1973 Compact II by Hunter

[Darrel Smith]

I'll try some more. This is my tow.

[Darrel Smith]

This is the one shown on the albums site. All the trailer pictures are views of the body mounted on the new frame.

[Darrel Smith]

This shows the kitchen viewed from the entrance.

[Darrel Smith]

Here is another picture of my tow.

[Darrel Smith]

This is the 'rig' getting ready to get licenced.

[Darrel Smith]

I have more pictures of the work in progress and my first camping trip on my home computer so will post them later this evening.

Thank you again Michael and all moderators for your untiring work for this web site. We really appreciate you and all you do.

Darrel

[Brian B-P]

... I had a receiver welded on the tongue which allowed use of adjustable and removable hitch configurations for on road, off road , camp site, and security options. The tongue is actually over 4 foot long at the ball mount...

... I set the hitch coupler at a good tow height and was then ready to take the trailer to get the registration inspection.
...

This is an interesting design. The receiver box is clearly visible in the early photo with just the shell on the frame, but I can't make out any detail in the complete rig image. I assume the receiver is a 2" box, and the coupler is mounted on a suitable square tube which is inserted in that receiver and retained by a standard pin.

Darrel, you mention configurations for various uses, but what changes? Coupler height, ball size, length... ? Since ball platforms (for the tow vehicle hitch side) are readily available in various heights (including adjustable) and to accommodate any required ball, I wonder why the need for the flexibility on the trailer side. It is, of course, a relatively unique and therefore "cool" mod!

[Dave Chatham]

Now I get it, why you wanted the red rig. Nice patriotic combo!
Dave

[Darrel Smith]

Hello Brian BP thanks for your thumbs up on the hitch mod. I actually borrowed the idea from off road trailer units that I have seen. By using a receiver tube I can change the type of tow hitch. I have a regular ball hitch for highway use and a pintle ring for off road towing. The pintle ring or lunette eye as it is known is a donut shaped steel ring which locks loosly into the tow pintle type hitch which allows more severe angle while towing off road. Because this fits loosly there is some bangs and jerks between the hitch and the eye but it is at low speed and off road where it is expected. The conventional ball mount option would limit this angle off road but mounts more solidly to the tow ball hitch while towing on road thus eliminating the bangs and jerks while traveling at highway speeds. The adjustment allows for different tows even those not set up with a receiver, like a bumper mounted ball.
My camping options, when I am completed, will include table or awning mounts or other not yet planned uses, by removing the hitch and sliding them into the receiver.This could also be used to extend the tongue even more by allowing a hitch extender to be usedfor bike carriers tire mounts etc. For security the whole thing could be removed while camping or parked thus preventing unauthorized tow aways.

Here are a couple of closer pictures of the on and off road hitch set ups.

[Darrel Smith]

On road towing:

[Darrel Smith]

off road towing:

[Darrel Smith]

Here are some other pictures of my rebuild

This is the 12 volt distribution box:

[Darrel Smith]

110 volt panel:

[Darrel Smith]

This picture shows the diamond sewn vinyl over the dinette/bed area:

[Darrel Smith]

This is a view of the left water service side of the trailer:

[Darrel Smith]

Here is a close up of the raised roof:

[Darrel Smith]

Here is a trailer magazine advertisment for small trailers and a motor home which someone posted on the forum BH (BEFORE HACKERS). This is the only before picture I have of my trailer. Fortunately it turned out to be red like mine.

[Tom Trostel]

Darrel,
Excellent work! The II looks better than when it left Chatsworth, CA. I like the Bronco, but you should keep an eye out for a "Starsky & Hutch" Torino in red and white. It'd be a perfect match.
'
Hunter Structures had some 'interesting' ideas about color both outside and inside the Compacts. My Jr. must have looked like something from "Hawaii Five O" with its lime green gelcoat and flowered upholstry. Tom Trostel

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?...0373&p=70829561

[Emmit D. Acklin]

Darrel what is the distance from the body of the camper to the end of the tongue? I'm planning to add three feet to my tongue (with heavier material of course) to mount a catch-all tool box there.

[Darrel Smith]

Hello Emmit

I dont remember the exact dimensions but I believe it is about 48 inches to the buldog ball coupler from the frame. I will get exact if you need.

Three feet additional tongue framing would definately give you plenty of room. Will that be in addition to the existing tongue. If so that would make about 6 feet total tongue length. Great for backing and lots of room and definately plenty of tongue weight.

I plan to add about 300 pounds on my tongue but plan to counter that with about 120 pounds in back. so should net about 180 pounds of actual tongue weight. I dont know what my actual total and tongue weight will be until I finish my mods and have it weighed. I know my frame has added more weight than the original frame but I will be cutting down on interior mods to compensate.

Darrel