Casper's "I did a bad thing" micro off road camper build

Thanks Jeff that's exactly how mine look and yours work. Thans alot for doing that

 

AHA! I just spoke with my camper dealer and he asked if I have the Dexter lift kit on the camper already? I told him I don't believe so particularly since I didn't buy the off road version of the camper. He has or can get a lift kit from Dexter that provides 2 5/8" lift and he says is pretty easy to install. He will contact me back with a price. It has to be easier and cheaper than Timbren axels for $750

 

Your welcome!

 

Much easier - less expensive, too.

On my teardrop, I switched to 6-lug drums. On top of those, I have a wheel spacer that does 2 things - spaces the wheel/tire away from the trailer body and converts the SAE studs on the drum to metric, so I can use the same lug nuts as on the truck.

 

The adapters do that on mine. No brakes as the camper only weighs like 1500lbs at the most loaded. The adapters change it from 5 lug sae thread to 6 lug metric so my Toyota lugnuts work perfect.

 

If those adapters ever give you a problem (which I doubt they ever will) you could change the hub itself to a 6-lug model.

Also, I think it's Dorman that has all different sizes of studs available - most any thread to fit most any hub. Another option for you, if needed.

It is certainly nice with a trailer that uses the same wheel/tire/lug combo as the truck.

 

I’m not going to be able to get the same size tire on as the truck I think. If I did Timbrens with a 4 1/2” lift perhaps but I’m afraid of making the camper too tall. As it is now I’ll be going from a 205/75/15 up to a 265/65/17 which is quite a jump then add the 2 5/8 lift from dexter and I am hoping it doesn’t make my kitchen too tall. I’m not the only one that has to be happy with this. Yes the same wheels and tires like @Wild Crow has done would be optimal in ways these things are all a little different.

 

That is exactly what ive done. Started with the 6 lug drum, then used the spacer to get the tire away from the body - and fit the Beadlock wheels. The metric lugs are a bonus! No more looking for another socket for rotations!

 

You make any progress this week? I was thinking of getting out this weekend but looks like a rainout Saturday night. I'm about sick of this rain. Camping needs fire!

 

Burning ban on to I think. Lord only knows why everything is wet. I got the lift kit for the camper last night I'm going to screw with it this weekend. I'm going to help Bill with his truck then I'll start on the camper. We probably won't make our first trip out until May. I have the rear bumper and rear suspension to get done on the truck also but can't do any of that until we get Skip's truck done. I'm buying his current rear suspension and he is bringing the bumper with him. Sounds like you are ready to go

 

@the.sight.picture the fun mods start on page 24.

 

#certifiedSOSconceptscurrier!

 

More just a friend

 

Either or works for me

 

NEED A LIFT?

Well I started a couple of weekends ago trying to fit the "new" wheels and tires and that didn't go as I had hoped but I knew it would take a little work. Following a suggestion here I contacted the dealer, told him what I was trying to do, told him my issue, and asked about the Dexter lift kit. He said yep and he had them in stock $65 with all the hardware all grade 8, 1/2" hardware and the brackets. $15 cheaper than Etrailer and no shipping I just had to go get them.

We finally had a decent day of weather so I decided to tackle it. I had to work out in the driveway since it won't fit in the garage anymore. It was most level down toward the bottom so I moved it there and set up everything. Nothing like laying in the mud working when you have a nice garage but can't get into it. Just dirt shit washes off so I went at it.

lift was pretty strait forward. I jacked the camper up using the front jacks and jack stands in the rear to secure it. Removed the stock wheels and tires. Loosened up the axel and dropped one side at a time as per the directions and installed the lift torqueing to their specs 100 ft pounds. Pretty simple and it works. Of course I can't leave anything alone so when all is said and done I will weld the brackets to the frame and I may weld a cross brace from one side to the other eliminating any flex and stabalizing it. Neccessary? probably not but good insurance.




Then on went the hub adapters. I'm still not sure about these. If I don't like it or it shetches me out too much I'll order some 6 lug hubs and 1 " hubcentric spacers and redo this part.


Then on went the wheels and tires. They mounted right up and torqued to 100 pounds. The driver's side fender still has the outer piece removed and plenty of clearance. The passenger side has the outer piece on it. I took pics so everyone could see what it looks like. I'm not sure about this part. IDK if it'll be ok with the outer piece on or if it will end up cutting the tire especially if i get one with more tread on it. The only other options I can think of is to ither trim the outer part of the fender extension or remove it, trim the angled down part and get some black plastic and make some flares that will basically stick strait out. Ideas are welcome here.

Passenger side with the outer piece in tact



Driver's side with the outer piece removed



Big difference in tire size


Sitting level the camper is now considerably higher than the hitch. This isn't really an issue as I have a bumper with a hidden hitch coming so that will move the hitch up considerably and this should be just about perfect. With the camper sitting level there is now 21" from the frame to the ground ofcourse still considerably less from the axel to the ground. It looks funny right now it's so much lower in the front when hooked up but that will all be changed when the bumper is installed.



I will admit I wasn't too sure about matching white wheels on a green camper but I really like it!

 

Looks good, Chris. How much does the ass drop when the trailer is hooked up? Would it ride leveller if you flip over the hitch receiver?

 

That looks awesome!!!! I like the white wheels with the Tiger Moth sticker they make it look more complete. Also as far as tire rub how much will those torsion axles flex you may be fine with the outer portion on. With the bumper and new suspension that hitch will probably line up perfectly!!!

 

When the new bumper goes on it should ride just about level. The hidden hitch will raise the reciever about 7 inches or so

 

Yeah I thought about trying to figure out just how much they really do flex