6x14 sled hauler/camper conversion

[theendresult]

Ive been planning to get started on my expedition camper conversion but before I do there is something that Id like to clear up and I hope that you guys and gals might be able to lend some of your knowledge.

Im going to be using the trailer to haul my snowmobile as well as to camp in instead of getting a hotel. If I insulated it and put up vapor barrier, installed a furnace and roof vent fan would I be able to sleep in it with my sled inside as well. All the snow would melt and Im hoping drain out through the back somewhere but would there be too much moisture to sleep? Would that cause problems for electrical, ect.

Also what would I be able to build the floor out of so it wouldn't require a month of running a heater in it to completely dry out it out?

Thanks for the help

[Shadow Catcher]

There is no reason this can not be done. However the prospect of sleeping in a trailer snuggled up to a snow machine... make one side a drip pan with drain (it will however freeze when the melt hits cold air) and or wall it off completely (my vote) less area to heat...

[mskobier]

theendresult,
I am using mine as an ATV hauler. So I have a couple of things you might want to consider.

I do not like sleeping near a gas tank. I know it should not be a problem, but its my personal preference. Also, if you fill the fuel tank while it is outside ( as you should) and the fuel is cold, once inside the trailer where it is warm, the fuel will expand and could drip out of the overflow tube. Gas vapors inside where there is electrical switches is a very bad thing!

There is not as much room in your trailer as you might think. Mine is 7x16, and with two full size ATV's, there is very little room left. Your sled is at least 8ft long, probably closser to 9-10ft. That leaves about 4-6ft of available room. Your original post stated that your trailer was a 6x14. If you are of average height, you would need to sleep lengthwise or diagonally in the trailer if you want to be able to strech out.

The prospect of melting snow in the sleeping area is not good either. For the melted snow to drain out of the trailer, the floor would have to be on an incline. Good for water drainage, but not so good for sleeping.

There are a number of floor coating available that would work over the plywood floor. I painted the floor in mine with a latex based exterior porch and deck paint. It is light grey in color. When I returned from my latest trip, I just cranked up the front of the trailer so there was an incline, cleared everything off of the floor and hosed it out. left the doors open for several hours for it to dry out. The sled track will be rough on the floor, so you may want to install some track pads or something similar.

How do you plan on heating the CT? There are a couple of different ways to heat the inside. One is one of the propane catalytic heaters. They work good, but put a lot of humidity in the air. Also consider the heater a source of open flame. Do not fuel or store gas near one! The route I went was to install a small forced air furnace. I used an Atwood 12,000 BTU unit in mine. Easy on a storage battery and propane too. I had to make a 90 degree duct to direct the hot air towards the reat of the trailer since mine was installed along the front drivers side with the exhaust out the side of the trailer.

What I would recommend is to leave the sled outside under a tarp to keep the snow off, and utilize the empty trailer as a small camper. That way, you can install whatever creature comforts you might want in the front section, and still be able to haul the sled.

Have fun with your project,
Mitch