Mini Redneck Ramada

[Colorado_Outback]

Picked up this 88 Mitchell mounted to a brand new 6x10 Hickman utility trailer on Craigslist the other day. The camper is in good shape for being 20+ years old, its all original and doesn't show any signs of leaking. The PO resealed the roof and a couple spots and repainted it. Planning on pulling it with my Cherokee.
The camper is 950lbs dry according to the PO, I figure the trailer is 1K or less so I'm shooting for a loaded weight of around 3K. Max tow weight for the XJ is 5K so I figure I'm in the neighborhood. I'm sure the XJ will benefit from a re gear (I'm stock 3.55 now) with 4.88's it should even go up hill decently.



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Took it up to China Wall the other weekend.

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Plans for the trailer include

Spring over lift
Hard mounting the camper to the top rail of the trailer as well as the deck.
Insulating and closing in the undersides of the camper.
Adding a 2nd propane cyl and mounting them on the front deck.
Adding a 2nd battery and moving both down into the driver side compartment.
Rewiring the the camper with a solar setup.
Joining the trailer and camper lighting.
CB and HAM (my dads area) radios.
Removable propane grill that will mount on the side and hook into the 2nd cyl.
Use the crap out of it with my 3year old :)

As a single dad this will make my camping life much more comfortable and a lot easier with the boy.

[buffalobo]

Pretty cool. The dad of a friend of mine worked for Mitchell building campers for many years.

[sniper7]

Sweet set up! You guys should have a good time with that thing. I definitely need to put a lift on my camper.

[Colorado_Outback]

Pretty cool. The dad of a friend of mine worked for Mitchell building campers for many years.

I would love to find out more about this thing. The tag is pretty worn..
The four X's indicate that it was equipped with electric, stove, heater and fridge.
Not sure what the D.7.6.1003 is or the 008057 its too faded to tell.

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The camper is 7' 6" on the base so maybe the weight is 1003? Not sure.. I plan on weighing the whole setup at a public scale after its fully configured.

[T-Giv]

That's an awesome setup! With the regear I'd imagine the Cherokee will pull it just fine...as long as you don't get some 35's under it! [Beer]

[Colorado_Outback]

That's an awesome setup! With the regear I'd imagine the Cherokee will pull it just fine...as long as you don't get some 35's under it! [Beer]

I was shopping for a bike and then this thing followed me home, I couldn't leave it where I found it for the money :)

When I pulled it up to China Wall I went up 24 and you have to beat it like a rented mule going up the pass but I could hold close to the speed limit most of the time and took it easy when the temp gauge really started to climb.

No 35's for this truck. My garage doors are tiny, if I go any bigger it wont fit. haha

[T-Giv]

I was shopping for a bike and then this thing followed me home, I couldn't leave it where I found it for the money :)

When I pulled it up to China Wall I went up 24 and you have to beat it like a rented mule going up the pass but I could hold close to the speed limit most of the time and took it easy when the temp gauge really started to climb.

No 35's for this truck. My garage doors are tiny, if I go any bigger it wont fit. haha

Bummer about the bike but cool about the score you picked up. Lots of supermotos for sale right now too!

[ray1970]

I've been contemplating a similar setup. But on a longer trailer so that I can (hopefully) load a couple of ATVs onto the trailer as well.

Looks like a nice, low budget setup. Beats the hell out of tent camping.

[Awesom]

[Great-Kazoo]

You might consider putting 1/4 slats between the camper / trailer bed. This way any water / rain build up has a place to drain instead of slowly rotting out the unit. We did 1x trim strips (spray bed liner) running the length of camper. Really makes a difference when not in use.

We have a dual propane connector if you need one.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Nice set up. I've been look, or window shopping. For a pull behind trailer. Now you got me to thinking of doing the same set up using my flatbed trailer. [Beer]

[Colorado_Outback]

Nice set up. I've been look, or window shopping. For a pull behind trailer. Now you got me to thinking of doing the same set up using my flatbed trailer. [Beer]

This setup has lots of benefits. One big one is registration fees are low for a utility trailer vs a traditional pull behind camper. And with a larger deck like that you could bring other fun toys too :)

[DSB OUTDOORS]

This setup has lots of benefits. One big one is registration fees are low for a utility trailer vs a traditional pull behind camper. And with a larger deck like that you could bring other fun toys too :)
Ya, thats what I was thinking. I'd slide the camper up a bit, and I have a ramp back flat bed trailer for an ATV.

[SouthPaw]

My girlfriends dad has the same exact setup. He loves it. His trailer is a bit bigger so he can store an ATV under the front part of the camper. Really cool setup!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Looks cool! Nice work.

[Dave]

That's a nice setup, and I bet my Explorer could haul it. I gotta check CL more often.

[ray1970]

That's a nice setup, and I bet my Explorer could haul it. I gotta check CL more often.

If you don't mind doing some minor repairs, you can usually find an older slide in camper for free or really cheap.

[Colorado_Outback]

Found some camo for my camper today. I love garage sales.

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[Great-Kazoo]

Found some camo for my camper today. I love garage sales.

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Looks like a camper to me. perhaps outside the urban area, it might blend in better.

[Colorado_Outback]

Thinking about cutting it into multiple nets. This is one of the hexagons and its like 28x32' haha. A little over kill but for $50 how could I say no..

[Colorado_Outback]

The heater was making a really annoying screeching/squealing sound so we pulled it out to take a look. I figured it was a bearing on the fan making noise but all the bearings seemed in good shape and spun smooth. Cleaned some dead bugs out of the case and intake but couldn't really locate anything that I thought would be making a noise like that.
Got to looking at how the heater is mounted in the camper, its supported by the cabinet framing in the front but there's nothing supporting the rear of the unit, it was just hung off the two bolts that secured the exhaust/intake to the exterior of the camper. So my dad made block to support the rear and its all quiet now.. weird.
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[Irving]

Ya, thats what I was thinking. I'd slide the camper up a bit, and I have a ramp back flat bed trailer for an ATV.

He'd need a longer trailer for that because the attic would hit the spare on any slight incline.

[Colorado_Outback]

He'd need a longer trailer for that because the attic would hit the spare on any slight incline.

True. This setup is about as close as I would like as is. Need to do some research about extending the hitch an inch or two, it definitely wouldn't hurt. As it sits the over hang gets close to the back of the Jeep in extreme backing, almost jack knife situations.

On a longer deck or with a pickup that would be the way to go. Porch on the back :)

[Colorado_Outback]

Got rid of the old turnbuckles and wood cleats for something a little beefier.
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Also relocated the spare to the passenger rear to make room for a tongue box.
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[HoneyBadger]

I love this project. [Awesom]

[Colorado_Outback]

Thanks! Me too :)


Total lift ended up being 4 3/8". Its tall :)
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Before
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After
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[Colorado_Outback]

Got the leveling jacks mounted on the rear.
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Made a mount for an old Coleman roadtrip grill that I had laying around. Mounts in the stake pocket on the trailer and knocks down flat.
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Picked up a dual bottle mount and a charge controller. Those will be the next things on the list along with re plumbing the propane feed and rewiring the stereo.
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[HoneyBadger]

Really cool! Are you going to build any sort of storage cabinet or anything under the sides of the camper (on top of the trailer deck)?

[Great-Kazoo]

The heater was making a really annoying screeching/squealing sound so we pulled it out to take a look. I figured it was a bearing on the fan making noise but all the bearings seemed in good shape and spun smooth. Cleaned some dead bugs out of the case and intake but couldn't really locate anything that I thought would be making a noise like that.
Got to looking at how the heater is mounted in the camper, its supported by the cabinet framing in the front but there's nothing supporting the rear of the unit, it was just hung off the two bolts that secured the exhaust/intake to the exterior of the camper. So my dad made block to support the rear and its all quiet now.. weird.
https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10262252_1489520041279839_420420306387507109_n.jpg

When a slide in is on the truck, you level the camper using the jacks. The issue with the heater noise might be attributed to it not level, or slightly tweaked prior to your project.

[Great-Kazoo]

True. This setup is about as close as I would like as is. Need to do some research about extending the hitch an inch or two, it definitely wouldn't hurt. As it sits the over hang gets close to the back of the Jeep in extreme backing, almost jack knife situations.

On a longer deck or with a pickup that would be the way to go. Porch on the back :)

When and if you extend the ball coupler / hitch, make sure the distance from center of both hubs / axle is even to the center of coupler. An uneven measurement can cause excessive tire wear, potential handling issues.

[Colorado_Outback]

Really cool! Are you going to build any sort of storage cabinet or anything under the sides of the camper (on top of the trailer deck)?

Yep going to make 2 boxes that slide in from the front and will have side doors on them. Still need to figure out how I'm going to execute the doors. Should be able to get the grill, jacks and some other junk in them. Ply, seam seal, and a good exterior paint. Probably black to match the trailer.


When a slide in is on the truck, you level the camper using the jacks. The issue with the heater noise might be attributed to it not level, or slightly tweaked prior to your project.

I had it (reasonably) leveled out when ever I was messing with the heater and on both occasions I had it out. It hasn't returned yet so fingers crossed.


When and if you extend the ball coupler / hitch, make sure the distance from center of both hubs / axle is even to the center of coupler. An uneven measurement can cause excessive tire wear, potential handling issues.

Good advice. Just went through re squaring the axle after the lift. If anything Ill probably build a custom drop hitch and add an inch or two there. Still need to do more research on that and figure out what the acceptable limit is. Since I'm effectively increasing the length of a lever arm with a 4-500lb weight on it, it turning into a taco would be tragic.

[Irving]

Yep going to make 2 boxes that slide in from the front and will have side doors on them. Still need to figure out how I'm going to execute the doors. Should be able to get the grill, jacks and some other junk in them. Ply, seam seal, and a good exterior paint. Probably black to match the trailer

Hinge across the bottom. Hinge at same level as rail.

[sniper7]

This is a sweet project!

[Colorado_Outback]

Hinge across the bottom. Hinge at same level as rail.
45915
Something like this. Trying to figure out how to keep water and dust out with some kind of drip edge and seal.


This is a sweet project!

Thanks!

Hoping to get it out this weekend with my 4yo for fathers day.

[Colorado_Outback]

Its a light weight. 2280lbs with 240lbs of tongue weight. That's with a full water tank, pretty much ready to party minus the food box and beer cooler.

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[ray1970]

pretty much ready to party minus the food box and beer cooler.


Man... That stuff is going to add some weight. [Coffee]

[Colorado_Outback]

Man... That stuff is going to add some weight. [Coffee]

300lbs or so :)

[Great-Kazoo]

Its a light weight. 2280lbs with 240lbs of tongue weight. That's with a full water tank, pretty much ready to party minus the food box and beer cooler.

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If your location has potable tap water, fill up there. Hauling dead weight @ 8lbs per gallon sucks.

[Colorado_Outback]

Had a good Fathers day in the woods with my son and my dad.

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[Sharpienads]

Dude, this is awesome. Great work so far.

[sniper7]

Looks like an awesome time! Nice lightweight set up too!

[buffalobo]

Had a good Fathers day in the woods with my son and my dad.

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Some good stuff right there.

lobbed from my electronic ball and chain

[Colorado_Outback]

It was a good time for sure. Trying to make more time to get out with my dad and son together.

Leveling jacks on the rear worked awesome, I think I'm going to replace the tongue jack with the same model, it will be nice to have it removable and it has a huge throw.
Discovered that the previous owner installed the new hand pump/12v sink faucet like a moron and its leaking when ever you use the hand pump. Looks like its missing parts so Ill probably have to rig something up.

[Colorado_Outback]

Been making some slow progress..
Between 2 jobs, mandatory over time at job #1 and everything else doesn't leave much time for projects..

Got the new inverter installed.
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Next I back tracked every wire that i could find in the camper to try to figure out the exterior lighting.
The fixtures are daisy chained together and the old fixtures were crappy push connector style that were super corroded.
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So I rolled the dice on the rest of the wiring being good and the fixtures being the problem. Ordered some new LED units from camping world.
There was a generous amount of what looks like plumbers putty on the back of the old fixtures. I reused it on the new ones.
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Still have to do the front, I'm stoked they work.

[Irving]

I very strongly encourage you to look into building yourself a solar generator. I found a four part video series that explains how everything works in simple to understand terms if you are interested in a starting point. The roof of your trailer will hold a pair of solar panels that would likely be able to run everything you need on that trailer indefinitely from what I've learned in my limited research.

[Colorado_Outback]

I very strongly encourage you to look into building yourself a solar generator. I found a four part video series that explains how everything works in simple to understand terms if you are interested in a starting point. The roof of your trailer will hold a pair of solar panels that would likely be able to run everything you need on that trailer indefinitely from what I've learned in my limited research.

Ive looked into it a little.
One or two of these on the roof would do it.. plus a solar charge controller. I just dont have the $$ to put into it. Thinking of running a 7pin from the truck to charge it while rolling.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uni-Solar-PVL-68-Watt-12volt-Flexible-Solar-Panel-/121288579347?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3d5cd913&nma=true&si=Og6HhYuyijA36XxQApSUHfQhWKs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Finished up the led marker lights, except one orange one that camping world shorted me in the shipment.
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Also replaced the water inlet, the old one was broken and had a plastic plug in it.

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[brutal]

Enjoying the thread.

China wall looks cool. We used to camp a few miles east of there of 211 many moons ago.

[sniper7]

Looking great man

[Sharpienads]

With how nice this is turning out, its getting less and less redneck.

[HoneyBadger]

I very strongly encourage you to look into building yourself a solar generator. I found a four part video series that explains how everything works in simple to understand terms if you are interested in a starting point. The roof of your trailer will hold a pair of solar panels that would likely be able to run everything you need on that trailer indefinitely from what I've learned in my limited research.
I believe Jerrymrc can tell you everything you need to know about wiring a camper with solar and 12v. Maybe I'm mistaken, but a forum member here who is also on FalFiles made quite a detailed thead.

[Colorado_Outback]

Thanks gents, its shaping up. Getting it ready for a trip to the Great Sand Dunes Ntl Monument the end of the month.

The check light has been on since I got this XJ for catalytic converter below efficiency or some such business.
I replaced the old muffler and cat with a Flowmaster 40. I also swiss cheesed the back side of the air box to make sure its getting enough air in and out while towing this thing around.
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Also worked on the radio and Sat radio setup in the camper.

When I bought this thing the guy had just put another lead acid car battery in the cabinet up there to run the stereo. Sketchy to say the least.
So I ran power and ground to the battery compartment and wired it into the fuse box.
There are 2 spots left in the fuse box one for 2 12v outlets near the stereo and the other for one 12v outlet under the fridge. The panel under the fridge will also have a 12v led gauge for keeping an eye on the battery charge and the remote pendant for the charge controller.
Still need to pickup another 12v outlet from the junkyard. The switch is a master for the radio since I dont have a 12v switched source.
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