nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 19, 2015 19:42:42 GMT -8
I read online about using this for a small camper? Has anybody actually done it?
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jun 19, 2015 19:53:51 GMT -8
Not U haul, but it works..... Not sure about the Uhaul regulations about what you could load, but might want to check there as far as what they allow.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 20, 2015 4:36:26 GMT -8
Not U haul, but it works..... Not sure about the Uhaul regulations about what you could load, but might want to check there as far as what they allow. Ten, Did you back the camper on? Was the goal to get the wheels slightly forward of the axle?
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jun 20, 2015 4:59:27 GMT -8
I was working by myself on this one... I only had my truck to move both units with, so parked the hauler and backed the camper up on. It was quite a feat of magic... The camper fit so that the bumper was rearward of the winch on the trailer, so that part worked well. I think if the camper axle would have been anywhere on or ahead of the hauler axles it would ride alright.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 20, 2015 8:34:33 GMT -8
I was working by myself on this one... I'm impressed. The hauler didn't move as the camper was pushed on to it? Amazing. I wish I could see the video of that one.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jun 20, 2015 11:27:45 GMT -8
I'll just say this: I don't want to do it again. It was a scary operation, and sparing the details, I was afraid of it shifting and leaving a corner hanging over the edge or something like that....but strapped and chained down, it didn't budge for 800 miles. There was a factor of wind resistance though...sorta like dragging a huge parachute... I used this same hauler for the Airflyte. It was a much easier process loading while hooked up, and the Airflyte is a narrower trailer as well.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 20, 2015 14:38:49 GMT -8
I imagined it to be a simple roll-on-chain-it and go process. I never considered the additional drag and the camper possibly being too wide. The first photo looked close to the edge. Great info.
Done wrong and it could be just as bad as towing a camper rotted to the point of collapse. Not something I would want to try for the first time alone.
You strapped the frame and chained the wheels?
I think the uhaul car transport has wheel chains. I'm not sure about a strap set up.
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Post by bigbill on Jun 20, 2015 18:58:09 GMT -8
I prefer to pull them on there own wheels over using a trailer if the frame and suspension looks ok also make sure the coupler will latch and lock as it should. Then good tires and grease bearings. If worried about the collapse build some interior supports to hold it up. If you do use a trailer make sure you get the proper amount of tongue weight on hitch when you load the trailer and remember not to drive under low bridges or restaurant drive ups with low clearance. If using a trailer make sure the camper will clear the trailer fenders. I strap the trailer so that it can't move forward or backward in case of a sudden stop. You don't want the trailer to land on top of your tow vehicle. Don't tie it down with cheap 2000lb ratchet straps, use at least 10,000 pound straps or chains and tighteners. minimum 5/16 chain and again four separate tie downs. Much better to be safe than sorry.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 20, 2015 19:25:29 GMT -8
I've been considering a hauler lately because I've looked at a couple of campers that had been sitting for a long time. Too long for a road trip.
I bet more and more people are having their campers fall apart on the trip home. Let's face it, the restoration candidates we're seeing are getting lower and lower quality. All the solid, cheap, easy to find prospects are gone. As far as 1955-1962 (my favorites) are concerned, now we're dealing with a lot of rot jobs that aren't road worthy.
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Post by Teachndad on Jun 20, 2015 21:15:37 GMT -8
hi, Just my inexperienced two cents. Just looking at how the trailer was sitting on the flatbed trailer, I would be worried about the tires going flat. In the image below, the tires look compressed like there wasn't anything besides the tires between the travel trailer frame and the flatbed. That's a time bomb. If the you use the tires that have been on the trailer while it sat, what happens if they lose air on the way home? Then, the chains and or straps will loosen up and then.... Seems to me that the mere act of pulling or backing up a trailer on to a flat bed looks really really iffy to me and should be done by professionals. Then there is the issue of getting the poor thing off the trailer. I would never do it, but that's because I would be scared. Too many variables to go south. My hats off to Ten for making it work, though. I agree with Big Bill that if you can tow it back on it's own, it might be better. If all seems safe and you consider Big Bills points, then lube the bearings and put on new tires. When I picked up my trailer, I worked for an afternoon getting new tires and re-greasing the outer bearings before heading home. Re-greasing both inner and outer bearings would have been better, but I drove 240 miles home with no issues. Rod
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Post by vintagebruce on Jun 21, 2015 5:59:49 GMT -8
I know not of what I speak, but I am wondering if anyone who decides to haul a camper home on a trailer checks with their auto insurance company to make sure, if for any reason the vintage trailer is damaged or heaven forbid comes off the hauler are they covered for the loss and liability for damages to other vehicles. In fact, if you are going to be pulling your vintage camper on a regular basis, do you need to let your auto insurer know as well as buying camper insurance?
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Post by bigbill on Jun 21, 2015 9:04:22 GMT -8
Most auto insurance covers the liability part of a trailer being towed. BUT I always check with my insurance company before doing anything new. better safe than sorry, I also carry special insurance to cover my ***** if something happens.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jun 21, 2015 9:15:54 GMT -8
I have cover my #### insurance too. I'm not sure if it covers a hauler.
(I wish VIKX would stop covering up the best comments with ###)
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jun 21, 2015 15:00:36 GMT -8
Those are just Vikx's "cover your ###" hashtags.... They are only here because with such a graphic (PHOTOS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!!) forum, ya gotta leave something to the imagination....
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Post by bigbill on Jun 21, 2015 16:47:31 GMT -8
I have cover my #### insurance too. I'm not sure if it covers a hauler. (I wish VIKX would stop covering up the best comments with ###) I didn't know vikx had to do that I thought people did it themselves because this is a family forum.
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