I know some may not think this is a big deal, but. I am tired of sleeping in a tent on my overnight trips to South Dakota. I took it to the Mile High Fieros of Colorado get-together today. 80MPH on the interstate isn't too bad. Now to find out how it tows after it is enclosed. It will come in handy for the Dells run (any way those are the plans at this time). Here is the start of my camper-sleeper. It will be 7'6" by 3'6" with the sleeping compartment 5'10" (I'm 5'7") by 3'4" inside and 4' high at it's highest point. It will have a storage compartment in the rear large enough to hold my 110 volt generator, 5 gal gas can, and my tool box. Outside covering is still to be determined.
------------------ Dnyee's 88 Formula, Casey's 86GT, Wayne's 86GT. We consider my wife as being "Fiero Challenged"
[This message has been edited by wkayl (edited 02-23-2002).]
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07:00 PM
PFF
System Bot
KlaX Member
Posts: 611 From: Richmond, VA Registered: Feb 2002
Ah **** Im dumb, 5'7", you might wanna add in a couple extra inches, jsut in case you wanna stretch out or lady pegasus and her cottage cheese hoochies stop by to see you.
------------------ Damn I wish I had a Fiero....
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07:19 PM
AgaricX Member
Posts: 1165 From: A genetics lab somewhere in TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001
got any pictures of your hitch? With the axle that far back, it should tow ok, provided it never starts whipping; it's gonna catch some wind from oncomming big trucks..
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09:21 PM
topcat Member
Posts: 5486 From: Charleston SC Registered: Dec 2001
Great idea, post pictures of te finished project. I may try something similar. I bought my Fiero with a custom installed hitch. The previous owner had a jet-ski that he pulled around. I was going to remove it at first, then thought about buying a small travel trailer to put extra luggage in for trips where the trunck would be too small.
they call them taerdrop trailers, i have a lot of links in my favorites on them. I've always wanted to build one but never had the time. they really aren't bad to sleep in. good luck lets see it when its done.
thats cool wkayl be sure it gets painted the same colour as your fiero too. you should use tin or some other form or sheet metal give it some wieght. looks cool sofar keep it up! and send us the after pics
Looks great, but you might want to consider moving your storage up to the front. Generators and tool boxes can weigh alot, and from the looks of the rest of the trailer you might end up with negative tounge weight (that's bad) If you put the storage in the front it should be beter (that's good). Now if your planing on having the bed oover the storage, just make the storage full length, with the generator up front tool box in the middle and camping suplies filling in around them (that's best )
Great effor, can't wait to see it finished
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11:06 PM
Feb 24th, 2002
wkayl Member
Posts: 2912 From: Loveland, Co Registered: Feb 2000
Have you thought about using some clear plastic to cover it with... It would be like having a glass trailer!! That would be different!!
Great, my wife is already leery about sleeping in it. That idea would really put her over the edge.
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Looks great, but you might want to consider moving your storage up to the front. Generators and tool boxes can weigh alot, and from the looks of the rest of the trailer you might end up with negative tounge weight (that's bad)
As for the weight distribution, I started out with a 4’x4’ trailer. I added almost 4’ to it. Of that 3’ is out front with 1’ to the rear. After I get all done if there isn’t enough weight on the tong, I’ll add a box to hold the gas can up front.
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you should use tin or some other form or sheet metal give it some wieght.
Plan was to cover the outside with a sheet of paneling facing in and then covering that with a sheet of white rough plastic (the kind you see in public bathrooms). If you look at some motor homes, the doors are covered with this material. At the meeting today one of the members said he works at a metal fabricating place and can get sheets of almost anything. We talked about covering the top with aluminum. The ideas are only limited by $$$$.
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got any pictures of your hitch?
Here is a picture of the hitch. Here is how it is bolted on (you can see the 1 bolt on each side referenced in the picture above). And the trailer before I started this project (with me standing on the hitch).
[This message has been edited by wkayl (edited 02-24-2002).]
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12:55 AM
Nashco Member
Posts: 4144 From: Portland, OR Registered: Dec 2000
Originally posted by wkayl: Here is how it is bolted on (you can see the 1 bolt on each side referenced in the picture above).
Are these two bolts the only thing holding the hitch to the car? I don't think that would be all, but that's all I could see in the pictures. If that is all....you have a design change in mind? I sure wouldn't trust those two bolts to hold all that force, especially with the weight and leverage you're giving it.
Just practicing being a nerd, hope I'm not spoiling any fun.
I think the trailer will look cool...little cramped for me, but cool. I've considered a mini trailer many times, as my Fiero is my only vehicle right now and I have to move (yes, move everything) from Michigan to Alabama and vice versa every three months!
Keep us updated!
Bryce 88 GT
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02:29 AM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
I know building your trailer is a lot of fun but....,
You might want to rethink the generator thing. Gen sets that provide clean, regulated 110 vac are very heavy, very expensive and usually have to be refilled with gas after a relatively short period of time.
12 vdc battery is a lot less useful but a lot lighter and more reliable. Most appliances can be found that use the dc power.
Also, I don't think the Fiero is "rated" to tow any weight so I don't think anyone has a real idea of what weights can reliably be towed.
Your intro lists 3 items that together will weigh 200 lbs. Verify what the trailer dry weight is and add carefully. 10 to 15 percent of the weight must be on the tongue/hitch for stability. Also, make sure your axle is rated to carry the weight you are adding.
Are these two bolts the only thing holding the hitch to the car?
At this time, yes. I have a plan designed to attach it farther back on the frame also.
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You might want to rethink the generator thing. Gen sets that provide clean, regulated 110 vac are very heavy, very expensive and usually have to be refilled with gas after a relatively short period of time.
The generator I have is a Honda EU2000i http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/genligframe.htm It weighs 46 lbs, runs 4-15 hrs depending load. I am going to heat the camper with a small ceramic heater and cool it with an electric fan. The generator runs quiet at 59db (about normal speech) so it can be used in most campgrounds.
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Also, I don't think the Fiero is "rated" to tow any weight so I don't think anyone has a real idea of what weights can reliably be towed.
On page 2-2 of my 86GT owners manual it lists towing cap at 1000lb (I estimate finished trailer and cargo will be around 700-800lb). It also says load cap is 400lb. At that rate no one over 175 could ride with me and with my 12 pack of Diet Coke in a cooler they couldn't be over 150lb.(no fat jokes please)
As you can see, I have done a little thinking and planning in this project. I have seen trailers made out of the rear section of Fieros. I have no "formal" schooling on building things like this, but growing up on a farm where you built what you needed and learning from my dad how to build things is a large learning experience. We had an iron salvage business for many years where we hauled many many tons of scrap farm machinery. We built many trailers, hitches, and tow booms for the rear of pickup trucks. BTW, no offense taken on questioning different aspects of the project. I have seen many “cob” jobs out there by people who “think” they can weld. This is a great Forum for input of different ideas and all are welcome.
[This message has been edited by wkayl (edited 02-24-2002).]
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11:01 AM
PFF
System Bot
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
Going to be *very* useful for shows too, I hope to see it one day!
Please oh please cover it in aluminum or Stainless Steel sheet (ala Airstream) that would be SO COOL!
Best! Ben,
------------------ Ben Cannon 88 Formula, T-top, Metalic Red. "Every Man Dies, not every man really Lives" 88 Formula, Northstar, Silver, In-Progreess. -Mel Gibson, "Braveheart"
Originally posted by wkayl: [QUOTE]Are these two bolts the only thing holding the hitch to the car?
At this time, yes. I have a plan designed to attach it farther back on the frame also. [/QUOTE]
So... where did you get the hitch/reciever assembly from? I'm planning a trailer for my Fiero as well (a bit different in design though ) but I've been tossing around different towing setup ideas... and I really like your removable design. Any more details on that & the parts you used?
Wkayl, Notice the opening area on the rear of the bike trailor above. You might want to incorporate that idea, as a pop up, in your trailor to gain a bit of extra space when the trailor is in use.
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02:30 PM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
where did you get the hitch/reciever assembly from?
It started out as a hitch for a Chev Corsica. I just added 2x2 angle iron to bolt it to the lower cradel. I used grade 5 bolts. I can stand on it as in the picture above and it won't give. Mr Fiero pointed out that with the load I'm now going to pull it should be attached back by the rear cradel for safety and backup.
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Notice the opening area on the rear of the bike trailor above
My original design had a trunk almost identical to that trunk idea. I changed for reasons of possible leakage. I don't plan on holding parties in it so I only need a sleeping area.
Below are some crude pictures but they will give you an idea of the layout. I would take it outside for a side shot, but it is cold and snowy here.
red is cargo blue is storage for inside stuff green is the sleeping area
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06:23 PM
Mar 5th, 2002
wkayl Member
Posts: 2912 From: Loveland, Co Registered: Feb 2000
No galley? Usually that blue area holds a sink, propane stove, and icebox. My folks used to have an old teardrop when I was a kid. I would love to have one.
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11:35 PM
MaxDaemon Member
Posts: 933 From: East Wenatchee, WA Registered: Feb 2002
you should use tin or some other form or sheet metal give it some wieght.
My dad once made a canopy in much the same way. To cover it, he got used sheets of aluminum from the local newspaper (one-time-use sheets for offset printing, shiny on one side) and bent them around a 4X4 to give a quilted effect. Then he carefully screwed (or nailed, don't remember) them to the framework. It looked pretty dang professional and cool. My dad is very creative!
Vic
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11:51 PM
wkayl Member
Posts: 2912 From: Loveland, Co Registered: Feb 2000
I am using the hardened bolts now on the hitch. I also am going to use them to bolt the frame of the camper to the trailer. I did some more work tonight. I got the flooring material glued to the floor and everything bolted back on the frame. Next I will enclose the "trunk" and after that start to enclose the cabin. Here is a shot of it with the "trunk" loaded. The project will be on hold for a few days as I have a funeral in Redfield, S Dak to attend on Thursday (my Aunt passed away last Sunday evening) and I have to work this Sat and Sun. Looks like Monday is the next day to continue.
[This message has been edited by wkayl (edited 03-05-2002).]
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11:55 PM
Mar 6th, 2002
Flamberge Member
Posts: 4268 From: Terra Sancta, TX Registered: Oct 2001
I WANT A FASTBACK!!! 
I teased him about that at our club meeting today.......it looks like an old Airstream trailer.
