Getting ready to convert.

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:06 pm

Thanks McDave. Good info there.
I have a big scale at work I may take everything im gonna install and weigh it.
Maybe I can put the spare inside under the porta potty to raise it up a bit. Maybe.
Pretty sure my water jugs will be centered with the axle or just behind it.

One thing that came up, was how I going to ad a RV door lock/handle to the one door and keeping the other closed/locked as well.

So many things to think about.


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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:01 pm

Was curious to see if this would work. So I mocked it up.
The home toilet measured 17.5".
This arrangement is 22".
I thought whoa !
Sat on it though , and wasn't too bad. .
Made it easier to get up.
I dont think that's the place for the spare right now.

The axle would be in middle of the water containers. So the weight will be centered a bit. Depends on how heavy the bed is ???

Which brings me to this question. What woods do you like to work with concerning weight and trying to build light ?Image

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby beachguy005 » Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:20 pm

Modstock wrote:Was curious to see if this would work. So I mocked it up.
The home toilet measured 17.5".
This arrangement is 22".
I thought whoa !
Sat on it though , and wasn't too bad. .
Made it easier to get up.
I dont think that's the place for the spare right now.

The axle would be in middle of the water containers. So the weight will be centered a bit. Depends on how heavy the bed is ???

Which brings me to this question. What woods do you like to work with concerning weight and trying to build light ?Image

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Just build an inverted box to cover the spare. It will become the raised floor for the potty. Just make it large enough for your feet when you're sitting on the can. Shouldn't need to be much larger than the spare tire anyway.
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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Mon Sep 02, 2019 9:03 pm

I was thinking the same thing.
It does take up a lot of room though.
There's other options.

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby McDave » Wed Sep 04, 2019 5:22 am

I would really recommend mounting the spare on the outside, preferably on the curb side but the tongue or rear door will also work. you really don't want to "Dig It Out" when the time comes and you are pulled over on the sketchy shoulder of a back road 2 laner with big rig truck traffic. Day or night, that is a scary place. While we are on the subject, it's not a bad idea to rehearse your plan for changing a tire on the trailer. You may change your plan after you try it. Also you can be sure your jack and lug wrench and wheel chocks are up to the job. Find a place where you can practice that is not your driveway, and imagine being on the side of a 2 lane highway with traffic traveling 70+ mph in both directions. Sometimes you don't have choice where you will be working, so having everything you will need handy and NOT hanging out in the road on the drivers side and having a plan you know works will make for safer, faster repair. The difference between an inconvenience and emergency or disaster is usually a plan.

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:06 pm

Yeah. I've moved the jack and wrench in the jeep just to make a quicker swap. It's usually under the rear seat burried. No way I'd mount a spare on the roof rack like some do. Heavy .

The "under toilet" box plan, was so I could open up the left barn door and slide the spare out quickly .
I noticed some that bring a battery powered impact gun for spare swaps.
Im like Xmas story "give me 5 minutes" .

Guess I'll sort out the spare when I actually get the trailer.

Kinda makes me want to start a spare tire swap challenge.


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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby dirtsailor2003 » Thu Sep 12, 2019 8:39 pm

I store my spare up front, inside. I purchased the spare tire mount for E Track. Holds the tire up against the wall and takes up very little space. Easy to get to. I wanted the tire inside to keep the weather off of it and to deter theft.

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:16 pm

Been checking out windows. I was referred to some playhouse windows on here but kinda like these more and dont look so cheap.
Debating whether I should put a 3rd window in the right side barn door.
Maybe adding to the ventilation.

Gonna start dressing up the teardrop SO I can put it up for sale here shortly.

I got to chill in a Casita last weekend and has me even more exited for this project.Image

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Sat Nov 02, 2019 9:43 am

Im still debating whether on having a RV door on the passenger side.

Our main entry will be through the rear doors with the bed up front.

One thing we could use the side door is for some under bed storage.
Possibly another spare location for quick swaps.
Slide out drawers will be installed at the foot of the raised bed.

Another thing im debating is the axle drop. The unit I test drove and the show model had a 4" drop axle.
With only 13-1/4" clearance underneath.
(The teardrop has 17" )
I've seen a flip axle trailer but it may be too tall for my shop door.
Guess I could compromise and get a 2" drop.


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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby McDave » Sat Nov 02, 2019 1:12 pm

I think you can have the "Man Door" located just about anywhere except over the axle. So maybe just forward or behind the axle could work. It is nice to have fold in stairs under the door as well. I suppose you could mount those under the rear barn doors as well.
I think you would want the trailer axle to be as close in height as possible to the tow vehicle axle, but if you have other limits like the shop door etc. that may not be imperative. Good idea to research these things before you place the order.

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby hankaye » Sat Nov 02, 2019 9:14 pm

Modstock, Howdy;

About dealing with the height check-out what this young lady does when it's time to
get it out of the weather.
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=62418&p=1255562#p1255562

You might also check with the folks that deal with vehicle inspections in your State.
If those windows do not have tempered glass in them it may not pass inspection.
Or you might have to re-glaze them with tempered glass.

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:20 pm

Thank you for bringing that up.
After looking into it, these windows are NOT tempered.
Looks like I'll be getting the play house windows with tempered glass.
My state quit doing state inspections, which is scary .


On height. I'll have to also consider the roof vent height.

Update;;;;;
I did measure my TD's roof vent which I changed to a metal lid, lowered it to only 2" high.
The plastic lid is much taller by another 2 inches.

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Last edited by Modstock on Sun Nov 10, 2019 11:06 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Wed Nov 06, 2019 2:22 pm

Have any of you ordered your Cargo's with shocks installed ???
Im not even sure if it's an option but might as well if im having it built.

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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby PiddleFart » Wed Nov 06, 2019 3:49 pm

I installed my own, you can order a kit from etrailer that has the brackets and shocks.
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Re: Getting ready to convert.

Postby Modstock » Sun Nov 10, 2019 11:00 am

Did you notice a difference with the shocks ?

When I test towed the 5x8 , it was a huge difference from my bouncy TD.
When I go to the factory, I'll probably request to test tow a 5x10 before pulling the trigger.

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