7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:02 pm

I ran out of time to get the Black water tank mounted today. I did get the old fitting off and capped it. I will drill the new 3" hole and install a new pipe fitting from the top when I cut the hole for the toilet (will be in a different spot near the vent pipe towards the narrow side). The cap looks ugly, but it will mount flush up against the underside and will not be seen. The tanks are not pressurized and this is the top side which will not hold liquid so all I did was find and thick piece of plastic material from a old tote bin, then I put a lot of caulk around the hole and used 4 screws to hold it. It should cure up fine.

It will be next weekend before I make any more real progress. I work all week and there is not much time after work. I'll finish caulking up and taping in the insulation I have during the week if I can fit it in.

I am disappointed in Lark (trailer manufacturer) and I plan to call them. With the side paneling off inside, we had a lot of rain Saturday and I found a few leaks that need to be sealed (so glad I had the sides off and it rained!). Not a big deal to fix, but poor quality control at Lark. If the trailer was not going to be insulated, it would have never been noticed since is is running down the inside of the exterior wall and right out the bottom on the aluminum. With the insulation and all caulked up at the bottom, it would mold in there and cause rust. It is important to be air tight on the sides for the insulation to work properly. If it is not airtight, you will have a thermal bypass on your insulation and it will not be as effective.

I'd recommend anyone doing a leak check before putting insulation in while you have the paneling off inside. The way the roof goes together, you can leak if they have not used enough sealer on the seam where the roof meets the side.

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Thu Mar 24, 2016 5:29 pm

I received the shower pan today. I ended up going with a shower pan a few inches shorter than originally planned. First, I could not find exactly what I wanted. Second, I needed a few inches for the wall between the shower and the oven/kitchen. The toilet is a monument due to the BW tank positioning underneath, so I was running out of options. In any case, I decided I would go with a curtain and one of those rods that bow out some instead of glass doors. This way, we can bump into something that gives when we are moving around in the shower. Neither of us are real wide... but it is a small shower.

Also, below is the rehabbed Stove Vent/Fan Hood. This hood was in bad shape with some rust and had wasp nests and etc. in it from the donor camper. I love appliance epoxy... it turned out really nice IMHO after much sanding, neutralizing the rust with Ospho, Rust Oleum Primer, and then the Appliance Epoxy finish.

I am about ready to start cutting holes in the cargo trailer (soon to be camper) for all this stuff. I have an opportunity to go Scuba diving this weekend, and the weather is nice, so I may loose most of Saturday.. I will get some stuff done this weekend... I hope (after I overdose on Jelly Beans and Peeps). My plans are on the roof to get the rails on for the Solar Panels, Drill for the TV Antenna and my HAM radio Antenna cable "bulkhead" pass through (KE4EVL), then I'll seal all up with Dicor while I am fixing the few factory "leaks" I mentioned previously.

I need to make sure the roof is sealed good before I finish insulation. I'll leak check with a hose if the rain doesn't come.

Bye for now. :thumbsup:

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Fri Mar 25, 2016 6:02 pm

I picked up a vanity today. I bought this from Lowes. I got a great deal on it and the RV sink I was thinking about was almost as much. This is a porcelain sink and the cabinet is the right size for the spot. I was going to build one, but I still would have had to buy the sink, and this was cheap enough it would probably have cost the same to build and finish. I need to line this up on the studs the best I can because the backside of the outside shower will stick out under the sink and connect up to all the same water lines. This was the last piece I needed to lock down the positioning of before I start cutting holes in the sides and floors. I'll build about a 4 to 6 inch platform for the shower to accommodate the P-trap.

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:11 am, edited 2 times in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Fri Mar 25, 2016 6:23 pm

I got this trailer backed right up in my yard by the back door. Now I can slip out and work on it here and there as I steal some time. It is nice because then all I need to do is lock the door and all the tools are inside. :thumbsup:

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:26 pm

With Easter Sunday and family activities and Scuba Diving on Saturday, I didn't log much CTC build time this weekend. I did get the brackets made and mounted on my 4 100W solar panels. It doesn't look like much, but it took a few hours to cut one 8 foot piece of 3/4" aluminum "angle iron" into 16 6 inch pieces (4 for each panel and sawed by hand with a hack saw since I have no band saw). Then I had to mark and drill 4 holes in each 6 inch piece and them mount them to the panels with metal screws.

The panels will screw into 1 inch aluminum rails I will bolt down to the roof. I will show pics later this week. I am making the mount so that, if I spend time up further North later on, I can mount some hinges in the place of the brackets for tilting. Living in the South, it is not too bad to leave them flat. Most of the day, the sun is high in the sky. In fact, if I spend time further North, it would be easier just to add a few more panels and be less efficient. I will have space for a total of 6... with only 4 mounted.

I'll take pictures of the rails and these panels mounted later this week. I am finishing up all the drilling in the roof so I can seal up and leak check everything before I insulate, wire and close up the ceiling inside.

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Wed Mar 30, 2016 7:03 pm

All ready to bolt down. I laid it all up there tonight for a fit check before I drilled holes. I ended up having to turn over my brackets for mounting. I had two problems. First, there was not enough clearance to get the solar panel wires underneath the panel and between the roof. Also, the Laun plywood down the inside center of the trailer, which appears to be there just to keep the water running towards the sides, was just enough to keep the center panels from mounting flush on the cross bar (see that in the picture). In any case, live and learn. The brackets are turned around and now all I have to do is drill the rails into the side frame and screw on each panel with 4 self tapping screws. A job for tomorrow. I lost the sun here today.

You can see I have room for 2 more 100W panels. I may add them later with more battery capacity if I find I need more later for boon docking. For now, 400W and 2 golf cart batteries will probably do it. :thumbsup:



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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Sat Apr 02, 2016 3:49 pm

Actually all bolted down now and I have the TV antenna and Camco Vent cover installed. I'll apply all the Dicor tomorrow and start cutting the water heater hole in the sides. The solar cells are mounted real well and there are no holes in the roof from them, just on the sides from the mounting bars. :)

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Sat Apr 02, 2016 4:58 pm

Stopped raining long enough for me to get the outside entry light up, hand grab (the Mrs. wanted this), and the 15A Service Inlet. Yes, that is all I am installing. Everything will run on less than 15A given the solar panels and 12VDC lighting, pump, etc.. Mainly the 15A Service will run the Air Conditioner, and a few appliances if I choose to. Also, the generator will connect here. I have it close to the tongue of the trailer where I will build the generator box.

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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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flboy
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:51 pm

I have not bolted this up (all the flanges are crooked.. LOL), but I need to decide before I close up the walls and ceiling.

Anyone have any thoughts either good or bad for mounting this ladder on the side. I am thinking about bracing a section of the roof up top and putting a ~15 cu ft cargo carrier on top for lawn chairs, grill, etc.. Basically, I'd mount a large car top cargo carrier and would use the ladder to access which would keep the bed of my truck freed up for other stuff.

I kind of like the looks of it and it does not stick out past my fenders. Any negative things I should consider about putting a ladder on the side like this? :thinking:




Image
Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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flboy
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby Spotman » Sun Apr 03, 2016 4:46 pm

flboy wrote:I have not bolted this up (all the flanges are crooked.. LOL), but I need to decide before I close up the walls and ceiling.



I kind of like the looks of it and it does not stick out past my fenders. Any negative things I should consider about putting a ladder on the side like this? :thinking:




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ME Likey.... :thumbsup:
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby TheOtherSean » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:15 pm

I think the ladder idea should work, but there are a few possible downsides to having it on the side. The least concern is aerodynamic - having it on the side is going to add a bit of extra drag. A somewhat more serious concern is it snagging things - tree limbs, shrubbery, etc. as you drive along. Also, what happens if somebody snags it by driving past you too close? I'm not trying to discourage, but thought the points should be mentioned.
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:33 pm

TheOtherSean wrote:I think the ladder idea should work, but there are a few possible downsides to having it on the side. The least concern is aerodynamic - having it on the side is going to add a bit of extra drag. A somewhat more serious concern is it snagging things - tree limbs, shrubbery, etc. as you drive along. Also, what happens if somebody snags it by driving past you too close? I'm not trying to discourage, but thought the points should be mentioned.


I agree on the tree limbs.. that is a concern I have. They ladder does not stick out as far as the wheels however. If someone gets that close, my guess is the ladder will be the least of my problems. Thanks for your input. I do appreciate that. :thumbsup:
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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Re: 7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

Postby flboy » Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:43 pm

Well, today is Monday and I had to work all day, but I did manage to get about a hour and a half in. I mounted my VHF/UHF Dual band 1/4 wavelength antenna. I already tested it and the VSWR is great on top of all that aluminium. This was another hole in the roof I need to check before I close up the ceiling.


Also, I mounted the rear utility lights. They are high intensity LED's. I'll have a switch in the trailer for them, but I will also have a spare wire on my 8 pin trailer plug connected to the reverse lights on the truck through a diode (so power cannot come back from the trailer to the truck if switched on in the trailer while plugged in to the truck). When I throw it in to reverse, I'll trip a relay to turn those lights on. It will be great for backing up at night. It will certainly light it up behind me.

I still have to wire the lights. I need to drill holes to pass through the wires on the backside near the mounts. Ran out of time tonight. :cry:

I like the picture below of the antenna. You can see my Dual Element Tri-Band HF Antenna on my roof in the background. If I haven't mentioned it. I am an Extra Class HAM Radio Operator (KE4EVL). Having a VHf/UHF and GRMS Radio in the camper will be nice. When Boondocking, if Cell service is not available, I should be able to get to a radio repeater in an emergency with the 50W radio I have. Also, it will be a nice base station for GRMS. I can carry a handheld and be reached miles from the camper and vice versa. Through a repeater, I could get out a hundred miles or so.


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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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flboy
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Fresh Water Tanks

Postby flboy » Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:27 pm

The fresh water tanks arrived today. I got a great deal on these via Ebay. 66 Gallons total for fresh water so I can boon dock for a while as needed. I have another 35 gallon tank from the donor camper that will go in the bed of the truck if needed when I expect to be out for a long time. These will go on either side over the axles to balance out. I will have a valve to switch between the two going into the on demand pump. Given water is about ~8lbs a gallon, I did not want it all on one side @ 264 lbs each when full.


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Last edited by flboy on Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don (Flboy)

YouTube Video of Finished 6x12 Trailer:
https://youtu.be/6_-8cVdWUIA
YouTube Video of 7*18 with 2ft V-nose Trailer:
https://youtu.be/MUcMM86LA2g
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flboy
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Re: Fresh Water Tanks

Postby lrrowe » Thu Apr 07, 2016 9:27 am

flboy wrote:The fresh water tanks arrived today. I got a great deal on these via Ebay. 66 Gallons total for fresh water so I can boon dock for a while as needed. I have another 35 gallon tank from the donor camper that will go in the bed of the truck if needed when I expect to be out for a long time. These will go on either side over the axles to balance out. I will have a valve to switch between the two going into the on demand pump. Given water is about ~8lbs a gallon, I did not want it all on one side @ 264 lbs each when full.


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I like the idea of a truck bed tank for those times off the grid. I always thought I would add one. It would work also for when I run the beaches at Cape Hatteras to fish.
Bob

First Post on Purchase of Trailer: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60722
Hot water infloor and radiator heating project:[url]http://www.tnttt.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=54&t=62327[/

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