ApacheXMD
New Member
I wanted to share my build with you guys. This isn't really a build log, as it's mostly done (but never done done), but we have taken her out in a few trips already and we are really enjoying it. This is our first camper, and we really wanted a tear drop but they were cost prohibitive for us right now. So I bought myself a brand new Interstate Loadrunner 5x8 with a 5'-1" interior height, which is just enough for the wife to stand up it. This is very nice to for changing without doing the pants shuffle on your butt.
Anyway, here are some pictures.
I cut in windows on both sides, installed a 3D printed porthole in the door, installed an RV latch, and put in a step. Also seen here are the low profile fender marker lights that replaced the big ugly ones that the trailer came with. This makes the fender a little more usable as a work surface or just a place to put stuff.
This is the galley. There is 1/2" plywood bulkhead separating the cabin and the galley, and the cabinets are made out of 1/4" ply that is glued into routed grooves in the bulkhead. I was hoping this will keep things lightweight but adequately strong. The fridge is a 60L 12v Alpicool compressor fridge/freezer. I put in a small salad bowl sink and a USB faucet/pump that draws from a 5gal fresh water tank, and drains into a 5gal grey tank. I carry the grey tank to the toilets to flush at the state parks we usually stay at. You can also see the 2kwh portable power station that powers everything. With a bit of sun, I think we can stay out about 4days. I installed an XT60 port for solar and 120v shore power port on the left rear of the trailer and I plug in a 200w suitcase solar panel and chase the sun manually. Under the rear counter I also installed a manual transfer switch and GFCI that protects all the interior 120v receptacles.
On the rear door I made a flip down counter top to add additional prep space. The large fridge and sink really cut down on the counter space in the main galley, so I had to come up with something. The door-mounted counter also slides up (you can see the vertical tracks) when stowed, to clear the fridge when the door is closed.
I have a linear LED strip installed just in front of the cabinet at the ceiling. It's controlled by a Shelly Plus RGBW PM controller, which runs all of the trailers lighting (galley, interior, and underglow). The Shelly controller lets you wire in switches with simple and cheap momentary switches, in parallel if desired, to allow for multiple switch locations. It can run a single RGBW color changing fixture or 4 independent single color LEDs with 4 independent inputs. Dimming works by long pressing the momentary switch.
This is a shot of the interior. I have a Milliard 6" folding full size mattress, and a removable bunk for the kid. He gets just an inflatable sleeping pad. The bunk platform is attached using French cleat clips at each corner. This system works but is a bit difficult to line up just right, and I'm coming up with a better system. The idea was to be able to easily lift the bunk platform to flush out with that rear bulkhead to become a shelf. This will give adequate headroom for sitting under the platform.
On the right side of the photo you can see the laser cut enclosure I made that houses an 80mm fan and speed controller that provides ventilation. We leave both side windows open a crack when sleeping, and along with the fan on low, condensation hasn't been an issue so far. The walls and ceiling is insulated with 1" XPS and the floors have 1-1/4" XPS installed from below.
Flooring is just cheap vinyl sheet from the orange big box store.
Here you can see the full size mattress folded out with a few inches to spare. The wife and I are not big people so this works for us. On the back wall you can see one set of USB ports and one of the momentary buttons that controls the interior lighting. There is a matching setup on the left side of the trailer.
Here you can see the interior cabinets I built. It's shaped that way near the door because I wanted the cabinets to be a certain depth, but the placement of the door and the retractable screen door housing didn't give me enough room to go straight to the wall. This detail proved difficult because my design called for the front cabinets to support the bunk platform as well,so I had to weld up an angled steel bracket that bolts to the trailer walls. The steel bracket supports the bottom of the cabinets and the front of the bunk platform. You can see the series of machine screws that marries the 1/4" plywood of the cabinet face to the steel bracket that is hidden underneath.
The design of the cabinets also let's my kid put his feet into the adjacent cubby hole as he grows.
Peaking out front below the cabinet is another laser cut enclosure that houses a 120v receptacle, two USB charging spots, and two more momentary buttons that controls interior and exterior underglow lighting. If you're keeping count, I have three buttons that control the interior lighting, all wired in parallel to the Shelly controller.
I'm still playing around with the idea of shelving on the wall under the cabinet, but I've got a few more finishing touches to tackle, like the ceiling covers and miscellaneous trim. Maybe painting the entire interior.
Anyway, thats all I got. It's a nice little trailer, and it's working nicely for us so far. I welcome your comments and questions and criticisms.
Anyway, here are some pictures.
I cut in windows on both sides, installed a 3D printed porthole in the door, installed an RV latch, and put in a step. Also seen here are the low profile fender marker lights that replaced the big ugly ones that the trailer came with. This makes the fender a little more usable as a work surface or just a place to put stuff.
This is the galley. There is 1/2" plywood bulkhead separating the cabin and the galley, and the cabinets are made out of 1/4" ply that is glued into routed grooves in the bulkhead. I was hoping this will keep things lightweight but adequately strong. The fridge is a 60L 12v Alpicool compressor fridge/freezer. I put in a small salad bowl sink and a USB faucet/pump that draws from a 5gal fresh water tank, and drains into a 5gal grey tank. I carry the grey tank to the toilets to flush at the state parks we usually stay at. You can also see the 2kwh portable power station that powers everything. With a bit of sun, I think we can stay out about 4days. I installed an XT60 port for solar and 120v shore power port on the left rear of the trailer and I plug in a 200w suitcase solar panel and chase the sun manually. Under the rear counter I also installed a manual transfer switch and GFCI that protects all the interior 120v receptacles.
On the rear door I made a flip down counter top to add additional prep space. The large fridge and sink really cut down on the counter space in the main galley, so I had to come up with something. The door-mounted counter also slides up (you can see the vertical tracks) when stowed, to clear the fridge when the door is closed.
I have a linear LED strip installed just in front of the cabinet at the ceiling. It's controlled by a Shelly Plus RGBW PM controller, which runs all of the trailers lighting (galley, interior, and underglow). The Shelly controller lets you wire in switches with simple and cheap momentary switches, in parallel if desired, to allow for multiple switch locations. It can run a single RGBW color changing fixture or 4 independent single color LEDs with 4 independent inputs. Dimming works by long pressing the momentary switch.
This is a shot of the interior. I have a Milliard 6" folding full size mattress, and a removable bunk for the kid. He gets just an inflatable sleeping pad. The bunk platform is attached using French cleat clips at each corner. This system works but is a bit difficult to line up just right, and I'm coming up with a better system. The idea was to be able to easily lift the bunk platform to flush out with that rear bulkhead to become a shelf. This will give adequate headroom for sitting under the platform.
On the right side of the photo you can see the laser cut enclosure I made that houses an 80mm fan and speed controller that provides ventilation. We leave both side windows open a crack when sleeping, and along with the fan on low, condensation hasn't been an issue so far. The walls and ceiling is insulated with 1" XPS and the floors have 1-1/4" XPS installed from below.
Flooring is just cheap vinyl sheet from the orange big box store.
Here you can see the full size mattress folded out with a few inches to spare. The wife and I are not big people so this works for us. On the back wall you can see one set of USB ports and one of the momentary buttons that controls the interior lighting. There is a matching setup on the left side of the trailer.
Here you can see the interior cabinets I built. It's shaped that way near the door because I wanted the cabinets to be a certain depth, but the placement of the door and the retractable screen door housing didn't give me enough room to go straight to the wall. This detail proved difficult because my design called for the front cabinets to support the bunk platform as well,so I had to weld up an angled steel bracket that bolts to the trailer walls. The steel bracket supports the bottom of the cabinets and the front of the bunk platform. You can see the series of machine screws that marries the 1/4" plywood of the cabinet face to the steel bracket that is hidden underneath.
The design of the cabinets also let's my kid put his feet into the adjacent cubby hole as he grows.
Peaking out front below the cabinet is another laser cut enclosure that houses a 120v receptacle, two USB charging spots, and two more momentary buttons that controls interior and exterior underglow lighting. If you're keeping count, I have three buttons that control the interior lighting, all wired in parallel to the Shelly controller.
I'm still playing around with the idea of shelving on the wall under the cabinet, but I've got a few more finishing touches to tackle, like the ceiling covers and miscellaneous trim. Maybe painting the entire interior.
Anyway, thats all I got. It's a nice little trailer, and it's working nicely for us so far. I welcome your comments and questions and criticisms.
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