jpnjim

Nope, I don't have any pix but I'm sure my mother does. The one my parents bought new was a 1962 Apache Eagle. The best I'm gonna be able to do are these brochure pix I found on the web. It had the additional canopy. I had forgotten that mechanical problems weren't the only reason my mother finally had to let it go. A tree fell on it forcing her to get rid of it. She cried as she watched it get loaded onto a trailer headed for the scrap yard. Needless to say there were lots of good memories in that thing. (see pages 2 & 4) http://www.popupcamperhistory.com/apach ... hure.html# Here's a brochure of a 1969 Mesa like I bought for my family sometime in the early 80's. (see pages 4, 5, 6 without drawers & 7) http://www.popupcamperhistory.com/apach ... hure.html# Our 69 Mesa didnt have the stove or sink. It did have the table and benches that made into another bed and a storage cabinet that flipped up to be a counter top. Thanks for posting the brochures :thumbsup: Awesome to look at that stuff. (great link :banana: ) I saw a couple of other small trailers for sale (this one would be awesome behind a Samurai) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Travlite ... 1f1a#v4-35 and one like mine, but newer: http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... 223747378#

It's not done yet (neither is the bumper :ack: ), but I cut the width down, and the height. The width was easy, just chopped it down to size, took the filler piece off the end, and inserted it back in the open end. The height was tougher, I chopped it down, and welded the top section from a rusted out MJ tailgate on. I was going to run MJ supports, but I think I'm going to use chains, and old style chain-latches once I get back to it. There's some details in my t88' MJ build thread (link in sig).

Factory tow mirrors like that were an option. I don't know if those are the exact mirrors, or if your mirrors are aftermarket, but door mirrors + the little black plastic covers where the mirrors usually are = optional equipment. Jeep looks nice. :yes: :thumbsup:

Welp, I got it today, and it's BIG :rotf: There's the $250 dent ($379 dented vs $625ish undented) on the edge of the lid. And when your not camping with it, you can set it to the perfect beer temperature. :yes: If it ever stops pouring raining here, I'll see how it fits in the camper. There's another one on Ebay now if anyone else is interested: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0485160877

It's still a work in progress (too many projects :ack: ), but I started cutting down a FSJ tailgate to fit a Comanche: (actually copied the idea from a Cheromanche build on Pirate). It sounds like you're looking for something that's the right width & height already, I think I'd just try to cut down a 97-01 XJ's steel tailgate, instead of running a gate that says 'Chevy' 'FORD', or whatever on it.

Jim, just paint one of your MJ's the same color as hers, and swap it when she's not looking. She'll probably never notice the difference. :idea:

Well, the 'Granpar-Campar' went on it's maiden voyage. We got to the campsite ~9pm Friday night (pics make it look brighter/earlier for some reason), took about 20 minutes to pick a spot for the trailer, level the box & pop the camper. Then about another 20 minutes to set everything up inside. The view from site was great In the morning we set up the add-a-room: Actually need to buy some more campin' furnature to fill the thing. :yes: I'm gonna get a cot for this side & build a little table to go infront of the (orange) 'box': just gonna leave this side alone, and enjoy the space: Best sleep I've gotten camping since I was a little kid (messy sleeping area, with all the comforts of home here): Definitely happy with it. :thumbsup: The campsite being so cool didn't hurt either Lots, and lots of 'friendly critters' that were nice enough to clean off the table for us during a quick walk to the park :doh: Then made sure we stopped at Tractor Supply for a deeper drop hitch before heading back home :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

(Rear) Discs: work better when covered in mud (vs drums) = more responsive brake system (since 90% of us let out drums fall out of adjustment, and that eats up brake pedal travel) You'll never have to experience the 'stuck brake drum' routine again. You'll never have to adjust your brakes again. That said, I run rear drums on everything that came with them. I absolutely HATE the internal drum E-brake ZJ's use, I actually have to over adjust our ZJ (and drag the brakes) just so the parking brake pass the yearly inspection. After inspection, I loosen the adjuster on those little tiny drums, and have the worlds crappiest parking brake for the rest of the year. My Jeeps: 98' XJ: stock 9"x2.5" rear drums that lock up the first time you hit them after it rains. (I have some 11x2.5" Mopar brakes patiently waiting for me to install them) 89' MJ: stock 10"x1.75" drums 88' MJ: Mopar 11"x2.5" drums

sorry ;) (now go buy it :yes: ) I like that it has new canvas, but the pictures don't make it look like the trailer part was stored/taken care of so well. I'd ask to see what it looks like set up (if the new canvas had to be custom made, you'd want to make sure it's gonna fit the frame). Honestly tho, sometimes the new canvas's look even better than the originals, this guy had a Sears redone in OD, and looks awesome: http://www.rv.net/cforum/Index.cfm/fuse ... 114916.cfm :thumbsup:

OK I lied ;) I found another just like mine: More pics here: Thread: http://www.popupportal.com/index.php?topic=25779.0;all

Last post for tonight, seems 99% sealed up now (soaked it down tonight), and I ordered a dent & scratch 86 Qt EdgeStar 12v/120v refrig/freezer. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT I only hope it's not to big once it's on the floor of the trailer (20.9"h x 28.7"w x 23.62"d)

Once I had my mind set on checking this one out, I started searching for info. There's not much real info out there on the Sears Trailers, but the Apache's have a huge following, message boards, etc. Seems like they're still considered the gold standard of this type of trailer. Got any pics?

Sounds like you need one of these: http://www.roamingtimes.com/rvreports/2 ... amper.aspx :thumbsup: It takes up most of the bed, but atleast you can still see out the back: Another version, that fits in a rugged utility trailer: http://www.buylifetime.com/Products/BLT/PID-65043.aspx Then there's the ultimate MJ Camper: http://www.roamingtimes.com/rvreports/n ... amper.aspx Pod made for a flatbed:

Some stock size rollers on the MJ would drop the trailer weight some, and bring your trailer COG down. Strip any extra weight out of the MJ that you think you could get away with, then trip #2 would be driving back with the ZJ + Trailer to get the rest of the stuff. Or drive the ZJ + trailer with the tools & odds & ends on it, and fly back to get the MJ, and drive that without the trailer.

The previous owner (Tim) was great to deal with, and even printed me up some high quality scans of the (impossible to find) owners manual, directions & parts sheet. :bowdown: Without posting the whole book, here's some of the cooler pages:

I've pulled locks apart, and made my own keys. Like you said, first you have to get a blank, but Ebay is usually your friend with that.

I'm glad you guys 'get' this. :yes: I'm starting to enjoy the mixed look of confusion, and pity when I tell *people* I bought a 1968 tent trailer. :clapping: Typical answer: Oh, um, that's great, um....... did you say you BOUGHT a nineteen SIXTY eight trailer?!? :rotfl2: Here's some closed up shots, The previous owner had the cover redone (in white, as the original was), the little guy & I were trying to clean some water spots, and light staining off it. There's some creasing on one body side panel, and some surface rust on the crossmembers. I'm going to try for some Fall camping in it first, then maybe change the plywood & POR-15 the frame work in the off season. The paint & decals are decent for their age, but looking at the color on the inside, the orange-red body was more red than orange when new. Here's a couple more with the add-a-room set up:

I did a 'water soak test' to see how good/bad the canvas was at repelling water: 'bad side' did pretty poorly: 'good side' did pretty well, except for around the zippers, and part of the white section: Went a little crazy with the iron, some new canvas, and iron on patch 'stuff': and it came out better than I thought it would. While we had the iron on stuff out, we fixed the SEARS badge: and added a much needed touch after 42 years without one: I bought a white 15 x 20 tarp to go over the whole thing (if it rains hard enough), and a brown 9 x 16 tarp for the 'floor' of the add a room. Got it registered legal like, and hope to put it to good use soon.

I knew I was going to buy it as soon as I saw the CL ad, was just old & cool enough that I wouldn't have been able to pass, unless it was falling apart. He was asking $500. We settled on $475.

Part of the gap problem was loose screws, and the buckled wood behind the box: I tightened the box side down with fresh, stainless hardware (I used shorter screws after I got it sucked back down): and added a support behind the box, to bring the wood back where it should be: (support was later painted to match box). I also had to cut out & replace a small section of rotted wood at the front of the trailer, I capped the replaced wood off with a chunk of diamond plate, so it's stronger than it was originally (no pics of that yet). For 'the good', it came with a massive 'add a room' that doubles the size of the whole thing to around a 14'x14' total footprint: edit, new name for build. :thumbsup:

Table Of Contents Page 1 Introduction, first pics, and list of issues Watersealing & patching Scans of original paperwork Page 2 Exact same camper in California First camping pics! (& towing with XJ pics) Edgestar Refrigerator Page 3 Edgestar woes Underside pics Great-great-grandpaCamper pics I bought this a few weeks ago, and have been trying to get it ready for a little late season camping: It's a 1968 Sears brand tent trailer, bare bones, basically a utility trailer, with sleep area's that slide out, and a tent that fits over it all. Closed up the trailer is 5'x6.5'. Opened, it's 14'x6.5'. It's actually pretty roomy inside for a such a small trailer (whole thing is probably ~250lbs): My son was quick to set up 'The Museum' as soon as the canvas was up. As far as 'the bad' goes, one side had some pretty severe 'canvas rot' to deal with: and there was a little wood damage, and resulting 'frame' issue: notice door gap:

This thread needs pics. :yes: And for $40 (+S&H) one of these would be a great start to a home-brewed soft topper: http://cgi.ebay.com/MILITARY-TRUCK-TRAI ... 5adc2f1a26

I replied to "the other thread': viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25700 I only did one to see if I could live without having it latch solidly in place. Doesn't seem to make much difference to me, but I haven't gotten around to doing the drivers side yet. I'm pretty sure I didn't need to touch the inside (console side) seat back support, and only had to modify the outside (door side) brace/bracket that holds the seat back.

In my mind I'm picturing white plastic inserts, with a 90* end on it for the hose, fitting inside rubber bushings that pop inside the hole. That could be a totally wrong description, but that's what popped in my head. :nuts:

There are rubber/plastic inserts that go to 'vacuum hose size' vent tube lines. IIRC, the one breather line splits with a Tee, to go to each breather location. I bet the lines are still under the Jeep somewhere.