Lifting the Jayco Swan

[gaddy]

Backyard trial run of the awning , had to make new poles , but happy as with the outcome
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[MEGOMONSTER]

Backyard trial run of the awning , had to make new poles , but happy as with the outcome <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=48373"/>

Looks high the awning.

[kevin07]

We saw a number of similar Jayco’s in remote areas. The advice often bandied around that buying a well used & modified model will get you something ’sorted’ & far better set up for that sort of travel than new ones applies particularly well to these Jaycos.

One question though: doing what you’ve done I’m sure you considered fitting shock absorbers & I wonder why the decision not to? I’m asking this as I have a future small off road trailer project in mind & am aware that ‘gurus’ like Collyn Rivers suggest that shocks, whether fitted with leaves or used with coil independent suspension is the single major factor in prevention of trailer suspension/chassis breakage when used extensively on corrugated outback roads.

yes cuppa you are 100 pecent correct adding shocks does all of the above just doing what shocks do dampening the shudder. i have a work mate with a golf bush challenger and he was told to fit shocks only for the remote stuff would keep him out of trouble.

[kevin07]

Just as you are looking forward to more funds, I’ll look forward to seeing pics of your shock mounting.

Off topic a bit, but......
The project I have in mind is for an off road ‘towable bedroom’, smaller than a teardrop (no kitchen, just the sleeping area), wheel track & wheel size the same as the Patrol, built as light as possible, probably using fibreglass sandwich panel glued together (no fasteners). Apart from the fact that there will be a steep learning curve involved in designing & constructing with this material, (see http://vlp.homestead.com/index.html ) the thing that I am struggling to get my head around is how to determine spring & shock rates. I know these are determined by the weight of the trailer, but what do you do when you don’t know what the trailer weight will be....... such conundrums do my head in!

next show cuppa go and check out the small trailers that are there then start minusing what your not putting in

[threedogs]

Just as you are looking forward to more funds, I’ll look forward to seeing pics of your shock mounting.

Off topic a bit, but......
The project I have in mind is for an off road ‘towable bedroom’, smaller than a teardrop (no kitchen, just the sleeping area), wheel track & wheel size the same as the Patrol, built as light as possible, probably using fibreglass sandwich panel glued together (no fasteners). Apart from the fact that there will be a steep learning curve involved in designing & constructing with this material, (see http://vlp.homestead.com/index.html ) the thing that I am struggling to get my head around is how to determine spring & shock rates. I know these are determined by the weight of the trailer, but what do you do when you don’t know what the trailer weight will be....... such conundrums do my head in!

Pick an axle set up that you think will exceed your build weight 40mm square is heaps ,
being small you may want to look at the independent style but no travel.
Ive used Orac greasable shackle full off road for my camper, just take some leaves out to suit.
avoid slipper spring set up, will not cope

[threedogs]

Backyard trial run of the awning , had to make new poles , but happy as with the outcome
1408165425212.jpg

looking good a third wall will keep it weatherproof ,
we use an old shade sail as a wall, stops wind and rain getting through and cheap

[gaddy]

Looks high the awning.

The whole thing is high now , the annexe walls are now 300mm to short , with 700mm of ground clearance it's way more capable than the car , even the water tanks don't hang below the chassis rails , and the diff pumpkin on the car will hit before the axle does ,

Really looking forward to towing it offroad , bring on Fraser in a few weeks

[gaddy]

Before and after
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[lhurley]

Well done mate. Looks a treat now

[gaddy]

Set up on Fraser , new chassis and suspension worked a treat
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