A 12 ft. FEATHERLITE conversion

[Prem]

Bruce,

Here's a long one with a single axle:
http://www.gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/visa/overview.php

18 feet long, here's what I have in mind (kinda sorta):

http://media.photobucket.com/image/1948%20Sportsman%20trailer/1948rob/Sportsman%2520for%2520sale/8.jpg

[Prem]

[Trackstriper]

Prem,

I had looked over the Visa maybe six months ago while visiting a local RV dealer....kinda looked like a teardrop on steroids. I stopped by the dealer last Saturday and crawled under and around three different models of the Visa. Poking and prodding.

The friendly sales guy, who had been in the RV building business for something like a dozen years, came by and we talked a bit. When I broached the subject of formaldehyde he got talking about how the industry has made a major effort to eliminate out-gassing and VOC issues (I'd noticed a lot of "green" stickers at another RV lot). This particular dealership leaves a few windows in their trailers somewhat open to allow air to circulate and keep the temps down, it can still get fairly warm here even this time of year. I was good for about 15 minutes in the Visa before I started to get "foggy" in the brain pan. My wife would have been good for about 5-10 minutes before it would have started to affect her. And these were good examples of commercial trailers, we've just got a heightened sensitivity to some chemicals. BUT, Suzans' view - which I share - is that while we are the canaries in the coal mine, the long term effects of some of these chemicals may be affecting people's health in ways that they just can't put a finger on. FEMA trailers.

The only manufactured trailer that I could live with, having spent twenty minutes in one and noticing no ill effects, is the Earthbound RV, which has no wood of any kind in it....yes I really looked. It's a little pricey for my budget, although I do get tempted...just a little bit.



Back to the Visa. I was really hoping that , just maybe, I could get lucky and be able to work with the basic trailer, it would be so much easier than doing a proper cargo conversion, and the price is right. The review is a mixed bag. Basic structure was very nice, but little issues here and there would drive me, or you, crazy. Some things were done very well and other things were purchase stoppers...at least on one trailer on the lot... things beyond my personal formaldehyde limitation issues. Would probably make a good trailer for the normal person for vacation adventures.

I'm still on the Aluma or Featherlite path, working with my local dealers, who are located about a quarter mile from one another! Sort of like going to Home Depot and having Lowes just across the street. Yesterday I ruled out the steel-framed trailer possibilities, at least the store bought trailers. I just can't go there after looking over the all-aluminum rigs. Different world as far as build quality.

You did well with your choice.

Bruce

[Prem]

Bruce,

Either Featherlite or Aluma are excellent. Get what you want. Don't compromise and you'll be happy for years to come!

Prem

[Engineer Guy]

As I got to understand the 1983 31' Avion Bumper Pull I bought to live in while building a House, I realized I had stumbled onto a gem for a very reasonable price. The local Seller even towed it up to our Land on a handshake for my out-of-town Check after I got the price down. Ah, the good ole, pre-Craig's List scam days... We'll trade it soon for a smaller Bumper Pull and hit the road, or I'll build ASAP...

Avion Trailers are all-Al, welded, and on 8" channel Steel with full underbelly, heated enclosure. This helps smooth air flow, and prevents freezing of liquids. Above Chassis, it's insulated with ~1.5" of Polyiso spray in Foam [~R-12]. See a similar Foam option linked below if - as a sidebar - that's a Chemical alternative for you.

I've seen on CL some gutted Airstreams at very reasonable prices [a few $k]. Consider starting with a welded Al, known 'entity' and customizing from there. The 'Silver Streak' brand also shows up, but I'm not as familiar with it. Consider that you're getting a seriously-stout Frame; Wheels w/Trailer Brakes; a place for Batteries and Propane; Windows; AC to use or resell; a Screen Door; etc. with welded Al construction, and the value adds right up. Dry weight is 5,830 lbs with 'real' Cabinets and all Factory Furniture and Appliances. Not bad for such a long Trailer... Do the Math re: an Al Trailer ~1/2 the length.

My Wife has Chem sensitivities also; first 'developed' when they remo'ed the School she taught at. We didn't have to go overboard much on our new House. Just low Chem Cabinetry. No special Paint. There's no Carpet anyway; it's all stained Concrete Floor [the Solar Mass] and time-tested throw Rugs.

http://www.energyefficientsolutions.com/sprayfoam.asp?gclid=CK7mn5zZuqUCFYHc4Aodk0PWYg

A pal of mine just scored a '88 Wilderness Yukon with a mighty sweet floorplan in a 14' Box for $2.3k. It's outgassed by now, and would let you start with an insulated Box and a wet Bath, etc., along with the Avion infrastructure features like 3 Tanks w/Remote Sensors and an Electrical Center. They did a great job on tucking the Shurflo Pump and Water Tank, etc., out of the way where they're still accessible.

[Prem]

E-Guy,

I have a friend named Neal. He lives in a single-axle Airstream that he restored to better than new. I've seen him restore 3 other Airsteams. He has to remove the belly pans to get at the steel floor bracing that is always rusted severely. He removes the plywood floors and hits the mess with grinder and welder. He sand-blasts, primers, paints and then undercoats all the steel floor and chassis structure including the axles. He builds new belly pans using leather, dead blow hammer and sandbag to get the curves. And this is just the first step!

Lots of work.

Get a cargo trailer and convert it. You'll be bucks and hundreds of hours ahead.

[Trackstriper]

There's a factor that I maybe hadn't put up on the forum. There is a very valuable asset in having a travel trailer that doesn't look much like one, at least for my purposes. I wind up traveling a fair amount with my job, my name of the forum is pretty much self-descriptive. I want to take my wife with me on jobs and explore some of the good old USA at the same time. I should be able to park this trailer, at least during the day, at my worksite.....which is basically a college or high school track. I can probably overnite at some facilities, depending upon the exact location and temperament of the powers in charge, or find a campground. But at least during the day I should be able to get a better meal at lunch, eat a real dinner if I'm working 'til dark in the summer, have better "facilities" when needed, be able to get out of the heat a bit during the summer, allow Suzan to be able to occasionally help me.....blah, blah, blah.

Stealth is the key. If it looks plausibly like a work/cargo trailer nobody will fuss. If I put out an awning, set up the BBQ, etc. .....that ain't going to work. I will have to walk a very fine line. I plan on no awning, and just one window in each side to give some vision outward. Thinking along Prem's lines, I plan on using several skylights to let light into the trailer.

More later.

[Prem]

The beauty (for me at least) of having the windows only on one side of the trailer is that there's an entire wall on the other side for sofa/bed, cabinetry, closet, corner shelves, mirror, artwork, etc. Windows really diminish the cabinetry possibilities (much needed storage volume). I put in one skylight to let in more light. I'm thinking that next spring I will put in one more. (Not 'cuz the trailer is dark in the daytime. It's not. Just 'cuz I like looking up at the sky, especially at night while laying in bed. Sleeping in luxury under the stars.)

[HIPPYHUNTER]

Darn You Prem! So Jealous of your Featherlite! I just missed a $1500 6x12 here in Tulsa! Drat! The guy sold it off of CL in 4hrs!
Are you in "Z" now? My ex-father in law owns a casa next to El Vira (sp) on the boardwalk facing the bay where the fish guys are.

[MegC]

OT- is that a greyhound I see in your picture collection?

[Prem]

HH,

Si Senor. I caught 20 Sierra and 2 fat Perch today a few miles north of Ixtapa Island a couple of miles offshore. We took our catch back to my fishing buddy Gilberto´s restaurant on the beach and his wife cooked us each one for dinner.

You can buy my Featherlite if you want. PM.

Meg,

My dog is half Whippet and half Yellow Lab. When she was a year old she looked way more like a greyhound than she does now. World´s fastest Yellow Lab now. It´s funny how genes work. lol

Prem el Mexicano

[Guy]

Dear Prem,
Glad you are enjoying your trip

[MegC]

...My dog is half Whippet and half Yellow Lab. When she was a year old she looked way more like a greyhound than she does now. World´s fastest Yellow Lab now. It´s funny how genes work. lol

Especially if she's got hunting lab on that other side I'd imagine that cross could come out a varmit killing machine. If you run out of fish you could both live on the rabbits she catches, lol...

Selling your Featherlite?!? What the....????

[HIPPYHUNTER]

Prem do you know of the bar I am referring to in Z? On the boardwalk looking at the bay? I have hauled some nice Sailfish in down there.

[Prem]

HH,

No such name as ''El Vira'' (though I miss her on the Coors ads around Halloween).

Meg,

Yeah sure. Everything has it´s day. I currently have two other trailers in various stages of completion and only one driver and tow vehicle. ¿What´s a builder to do?

She´s an awesome retriever of tennis balls thrown 50 yards. Flying mid-air catches are her specialty.

Guy,

Fish are for eating.

Prem