Tips for a newbie build please?

[MMOLLECK]

hopefully I dont loose my marbles! Im trying to think of a way to trim that out up top and put a piece across the back edge as a little guard. Im going to buy one of those gopher tool things just incase though! I like that little stereo, came with a USB and full shot! Heres the kicker though….the USB will not work with iPod or Droid music players! Just flash drives! WOuld have been EXTREMELY nice for them to tell me that before I made a 3 inch hole! Oh well, Im going to rewire that USB to be battery powered to be used as a charger, and just use the RCA "line in" port to play the music

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi MMolleck,
The cabinet looks good and the alum door fronts are a nice touch. I think you will be glad that you are going to use the space up front for storage ... there is never enough storage space!!
Bob's comment on a hinged corner-counter piece is a good idea and I like using the space for things like hot dog forks that could otherwise find themselves into something other than a hot dog ...

It is probably too late to comment; however, if you can install a couple spring clips (sells at Lowe's, HD, Ace and other Hardware stores for brooms, etc.) in the space, it will help keep the hot dog forks secured.

I used the Hillman clips shown below and use them to hold a broom and rake to the back door (picked them up at an Ace here in Phoenix). They were quite inexpensive and work great ... the broom and rake do not move!

[MMOLLECK]

Hey cool idea! Thanks, i'll check that out! I plan to go to walmart tonight to buy camping essentials to stock the trailer for its maiden voyage this weekend. I'll look to see if they have something similar to that! Im hoping tonight to wire the batteries, the battery boxes are on back order so for the time being, i'll figure out a way to strap them in for the ride

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Sounds like you are almost ready to get on the road and into the wilds

I purchased both my battery box and tie down strap for the battery at Autozone, but just about any well stocked auto parts or marine supply (Bass Pro Shop, Cabella's, etc) should be able to take care of these ... a well stocked Walmart may even have these in the sporting goods or automotive departments (You can see what I did with the battery box in my Gallery; note: The box is also screwed (4 plcs) to the tongue deck and a piece of 1/4" toolbox tray - plastic foam was added in the bottom of the box to help protect the battery on rough roads...) (gallery/album.php?album_id=3168)

I also added a chain and lock to keep the honest honest and to keep the battery secured [I travel on very rough roads]. I used nothing but these same straps to keep the 3 batteries secured in an 18' Bassboat and they did a great job, even at 60+ mph on rough water (60 miles in 58 minutes on a 3 - 4 foot chop on the Hudson River ... that was a rough ride)

Good luck and short trips before the trailer is complete always helps to surface issues or needs that you need to add or change ... Good luck and let us know how the trip goes.

[MMOLLECK]

Yea, I just called the local oreilly auto parts store, and put them on order. Said they should be here tomorrow afternoon, which I'll already be sitting around a fire by that time. Boxes were $10 each, but had to order since they are deep cycle 6 volts. Im mounting mine right where they are inside. I asked my buddy (GM at the local interstate battery shop) and said with these batteries, I don't have to worry about venting…..we'll see how that goes. Plan B would be to fab up a bracket to mount on either side of the tongue. Unfortunately, there isn't any space on top of the tongue of mine to mount anything like that. Tomorrows trip is only 65 miles away, and the weather is suppose to be perfect. High of 70 low of 50 and i'll see how the dog fairs with it all too, pretty sure he will like it!

[MMOLLECK]

Well first time out was a success! Everything worked great, ran stereo all weekend and batteries are still showing 85 percent charge! Had a blast! Dog liked it, and slept well last night. Was especially useful when we had a surprise down pour rain....well brought all the chairs in and played drinking games while we waited for it to pass. Really looking forward to getting side window in!

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Glad to hear the trip went well

I can get where you are coming from when you say, "Really looking forward to getting side window in!" ... I love the windows and am thinking I'll stick one in the door!

My buddy has a trailer we used a couple times and I could not stand the almost claustrophobic feeling of being closed in and not being able to at least see out ... It would almost drive me nuts_I like to see out

Well first time out was a success! Everything worked great, ran stereo all weekend and batteries are still showing 85 percent charge! Had a blast! Dog liked it, and slept well last night. Was especially useful when we had a surprise down pour rain....well brought all the chairs in and played drinking games while we waited for it to pass. Really looking forward to getting side window in!

[MMOLLECK]

Right! It would have been awesome to feel a breeze when I was laying down! I do need to figure out a window shade for the roof vent though! The spotlight from the sun at 6 AM wasn't good for a hangover

[hankaye]

MMOLLECK, Howdy;

I do need to figure out a window shade for the roof vent though! The spotlight from the sun at 6 AM wasn't good for a hangover

, Sounds like you need to strategically place a tree with the proper amount of foliage ...

hank

[MMOLLECK]

HAHAHAHA right! Unfortunately the trees around here aren't in full bloom yet, next time I probably won't have much of an issue. My brother suggested painting the vent cover black....doesn't sound like a bad idea