What have you done to your Trailer today?

So the new trailer suspension has been pretty good but definatley had some issues with it on this first trip.

My main issue has been Timbrens Aeon springs ability to support its rated weight. Timbrens spec sheet shows the maximum deflection to be 2.75"s. With the unloaded trailer weight the suspension had squatted approx 2.5" and full of water and gear the squat was about 3.25". I contacted Timbren and their response was that's normal but you can buy stiffer springs from us to fix it. The springs weren't too expensive but a frustrating scenario since I basically had to buy stiffer springs to make 5200lb axles work on a 3500lb trailer...

Definitely some fender rib last week. Here it sits loaded.
The new springs (on top) are slightly larger.

I can easily manipulate the rubber of the old springs with 1 thumb (top). The new springs are much stiffer and the difference in rubber density is very obvious.

As it sits now with the new springs full loaded with water.

If it ends up still rubbing a bit I'll remove a little fender well . Getting smaller tires would be quitting!
Timbren Sent me a spec sheet that said I'd need specialised tools to change the springs. I just ran a rachet strap around the spring and tied it off on a front crossmember. I slowly ratcheted it in while guiding with a pry bar. Worked like a charm.
So my main gripe is the fact that the specs are obviously not correct considering the axles are designed for a much bigger trailer. Also the fact that other spring options are available would be amazing to know when making the initial purchase. Honestly though I feel like the original ones may possibly be defective and I wish Timbren would be handled it better.

Now I can't be completely negetive. The suspension was a huge huge improvement over the original leaf set-up. It made the difference of being able to travel 35mph vs 5-10mph on 26 miles of fire roads. No sharp jaring and the Aeon springs do a great job absorbing energy. No more crazy trailer bouncing and thank God no more leaf spring noise!!! I'm really looking forward to getting out and running it through it's paces with new springs!

 

Curious what size timbren axle your running and trailer weight? I'm guessing you don't have excessive squat?

 

I just found this thread. We’ve had our little camper since last August and I’ve been modding all along but never saw a thread for it. I was actually getting ready to start one when I found this. I’m at work now on my phone but when I have a chance to sit down with the computer I’ll post up some of the stuff everything is in the build in detail though. Over the last 6 weeks or so I’ve extended the tongue, installed a Lock n Roll hitch, relocated the spare, made a little table that attaches to the spare, and built a steel box for the front to house the fridge and for storage. It’s been busy but fun. I’ll post pics when I get a chance.

 

I’ve kinda looking for a good page for camper mods. I can pull influences from all different kinds of campers anything from 40’ travel trailers to home built expo trailers. All I’d seen before were basically truck camping threads. There’s a couple for campers but not much for modding your camper. This may just be good. @Wild Crow , @robssol

 

Im on the jayco forum as well but that community is pretty meh.

I look forward to seeing yours. I've been throwing around the idea of building a smaller expo trailer with a RTT for shorter local trips. The bigger trailer is great for cold climates and cross country travel but I feel a little detached from nature even when were off the beaten path.

 

Do you have air bags, or is the weight distribution giving you that ride height?

 

Actually use both. I load the truck up with gear, level it off then use a WDH for the tounge weight.

 

I’m going to post a bunch in here when o get home n the computer but you can always click on the build in my sig most new stuff starts on page 23 I think

 

Sub’d thanks

 

We bought our little camper last August. We got lucky and found a left over 2016 at a local dealer. I guess the first stroke of luck was finding a dealer close by that deals with the type of camper we were looking for. We started looking for a tear drop but liked the options we found with this one better. It's a Tiger Moth by TAXA out of Texas.


Some mods right off the bat just to get going like the awning


roof basket


The kitchen area wasn't as functional as we'd have liked so I made a new lid and additional panels for prep space



then I kinda took a break over the winter while I put a plan together So started with some additional exterior lighting



for when we're at camp grounds (whch is where we'll be going for a while) I switched out a regular outlet for one with 2 usb chargeing ports


We got tired of coolers so as a Christmas gift to each other we bought an IndelB TB51 fridge



Then the fun began. When we went camping a month or so ago we found the camper is so small there was no where to keep the fridge so it had to sit outside. We didn't care for that option so storage plans began. This quickly snowballed into doing quite a bit at once. I decided the best option was to create space on the tongue for a box which would house the fridge. Well the best way to create the space was to extend the tongue and, of course, if I was going that far I may as well convert to a Lock n Roll hitch as the plans are for this to go off road eventually.





the spare tire had been stored on the side of the tongue but wouldn't fit there anymore with future plans so I made a mounting system that runs from frame to frame rail under the rear of the camper and stores the tire at the left rear




Now I had some room so I bought the drawer slide for the fridge, figured out the dimensions I needed and built a storage box to mount to the tongue. It houses the fridge on the right side and has storage on the left side, vets front and rear for good air flow, the diamond plate is to hep deflect the sun and keep the box cooler, and the fridge side is wired with a 12v outlet. It's 24"x24"x60". YLep it's a little heavy but the camper needed more weight up front. I also had to extend the frame to support the box.







Since I found I had a little sheet metal left over I decided to make a handy little table which slides rt into the storage side of the box and then pins onto the top of the sare tire mount resting on the tire.



Sorry so long winded but this thread is for camper mods and I was just catching up. Thanks to @Wild Crow and @Cypherian for letting me bounce ideas off of ya and giving great advice along the way. I aint done yet!

 

Alright @Casper66 I'll play.

Here's the latest mod to the CrowsWing teardrop. Trying out a set of Unlimited Solar flexible solar panels. My daughter's boyfriend helped me install them. Pretty simple though, they have a peel and stick set up.



The two 100 watt panels kept the batteries fully charged on the drive to our camping the next day. In the shade though the batteries still discharge, but if we hook up our other two portable panels and follow the sun the batteries can recharge each day easily.


One of these days I'll get real batteries and ditch the worn out cheap Wal-Mart batteries that have run the fridge, lights, stereo, and tv for the last couple of years

 

Great build man! Thanks for sharing! You did some nice work woth that fridge upgrade!

 

Did this about a month ago. I upgraded the power system with a harbor freight tounge toolbox and couple group 31 batteries.

A couple holes on the back for box venting and wire entry.

Mocked up the battery trays and cut a piece of lexan for an accessory panel. I could've done a better job but wasn't sure what blade to use for cutting plastic? It turned out pretty good. I would've made it out of metal but was concerned about dropping it and causing a short.

3 new crossmembers welded to the top of the frame.

Also welded the chain hangers on.

Everything installed and wired up! Solar charge controller with 20 amp breaker. 12v marine power station with 20 amp breaker. 30 amp breaker replacing the 30 amp fuse that used to lead to the trailer. 2 Blue sea bus bars, 1 is power and the other is a ground lug.

The panel is held on with wing nuts so I can easily remove it to change batteries when needed.

External battery off switch, Solar power port, trailer plug holster and of course cast iron bear bottle opener.

We eneded up with a 200 watt folding solar panel.
Between the batteries and solar panels the generator really isnt needed aside from running the AC or microwave.

 

Is there anything special that needs to be done to have the option of additional panels? An adapter or something?

 

Thanks plenty more to go. Next is batteries and solar

 

That’s a great mod and exactly the direction I’m headed. I’m thinking 2 100w roof mounted panels and adding 2 optional panels like @Wild Crow has for shady areas. While I like doing my own work the dealer may get this job I’m not well educated on solar and we’re going to trade off some work for believe

 

I’m considering an under body water storage tank. Has anybody seen a flat 20 gal tank. I’ve got an idea how to mount it but need to find a tank. Maybe at least a source of where to start looking for one

 

You guys do some nice work.

My mod is a little less ambitious and I had a local fabricator do it so it wasn't even my work but in the spirit of the thread I thought you guys wouldn't mind me sharing it with you. My wife and I bought a new Hobie tandem kayak last year that is 14' long and weighs nearly 100lbs unrigged with pedal drives and seats. This was my temporary transport solution...


I'm not getting any younger and I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of lifting that thing onto a roof rack. I have an aluminum flatbed trailer that I use to haul my motorcycles so I had some removable brackets made.


I have not used it for the kayak yet but I hauled my GS last month and the clearance between the bike and the brackets was a little tight but I did not have any problems.




I thought that the welds looked pretty good.


So now I can transport two bikes or one bike and the kayak. Win-win.

 

That is a nice mod! Whether you made it or had it made makes no difference to me. It’s the shared ideas I find so cool. Sometimes you just see things you never thought of

 

Those with the smaller trailers, what do your shower set-ups look like? I'm a ways out from my "expo" trailer but still starting to accumulate ideas.