Its time for..... Trailer Trivia!

[IronMike]

All I know is this is about a 1997 It has a Home made trailer title with no make name on it.

It's not home made thats just how they titled it in PA, Ohio is about the same.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140805_031246_zpsigwd7nh5.jpg

What is it? Bunkhouse?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140805_180630_zpsb6devwaf.jpg

It had these hub caps on wide rimes and tires that stick out further than the Plastic Fenders.

More hints,

The tongue has a slight gooseneck type dip to it.

Two holes where cooler rack WAS. Tongue also has leveling jack that recesses into it.

The Safety chains are so small they will break if disconnected as if to say. We wanted that! LOL

It has a naugahyde Bra on front of trailer and the cover is the same.

Torsion suspension.

Fiberglass construction full box welded frame.

5 Wire light set up.

20 second from kickstand to fully deployed.

Nice old lights. Trunk under bunk FLAT FLOOR Outdoor Blue carpet.

Spare tire Bolt hangs under Frame at Center rear.

No name plate on it that I can find anywhere.

Only a PA Special plate for the PA title.

Amazingly it almost looks brand new. It was stored inside always he said. Not even a tad of mildew. he said PO only took it to NY one summer with his wing thats it. He never did use it, wife said no way.

 

I need a cooler rack and some new tires, and maybe do the maintenance on the suspension and bearings. Towed it home 150 miles at 70 everything was cool.

HELP!

Edited August 6, 2014 by IronMike

[IronMike]

Well, I found the hub caps, someone had some money.

http://www.openroadoutfitters.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65_112

[IronMike]

I think I've solved my own mystery. http://www.kompactkamptrailers.com

Its a kompackamp.... Near as I can figure an old mini mate.

It all matches up. They are out of PA too.

Which I would highly suggest of all the lightweights in the field.

I can't believe the quality of this thing.

[T.J.]

That looks like a very nice find you have.

 

I am sure you will have some fun with that.

 

Would be nice to see more pictures.

[Prairiehammer]

I don't believe that is a Kompact Kamp Mini Mate. The triangular window and the symmetrical roof line are inconsistent for a Mini Mate. And the Mini Mate has entry to the tent at the rear of the trailer through a swinging door.

It appears that your find has the entrance on the side of the trailer?

To me it looks more like an Alcan Traveler. But not exactly...

 

 

[IronMike]

It would be an old KomfortKamp Not a mini mate but what proceeded the mini mate.

I would but a Mini mate in a heartbeat after seeing the quality of this one.

I have a coleman Instant Tent 9X10 to use as a living room/ spare bedroom. With the new style Queen air bed. Baffled.

 

However if I had a mini mate I would not even bring that maybe just a screen tend.

 

I may add a Shower stall to this one just to use as a Dressing room.

 

I like swift silent and deadly. Carry what you are going to use kind of a thing. Most on the market now have too many things going on. I want stop. Sleep, BS at the fire. I am not bringing a Trailer along to entertain a group which some of these can with awnings and front rooms. I am at 350 loaded with this one. Digital scale. I think thats about all a 2nd gen can really handle.

I am about to send them pictures of it to see if they made it.. The history of the company matches up to the story on the trailer.

 

Pic coming.

[CaptainJoe]

Congrats on the trailer Mike!

 

When is the maiden voyage?

[djh3]

those type hub caps are available for golf carts also. Nice looking piece.

[IronMike]

Well I just heard back from kimfortkamper. They said not one of theirs. So now I am thinking Bunkhouse. Next trick is to email Outdooroutfitters and see if he has a clue.

 

There is a name plate on the ladder that says aircamp that comes up blank on a search.

 

Back to square one.

[Monty]

I agree with Prairiehammer. I think it's an Alcan.

[Condor]

Most trailers have a Vin# stamped on the frame somewhere, beside the one on the tongue sticker. Check around in the basement. Maybe there's a clue??

[Pegasus1300]

It is not a Bunkhouse either. I am sorry I don't remember the name but they were originally made in California and went out of business sometime in the late 80's early 90's. I had one for 20 years and the Naugahyde was only starting to break down in the last year or two. The canvas is very heavy and tough and never should any signs of wear. Never any mildew. The hub caps are aftermarket. There should also be a an extension that zips to the rear and comes up over the top and extends about 6 ft forward to give a dressing room. Side walls would zip to the top and velcro along the sides next to the tent at about the midpoint. In looking at yours they may not have added this as it was an option at the time. Mine had an aluminum body but yours appears to be fiberglass. It towed very well, held everything I wanted to carry and was comfortable to sleep in for two people though it creaked a little when first getting in. When I get home I will find some pictures of it and post them.

 

You could make a cooler carries easy enough and it also had a Naugahyde piece that snapped to the front of the cooler.

 

Unfortunately I sold mine about a year ago and have regretted it ever since.

[Pegasus1300]

Do you enter yours from the extended end or from over the body? Mine entered from the extended end by means of a short ladder.

[IronMike]

I have not even heard or ran across an Alcan Make. Ill have to take a look. EDIT I did take a look, This may be a Bingo. Mine would be a fully loaded Bunk only Model by what i see on their web site. It has many options.

Yes mine is Fiberglass,

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071253_zpskfhsqhrx.jpg

Yes entry is on the extended end.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071342_zpshvjwnch4.jpg

Shot from Door.

It lifts like a bunkhouse. With the storage under the bunk.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071457_zpsy09duupj.jpg

No additional panels None missing. Like the Vinyl Top!

Has a really dense foam Original mattress. With a red and stripe cover.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071405_zpsfygugsor.jpg

You're right VERY heavy canvas with like a Sumbrella type roof, Stitched very well.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071419_zps9o8lqkm4.jpg

High quality Nylon large zippers.

Boxed steel frame.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071430_zpszkwqycc9.jpg

The tongue is hollow channel to allow the Front Jack to recess into it.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071507_zpsuxnk5kct.jpg

Super large and nice lights with heavy duty wiring.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071627_zpsbwiuf98o.jpg

The cargo area is Flat and square with outdoor nylon carpet throughout It has a Light in the cargo area.

The supports are of the lift and auto latch style. Lift again to drop it down.

No ID I can find anywhere. It has a PA title and a PA Special Plate Tag.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071319_zpsk0nffpun.jpg

The ONLY plate besides the PA title ID tag.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140807_071521_zpsk1wvp63x.jpg

It has the Dexter type suspension, so this tire sticking out past the frame worries me. But it was a rough ride home and lots of bumps and dips and no sign of scrape. I think this is an oversized tire. Should I not try to get them inside the fender?

Try to ho upload some pictures. Its grinding Uploads.

Edited August 7, 2014 by IronMike

[IronMike]

Ive went so far as to flip this thing on the bumper end and look at the frame, Its actually designed to do this I guess for storage. One person of pure steel and sex appeal like me! can do it single handed!

 

Ok the ALCAN is/was a sweet trailer and although the tent portion seems to mimic mine, Thats all that does.

 

The quality of the materials and worksmanship is stellar on this one. I can't believe there is not a name on it.

EDIT! I searched images for Air Camper and I am 99% positive the Tent portion IS an Air Camper as that matches the name on the ladder. This was a Company out of Indianapolis IN. So now I have to figure what its bolted to. Air Campers were popular in the 60 70s and were bolted to the roof tops of VWs mostly but anything would do. Mine is the same. Its independant of the trailer and just serves as a lid. Upon close inspection of this I see the same little details, The relief stitches, double stitching, the Brace bar, the Ladder. on and on.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/aircamping_zps0f69fab7.png

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

About the wheels I was right, when you load all your gear in there. They nip the fenders on bumps. So I have to change the wheels and tires. PO probably done it to look cool.

Edited August 11, 2014 by IronMike

[RedRider]

As an alternative, you could change/modify the fenders.

 

RR

[IronMike]

Those fenders are on there pretty dawg gone good.

[IronMike]

The fenders are bolted on through the fiberglass body AND have a special Bead that seals them where the fiberglass meets the Fender sort of like the old late 40s cars used to have. Im not messing with it I am sure it will look worse when I am done.

 

SO

 

Hummm So I am thinking a few things.

 

1. Use the Skinny tires on both trailers on trips. That way I will always have fresh tires as they will wear out faster.

 

2, Maybe do away with the bearing buddies.??? Thoughts.

 

3, Don't know if anyone has done this. But Take the Torsion suspension off the Camper and adapt it over to the Tag along and but a new and stiffer suspension for the Camper that can handle a little more weight. I have no experience with Torsion suspensions ZIP NONE I have no idea how long the rubber lasts in them or when it gives out, So I am wondering after 20 years is it even still any good or is it getting iffy? It seems fine, no squeaks, rattles or rolls.

 

Has anyone changed a tag along over to a Independent suspension?

I love the tag along it works fine and tows much easier.

MY MPG drops a lot pulling the Camper I think its more of a Winger type addition. I do tow a lot and I think the RSV is over matched with a camper. If I was going to do like Route 66 end to end, as of now I would have to leave with the RSV and the Tag along or the Roadstar and the Camper. Or a Wing and camper.

 

What do you think?

 

Here are the wide tires on the Tag along liiks like they would work on this.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/Venture%202008/20140812_153828_zpsfpk1ym25.jpg

[Prairiehammer]

Personally, I think Bearing Buddies are unnecessary (and perhaps maybe a liability) on a trailer that will never have its axles submerged. They are great for boat trailers! But if one greases the bearings well, conventionally, there should be no problems.

If you want to keep them, swap the Bearing Buddies onto the Tag-A-Long and put the ordinary bearing dust covers onto the camper with the skinny tires?

As for the rubber torsion suspension, I have never heard of them wearing out. And the torsion suspension is way superior to the leaf spring suspension in ride quality.

One consideration, if you decide to spend the money on torsion suspension for the Tag-A-Long: make sure the total axle width and the load capacity are compatible with it.

[IronMike]

I agree on the use of the bearing buddies. Especially for the kink of miles we put on a trailer. Trailer bearings service interval is 12k miles or once a year. So we have to do it anyways. When dipping in water the positive pressure is needed. But it ain't getting dipped.....I'm not going to Detroit! (Time sensitive pun about the flooding in Detroit).

 

I have a boat trailer with no bearing buddie. Good idea you got me on. I'll put em on that and swap the caps to this.

 

I'll probably just stick with the one set of tires and swap the skinny one to the trailer I am using. The camper weighs maybe 500 loaded and the tires say they support 750 each at 60 lbs.

 

I'll have to tow it a bit ands see how it handles.

 

On the axle. The camper has no axle. Just the dexter style torsion suspension. Which is only like a foot long and bolts to the frame.

 

I was thinking putting the suspension off the camper on the tag along and buying new for the camper. Making the camper new and the tag along independent. I know someone has had to have done this. But it almost looks like you would have to retain the leaf springs and add the torsion axle. But that would be dumb.