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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 16 Dec 2005
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Sidecar Camper

I'm thinking about putting an oufit together, with the sidecar body a basic 'camper', that can be slept in. I'm not interested in 'fold out Taj Mahals', but envisage a 'large box', long enough to sleep in & sit up in,with a permanent bed. A wide access door, a roll out awning, & a gas stove would probably do the trick.

It would be used for solo use only, so no seat required in sidecar.

Has anyone else got/built anything like this, if so I'd be interested in hearing about design & construction details.
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  #2  
Old 17 Dec 2005
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Great idea. Two of us traveled in mexico with a sidecar and homemade fitted camping gear. The sleeping pads were the seat and we had two folding chairs that fit in the car. We had a nice camp when we stopped and drew lots of curious folks. The main thing on a sleeper is to not get to much wind resistance. rounded and aerodynamic is the way.
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Old 28 Jun 2008
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How did you get on ?

Hi there Cuppa , did you ever build your sidecar camper ?

I have been thinking about something like this myself ,but utilising a small foldout tent ,similar to a rooftop tent that are used by the 4WD guys .

I understand that the sidecar scene is very active and innovative in Australia .
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Old 28 Jun 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger View Post
I understand that the sidecar scene is very active and innovative in Australia .

Absolutely correct. At a motorbike show in Melbourne there where two bike shops displaying a sidecar as hearse All in black. A pleasant "last" trip ;-) Maybe that would be a suitable as a camper. At least you will always be he main point of public interest

hans
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Old 28 Jun 2008
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The "Faster Pastor" has a few bike hearses.
Faster Pastor Biker Hearses

http://www.fasterpastor.com/gravesid...usa_hearse.pdf
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Old 28 Jun 2008
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ask your question here...........
they know everything
The United Sidecar Association - Home
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Old 28 Jun 2008
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Doing the ton in a Hyabusa hearse - that's gotta be the best send off for a motorcyclist .
---------erhmm ! - but not right now thank you - maybe later [-- much later --] .
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Old 29 Jun 2008
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You may be able to get a moto camper trailer and modify the side car rigging to use it.
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you dont need the full sidecar (the tub) just the under parts. From long drivers of hacks they find reinforcing the rigging a must and as you may be cutting and welding the frame up do the reinforcing then.

At one time before the silly big RV craze there where pop up trailers or tent trailers, many people had one. I got one cheap and rebuilt it. There is nothing to them. A steal frame supporting a plywood floor a wood side frame bolted to the floor clad in vary thin aluminum. A poly canvas tent that folds in and attached by snaps to the sides and the roof. The roof is a sheet plywood with vary short sides clad in the same thin aluminum. The roof and side are sealed with a rubber seal in the roof. The door is hinged along its length and has 2 parts that slip together the door frame is part of the sides framing and roof with the 2 other parts on the tent that slide in to the side framing and roof frame and snap to the tent.

For a side car you can go with a side slide outs and or a frunt or rear slide outs to keep it rig small but add inside space. Suport the slide outs with aluminum rods(socket them in the frame and slide out). As for the the stove I cant see using it inside the rig with out making the tent much bigger one flame up and you will be lucky to cut your way out in time.

Now for the out side building boxes in side the rig under the bed is the way to go. A locking water tight door in to 1 or 2 of the boxes and a good slide out shelf like in kichens and you have an out side cooking area a nylon tarp atached to the roof sum suport poles and your dry and in the shade (more or less)

Screens and thick clear vinyl zippered to the tent for windows some poly for a shade.

Some things you can do better than this is fiber glass over thin plywood sides roof and reinforced floor you can cut the woods bulk down a bit and using nylon tenting, drop the door and go with a zippered tent flap for the bead Id go with a good thin gelfoam.
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Old 29 Jun 2008
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One of the Ural dealers in the UK sells an outfit with a small caravan as a trailer. It's just big enough for a double mattress and can be extended with an awning if required. I've seen it at shows and did see one being used at a rally a couple of years ago.
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Old 30 Jun 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger View Post
Hi there Cuppa , did you ever build your sidecar camper ?

I have been thinking about something like this myself ,but utilising a small foldout tent ,similar to a rooftop tent that are used by the 4WD guys .

Hi Dodger!

Have a look at Harleyriders post above with the pic of the Ural sidecar which has excited him.....maybe this would suit you perfectly, as you have been thinking about a suitable sidecar for your needs. This would save you building one.....and the style seems right for you......

Last edited by Caminando; 1 Jul 2008 at 14:45.
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Old 30 Jun 2008
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I toyed with this idea and gave up for now as the weight and cross section would seem to have an excessive effect on range.

If anyone does go down the sleeping pod route you'll need to acount for how you'll park the outfit. The usual idea for non Ural riders is to be able to roll out backwards, down hill, or drive out uphill. This means your head wants to be in the nose of the chair, which in turn mucks up the lines unless you can live with a coffin sized box or don't mind having your feet above your head while you sleep.

Andy
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  #12  
Old 1 Jul 2008
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If you scroll down through teh pictures here, you will find a depnr pulling a camper, but I have seen 'campervan' side cars, somewhere.

DieselBike.net - Hamm 2007 Report
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  #13  
Old 1 Jul 2008
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http://lh6.ggpht.com/_K1PTpDA_4RQ/Rr...0/DSC00270.JPG

most folk who do the elefant photograph this beastie, it is a well travelled sidecar outfit!
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Old 1 Jul 2008
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Originally Posted by Caminando View Post
Hi Dodger!

Have a look at Harleyriders post above with the pic of the Ural sidecar which has excited him.....maybe this would suit you perfectly, as you have been thinking about a suitable sidecar for your needs. This would save you building one.....and the style seems right for you......
Nope , this is more my style YouTube - elefantentreffen
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Old 2 Jul 2008
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Yes, you are right, your style is indeed a little bit Wermacht! That vehicle would be handy in BC in winter though.

Last edited by Caminando; 2 Jul 2008 at 14:52.
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