Kamparoo Transcontinental rear-fold

[JDM Journeys]

Back story upcoming, but this trailer is being built locally this winter by Kamparoo for spring delivery, and will live behind my HJZ77...

For now, the "foundation", as it were...

Galvanized frame, 5x8 tub, will sit on leafs and shocks, and probably weigh in around 900 lbs all told. This is the classic Aussie style and shares history with the venerable Cub..

More to come as it progresses.

 

[JDM Journeys]

Okay backstory: Kamparoo Campers began bringing in and assembling official Cub knock down kits in the late 90s. They are located south of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. Sometime in the mid 2000s they decided to make their own. They would continue to bring in wax converters canvas from Australia but the fab work, frame and body was all locally sourced. (I'm not sure of the details but this was all in agreement with Cub/Aus). They've been quietly doing small batch construction ever since, with an eye to quality and design improvements.

If you're not familiar with the design, it's a rear folding hard-floor popup style, as shown in this pic:

Here's an example of one they've built in the past...

My frame is number 2 of a new, stronger design made of 125 wall 2x2 and a 2x3 drawbar. It will be a "Transcontinental" which is a heavy duty model with some extras like flares. I'm also getting a braked axle.

This will replace the RTT as a sleeping quarters but also provides shelter to get out of the weather when needed too. Bed is a folding queen. I'm not adding any amenities such as kitchen, water storage etc since the truck already has all that.

Because this will be seeing long rough trails sometimes I'm upgrading some areas to cope with conditions, starting with the jacks. I've opted for ARK jacks, front and back. The front jockey is an XO500 and the rear corner steadies are XO850mm drop downs which have the added bonus of being able to jack the trailer off the ground for tire changing or leveling.

I've also sourced some aluminum wheels. For now the tires are pretty small but we'll see how they go. I can always upgrade the rubber down the road.

That gets this build up to date so new progress will follow. Hoping to have it by the end of March.

 

[JDM Journeys]

Recently got some progress pics: my frame is in the shop and my Max coupler is now attached. It's removable in case I ever need to switch to a ball coupler or want to shorten it on storage. There are many articulating hitches on the market now but I still like the max coupler the best. It seems to me to be the least complicated but yet it's still easy to guide into place.

The frame is upside down so you can see the spring hangers. No fancy timbrens here... It'd almost be unfair if the driver was on front and rear leaf springs and the trailer was floating on a cloud?

 

[80t0ylc]

Sounds like it’s going to be a pretty solid trailer at 900 pounds. I agree with you about that max coupler and a solid axle suspension. Also, the Ark tongue jack. That’s what I run on my TFM square drop. What will the galley look like?

 

[JDM Journeys]

Sounds like it’s going to be a pretty solid trailer at 900 pounds. I agree with you about that max coupler and a solid axle suspension. Also, the Ark tongue jack. That’s what I run on my TFM square drop. What will the galley look like?

The galley is already built out of the back of my truck and is pretty well-tested so I figured I'd leave it there. 270° awning covers the back doors nicely too.

Also have a drop down table for quick stops and morning coffee, plus 50 liters of water on board with pump. This already works well so I don't see a need to weigh down the tongue with more boxes etc...?

 

[80t0ylc]

That galley would work well for a RTT. Also for short trips or places that would prohibit a trailer.

 

[JDM Journeys]

That galley would work well for a RTT. Also for short trips or places that would prohibit a trailer.

That's what I built it for in the first place but I think I'll keep it for the trailer. Also good to have all your cooking and food in a solid compartment in bear country, separate from the sleeping area, although if they "really" want in then my 70 series is probably not gonna stop them.

I've just been off to check out your square drop! Love it! And some tasteful mods done as well!

 

[80t0ylc]

That's what I built it for in the first place but I think I'll keep it for the trailer. Also good to have all your cooking and food in a solid compartment in bear country, separate from the sleeping area, although if they "really" want in then my 70 series is probably not gonna stop them.

I've just been off to check out your square drop! Love it! And some tasteful mods done as well?

I thought that might be the case. Thanks! My Alu-Cab 270* awning doesn't seal well in in-climate weather over my galley. So I got 2 Kelty Backroads shelters, one for the galley and one for the PS door for wet weather. They're very versatile plus they seal better than the awning, but the awning works well in the desert and mid day meals or breaks along the road in good weather.

On your trailer, I like the ability to stand up in a sheltered area. You could arrange your campsites in wet weather. to park your galley close to the rear of your trailer, so it would be convenient to put a table in the trailer for meals out of the weather.

 

[JDM Journeys]

I thought that might be the case. Thanks! My Alu-Cab 270* awning doesn't seal well in in-climate weather over my galley. So I got 2 Kelty Backroads shelters, one for the galley and one for the PS door for wet weather. They're very versatile plus they seal better than the awning, but the awning works well in the desert and mid day meals or breaks along the road in good weather.

On your trailer, I like the ability to stand up in a sheltered area. You could arrange your campsites in wet weather. to park your galley close to the rear of your trailer, so it would be convenient to put a table in the trailer for meals out of the weather.

Exactly. I'm looking forward to trying different arrangements to see how the two fit together with awnings in play. (Trailer comes with a basic one that zips on as well). Standing/sitting room is something I'm really looking forward to having.

My 270 did have a gap above the back door the way it was mounted on the tent side but we'll see if I can narrow that a bit when I mount it on my roof rack instead? Also... I'm not in the PNW or the east coast so rainy days aren't as common.

My RTT could set up in under a minute which was nice at the end of a long dusty Utah trail, and I'm hoping this will be similar. So I'll likely be leaving it hooked up much of the time, and figuring out which way to jackknife it for optimum efficiency (ie: beer time).

 

[Guyute]

Strong! Following along.

Added the tallest ARK trailer jack to my M416 too. Love it. Worth the extra few bucks for sure. Good call.

 

[JDM Journeys]

@Guyute good to know! I've had everything drop-shipped to the Kamparoo shop so I haven't even seen any of these pieces yet but everything I've read says ARK is up to the task...

Starting to think a diesel heater in a tongue box might be a nice addition down the road? They've gotten so much quieter compared to the 1st gen vevor I have in my garage.

 

[kbahus]

Neat build, back in the day those Kamparoo Cubs would pop up for sale here and there. I haven't seen one in a long time though.

 

[JDM Journeys]

Got an update today. My sides are going in for powder-coating this week, and my rear corner steadies finally arrived from Australia, after getting delayed by the Canada Post strike. The guys at trailersrus (aus) were great to deal with BTW... (these jacks weren't available in North America at the time of ordering). Kamparoo now has the jacks in place on the frame. It looks like my leaf springs are getting mocked up too... The trailer is pretty narrow so putting them lengthwise allows me to have the long ones.

 

[JDM Journeys]

Parts are back from powder coating! Next they'll bond the panels to frames and then start putting the tub together.

(Removed the people who are unloading it from the pic, which is why it looks like it's floating in the air.)

 

[JDM Journeys]

The body tub is beginning to go together now. Here is the floor when opened (and roof when closed).

And just to give a little insight as to how it is structured, here are some of the frames:



And finally, here is the nose panel and frame:

Getting closer!

 

[JDM Journeys]

Definitely a roller now!

Sides are in the jig.

And my rear jacks are functional.

Hopefully I'll be able to bring it home next month...

 

[cruiserpilot]

@Guyute good to know! I've had everything drop-shipped to the Kamparoo shop so I haven't even seen any of these pieces yet but everything I've read says ARK is up to the task...

Starting to think a diesel heater in a tongue box might be a nice addition down the road? They've gotten so much quieter compared to the 1st gen vevor I have in my garage.

I had a small one of these years ago. Just didn’t have room to store it and it was getting minimal use. But design wise I like them the best.
I have to ask, not encouraging it, but would that be able to carry anything on top. I realize it would be needed to come off for opening but could it support weight?
Could you tag me in a post when you do find a diesel heater? I’m looking now and many options and costs.

 

[JDM Journeys]

I had a small one of these years ago. Just didn’t have room to store it and it was getting minimal use. But design wise I like them the best.
I have to ask, not encouraging it, but would that be able to carry anything on top. I realize it would be needed to come off for opening but could it support weight?
Could you tag me in a post when you do find a diesel heater? I’m looking now and many options and costs.

I've seen pics with small quads strapped on top. So apparently quite the load carrier! I'm thinking kayaks and paddle boards will be as much as I carry on there?

I'll keep updating as it progresses but thanks for the feedback. Everyone with any experience with them echoes your sentiments.

 

[JDM Journeys]

Just got some fresh build pics. Finally I can see all my choices and additions coming together. The only downside I can see so far is poor old Betsy is going to show her patina a little more when this is behind us. At least she has her retro stripe...

 

[JDM Journeys]

The lid is now hinged and attached.

Front wall is on as well.

And storage tub under the bed is also complete...

A few more weeks and it should be ready to pick up!