neohic Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Members of Comanche Club! After much thought, procrastination, and building up the courage to do so, it is with a very heavy heart that I'm offering the Comansion up for sale. The entire build has been well documented in my typical time consuming and picture heavy form found HERE. Conceived in a phone conversation in 2011, created over the winter of 2012, and now available for purchase for the asking price of $3000. It's located in Alexandria, MN. But that's not near enough information, is it? We need details and specifics and pictures. PEOPLE LOVE PICTURES!!! Have slow internet? Better go make yourself a sandwich. As for the rest of the read, you'd better get comfortable. This whole idea really isn't all that unique. I'll go out on a limb here and make the claim that this is probably the best example of this type of creation that you will ever find available for sale. It all started with a phone call with Rob. We were jiving back and forth on bucket list projects that would hopefully become reality someday should the stars align. Let me tell you... while collecting parts and material for this build, I'm pretty sure I had not only the stars, but also the sun and the moon aligned in my favor! I'm sure it sounded something like this, "Wouldn't it be neat as all get-out to have a clean Comanche to road trip in with a matching camper in tow? Just imagine it! Wheeling all day to go back to camp to spend your evenings in complete comfort while housed in a trailer that's dripping with awesome." It wasn't even a month later that I was cruising Craigslist to help a coworker find a cheap camper to turn into a hunting shack. Wouldn't you know it, a fine example of '80s camping gear was just about plopped in my back yard. These things are tough to find too! Granted, I've been able to track down a few of them in MN and had the pleasure of helping others make one their own as well, but it goes without saying that WilderNest Adventure Toppers are few and far between. That said, this one was designed to fit on a Ford Ranger long box and they're just a couple inches shorter than our 7' Comanche long beds. Not a problem for what I had in mind. I wanted that beautiful image that was smashed into my head during that fateful phone conversation. That meant that to do it right, not just any MJ bed would fit the bill. If these toppers aren't hard enough to find in nice shape, think about a rust free bed in the rust belt! Months past and I finally found one at a small salvage yard that was within a reasonable amount of drive time. It was near perfect! Sitting on a shelf for 14 years! Sure made for a few stares driving it back on the interstate. The build actually started in February of 2012. We had some major house improvement plans for the following spring so that meant that I was going to have to get this thing done in a timely fashion so I wasn't dealing with moving piles of parts. Everything went smoothly, and was finished off with that badge that everyone loves like a cherry atop a sundae. Sounds well enough and it makes for a nice story, right? It was even Comanche of the Month for SEPTEMBER, 2012! That brings us back to right now. The camper's glory days were really all about the build. We had a few outings with it, but over the last few years it has sadly spent its time housed inside my garage. That's were the story really needs some help. As much as I'd love to say that I've spent more time than I could've ever imagined in this thing, I just can't. If it means that I pass it along to the next caretaker, then so be it. I'd rather see someone enjoying it and using it for what it was originally thought up as. So it's now available for purchase. Let's get back to all those details and pictures that everybody loves, eh? The whole ensemble is based on a custom 100% stainless steel frame, topped with a rust free 7' Comanche box, and finished off with a WilderNest topper. As a whole, is thing is beautiful. All over the rig, you'll find all sorts of fun details. To start... the kitchen. What camper would be complete without a convenient place for making up your own campsite grub? This one is made out of aluminum, has nice cubbies for keeping all your cooking gear under control, and comes with a filled propane tank with campstove adapter hookup. All of the hardware is stainless as is the toolbox latch. Under the trailer, there's a water storage tank... more on that in a bit. The fill location is found in the kitchen toolbox and the spout is a simple hand operated transfer pump mounted on a stainless bracket where the old fuel tank fill once was. It even has a cool camping sticker to start the ball rolling for all those places you'll be staying at in the future. As found, the topper was missing all of the little fiddlie-bits that are commonly lost with time. No problem here. Everything was reconstructed to function better than the original. When unhitched from the vehicle, this thing is rock solid stable. Even survived a windy night! In the front, the tongue jack doubles as the adjustable leveling point. The rear has a couple of stabilizing kick stands that bolt into the (you guessed it) stainless rear bumper. Aluminum poles support the sleeping overhang. The exterior of the Comansion is an '89(?) 7' box. I'd put it as a solid 8 out of 10. Midwest terms, it's an easy 10 out of 10! There was some damage along the lower sheet metal from sitting on pallet racking, but it has all but disappeared with the bedliner. The couple dimples on the left side I would assume were created by a forklift at some point probably while placing it on that shelf 14 years before I came along. The right side has a small "wow" in it right in front of the wheel. This was just about pushed out except for two small creases at the belt line. The panels has what I believe to be original paint. It had a big goofy decal on it, but it wasn't anything that the factory would've put on. This was removed in favor of a cleaner look as to not detract your eye from the amazingness that is the WilderNest. Taillights are factory Comanche units and could probably benefit from a good polish and clear coat. Otherwise they're in great shape. The tailgate? The tailgate is mint. The tires under it are round and hold air... for the most part. I can fill them and let them sit for a month or so. Tread is so-so. Same goes for the wheels. What better way to make it your own than to put rolling stock under it that matches your MJ? Inside, you'll find camping luxury at its finest. There are cabinets that run the entire length of the box that'll fit everything you need to be comfortable and then some. Everything has been lined with automotive carpet. Sorry black interior fanatics... it's gray. The cabinets are a softer grade which is feels nice on your feet when using the box on the right as a step to get up into sleeping overhang. The floor has a ribbed pattern that runs length wise with the bed. This makes for super easy and sweepable cleanup when a vacuum isn't available in off the grid situations. Cabinets are firmly held shut with slam latches. More interior niceties are windows... lots of them! These toppers had options when purchased new. Fortunately, the original purchaser decided to get functioning side windows. Unfortunately, time has take its tole in the form of a few small details. Along the lower window track on the left side, there has been a bit of an oopsie that you can't open the window completely anymore. I've thought about fixing this, but honestly I've never found the need to open all of the windows completely. Even with them mostly open, this thing can turn into a wind tunnel pretty quick! The window screens are nothing special... just standard screen. Not to worry though! They're in pretty good shape. There's a few small holes but nothing that I've felt the need to take the time to replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 Did you know that there is a picture limit per post? Me neither. Anyhow... Then there's the real meat and potatoes of this thing... the tent. Out of the few that I've seen and so many that I've found pictures of, this one is really nice. See, the canvas that these things are made of is actually a polymer impregnated material rather than your typical tent material. Originally, these were waterproof without the need of a rainfly. This one still is! Over time, it's all too common that the canvas starts to delaminate from humidity and wear. Not this one! I will say that the back panel of the tent does look a little dingy with mildew spots. We can't fix the past though, can we? I've spent hours cleaning the tent trying to be rid of the spots. There is a way to completely strip the polymer and start over, but I can't get myself to completely take it all apart and start over when everything else is in such good condition. Want more windows? Good! The tent has a bunch more to add to the ones in the topper! These are beautiful with only one small hole that's barely noticeable in the window in the sleeping overhang. Hardware is mostly original and in good working order. Same as the canvas, sure you could take it all apart and get everything perfect. But everything is there and is all works great. I think what's really cool about the WilderNest toppers is how the tent is stored while not in use. You still get all the space that you would in a regular topper as it all stores in a hammock like dealy that rolls up and just about disappears when not in use. The zippers works flawlessly as do all the clips. What makes the trailer a trailer is... uh... the trailer frame. This one is pretty cool! I have a confession to make: I... love... stainless steel... period. There's just something special about it that there's a good chance that it'll last damn near forever. It's got a beautiful finish when cared for and, when welded on, turns a to a rainbow of color when done properly. Everything underneath is stainless that can be. The leaf springs are a garage sale mystery that I had for a few years before building the camper. Chevy maybe?... who knows. They're in good shape and they work. Nope... they aren't stainless because that'd be stupid. However, the spring shackles are! The rear bumper... all the bracing... the main structure... all stainless. Other good stuff to see within the frame is the water tank. Already stated is the fill tube in the kitchen toolbox, but that leads to a pass through the frame, and then up to the transfer pump. The tank admittedly has never had a drop of water in it. Should you decide to use it and not completely empty it, there is a drain valve too keep things from getting weird in there. The frame is licensed and has a MN title that will be included with the sale. It takes a 2" ball, has safety chains, lights on a four pole plug, and all the other stuff that makes a trailer a trailer. So... there you have it. The Comanche Camper could be yours. Am I happy about this decision? Nope. Would I be happy enough to know that someone is using it as it was intended to be used? I suppose. It's been a fun build and I can honestly say that I wish I had more time to spend with it. I know that there's always the future that I could make time for it, but my wife and I have been planning on relocating for a while now and things are starting to work out in our favor. It'd be one less large object to bring with making the big move all that much easier. So help me out here, guys. Help me make this as painless as possible by taking it off my hands and treating it with the same thought that I had while collecting parts for it years ago. I'm asking $3000 on it. Not looking for any trades. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have. I am advertising this exclusively on Comanche Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 you're going to miss having that in colorado... :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 The kind of wheeling I'd love to get into is more so an overland style... just pick a direction and go. This is both too big and too heavy for that. I see a roof top tent in my future. We'll see though. If it doesn't sell I won't bee too heart broken over it. If it does, then so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik666 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 more pictures! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 I thought I was thorough with the pictures. :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 The kind of wheeling I'd love to get into is more so an overland style... just pick a direction and go. This is both too big and too heavy for that. I see a roof top tent in my future. We'll see though. If it doesn't sell I won't bee too heart broken over it. If it does, then so be it. huh. I thought this trailer was overlanding :dunno: just needs a pintle hitch for more flexibility on the trails. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Very nice rig. You said it was (too) heavy? Do you know what the weight is empty? My guess is close to a ton as it sits empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 I'd guess it to be just under a ton. The toppers are very heavy so to get more weight down lower to keep some sway under control, the frame is mostly 3/16" wall tubing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowly Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Bloody Hell! I have wanted that ever since I saw it in person in your shed!!!!!!! Your really selling it! I know this is one of kind. I am currently deployed to the middle east but my folks live just shy of an hour and a half from you and could probably get it. I am going to have to call you about it. Are you free tomorrow night? I am seven hours ahead of you so if I called in the evening around 9 that would be about 1 ish pm your time? Can we pm and talk about it? I am not really sure what my schedule is like since well internet and phone are limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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