7x16 TA Enclosed Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion budgeted fo

[Joel.brian]

Thanks! I had to take a break from the camper this weekend to build a shed



Took two of us 8 hours. Much harder work than the camper lol




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[flboy]

I hope you had electric tools! A lot of screws! Looks good though.

[phoenixbound]

Interesting. I tested mine out for the first time this last weekend. It's a 5,000 BTU unit, 6 x 12 trailer, walls and ceiling insulated, but not the ramp, door or ceiling. In the morning it was about 80 degrees out, I got it down to 72 degrees pretty quick on High. As the day wore on it got up to about 95 degrees outside with 50% humidity (it's really hot here right now) and the trailer temp got up to about 78 degrees.
I think it will okay for sleeping when the sun is down and the outside temp isn't so harsh. The fan blows a cool breeze right across the bed. Will find out later.

Here’s the link to those vents. I’ve added the roof vent link too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SPWT15/re ... cBb1HEYJDP

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015615HA/re ... cBbVH2WHYE

“Also, your trailer cooled down pretty fast …. 68 degrees in one hour … very impressive results. I see that it is a 5k btu unit.
How hot was it outside when you achieved 68 degrees in one hour? “

It was dusk and probably 80 degrees out with no sun. I don’t anticipate running the AC unit much ever during the day because it will most likely only be used for sleeping or during a thunderstorm. I doubt it will be able to keep it very cool if the hot sun is beating down on it. I only have 1 inch of insulation in the ceiling. I got a cheapo $120 a/c unit anyway, I’m not expecting the arctic up in here.

“Did you notice if there was a large temperature difference between the temps at the floor vs. temps at the ceiling?”

I didn’t notice that at all but I think my trailer would be less likely because the AC unit is mounted at the ceiling and it effectively blows the cool air all the way across the trailer when on high cool. Again, it was dark out though so no sun was beating down on the roof.

I don’t mind the questions at all!


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[Joel.brian]

That’s about how mine operates. I don’t plan on using the a/c until evening or rainy weather anyway or else I would’ve invested in a larger unit. I go camping to enjoy the outdoor activities

I had it running all day today to test it because I’m taking it to north Florida this weekend for the inaugural trip. Was a high of 93 and in partial sunlight and it kept the trailer at 79 degrees when I didn’t open the door too much. It felt colder though because of the constant air flow. Was very comfortable and seems to be perfect for my needs.


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[phoenixbound]

I looked at my post again and actually I do have insulation in the ceiling. As you say( and as my wife reminded me) we will be pretty much only sleeping in the trailer, so it doesn't make a whole of sense to install a high capacity AC.

[flboy]

Joel.... any progress? How did the maiden voyage go?

[Joel.brian]

Sprint had no cell the whole trip haha I’ll post an update tonight hopefully, we’re on our way back!


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[Joel.brian]

Update!

I’ve been super busy and unable to work on the camper much, but did have a great time on our week long road trip with the camper up to GA and TN!

I’m happy to say the cheap 5,000 btu A/C works perfect, AFTER the trailer is cooled down. When the trailer is 90 degrees inside, it takes a few hours to cool it down to a comfortable temperature. I imagine all the residual heat in my wood paneling walls doesn’t help, hah. When this unit breaks down in a few years I might go with a larger unit for these hot summer camping trips.

The double axle has been a life saver, it handles the potholes perfectly and also the times i ran off the side of the road on those narrow mountain turns. I’d be a little afraid if I was towing a single axle.

I have to move my spare tire and propane tank somewhere else. Because I don’t have an extended tongue, they both hit my bumper on sharp turns when backing. I dented one side of my bumper already They are currently bolted to the trailer frame where the tongue V’s out.

I averaged 10.8 mpg towing at 70mph during the whole trip. That was with a Ram 1500 5.7L V8.

I still have a whole list of projects to do on the camper and they will come slowly. The next project to finish is the shower and plumbing. I still don’t have any running water in the trailer and we used bath houses during the trip. It was a great time though!

[flboy]

Glad you had a fun trip. Sounds like it all worked well. I am surprised the 5K BTU didn't do better than that? As I t recall from earlier in your thread, you are fully insulated (and taped?) in the walls and ceiling? I had a 7*14 black trailer (not much larger) and the 5K BTU did great even on the hotter days, but it was hanging outside and breathing freely as can be.

You may want to consider insulating under your floor also. I recently did that and it made a big difference certainly in how quickly it pulled down. More than I expected. I thought the floor was more a cold weather thing, but it is a large surface area and there is heat exchange there also. I think it only took 3 or 4 sheets of 2" Styrofoam panels. I just cut and glued underneath between the floor joists (can go a few pages back in my thread for details on how. I did it more recently) . You may also put the white coating on the roof. That will help some also. I hear that is good stuff and worth the $.

I had the same issue on my first CTC with the shorter tongue and got the extended tongue the second time around. I dented my trailer with my bumper as the V-Nose was built out onto the tongue also. Bad design. One of those things you learn. I wish they guys who sell the trailers pushed that more.

Running water inside will be a nice upgrade. There is always something to do on the CTC's. Thanks for sharing your trip.

BTW... My 2011 F150 with 5.0L V8 goes from ~19-20MPG to 10mpg towing... It is to be expected. The trailer weighs nearly the same as the truck and has additional wind loading. Sounds like your truck is normal!

[McDave]

Awesome! That looks like a great time there. It does take some time to get all the systems worked out and maybe some items to re work but you are getting there. I tow with a GMC 3/4ton with a 5.7 (350 ci) and 10mpg is about the best I get at 70. Its not a lot better without the trailer but I can feel it back there like a parachute holding me back. Oh well.
Glad you guys are enjoying fruits of your labor. That's good clean fun right there.

McDave

[Iconfabul8]

Ah, enjoying the fruits of your labors! My problem is, I always find more labors while enjoying the fruits.
I was tired of not being able to put my tailgate down because the hand crank was in the way. So I bought a receiver extender. Might work for you?
Not sure I will ever use the receiver on top but it was only a few bucks more.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17-x9-Dual-Hit ... 1eb994bcb4

[flboy]

Iconfabul8, what is the story of those extenders?

Do they diminish tow capacity or present any other downside for sway or etc.? I need a few inches for my tailgate to clear the jack also. One of these days I am going to get careless and drop the gate down and dent it up.

Edit... nevermind. Answered my own question. I found the following on the extenders website: I think I will just put a bumper pad on the electric jack top so the gate can rest there. Do not want to mess with hitch capacity.

***********
Note: Using a hitch extender will reduce your hitch's overall capacity by 50 percent.

Any type of hitch adapter or extender will have the unavoidable side-effect of causing a loss of about half of your hitch's rated capacity, both its tongue weight (TW) and it's gross towing weight (GTW). Hidden Hitch extender # HE18and Curt Hitch Extender # C45791 both cause a loss of capacity because they change the geometry of the hitch set-up. The added length of the adapter will allow greater leverage to be applied to the hitch tube by the attached trailer or accessory; this is what causes the loss of capacity

***********

Just be aware of that if you use one.

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[Joel.brian]

Yeah I was fearful about that. And I definitely plan on insulating the bottom of the trailer and the rear door which I haven’t done yet!


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[Hader]

I had it running all day today to test it because I’m taking it to north Florida this weekend for the inaugural trip. Was a high of 93 and in partial sunlight and it kept the trailer at 79 degrees when I didn’t open the door too much. It felt colder though because of the constant air flow. Was very comfortable and seems to be perfect for my needs.

I'm surprised that you didn't get it cooler than 79°!
We had a 26° drop in 2 hrs @ 106°. I have yet to test it pass the 2 hrs @ 106°. You might want to check your air intake and exhaust, seal and insulate every thing specially the cabin from the intake chamber..
http://httpswww.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php ... e#p1208113
http://httpswww.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php ... t#p1208242

[Joel.brian]

It works perfectly for my needs at this point but I have been wanting to seal the intake from cabin compartment better. Hopefully it will make a little difference when I get around to it.


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