would leave the other 1/2" hanging over so the other frame would rest on that when open. That way the two pieces could be supported by the flat stock.

The platform will be considerably heavier than manufactured ones. I'm using 3/4" thick plywood for the base. I don't want to be concerned about the base collapsing. I don't mind the extra weight and think it'll firm up and make the base solid.

Heavier isnt a huge issue, especially on the trailer. The extra weight of the ply will be beneficial for support, especialy on the hinged side.

I appreciate any comments, concerns, input or ideas.


Alan

See above in red.


Here is a pic I found of mine looking in the inside, may be a better view of the bars. I dont know.

 

[Zelix]

See above in red.


Here is a pic I found of mine looking in the inside, may be a better view of the bars. I dont know.

Thanks for the reply.

I cant imagine it not being in there, maybe you should switch to bud light for the beer. I bet you could drink atleast two without catching a buzz.

Yeah must have been something in the air as I can normally drink quite a bit. I'll be taking a photo of it tonite.

I emailed the canvas supplier about this. He said I need 1" nylon straps.

So I'm guessing I'll have to buy this strapping. I'll have to look around locally to see if I can get it.

The ladder does support it quite a bit on the outer edge, but in the middle it does require a way for the two 'frames' to interlock when the tent is open. I was thinking you could just weld a piece of 1" wide flat steel full length on the bottom side of the frame that mounts to the trailer (on the hinge side only). Make 1/2" onto the mounted frame, and it would leave the other 1/2" hanging over so the other frame would rest on that when open. That way the two pieces could be supported by the flat stock.

That sounds like a great idea. I might have to do that. Thanks for the suggestion.

Heavier isnt a huge issue, especially on the trailer. The extra weight of the ply will be beneficial for support, especialy on the hinged side.

I think it's going to work out well. It should help the metal frame from racking.

 

[Zelix]

Yeah it's official... no straps. This has me puzzled as to why it doesn't.
Sorry didn't take a picture. It was late when I got home so no more progress.

 

[Token]

So it's actually sewn into the fabric?

I appreciate any comments, concerns, input or ideas.


Alan

Actually I think the straps are mostly loose except where the poles slip through.. I recall we were trying to hang a carabiner with an LED light up on our last trip. Clip wouldn't fit over the pole so it was clipped onto the strap and it was easily able to slide between the poles.

I know you're trying to save some bucks on this, but for the headaches you're going though, I think your sanity would be better off finding a good price on a used one..

Something I've found about these tents, although they seem like they'd set up amazingly fast, buy the time I get it all set up, start to finish I could almost have a regular dome tent set up. Tear down time is about the same between tents too.. All the "how to's" you see on how fast they set up start with the cover zipped off and all the buckles undone and no rainfly to setup. Just unfold and you're done in 15 seconds. There is a LOT more to it than that. Start to finish it's going to be at least 5 minutes unless you're RUSHING to prove it can be done quicker.. Honestly I can set up all but one of my dome tents that quick. They range in size from 6x5 to 12x12.. The one that takes a bit longer is 14x24 with a patio..

That said.. And this is just something to consider.. And you prolly ain't gonna like the idea.

Find a really good quality regular tent. Change the design of your platform to a trifold design that would hold the tent, place clips (think dog leash) with short bungees on the right places in place of tent stakes and just put the regular tent up there. If done right a 4x6 trailer could easily hold an unfolded tent deck that's 8x6 and maybe 12x6 if you thought about it a bit...

If I were to do it all again, I'd prolly go this direction..

You could place rails around the deck when folded and use to tie more gear up on top of everything.. Kinda the way the Jumping Jack trailers are set up.

I think you could easily sell the tent shell you have now to help recoup some of what you've got into it.

 

[Zelix]

Actually I think the straps are mostly loose except where the poles slip through.. I recall we were trying to hang a carabiner with an LED light up on our last trip. Clip wouldn't fit over the pole so it was clipped onto the strap and it was easily able to slide between the poles.

I just got an email reply from the supplier. I emailed him just wondering out of curiously why they straps weren't sewn in. He replied :

Not being the original designer, I'm not sure what their rationale, but I can see a few advantages to the approach. The straps act like the cable supports on a bridge transferring and supporting the load. Mombasa has told me the cantilevered side can support 200 lbs without the ladder in place because of the straps. From an assembly perceptive, it's much quicker to put together this way also. I've replaced a few damaged tent bodies, take 15-20 minutes. Would take much longer if you had to disassemble and slide out the bows also.

Makes sense.

I know you're trying to save some bucks on this, but for the headaches you're going though, I think your sanity would be better off finding a good price on a used one..

Probably.. would have been easier... but then, what fun is that? Sure it's a headache to figure out how to make it work. If I wasn't doing that then I'd be drinking Jim Beam, sitting around doing nothing. At least I'm using my brain and getting a bit of exercise. When it's all over I think the satisfaction of a job completion will be worth it. :ylsmoke:

Something I've found about these tents, although they seem like they'd set up amazingly fast, buy the time I get it all set up, start to finish I could almost have a regular dome tent set up. Tear down time is about the same between tents too.. All the "how to's" you see on how fast they set up start with the cover zipped off and all the buckles undone and no rainfly to setup. Just unfold and you're done in 15 seconds. There is a LOT more to it than that. Start to finish it's going to be at least 5 minutes unless you're RUSHING to prove it can be done quicker.. Honestly I can set up all but one of my dome tents that quick. They range in size from 6x5 to 12x12.. The one that takes a bit longer is 14x24 with a patio..

Yeah I had a dome tent like that. I woke up pissT that I was laying in a pool of water. All the other cats on the trip were climbing down out of their RTT dry and spry. I have been thinking, and scheming to get a RTT since then.

That said.. And this is just something to consider.. And you prolly ain't gonna like the idea.

Find a really good quality regular tent. Change the design of your platform to a trifold design that would hold the tent, place clips (think dog leash) with short bungees on the right places in place of tent stakes and just put the regular tent up there. If done right a 4x6 trailer could easily hold an unfolded tent deck that's 8x6 and maybe 12x6 if you thought about it a bit...

If I were to do it all again, I'd prolly go this direction..

You could place rails around the deck when folded and use to tie more gear up on top of everything.. Kinda the way the Jumping Jack trailers are set up.

I think you could easily sell the tent shell you have now to help recoup some of what you've got into it.

I appreciate the ideas and input.... but there's no reverse, no going back, no retreat.

I will make this tent work. :ylsmoke:

 

[woodeye]

take a look

See if this helps any look about half way down the thread. there is a pic
of how this tent is set up. Its a Mombasa

Woody

 

[Titanpat57]

I appreciate the ideas and input.... but there's no reverse, no going back, no retreat.

I will make this tent work. :ylsmoke:

Tenacity.....

It's not just for breakfast anymore!! :victory:





Probably my favorite trait in a person

You're damn right you're gonna figure this out and make it work!! :wings:


Carry on...let the web wheelers have their fun...you'll get it!

Pat

 

[Zelix]

See if this helps any look about half way down the thread. there is a pic
of how this tent is set up. Its a Mombasa

Woody

I think I've got it figured out... It's a matter of execution now. I'm not the greatest at fab work [as you may have surmised by looking thru this thread] but I usually end up with a serviceable product.

Tenacity.....

It's not just for breakfast anymore!! :victory:

Probably my favorite trait in a person

You're damn right you're gonna figure this out and make it work!! :wings:

Carry on...let the web wheelers have their fun...you'll get it!

Pat

Indeed. Why stop now?

BTW, We have a saying here. "When your dumb, you gotta be tough...<pause>... and I'm damn sure tough." LOL

It's part of the fun making things workout. :ylsmoke:

Thanks for posting and keep an eye out for the victory dance coming soon. :victory:

 

[woodeye]

would have been nice to add the link
http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/ctt.htm

Woody

 

[Zelix]

would have been nice to add the link
http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/ctt.htm

Woody

Thanks for the link. It looks like you made out well with your tent. That was a good price you got it for. I see that your tent doesn't have the two straps like the new ones. Interesting.

Thanks again for the link and viewing this thread. Hopefully I can get mine set up soon.

 

[Zelix]

Ok so last nite I got the side 'clamp downs' started. I only lack two more sides.

Here's another shot at the hing folded..

So after thinking and thinking and rethinking about the strap issue. I just looked through Home Depot for anything that might work. I wanted a really strong strap that wasn't as think as heavy nylon straps. I found [hopefully] the answer to my problem. The straps are nice and strong yet really flexible and seem to be something that I might can sew without difficulties. The extra bonus is that come with a lovely little bag. heh

check them out:

So wish me luck guys.... I'm going for it today. :elkgrin:

 

[StumpXJ]

Post pics man... you got this.

~ James