Airborne Camper

[PTomlinson]

So my dad took my 8 foot slide in camper on a road trip up the North Canol road last week. He called me last night to tell me that he hit a section of road that was like a ski jump and got himself airborne at about 15mph. Everyone is ok, but the truck (his Ford thank heavens ) and camper came down at different speeds.



The rear of the camper took the brunt of the force, bent his bumper where the tie downs were attached. The driver's side tie down is pulled down about 1/4" but the passenger's side tie down is pulled down 2", with the plywood. I haven't seen it yet, but does anyone have any idea how much trouble this is going to be to repair? Anyone know of websites with hints how to repair the structure of a camper? It's a 1992 Explorer by Classic (Canadian brand I think), wooden frame with metal siding.



Oh and if anyone is thinking of driving the North Canol in the Yukon this year, don't, it's the worst my dad has ever seen it, and he's been going up it since 1965.



Paul

 

[RMachida]

I did a lot of repair to wooden frame camper about 12 years ago including damage like you describe. It wasn't particularly easy since I had to remove most of the aluminum siding and replaced almost all of the structure in the sidewalls. Replaced much of the wooden structure with aluminum stock and ended up with a much stronger camper than I started out with but overall, I'd say it wasn't worth the time.



Where is North Canol?

 

[PTomlinson]

The North Canol is a road built in WWII in an attempt to get a easier path to Canadian Oil. It is a summer/fall road used by locals for hunting and tourism. The mining and oil industry uses it for exploration.



It goes from the Alaska Highway up to the NWT border and beyond, covering a fair amount of area. Very nice view and hunting, if you don't break your vehicle

Canol Road



Paul

 

[RMachida]

The North Canol is a road built in WWII in an attempt to get a easier path to Canadian Oil. It is a summer/fall road used by locals for hunting and tourism. The mining and oil industry uses it for exploration.



It goes from the Alaska Highway up to the NWT border and beyond, covering a fair amount of area. Very nice view and hunting, if you don't break your vehicle

Canol Road



Paul

Thank you! I had gone up that road many years ago but couldn't remember what it was called when describing it to others. When I went it, there was a lot of rain and my little FWD car slid around a lot, but it was absolutely beautiful as is most of the Yukon Territory.

 

[Radshooter]

I can't give you any advice on repairing your camper as I have never owned one. But, have you been to www.rv.net ? They have a seperate forum just for truck campers. Someone there could probably give you some hints.

Good luck... .

Steve