Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Al Swope » Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:18 am

Here some of my build pictures. I’ve stolen so many ideas from this site, that I decided to put something back.

I found this 6x10 CT on craigslist for $800. It’s a 2004 model. The body is in good shape; the doors are solid and close properly. The floor is good shape. There are no leaks. I used a pressure washer to remove all of the vinyl decals.

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Spare tire mount: The PO put this side mount spare tire on. I don’t like it, so I cut a part the old spare tire mount and made this:

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Finished Tire Carrier
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Here is a shot of the inside. The shelves came with the trailer
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I repurposed the ATV tie downs that were mounted to the floor and mounted them to the wall. I cut them to length, scuffed off the rust and painted them black
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Got a fire extinguisher and first aid kit installed. Also some coat hooks.

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I stripped out the old shelves.

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Using birch plywood, I started with the upper shelf. This was a pain to fit because the trailer has a curved front

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Next I made a face frame using a pocket tool jig. This was the first time I tried this tool. It is fast and slick. The face frame was also curved at the top and a pain to fit

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Next some more curves on the shelving unit that were a pain to fit. I used dados to set the shelves.

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I took the face frame off to fit the shelves. It is also attached with pocket screws. I love these things!

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Another productive day, I installed new flooring. I re-drove all the screws that hold down the plywood. I scrapped all the high spots and I used a cup brush/grinder around the edges to remove old caulk and grime. I used a electric heater to get the temp up into the 60s. The flooring was really easy to work with. (28)18" squares at $2 each, so $56 total:) :) I am leaving the heater in overnight to hopefully get a good seal down.

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Finished, I need to get some black caulk and reseal the edges.
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Got some more done on the trailer.
I made the counter top. It is 3/4 oak faced plywood with a piece of oak molding glued and brad nailed the front edge. This water based poly was easy to work with and dried in 30 minutes! I used 4 coats and sanded with 220 between
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I pocket screwed simple cleats to the bottom to mount it.
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I got this plastic drawer from a cubicle at work. It will work great as a junk drawer. I couldn't build one this light or strong on my own, plus it's recycled
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I used screen mold to finish the edges on the birch plywood shelves. It is really easy to work with and makes a nice finish for cheap.
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Here a shot of the complete concept. I painted the interior of the trailer "wild brambleberry". Looks exactly like my kitchen at home! I had 3/4 of gallon left over from last summer. I got some spring loaded cabinet latches from Stanly. I hope they stay shut when the trailer starts twisting/flexing, we'll see.
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby crumvoc » Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:07 am

Looks great. You are doing nice work. I too like pocket screws, although I'm not as skilled in using them as you obviously are. Good job!
Living in the high-desert.
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Woodbutcher » Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:10 am

Great job, looks like you are having fun converting things to suit you! :applause:
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby hankaye » Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:44 am

Al Swope, Howdy;

Looks like you've done a fine job making it 'yours'.
Have you kept the old Military cot?

hank
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Al Swope » Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:54 am

hankaye wrote:Al Swope, Howdy;

Looks like you've done a fine job making it 'yours'.
Have you kept the old Military cot?

hank

Thanks guys. This has been a lot of fun. I am keeping the cot. I really don't want to build in much more because I want to be able to easily empty it and use it double duty for hauling. The cot is easy to move. Funny story on it, some random guy in a parking lot saw me pulling some atvs and says "are you going to camp". I say no, why? He says "you want this"? And proceeds to give me this cot.
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby 225 » Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:47 pm

Looking good!
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Al Swope » Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:28 pm

Some more progress...
I insulated the ceiling with 1" foam board
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White FRP on the ceiling. This stuff is super easy to work with. It can be cut with a jig saw, utility knife or tin snips. I trimmed the edges with pine stop painted gloss white.
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I repurposed some quick fists to keep the bed from sliding around
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I put in attachment points to keep the boxes in place. I used rubber trucker bungees everywhere. These things are cheap and indestructible.
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Hard to see but this is a aluminum water bottle mount to keep the portable "bar" in place
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Sitting bull poster in a matted wal-mart frame, super classy!
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby hankaye » Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:14 pm

Al Swope, Howdy;

Dang Hoss! ... you're trompin' right on through that build
like a hippo through a watermelon patch... :applause: :lol:
Lookin' VERY good!!!

hank
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Al Swope » Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:07 am

hankaye wrote:like a hippo through a watermelon patch...:

You are familiar with my work? :lol: I am taking it out tonight for a test run. It is supposed to rain here, I love sleeping in this thing in the rain. There is nothing like the sound of rain on the aluminum to relax you. Well, except for maybe a campfire and nice drink!
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Gonefishin » Fri Mar 28, 2014 8:39 am

I love what you've done, and you've kept it simple and cost-effective! Good light interior color, FRP is great on insulated ceiling, everything else has a function. Not crowded inside. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby hankaye » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:58 am

Al Swope, Howdy;

Do you have a link for those "quick fists" that you re-purposed for holding the cot in place?
Looks like something neat to have around.

hank
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Al Swope » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:17 pm

hankaye wrote:Al Swope, Howdy;

Do you have a link for those "quick fists" that you re-purposed for holding the cot in place?
Looks like something neat to have around.

hank

They sell them a lot of places here is a link from 4WD
http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Interior-Parts-Accessories/Quick-Fist-One-Piece-Rubber-Clamp.aspx?t_c=9&t_s=411&t_pt=101273&t_pn=eor10010&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=product&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1%2c1&gclid=CJSCuvnqtb0CFS1eOgodWFUAeQ

A lot of guys use these to mounts axes, shovels, flashlights, etc.

Gonefish'n
Thanks fot the completment, I was shooting for simple
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby shepoutside » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:32 am

:thumbsup: Looks good, thanks for sharing, great info as I start my 6 x 10 conversion.
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby hankaye » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:50 pm

Al Swope, Howdy;

Thanks for the link.
I as well appreciate the simplistic approach
you've chosen. Something about it makes much more sense.

hank
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Re: Taj Mah-Al (6 x10 CT Build)

Postby Al Swope » Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:21 pm

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=59344
My shake down run is a success!
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