Started today 6X12

[BDR]

Like some others I want to be able to use my trailer for hauling quads bikes what have you. As well as camp at dog shows in comfort.
6x12 RoadMaster, barn doors with side door.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=48931
[img]
Lets see if this picture thing works for me.
BDR[/img]

[BDR]

did this work?

[BDR]

We got the fold away bunk which is nothing more than plywood and a piano hinge.
Folds flat out of the way with 2 sliding draw bolt locks. Sits on top of 3 20MM ammo cans, they are the perfect height for me, to sit evenly. They also happen to be air tight, water tight (yes they have rubber gaskets) raccoon proof almost indestructible and cheap. Plus they give clearance for my cooler, Big buddy heater, and lots of other storage.


BDR

[BDR]

You need more plugs than this stay at home:o .
Wire drops out of the down feed conduit to plug into gen or shore power.
(All I really need is battery charging which I can do in the van, it has a big inverter)

BDR

[BDR]

The front has a round nose and I wanted a removable shelve/laptop desk
I saw the folks with the flying monkeys, spare tire mount and liked that idea, so I figured that it would bolt through section of 4x4 that I would, mold with a belt sander to the contour.
To the sides of that I would mount a couple vertical 2x4 sections to lock the shelve in place,. A couple more cleats at the out side corners same level as the 4x4 and you have a unit that may need a rubber mallet to assemble and take down.
paper temp (yes I kept it)

left

right

full shelve

Thats it for tonight, I'm bushed
BDR

[devigata]

You're off to a great start! Those rounded corners are a force to be reckoned with, aren't they? I'll tell John you liked his idea.

Why are you using 4X4's?

[BDR]

You're off to a great start! Those rounded corners are a force to be reckoned with, aren't they? I'll tell John you liked his idea.

Why are you using 4X4's?

By the time I sand it down for the contour, it will be more like a 2x4 on the outside edges. I want to have enough remain for a solid mount for my vertical uprights.
BDR

[devigata]

Okay, I get it.

John just screwed cleats into the wall and screwed the shelves onto them. Of course, ours are permanent.

You really are off to a good start.

[BDR]

Just made my second dog show weekend trip in the trailer. It really is a joy just pulling out the camp stove, making coffee + hot breakfast in 5 minutes, watching everyone run. They have been up since 2-3 am to get to the place and get ready, run run run, I'm here to relax not get stressed , and the trailer makes it so much easier.
I pull in the night before, set up go scout a fishing hole I've google earthed before leaving home, come back feed the dogs and sleep like a 12 year old at camp:thumbsup:
Not much has changed (been really busy or fishin, ain't that the same thing?)
Have added multiple tie down points, I think a window or two maybe the next project, so I can see the dogs without opening the door (not that anyone is going to bother them they are American Bulldogs)
I still have total use of the trailer for hauling.
BDR

[devigata]

If you're thinking about windows, you may want to get something larger than what we got. While happy with them, we've thought about putting a couple more in for light and cross breeze. Just pinching some pennies these days.

[Bagwell]

Any updates on your trailer? I think I want to do a cargo hauler also that can convert. I ride motorcycles (dirt and street) and we also race sometimes. I want small footprint that can carry 2 or 3 street bikes and double as a camp trailer. There are some neat ideas and great information in these forums.

[Prem]

BDR,

In the Member's Design forum, check out Pete's 6x12 motorcycle hauler:

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=29658

Prem

[Bagwell]

Thanks Prem for the link to his build. I like his idea, but I would love to take it to the next step with a rounded more front end and if I could figure out how, maybe a tapered tail. Only problem with the tapered tail is the rear door or doors and if you were to taper too much it would just be longer and in the way and all. Maybe using your interference block deals on the rear would make it more or less like a tapered tail...

[Prem]

Bagwell,

Welcome.

To aftermarket taper a cargo trailer to have the air flow qualities of a teardrop would require roughly a 10-12 footer with tandem axles and a lot of rear added on. I've mulled it over hundreds of times on my brain's virtual 3-D display and on paper. That aft space/volume would be hard to make functional without a lot of strong structure added. I doubt one could even get a manufacturer to make a double V: v-nose with a v-tail.

Curving the front would be the easier chore. But if you look at the coefficient of drag of the various shapes (like "hemisphere" versus "airfoil") on http://www.nosecone.com/table.htm. One can see that the rear has as much more to do with aerodynamics and fuel efficiency than the front, especially since the front of the trailer is already drafting the tow vehicle to a greater or lesser extent.

Hence, the simplest, cheapest, time-saving compromise: http://www.airtabs.com/en/.

Far less time and money than major modifications! (That's "mods" to you regulars here.) It took me less than three hours to rattle-can, spray paint them (epoxy appliance white/hammered metal silver), mark the spacing on the trailer, let them dry in the sun, then peel and stick them on.

Ain't nothing wrong with cheatin' and shortcuts! But Boeing can't get away with it like we can.

Prem

[BDR]

I have used this thing as you see it for about a year TEST DRIVE
Have camped, slept, moved furniture, quads etc.
Temps down below freezing and above 90
Been to Mi, IN, OH, PA, WVA, VA, NC, SC, GA
some of them several times.
I think a better bed, high enough for the ammo cans to still slide under. But wider and with it's own legs, some type of folding arrangement.
I think insulation will be a good addition, along with a window or two.
So I'm starting to work on improvements
BDR