Mikem Supsension

My Camping Trailer

Offroad Trailers and Caravans, Equipment, Tips & Tricks
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iandvl
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My Camping Trailer

#1

Post by iandvl »

I mentioned in another post a few weeks ago that we had recently acquired a camping trailer. It's actually been terrible - I've owned a trailer for about a month now and I've not even had a chance to check everything properly. This weekend past however, I got around to checking it all out.

The trailer is a Jurgens XT65 and has the complete Howling Moon trailer-top tent. ie: Tent, all side-walls, awning and add-a-room. It has only been used a handful of times, and has been standing for the past three years. As such, one of the first things I need to do is to get a spare set of wheelbearings and chuck them in the nose cone, as in my experience these can give issues when trailers have been standing a while.

I've removed the 90L SnoMaster fridge and put in a smaller 45L one. The reason for this is that I've got a 90L in the boot of the truck. I wanted a smaller one in the trailer as a freezer. The smaller fridge will also mean there is a bit more room to build a kitchen.

There are a lot of mods I still need to make. The most pressing one for me is power. ie: Battery system, lights, etc. Thereafter, the kitchen. And finally, I want to toss out the four ammo boxes on the front slide and put in proper drawers. But I'll get around to that as I have time and money and post photos and descriptions of them here as I make the modifications...

The XT65 will be accompanying us to the YEF at the end of November. This is an auspicious event. It will be the trailer's inaugural trip. It is the 44AG's year end function and the 25th also happens to be my birthday. In short, if you're at the YEF, you owe me beer... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Anyways, a few photographs. This was the first occasion I'd pitched the thing and I did it on my own. As such, it's not as neat as I'd normally like to set up, but space was also limited. I also didn't make the effort of putting up the sides or add-a-room...
trailer-1.jpeg
trailer-2.jpeg
trailer-3.jpeg
trailer-4.jpeg
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80

HenriSteyn
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#2

Post by HenriSteyn »

Knowing the 4x4AG, you will buy all the drinks and take a strafdop just because you even thought of scoring a drink on your birthday! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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#3

Post by BushWacker »

… yes …

“ … Eins, zwei, g'suffa! … “
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...

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#4

Post by BushWacker »

… few years back I bought a second hand
RV1 OzTent for R3.5k which I felt was a fair price
having been trying to get one for over a year.
When packed in its bag its only 1.6m or so long
and can fit in my canopy so no high altitude PT.
… convenient but RV2s are scarce.
I then wanted side panels for the front awning.
Bought an RV3 front-panel with zipped entrance
and gauzed window for about R1k from 4*4Mega
on a special.
A pair of standard OzTent Side Panels are pricey +R6k,
so I bought a pair of Tentco ones for about R1.5k
… Now had 3 panel sides that didnt quit fit
dimension-wise and had mismatched zips etc

So I needed some tent-tailoring done and went to see
one ‘Leintjie’ at Blue Trading in Pomona, Kempton Park
who made everything fit and work for about R1.5k

I will now buy or have made a 2m*2m awning that can
either be fitted to my canopy side or my trailer
(though I will need an elevating bracket for the latter
to achieve a 2m ceiling ht).
Will then get Lientjie to zip the said awning edges
to accept the existing panel sides as an alternative
to using them on the OzTent.

Just some Optionality.

Below i will add the WebSite for canvass work
and a few pictures of my quickly rigged OzTent
(Not Taut and neat as Ive set it up … with all pegs
and guy-ropes its much smarter ! )

https://bluehole.co.za/contact
.


.
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944E504C-61FA-4A6F-8A4D-5C122D30CE27.jpeg (27.21 KiB) Viewed 1548 times
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Last edited by BushWacker on Sun Sep 10, 2023 3:49 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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iandvl
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#5

Post by iandvl »

You know Chas - that tent, as it is pitched in those photos, is the epitome of how I imagine you in person... :lol: :lol:
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80

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#6

Post by BushWacker »

iandvl wrote:
Thu Oct 27, 2022 4:46 pm
You know Chas - that tent, as it is pitched in those photos, is the epitome of how I imagine you in person... :lol: :lol:
… Im hoping you will get over it … remain calm.

In due course , when I next camp with the OzTent
I will set it up in its full glory,
will take some better photies,
and replace them !

… Thought there would be some impulsive Squawking !
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...

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#7

Post by grahamrob »

Its nice, but shoo thats alot of canvas to be fiddling with. Im too lazy for something like that!
I thought you had just gotten a 'normal' caravan? Is that gone now?

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#8

Post by iandvl »

Graham - set up it is surprisingly easy. We've got the "normal" caravan, but I'll be putting that on the market shortly.

Edit: Unless you're talking about Chas' canvas. There is a lot of canvas there too... :lol: :lol:
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80

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#9

Post by BushWacker »

.. even to my surprise … all the panels , with the basic tent & poles etc, easily fit in the supplied OzTent bag …

… as tent guys showed me how to better pack it all.

:shock:
... Famous Fiver VoorLoper ...
... Veni Vidi Vici ...

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#10

Post by grahamrob »

iandvl wrote:
Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:31 am
Graham - set up it is surprisingly easy. We've got the "normal" caravan, but I'll be putting that on the market shortly.

Edit: Unless you're talking about Chas' canvas. There is a lot of canvas there too... :lol: :lol:
Haha, no, I meant your one.
Thats good to hear it isnt actually a mission though!

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#11

Post by iandvl »

BushWacker wrote:
Fri Oct 28, 2022 8:47 am
.. even to my surprise … all the panels , with the basic tent & poles etc, easily fit in the supplied OzTent bag …

… as tent guys showed me how to better pack it all.

:shock:
Chas - Looking at that tent and considering a few things.

1: It epitomises my perception of you in person.
2: You're no spring chicken.

I was just wondering:

Do they float when you bath ? :lol: :lol:
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80

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#12

Post by BushWacker »

… your perception is naturally far from reality
and that, I might add, also applies to your wayward fascination with other lewd things … rather approach your good buddies on such interest when in the Sandton March this weekend ?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Mad Manny
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#13

Post by Mad Manny »

Ian, when describing Chas (who you clearly have not met, yet), the following words & phrases:
Impeccably dressed.
Super organised
Neat
Pedantic
OCD
Packer Extraordinaire
Punctual
Curt
Short & to the point
Tracker/Direction finder
On point
Gets stuff done..

Are of no use to you.

But he is a fantastic old chap & a joy to camp with.
When you meet him ask him to tell you about the esteemed 'Order of the Black Kettle'...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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#14

Post by Mad Manny »

Chas, that Oztent of yours has more hanging flaps than a 65 year old hooker...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"

2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'

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#15

Post by iandvl »

Mad Manny wrote:
Fri Oct 28, 2022 2:16 pm

Curt
You really spelt that wrong... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just joking. I actually enjoy the communication with him on the forum. Those early morning posts where he has not imbibed too much and I can actually understand what he is typing, that is... :lol: :lol:

I believe he will be at the YEF. Looking forward to meeting him. Also, since it's my birthday on the Friday - he owes me a beer... :lol: :lol:
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80

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