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Post Info TOPIC: Modifications to my camper
Beth54


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Modifications to my camper
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I've posted before about my son modifying Gypsy to mount the fridge on the draw bar. So here she is!

He had to stregthen the draw bar, make the box to suit, and attach the bracket for the gas bottle which will run the fridge when I'm stopped. He also added a crate to carry the small gas bottle, guy ropes etc. I can easily lift this 2kg bottle out to attach to the stove.

He did the wiring through the car to run the fridge while motoring, but he had to admit defeat, and I'm taking it to the professionals on Wednesday for completion.

He also modified a cargo barrier to fit behind the front seat.



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Smokeydk


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Hope the turning circle is enough...whats the towball weight now....looks heavy......with the extras on it.....rear over campers are great but storage is always limited....

well now you'll have more room in your car

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Vic


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Looks nice, but I would be worried about the tow ball weight on you car Beth, also the ability of the car to tow that weight/sag etc.

Be careful too with your insurance cover, it may be void if the extra weight/modifications are not covered.

What does the i30 handbook say about towing?



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Vic

Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....

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Beth54


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According to the book, the ball weight limit is is 75kg. It can tow 1200, and Gypsy herself only weighs 120kg.

It's not as heavy as it looks. Son says it's fine. He's made it all as lightweight as possible.

The big gas bottle will be the heaviest thing. And there's ample room in the back of the car.

I'll have to check about the insurance Vic.

The car does sit low naturally, which is often a pain, but I'm always aware of it. She actually has a good bit of grunt. My brother is a a car nut and was pleasantly surprised at her get up and go.

 

 



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Vic


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Not a bad tow ball weight Beth, also towing capacity. 

Unless you can get some scales from somewhere (some dealers have them and are happy to weigh the bar for you), put a pair of bathroom scales under the tow ball cup (chock your wheels/trailer hand brake on) then put a piece of wood across the face of the scales (the weighing platform) raise the trailer height with the winder, use either wooden blocks or bricks on the scale to the normal level height position of the tow frame and either readjust the scale weight to zero or take the weight shown for the added bits off the final weight, which you will get by using the winder to lower the frame down onto the items on the scale until the winder wheel is not touching the ground.   

Do this when the trailer is loaded with full gas bottle etc on, and this will give you a fair idea of what your trailer ball weight is. 

Just for info, the weight of a gas bottle is approximately double when full, ie; a 9kg bottle will weigh 18kg when full.  Using a piece of wood across your scales to sit the bottle on as stated above will give you an idea of how much gas you have left in the bottle (deduct the weight of the the wood bit of course). 

If you want to reduce the tow ball weight, using a smaller bottle on the bar would be better. 

Usually a 9kg will give you about 14 - 21 days for running a gas fridge and cooking, more if you don't have a fridge. 

 



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Vic

Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....

Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".

Spread the laughter
Share the cheer
Let's be happy
While we're here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Beth54


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Okay, thanks for that Vic. We'll do that on the weekend, just to be on the safeside. And I'll ring the insurance company tomorrow.

I did think about getting another 2kg bottle. I bought this one for the stove some time ago, because the big one's too heavy for me.

 



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
jimricho


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Maybe a short "shake-down" trip is in order to check the mods haven't introduced any nasty surprises, especially in the road handling department.

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Beth54


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Oh yes, thanks Jim, forgot to say...Dan had me tow her home and back to him next day, to see how she handled. No problems. In fact, the extra bit of weight helped to ground her a bit. She tended to bounce a bit before as she's so light. I used to put flat things in on top of the bed to weigh her down a bit!

By the way, Dan's dad, my ex, is an A grade mechanic who should have been an engineer, so he's learnt a lot from him over the years.

The electrics baffled him though. He had to admit defeat, much to his chagrin, and send me to a professional!

 



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Happywanderer


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I don't have any answers Beth, Sorry. It looks good. Is your gas bottle only 2kgs. Mine is 4kgs and I had trouble getting a replacement on the way home. Nobody had any that small so I still have to refill or swap it yet. Won't do that till I need it again.

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Beth54


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Happywanderer wrote:

I don't have any answers Beth, Sorry. It looks good. Is your gas bottle only 2kgs. Mine is 4kgs and I had trouble getting a replacement on the way home. Nobody had any that small so I still have to refill or swap it yet. Won't do that till I need it again.

 The one for the fridge is a 9kg Marj. I have a 2kg for the stove. Yes, I had trouble getting it refilled last year. Someone on here suggested hardware shops, so I'll try that next time I need it refilled.



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Firefly


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BCF filled ours in Darwin Beth. smile

Its all coming along nicely mate, good to see.



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Sheba


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Don't want to put a dampener on things, but aside from any Insurance issues, would that modification be Legal ?

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Sheba.



-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 6th of June 2011 06:22:55 PM

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Beth54


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I've used BCF here FF, but in small towns it can be hard.

I'm assuming it's okay Sheba. I guess I'd better ask that question. confuse



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Beth54


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By the way, I expect to be off on the 15th June, heading north to my sister at Cooloola Cove Qld first off.

I have my grey nomad stickers on, 'Lucy' on the car, 'Gypsy' on the trailer, so give me a 'hoy' if you see me.

I'll also have my laptop to 'report in' along the way!



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
sparkles


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Hi,
Mum sent me the link to this thread.
Was planning to check final loaded ball weight as described above. As it is with an empty 9kg bottle and the empty fridge I can easily lift it one handed. In fact I think mum could lift it. The box is huge to allow plenty of airflow, but it is very light ally.
Will be bowlining the drawbar all the same. And the brackets of the barrier are r&d, mkII will have concertina bends
The wiring has me beat, solenoid will not unlatch, getting backfeeds or residual. Maybe it's canbus voodoo. Too hard.

Cheers
Dan

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Happywanderer


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sparkles, you are doing a lovely job there for your mum, we are all proud of you.

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Firefly


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Good on you Dan, I think your mum is itching to get back out there mate.



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jules47


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Ditto Sparkles!!

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Ditto from me too Dan!!!

Cheers. smile

 



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 Cheers. Pam.

Safe and happy travels everyone.

 
Vic


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Everyone should have a son like you Dan, don't be afraid to pop in now and then and add your 20c worth, all feedback is appreciated.

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Vic

Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....

Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".

Spread the laughter
Share the cheer
Let's be happy
While we're here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Beth54


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Thanks for giving Dan a pat on the back, fellow nomads. He and his wife have been very good to me.

 All three of my kids are good to their Mum. I feel blessed.



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Firefly


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Same with mine Beth, its lovely isn't it. smile



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sparkles


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Thanks everyone,
Vic wrote:

Everyone should have a son like you Dan, don't be afraid to pop in now and then and add your 20c worth, all feedback is appreciated.

Vic, this makes me think of Lesley Nielson and Prescilla Presley...

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Cruising Granny


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I just wish I had a daughter who accepted my desire to travel as much as you support your mum Sparkles. Welcome to the Grey Nomads. You done good.
Her guts and determination are to be respected and admired. It seems like you might be just a little bit proud of her. She's a good mum with drive, literally.


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Beth54


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Thank you CG. smile



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Vic


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sparkles wrote:

Thanks everyone,

Vic wrote:

Everyone should have a son like you Dan, don't be afraid to pop in now and then and add your 20c worth, all feedback is appreciated.

 

Vic, this makes me think of Lesley Nielson and Prescilla Presley...

Don't know the line Dan, and hope my comment wasn't taken the wrong way, I meant it in all sincerity, job well done !!

 



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Vic

Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....

Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".

Spread the laughter
Share the cheer
Let's be happy
While we're here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Beth54


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Vic wrote:
sparkles wrote:

Thanks everyone,

Vic wrote:

Everyone should have a son like you Dan, don't be afraid to pop in now and then and add your 20c worth, all feedback is appreciated.

 

Vic, this makes me think of Lesley Nielson and Prescilla Presley...

Don't know the line Dan, and hope my comment wasn't taken the wrong way, I meant it in all sincerity, job well done !!

 

 I don't know it either Vic, but it's sure to be funny...and no, he wouldn't take it the wrong way.



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Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
sparkles


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Vic wrote:

sparkles wrote:

Thanks everyone,

Vic wrote:

Everyone should have a son like you Dan, don't be afraid to pop in now and then and add your 20c worth, all feedback is appreciated.

 

Vic, this makes me think of Lesley Nielson and Prescilla Presley...

Don't know the line Dan, and hope my comment wasn't taken the wrong way, I meant it in all sincerity, job well done !!

 

No, not at all Here it is at 2:21 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJEmtLxkEoI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

-- Edited by sparkles on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 07:45:43 PM

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Vic


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sparkles wrote:

No, not at all Here it is at 2:21 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJEmtLxkEoI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That's one pat on the back you don't want........sheesh, OJ Simpson before he became infamous !!   Takes you back a bit ! biggrin

 



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Vic

Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....

Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".

Spread the laughter
Share the cheer
Let's be happy
While we're here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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