I don't envision anything that nice for mine. Just an awning with zippers on all four sides, and 3 side walls that zip onto the awning. I have an ARB awning on the LJ81, so I can have it connect to that as well.
Venturcraft Trailblazers
- Thread starter IslandJ
- Start date
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A "shroud" (if you will) that would connect an OZ Tent or a Clam Shelter to the TrailBlazer using those zippers would be high on my wish list if we used the trailer more often than we do.
A couple of our trailers camping this last weekend.
- Thread starter
- #24
I dig the platform the room sits on. Our set up could use something similar.
With the taller tires it needed the platform because the vestibule portion would have been short
- Thread starter
- #26
I’m running 32” tires but there’s a 1” body lift too. It could use a 3” rise or so.
That was part of the reason that I backed ours down to 31's. With the 33's it was pulling on the tent floor seams.
Just bought one of these from a fellow Mudder here in AZ. The one I have (some of you may be familiar) was originally built by a man in Texas who purchased the parts from the factory as they were closing up. I have been going through it and trying to identify any areas that need attention.
One thing that needs to be addressed right away are the struts that support the lid/tent when opening the top of the trailer. There are currently two different struts in mine as follows:
Spring Lift Corporation part # SL-37-20. This has a 20-pound lift.
SUSPA part # C16-12038. This has a 120-pound lift.
Can anyone verify which of these two struts might be the correct one? Just due to the weight of the lid with the folded tent inside, I suspect I want to go with two of the SUSPA struts, each with a 120-pound lifting force.
Also of interest with this one is that the tent sits 180-degrees around from the production models I see online. This doesn't seem to be a problem, just an interesting tidbit.
The inside access to the bed of the trailer when the tent is set up is just a sheet of plywood that is not hinged at all. I'd like to refine this a bit and get it closer to the production model. Looks like a fiberglass panel should be there.
If anyone has or would like to provide photos of the hinge assembly of the inside access panel - details and closeups, that would be great.
Looking forward to getting out there soon!
One thing that needs to be addressed right away are the struts that support the lid/tent when opening the top of the trailer. There are currently two different struts in mine as follows:
Spring Lift Corporation part # SL-37-20. This has a 20-pound lift.
SUSPA part # C16-12038. This has a 120-pound lift.
Can anyone verify which of these two struts might be the correct one? Just due to the weight of the lid with the folded tent inside, I suspect I want to go with two of the SUSPA struts, each with a 120-pound lifting force.
Also of interest with this one is that the tent sits 180-degrees around from the production models I see online. This doesn't seem to be a problem, just an interesting tidbit.
The inside access to the bed of the trailer when the tent is set up is just a sheet of plywood that is not hinged at all. I'd like to refine this a bit and get it closer to the production model. Looks like a fiberglass panel should be there.
If anyone has or would like to provide photos of the hinge assembly of the inside access panel - details and closeups, that would be great.
Looking forward to getting out there soon!
- Thread starter
- #29
Congrats. Post some pictures when you can.
The struts Im running on mine dont work well in cold weather so I cant recommend what are on my trailer.
The struts Im running on mine dont work well in cold weather so I cant recommend what are on my trailer.
Share some pictures of what you have and maybe we can help you out.
The struts need to be strong, as in 100# each in force. I ordered the wrong struts the first time and had to order again. I still should have gone stronger. If you have the fiberglass lid then #120 is probably correct.
As heavy as that lid is with the tent folded up inside, I suspect the 120 # strut is correct. Two of those ought to provide a good assist.
I’ll open everything up this weekend and get some photos. I’ve gained a lot of insight looking at various photos online.
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- #32
Ordered some samples of material to build the soft cover for our trailer and dont really have room to store the hardcover.
Anyone on here been looking for a hard top by chance?
Also, how are the soft covers attached? I think I believe my last venturcraft had velcro and snaps but not sure where they were on the trailer exactly.
Anyone on here been looking for a hard top by chance?
Also, how are the soft covers attached? I think I believe my last venturcraft had velcro and snaps but not sure where they were on the trailer exactly.
What I have planned to ask the marine canvas shop to do is to add some of those 1/4 turn toggles that are used on boat canvas to the leading ends of the over-hang on both sides. Have the canvas pull under those over-hangs fully with those toggles engaged. Heavy zippers at the rear corners will allow the cover to open up enough to be removed and installed. Maybe the trailing edges of those over-hangs get a toggle and maybe not.
At the four top corners on the side I want some leather wear panels on the inside that will be rubbing against the corners of the floor's aluminum frame.
Material will be the waterproof vinylized canvas fabric.
I intend to store the camper with the hard cover in place, and use it with only the soft cover along on the trip.
At the four top corners on the side I want some leather wear panels on the inside that will be rubbing against the corners of the floor's aluminum frame.
Material will be the waterproof vinylized canvas fabric.
I intend to store the camper with the hard cover in place, and use it with only the soft cover along on the trip.
- Thread starter
- #34
Yeah I think I'll find a place to store the camper when we are on trips. Would be nice to have to lock it up on trips where we have to park it out in the public in transition.
Talking to a guy that builds boat covers, he recommended Sunsure or Phiphertex mesh to reinforce the corners. Just got some samples in of different water resistan/proof fabrics from sailrite.com
Recived some different colors of Sunbrella, Shelter-Rite and Stamoid. The last two options are probably the route I'll go for the soft cover.
Talking to a guy that builds boat covers, he recommended Sunsure or Phiphertex mesh to reinforce the corners. Just got some samples in of different water resistan/proof fabrics from sailrite.com
Recived some different colors of Sunbrella, Shelter-Rite and Stamoid. The last two options are probably the route I'll go for the soft cover.
Fyi my Trailblazer is for sale in the rv/trailer section. Great trailers just moving to a hard side.
Picked up the hard sided trailer so I dropped the price to $3k. Good deal on a great trailer in case anyone is looking.
- Thread starter
- #38
Try listing on Expedition Portal
Sold my last Venturcraft there.
Sold my last Venturcraft there.
I’d like to get the opportunity to see one of these in action. Or at least a demo maybe one of you guys wants to bring one to a meeting?????
I use a Venturcraft motorcycle tub and built to go anywhere the Land Cruiser can go.
Build Thread ► Off Road Trailer / Base Camp - The light way