The complete equipment consists of the following units: trailer car, nested mess kit, tent and sleeping bags, and a complete photographic developing outfit for field work. The total weight of the outfit, with the necessary food-stuffs and motor-repair parts, is slightly under 250 lb. This weight may seem excessive, but it did not prove so, even on had roads, and upon one occasion 100 miles of good road was covered in five hours.

The first part of the equipment to be taken up in detail is the motorcyle trailer chassis, which is shown in Fig. 1 ready for the installation of the body. The illustration shows the axle straight. A 3 or 4-in. dip made in it will lower the center of gravity. The bend in the axle being outside the springs, the tread will be about 6 in. wider, but otherwise the dimensions given are satisfactory.

The measurements for the chassis are as follows: The axle is of steel, 33 in. long and 7/8 in. in diameter, turned down at the ends to fit the cones of the ordinary sidecar wheels, and threaded on each end to receive a 1/2 in. castellated nut, which is locked with a cotter. The springs were obtained from the junk pile of a local wagon maker. They consist of the lower halves of ordinary buggy springs, measuring 33 in. long and 1 1/4 in. wide. As the springs were too stiff, only the three larger leaves were used, these being secured to the axle with strap bolts or axle clips.

One of the rear-corner joints is shown in Fig. 2. The sidepieces arc 38 1/2 in., and the ends 19 in. long, and of 1 1/2 by 1 1/2-in. angle iron. One face of the end pieces is cut 22 in. long, to permit a 1 1/2-in. lap for riveting to the side members, as shown at A. The method of mounting the springs is shown at B. A piece of 1/8-in. sheet steel, 3 by 4 1/2 in., forms the rear bracket, which should be of such quality that it will stand hardening. A slot,1 1/2 in. long by 5/16 in. wide, is cut through the sides to receive a hardened. steel bolt passing through the spring end in such a manner that it will ride in the slots of the bracket. The front spring bracket is similar but without a slot, having a hole for the bolts. and does not need to be hardened.

The tongue, draw head, and automatic brake are shown in Fig. 3. The tongue consists of two pieces of 1 by 1/8 in. angle iron 52 in. long and the draw head is made of a 6 in. length of 3/4 in. pipe, with a pipe cap. The lengths of angle iron are bent slightly, at C, to permit bolting them parallel with the draw head, and to make a spread of about 10 in. where they connect with the front member of the frame. The draw head is attached to the tongue pieces with machine screws locked with lock washers. The ends of the screws that project inside of the pipe should be dressed off smoothly to permit the free action of the drawbar.

The drawbar is made of a machine-steel eyebolt, 6 in. long and 1/2 in. in diameter. The bolt slides through a hole in the cap, against which a spring is placed. It exerts pressure on two nuts on the end of the drawbar, working easily inside of the draw head. The spring can be adjusted by the nuts on the bar. This arrangement forms a swivel-and-spring draw head, which is very important, as the safety of the trailer depends greatly upon it. The nuts on the end of the drawbar should he securely locked, to prevent them from coming off and thus releasing the drawbar. A little cup grease should he packed in the spring for lubrication, as the drawbar is constantly working back and forth when on the road.

The automatic brake may appear unnecessary, but it is a great convenience when some of the draft rigging breaks. Also, in an emergency the trailer may be cut off while in motion to prevent a "spill," and the brake will prevent it from running over a bank or into another vehicle. When making camp, it saves marching for something with which to chock the wheels. If the car is taken down a steep place by hand the brake is needed. It is self-locking and equalizing when set. It took considerable experimenting to find the exact shape and dimensions of the levers.

The working details are shown in Fig. 4. Two brake beams and shoes are required, which are made from metal, 1/2 in. wide and 1/4 in. thick. The beams are bent as shown at D, which is the center of the angle and the point where the tangents of the two legs cross each other, the exact locations of the holes being found from this point. The shoes E are made of steel, 1 in. wide and 1/16. in. thick, riveted to the beams at F. The two beams are pivoted to the frame at G, Fig. 3. 4 1/2 in. from the front-end piece, and 1/2 in. from the edge of the side member, inside measurements, the pivot bolts being 3/16 -in. stove bolts with lock washers.

The bends, to make the peculiar shape of what may be called the trigger. must be made accurately, to ensure the proper adjustment and operation of the mechanism, hence the working details must be observed. The lever is attached, at H, Fig. 5, to the right brake beam, the short piece J being coupled to the trigger at K. and to the left beam; stove bolts with locknuts being used throughout.

The automatic release, Fig. 6, consists of an 8 in. auxiliary wheel supported in a U-shaped bracket made of channel iron. 6 in. long on each leg. A 1 in. slot, wide enough to permit the shaft of the small wheel to slide freely in it, is cut in each leg. The bracket is fastened to the cap on the draw head with a machine screw. The sides of the channel are filed at an angle to fit the cap snugly when the bracket, drawbar, and braces are joined. They should be joined so that the longer sides of the triangle formed are equal.

The braces are made of iron rod having eyes formed in their lower ends to fit the wheel shaft. They are flattened on the opposite ends for bolting to the tongue sections, their length being such that the center of the shaft will be about 13 in. from the point at which they bolt to the tongue.

Two plates, L and M, Fig. 7, one 2 3/4 in. long. 1 1/2 in. wide, and 1/16 in. thick, and the other 2 3/4 in. long, 3/4 in. wide, and 1/4 in. thick, are attached to the tongue by the screws as shown. A small piece of metal N, is placed on top of the thicker plate, to prevent the trigger from rising out of place when the catch O is pushed up. A carriage bolt, P, is screwed into the plates at their center, with a locknut to hold it on the underside. The catch O is drilled to permit free action on this bolt. A light spring is placed between the catch 0 and the head of the bolt. The release is fastened to the braces by means of a strap and stove bolts, as shown in Fig. 6.

The action of the automatic trailer brake is as follows: When the trailer is released from the motor the tongue drops; the auxiliary wheel, coming in contact with the road, rises in its slots, pushing the catch up to clear the trigger, and a coiled spring at the middle draws the brake beams into action. This spring does not hold the brakes in contact with the wheels, but merely starts the action. The braking power is derived from the back pressure on the rod braces. which is communicated to the lever arrangement on the brake beams. The greater the weight pressing down on the auxiliary wheel the greater the braking power.

The design of the motorcyle trailer body and the arrangement of the covers to form tables are shown in Fig. 8. The dimensions of the box are such that it will fit snugly in the chassis frame. It is made of 1/2 in. lumber with corner and edge strips to reinforce the joints. The inside edges of the strips are beveled to give a neat appearance to the panels. The box is water-tight, 13 in. deep at the center and 11 1/2 in. at the ends, the floor resting on the side members of the frame and on the tongue at the center.

A tank, 17 in. long, 10 in. wide, and 4 in. high, of 3-gal. capacity, for a gasoline supply, is set in the rear of the body. It is held in place with cleats, and is made of galvanized iron, with reinforcing plates on the ends.

The front cover is so arranged that it can be attached to the rear of the body for use as a mess table, and for photographic purposes. Folding standards, at the end of the tongue, at the rear of the chassis and under the table, together with the brake make the whole stand firmly. When the table is used for photographic purposes the rear cover, which is hinged to the body, is braced in a vertical position, as in Fig. 9. A collapsible wire frame is attached to the cover by means of screw eyes, on the underside, and a light-proof bag, large enough to enclose the table and the operator, forms a dark room. As it is used only at night, it is satisfactory for this kind of work.

As the motorcycle was electrically equipped for lighting, a small lamp, not shown in the illustration, was bracketed to the rear of the body. The feed wires were conducted to the end of the tongue, where slip connections were provided to connect with a terminal on the motor draft rigging. A long extension cord was provided, permitting the motor to be set at a distance from the car when in camp. The lamp proved to be convenient, being used as a tail light for night traveling, as a dark-room light, and as a table lamp, when the red lens was removed.

The method of coupling the trailer to the motorcycle is shown in Fig. 10. As slightly differing methods will be necessary with varying types of motorcycles, it is offered as a suggestion only. The motorcycle which was used to tow the trailer was provided with sidecar lugs immediately forward of the rear axle, and with small luggage carrier lugs on the rear forks. A U-shaped piece of strap iron, 1 1/4 in. long and 1/4 in. thick, was bolted to the sidecar lugs at such an angle that the draw head of 5/16 in. by 1-in. steel, bolted at the center, would hold the trailer horizontal. The upward thrust of the trailer was prevented by the U-piece resting against the nuts on the rear axle of the motor, the downward thrust being held with 1/4-in. stay rods running from the lugs, on the rear forks, to the outer curve of the U-piece.

A large cotter, slightly spread, forms the coupling pin and a cord is attached to it so that the man on the rear seat may release the trailer in the event of a skid or fall. All nuts and bolts must be locked either with split washers or cotters. The load should be packed with the heaviest articles in the center in order to balance the car. Several screw eyes should be placed in the sides of the body near the floor, an a lash rope run through them, with which to lash the load solidly in the car. This prevents shifting and protects the contents in the event of a "tip-over." 

The mess outfit is well adapted for motorcycle camping, as it provides nearly everything necessary for two persons, and is contained in a small package. While it is designed particularly for motorcycle use, it should prove a serviceable addition to the equipment of the automobile tourist and could easily be made to serve for four or more persons, without enlarging the space occupied by it. Space for extra cups and plates may be obtained by utilizing the space used for food, in the kit for two persons. An elaborate set of tinners' tools is not necessary in making the outfit vise, snips, mallet, pliers, hammer, and a soldering iron being the articles required. Short lengths of angle iron, of different sizes, clamped in a vise form the mandrel upon which the bends are made.

The complete outfit nested inside the combination stove ready for transportation is shown in Fig. 11. It occupies a space 7 1/4 by 7 1/4 by 12 in., and weighs slightly less than 11 lb. without foodstuffs. It contains the following utensils: coffee pot, two cups, one bowl, stewpan, frying pan, two plates, sugar can, two sets of knives and forks, an extra spoon, and a 2-gal. bucket. There is room also for 3 lb. of bacon, 1/2 lb. of butter, cans of pepper and salt, 1/4 lb. of tea, and a small dishcloth.

Three sheets of heavy tinplated sheet metal, a piece of light galvanized iron, 12 by 36 in., and a piece of black sheet iron. 15 by 50 in., of medium thickness, will provide all the necessary pieces with the exception of the gasoline tank for the stove. If it is desired to use the type of stove shown, a small amount of galvanized iron, of medium thickness, will also be required.

The patterns for cutting and forming the different utensils are shown in Fig. 12. The main pattern Q is for one of the sides. The sheet metal is folded on the dotted lines and the joint placed in the center of one side. On each edge 1/8 in. and 1/4 in. are provided to form the clinch seam, and 1/8 in. on the bottom edge for the joint. At the top 3/16 in. is provided to form a roll around the reinforcing ring. 

The detachable handle of the cups and the coffeepot are constructed and attached as shown in Fig. 13. The tongue at the top is formed into a hook and hooked under the wire ring, a bit of the metal of the side having been cut out to permit its insertion. A small strap soldered to the side of the utensil permits the handle to slip down under it when squeezed slightly. The handles are reinforced along the edges with a small wire and a roll.

All the utensils are made in the same manner, with the exception of the stewpan, which has the ends clinched in, the sides and the bottom being made of one piece. The handles of the stewpan are not detachable, but form clasps to hold the lid tight, when the equipment for it and other contents are nested inside. The construction of the bucket is similar, except that larger seams are made. Since a clinch seam is not water-tight, all joints in the bucket must be soldered.

The frying pan is made of the black sheet iron. It is constructed without seams, as shown in Fig. 14, the corners being folded and riveted. A strap is riveted on one end, to receive the detachable handle, which is a short piece of 1/8 by 3/4-in. strap iron, with a hook bent upward on the end.

The construction of the plates is shown in Fig. 15. They have a 1/2-in. double, flat brim around the edge.

Beginning with the smallest utensil. shown in the rear row in Fig. 16, the inside measurements are as follows: first cup, 3 1/2 in. square by 4 in.; second cup, 3 3/4 in. square; coffee pot, 4 in. square by 8 in.; bowl, 4 1/4 in. square; sugar can, 1 by 3 1/2 by 6 in.; plate, including rim, 7/8 by 5 1/2 by 9 3/4 in.; stew pan, 5 1/2 by 6 by 9 3/4 in.; frying pan, 11 1/2 by 6 1/4 by 10 in.; bucket, 6 1/2 in. square by 11 in. The covers of the coffee pot and the stew pan are made to fit. The method of forming the edges of the covers and of attaching the handles is shown in Fig. 17.

The assembling of the mess kit is shown in Figs. 16 and 18. When the articles are nested inside the coffee pot, enough room is left on top for the half pound of butter and the bacon. The lid of the stewpan is shown removed in Fig. 18, and space can be seen at the top for cans to hold salt, pepper, tea, and similar supplies.

The stove was designed so that wood or gasoline could he used for fuel. Double the space is needed when gasoline is used, in order to provide a storage tank for the gasoline.

The stove is constructed of heavy sheet iron. The measurements inside are 7 1/4 in. square by 12 in. A 3-in. hole is cut in one end, and a 6-in. hole in the other. An old brazing torch was used to make the burner for the gasoline stove.

The gasoline supply was set in a galvanized-iron tank, 4 in. by 7 in. square, in much the same manner as it was in the origina torch. The generating pan was removed from the feed stem and placed on the valve stem, permitting generation of gas in the usual way. The pump was placed in a corner. In order to spread the flame over a larger area, a burner cap. taken from a gasoline stove, was attached to the top of the fire head. A stay bolt was run through the center of the tank to reinforce it to withstand the air pressure. Care must be taken not to have too great a pressure in the tank.

When the stove is used with wood as a fuel, it is placed in a horizontal position, with the open side over a small depression in the ground. A heavy wire screen is hooked over the inside edges, where they are turned in, forming a grate. This gives a draft for the fire.

The photographic equipment need not be detailed completely, as the only point of special interest is the method of washing and drying plates. After taking them from the hypo tank, they were placed in the wash tank. The bucket hanging at the rear lid of the body of the car was filled with water, and a rubber siphon drew the water down to the wash tank, from which it ran to the ground. After the plates had been washed, they were placed in an alcohol tank. The alcohol displaced the water in the emulsion, causing the plates to dry in a few moments, when placed before an electric fan driven by current from the motorcycle storage battery.

For the making of the small tent. and two sleeping bags, 21 yd. of canvas are necessary, 8-oz. double-twist khaki drill being the most suitable. One or more blankets for each bag are needed, depending on the temperature in which the bags are to be used. The dimensions of the tent are approximately 6 1/2 ft. long, 5 ft. high, and 5 ft. wide. This is sufficient to cover a motorcycle and two persons. Two bamboo poles support the tent at the front and rear, a rope ridge support being used.

The method of cutting and joining the canvas, which is 36 in. wide, is shown in Fig. 19.