Jay's Caravan under 750kg Build UPDATE 28/07/13

[Jay18]

Ive ben looking at options to go camping/caravaning in my zuk, basically buying a caravan under 750kg isnt that easy or cheap, so basically ive got myself a caravan chassis to build my own...

no pics yet as i get back to runcorn tomorrow and should be going and getting my car sunday, so will take some pics while im there...

its just a chassis, with all brakes etc, and a plywood floor, so some chopping will be dont to get it a bit narrower so that i can see round it with towing mirrors on the zuk, the idea is to do an Eriba style caravan with the pop top roof so that i can stand up in it lol, we will be building it not too much taller than my zuk as i dont want a big wall for air to hit when towing, so the pop top roof with be ideal..

i was going to build a teardrop but far too cramped for me...

anyone else ever build a teardrop or caravan of any sort? could use some advice is anyone has done this...

also need a towbar for my zuk and towing electrics...

[kiwizook]

for the trailer electrics, don't do a half job. get a 7pin female trailer plug, and cut the wires at the back of the zook, and join your cable for the trailer plug into them. don't use crimps of any sort, they're trouble on a car. solder the joints, and use heatshrink to cover the joins. if you can get it, use resinated heatshrink, as this will make it perfectly waterproof if used correctly.

good luck with your caravan build, will be interesting to follow

[NylonAdmiral]

Caravans really aren't my cup of tea but that actually sounds pretty interesting! I'll look forward to seeing how it comes on.

[Jay18]

think i might be fitting a 13 pin plug and socket, instead of using two 7 pins, all my elecrics in my zuk are soldered, dont like using crimp connectors or connector blocks

my dad will be helping me, he has a bailey senator wyoming, very smart caravan, shame the zuk cant tow it legally lol, will keep this updated as we go on with the build..

[kiwizook]

what do you need 13 pins for? I've ever only seen 7 pins plugs. two indicators, fog lights, reverse light, marker lights, brake lights, and a ground. what else is needed?

[Jordi]

All the additional electrics. Fridge, chargers, interior lights, 12v leisure power.

[ali]

additional electrics more weight !

[dan_2k_uk]

I think it will be hard to make something strong and light. Generally DIY stuff is over engineered and heavy.

[windsor]

Might be easyer to buy a solid caravan and strip it of everything cos the have woden frames on everything in a caravan and use lighter alloy tubeing for the frames of the seats/bed and cuberds etc and bolsa wood for dorrs if u want the wodden look tht would kock alot of the weight off a caravan

[Izuki]

sounds interesting are you thinking mini aero style van like this, would be good to see a build thread.

the problem with caravans is the aerodynamics i regularly tow with my sj it is a 1.5td conversion and will easily pull 1.5ton car on an a frame but i once tried to tow a friends horse box and on the local bypass was flat out at 40mph and it didn't take long befor my temp was getting near the red