Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

My 6 x 12 V nose built by Diamond is one year old this month. I have been busy the last few weeks filling up my photo album with pictures of the first year of conversion. We use the trailer to carry stuff and an ATV to the cabin where we stay for two months at a time. There is a lot of stuff to take so my construction priority is hauling and securing, then ATV transport, Search & Rescue and finally camping. It would be a completely different design if it was to be a full time RV but since we have the Cabin our camping is only occasional. I still have the front cabinets and trim to do as well as a lot of little things that keep popping into my mind.

I purchased the trailer used last spring for $4,000 from a couple that bought it new in the eastern States. They used it to move to a city located one hour away from here in the Canadian west. I had been looking for a trailer like this for some time either new or used and was very close to ordering one new when this came up. We always pay more for stuff here in Canada and a trailer like this new would be at least $6,000. I am not sure what they paid but it was almost $1,000 for them to register it at the boarder and bring it legally into Canada.

I think my trailer is just great…for the price I got it for. However as my pictures will show, Diamond Cargo does some very very sloppy workmanship for a company that states on their web page:
“We have a great crew working at Diamond Cargo.
We deliver extraordinary results at reasonable prices.â€

BC Cargo - I am extremely impressed at the effort you went through to make your trailer better than factory built - painting the metal studs, treating the flooring, covering the wiring, etc. Someday, if I ever sell my current trailer and upgrade to another, your ideas - as well as many others that I have seen on this forum - are definitely going to come into play. Love those LED area lights!

BC. I was wondering if you could post more info about the flooring you used? THANKS

svu3r93...Thanks for your comments.

Cargobob...here is the company web page.
http://www.bltllc.com/g-floor_main.htm
They are better at explaining thier product and it shows may more designs and colours.
I always get good comments when anyone looks at the flooring. It is thick yet easy to cut. Available here in Canada at Costco and Canadian Tire for aprox $175. It come in a roll 7.5 ft wide by 17ft. I think Canadian Tire is a little more silver in colour and also sells both the big roll and a smaller roll.

Nice I like the ability to hose out the floor.
I also like the rear door spare tire mount with locking chain. very nice job overall too.

BC cargo,
While looking at your album, I could not help but notice the three UHF coax connectors, and the mast mounted on the rear with the reference to Ham Radio. I take it you are a Ham. I'm interested in what sort of antennas you plan on installing on the CT. I'm currently planning on installing a High Sierra Screwdriver antenna I have for HF as well as a 2M/440 for local coms. I usually take my IC-706MIIG with me for HF portable, feeding an improvised dipole. The screwdriver antenna will make it so much easier than trying to get a line over a tall tree limb. Anyway, you can send me a PM if you would like.

Mitch KJ7JA

BC,

That is a very impressive build! I think your extra effort in rehabbing the original CT will definitely extend its life.

Can you provide a little more info about your cassette toilet installation please? If possible, I would like to know what the overall dimensions of your bath/shower room is. Also, could you say what the make and model of the sink is?

Thank you,
Tom

Sorry to miss lead you but the Cassette Toilet/Shower pics are not of my unit. I tried to note that info in the pop up captions somewhere. I included them in the album for interested persons planning a new build.
All the other pics are of my Cargo.

Bc Cargo:

Tonight I had the time to read through and look over your detailed photos. You have done a lot of work on your trailer that should of been done right the first at the factory. If there is one good thing that comes out of all your hard work, it is that you know everything has been looked at and fixed by your own hands and you now have a much better understanding of the trailer design and construction.

When I was shopping around for a CT, I researched for a few months before deciding on the brand/model (Haulmark 6x10 V-Nose.) The only reason I did not choose a 6x12 V-Nose is because of parking length contraints here at home.

I also know from that same research, down here (Lower Mainland), a new basic Haulmark 6x12 tandem axle, V-Nose could be had for just under $5000.00. This same price point also applies for a similar equipped Cargo Mate.

In retrospect, would you of purchased the same trailer knowing what you know now or would you looked for another brand of trailer?

I must admit though, I like the V-Nose configuration on the Diamond CT even though there is some front end height lose.

Also I will be "borrowing" your spare tire setup idea for my trailer...hope you don't mind!

Feel free to use any ideas that you see in the pics. That is the sole purpose in posting them...to help the new builds.
In the Lower Mainland there are way more dealers and that tends to bring the price down. I would drive down and spend some time there looking if I was to order a new one. A 6 x 10 V nose, single wheel with brakes, ramp and RV door Wells Cargo was about $4,500 here in K town…plus tax.
No, I would not buy a Diamond Cargo again unless it was supper cheap. It is just lucky I can weld and do the work myself. However I do really like the look of the Chopped V.

I had a Haulmark 6x12 back when I was racing, it was built "OK"....but I looked at several brands this year when I got CTC fever. I found something about the build quality in all of them that I didn't like....that's why I decided to build my own.

BC, I have the exact same water heater (Ariston GL4) that I picked up NIB off of craigslist...have you had a chance to try yours yet?

Honestly most trailers I've seen have a lot of little issues. Most of the time its in places you dont see. Once you remove the walls and floor you see all kinds of stuff. I would rather buy a trailer at a decent price and spend some time fixing minor issues then I would buy a high end trailer with no minor problems.. That said, I didn't have to replace my floor and I didn't have any brake issues. I did have the so so ground, scotch locks on all the wiring and some not so great welds. Few other odd and ends. I took the same approach as you. Strip everything out and make improvements where needed.

BC Cargo:

The laminate SS looking sheets that you purchased from Rona, do you have a part or SKU number? The local Rona store here is not being helpful in searching for the sheets in their inventory...

Thanks

22603 00831 is the general number for all 2 x 4 sheets...any colour any style. Colour and style varies by store and time. SS may not be stocked ever again or it could be sitting in a Rona you have not been to yet.