8.5x16 Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

[rose090999]

Picked up my new Quality Cargo Trailer from Nashville, Ga last Friday. Other than the jack failing while hitching up in their lot (they swapped it out for a new one faster then a NASCAR tire change) the delivery went well. Towed it back to PA yesterday during the Nor' Easter with wind gusts of 30+ mph. Trailer towed fine with a little sway with the wind gusts but MPG suffered severely down to 7 mpg in my RAM 1500. Couple of issues I have with the build is that they installed a 30A twist lock style plug instead of the normal 30A RV plug and the rear drop down jacks I had installed will not come down. Going to try to spray some WD40 up in there and give it some good whacks. Other than that the build looks good with good welds, use of real screws, trim work, and additional electrical components all in working order. Now the build will start once all of this snow has melted here in PA Planning on 2 twin murphy style beds in the back, small living space w/kitchen, and a toilet and shower up toward the V nose, maybe do some solar. Here's the details of what I'm starting with....pics to come.

8.5x16 Indigo Blue Polycore
5200# straight axles
extended 48" TTTongue
(2) 15x30 windows
(1) 15x30 Horizontal window in the door
12v electric stub out with battery
13.5K AC w/30A electric package
12v electric vent fan

 

[rose090999]

So started the build this week, or should I say started the de-construction. Had to pull some panels down to re-wire the 120 and 12v and get them where they need to be. Adding some 12v puck lights as well as some 120v outlets. Got my black, grey, and fresh tanks in the mail this week so plumbing will start soon as well. As soon as I can upload some pictures I'll post my progress. Right now starting out very slowly

 

[rose090999]

 

[rose090999]

 

[rose090999]

So the plan I have for the plumbing is I'm going to build up the taped off section with 2x6's and have my tanks sit between the base floor and a floor on build on top of the 2x6's. I have a 17 gal (32"x32"x5") black tank that's represented in the taped off outline and a 13 gal (24"x39"x 4") gray tank that will sit under where the spare tire is. My shower will sit on top of that with a sink and small vanity in between. Should only have to cut 2 holes in the floor to route the drains. I was having issues sourcing big enough tanks that would fit in the "V" section of the trailer between the floor joists so I decided to build up the floor and put the tanks in between. Going to try to build the floor in such a way so that if I need to replace the tanks I shouldn't have to rip up the entire floor. Going to build a closet on the right side corner where the battery is located. Probably going to have space for 2 or 3 batteries , my water heater, and a place to hang a couple of jackets or shirts. Thats the plan for now...

 

[rose090999]

Build has been on hold for a little bit to get the title transferred to PA and get the state inspection done. While they were doing the state inspection and in the process of trying to get my rear jacks down they must have disconnected wiring that go to my rear lights. Apparently the reason I couldn't get my jacks down is that they must have screwed directly into the metal tube that the jack slides into preventing the jacks from sliding down. In addition they must have ran some of the wires somewhere close because when they were trying to force the jacks down must have clipped the wires...ugh. Hopefully I can get back to it this week and post some pics....

 

[rose090999]

 

[rose090999]

Starting to frame out the bathroom. Hopefully I'll get some time this weekend to finish it up and start on the plumbing.

 

[flboy]

Lots of work for sure. Just got done with the bathroom in my conversion. Looking good. How are you getting the tank drains out? Through the side or bottom of the trailer?!

 

[rose090999]

Just going to do a 90 degree straight out of the bottom with 2 separate drains then run it along the floor joists. 1 for the grey and 1 for black. Probably going to do the floor in 2 pieces with access to each drain just in case of any future leaks....better to only have to rip up half the bathroom than the whole thing if it springs a leak. I had to do the tanks above the floor like this due to the "V" limiting me on tank size. I was able to get a 17 gal black and a 13 gal grey which should allow me to hopefully go without dumping for 3 to 5 days. I'm planning on running a separate grey tank/line for the kitchen. That one , I believe, is a 10 gallon tank.

 

[flboy]

I see. I had a hard time selecting tanks and fitting them under the trailer because the way the frame comes together. I ended up cutting out a floor joist and spacing them out slightly differently without disrupting the frame itself. I did have to do some welding. I special ordered the tanks to fit the dimensions I had. I have a 35 gallon gray water and 45 gallon blackwater. I figured I can let gray onto the ground in remote places. The black water is the only pacing item.

I do the same. I build with the repairs in mind. Have to be able to access critical areas without total destruction. Hopefully never have to repair, but you never know. I can actually drop either tank out from below, an I built plumbing up in a way for relatively access.

Keep up the good work!