NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => What the Nerds Do => Topic started by: Peter Connan on December 22, 2016, 19:51:00

Title: Excuses excuses
Post by: Peter Connan on December 22, 2016, 19:51:00

Not sure if this is the best place to put it, but I would like to tender my apologies for being away for so long.

I have been rather busy for the last six months or so. Building this:

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Erik Lund on December 22, 2016, 19:57:55

Fantastic! Does it have a tripod mount ? 😬😊 rolling camping trailer 😊

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: PedroS on December 22, 2016, 20:10:50

wow, wow, wow...
Can't say anymore...

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on December 22, 2016, 20:18:55

Your contribution belongs firmly into the 'Nerds' section :D

Kudos.

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Akira on December 22, 2016, 20:40:58

Just breathtaking...great work, Peter!

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: golunvolo on December 22, 2016, 22:42:39

Fantastic work!

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Jakov Minić on December 22, 2016, 22:45:55

I love it :)

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Thomas G on December 23, 2016, 00:19:07

Nice travel nerd stuff!
Love it - it looks like it wants to be joined with a capable car for exploring the outskirts of our world.
Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Akira on December 23, 2016, 00:34:57

Apparently you could convert it to the mobile darkroom.  :D

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: armando_m on December 23, 2016, 01:27:42

Very very  nice

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: richardHaw on December 23, 2016, 01:29:11

wow :o :o :o

it's like something from the A-team!

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Peter Connan on December 23, 2016, 04:33:39

Thanks everyone.

Thomas G, the tow-car is a Nissan Patrol. I doubt there much that is more capable.

Eric, the reasoning behind the whole project is that, as a nature photographer, I like to be out and about by sunrise, whereas the three ladies in my life like to lie in untill as close as possible to mid-day. For this reason, I felt it necessary to split the living quarters from the exploration and photography outfit.

Therefore, the trailer does not have a tripod mount, but it does ensure that I have more room in the car for the stuff that really matters: LENSES!

The reason it was built and not baught is that, while there are a wide variety of camping trailers manufactured and sold here in SA, they are all based on suspensions with very limited travel. The result of that is that, if you tow them with a vehicle with relatively good suspension travel like the Patrol, you can destroy them on a bad road in short order, without even realising it.

This trailer has about 250mm of suspension travel per wheel, using independent trailing arms, hydraulic shock absorbers and pneumatic springs.

The attached photo gives some idea of the range of movement possible. It has already conquered every obstacle at the toughest local 4x4 trail.

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Fanie on December 23, 2016, 07:33:16

Peter that looks like a well kitted out trailer.

I have built my own as well, and even towed it right up to the Serengeti.

Except the steel chassis, the rest is all composite material making it very light and able to go almost anywhere of the beaten track.

It has a 130 liter water tank, and for the Serengeti trip I fitted a reverse osmosis filter for the drinking water as well.

Enjoy your trips!

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Fanie on December 23, 2016, 08:03:57

And remember to do some extreme camping  :D

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Thomas G on December 23, 2016, 08:12:13

Quote from: Fanie on December 23, 2016, 08:03:57

And remember to do some extreme camping  :D

Quite inspiring  8)
I like where this thread is going  :D

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Erik Lund on December 23, 2016, 08:15:56

Wow I see a trend here  ;D Amazing!

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Akira on December 23, 2016, 11:54:35

Awesome!

Title: Re: Excuses excuses
Post by: Peter Connan on December 23, 2016, 13:39:03

Thanks everyone!

Well done Fanie, yours is a lot neater than mine.

My body is also composite, but i have two tanks with a combined volume of 185l. The idea being that i can replenish washing water from unknown sources, but the reverse-osmosis filter is a good idea, and definately on the long-term wish-list.

I also have the ability to charge the battery from 12v, 220v and solar panels.
The trailer, including all fitted equipment (ie battery, gas bottle, geyser, fridge and tent) weighs around 600kg.