Car trailer I'm converting to toy hauler

[Blown284]

Hi everyone! I was asking questions over at the rv forum and someone pointed me here. Glad I came because I've learned a bit. I wanted to share some pictures of my trailer with you and also get advice if someone can help.

Hi everyone! I have owned this car hauler (approx 8 X 22 foot) for the past few years and haven't really used it much. Now I have a few ATV's plus a two-wheeler dirt bike and can't wait to take the woman, dog and hit the trails in luxury (or as close to luxury) as we're gonna get in this trailer LOL.

Recently I've installed windows and fold down bunks (one on each side) but have several questions that I'm hoping someone can help with and I'll try to go in order:

1) I'm putting in insulation now (pink foamular 250) and had planned on putting as thin of plywood over it, then, paneling. My question is, what kind of paneling can/should I use that is reasonably priced? I looked at FRP but that seems to be extremely expensive and this project can get out of control really quickly.

2) Currently there is linoleum on the floor and I bought new linoleum. Question is, can I just put the other linoleum right over top the other? Should I use glue?

Here are some pictures (some before and some after some fo the work I've done).

Here are a few pictures of before and well... I don't think there's ever gonna be an "after" but here's the work in progress:




Picture from near the back of the trailer looking forward. You can see the shelf up there, fridge (bottom right hand side). I know it's a mess and I'm cleaning it :-)



Back lights for those times when you need some light.



The insulation that I am putting up. I've actually decided to stop using the 3/4 and go to 1" thickness.



Another picture but this is looking from forward to back of trailer.



My fold down bunks serving a purpose LOL... work bench:



Bike:



Trailer bunks:





Trailer window:



Tow vehicle:





Most of the bikes/ATV's that will be loaded into this trailer:



More pics and info to come!

-Tim

[Blown284]

A little more progress this evening as me and the GF got to hit a place called "Hobby Lobby". I really wanted something to pad the bunks and make them a little safer without worrying about splinters, etc. Also, these provide a little protection. I'm still considering putting some vinyl over this but here's what we have today:



The other side:



Hopefully I'll have some free time tomorrow to start working on installing the 30amp plug (for the outside that connect up when you hit the camp ground and/or for generator) and some other electrical stuff. Once I'm done that, then, it will be time to run the electrical for a few outlets then finish up the insulation, paneling ..... :-) This project seems like it's never ending.

[Blown284]

Made some progress today since I was off. Sure wished I didn't have anything else to do I'd sure make much more progress LOL.

Anyway, here's a picture of the Marinco 30amp hookup. Not exactly a lot of fun drilling holes through your trailer but necessary!



Another shot of the marinco 30amp:



Blurry picture of the marinco 30amp inside the trailer.



Got some of the wiring ran for the A/C. The plan is to put this wiring on the a separate fuse in the distribution panel.



Closer look at the wiring for the A/C:



I also got one side of the trailer wired up and ready for the electrical outlets. Yay!

Next step for the trailer is to pull up all the current linoleum, then, put new linoleum down. After or during the linoleum, I'll be putting the rest of the insulation up, 1/4" plywood and FRP board (or something like it).

[Blown284]

Gonna get ready to pull the old linoleum out since it's curling around the edges. It's been in the trailer since the trailer was new from what I know and that means it's been in there since '97. Not bad at all.

Today I stopped by Home Depot and picked up new Linoleum, glue and also stopped by Harbor Freight to get some e-Tracks (got six 5' rows).



Here are the E-Tracks Harbor Freight has them on sale:



I suspect that since the edges of the old linoleum are curling up I should just rip it all up and replace, right? I was going to just cut where it's curling but afraid it would leave bumps and be a mess. Thoughts?

[Blown284]

Update November 20, 2012:

Since I took off today I figured I'd do something productive (i.e. work on the trailer/camper = TRAMPER!). LOL.

I decided to work on using up the rest of the insulation that I had and make holes for the electrical. Also decided to use that ducting tape that I used on my heater (thumbs up!). I taped all around any seams and around the edges as well. I also changed from 3/4 foam to full 1" to fill up the space better. I still am not sure about what plywood I'm using but guessing it would be approx 1/4" then using FRP wall (or something similar) over that. The reason I'm using plywood is because the FRP is not strong enough if I wanted to put a shelf and I'm still unsure what else I'm going to do with the trailer. I realize it adds weight with the plywood and I'm not overly worried about the weight just yet.

Also I found out that it's rounding out on the edges of the linoleum because whomever put it in went short on all of the edges (doh) and used caulk from the edge of the linoleum to the edge of the camper --- weird. I'm thinking about quarter round or something that will keep water from getting down there and also making it nice and neat. Maybe even use some aluminum edging if I can find some.

Anyway, on to the pictures.

Here's a picture of near the back of the trailer where I almost completed this section:



Yay this little section is complete!



Same side but forward of the trailer:



The complete section you can really see the tape that I used. I suspect that with the insulation + tape around the seams will really help to keep it cool/hot.



The linoleum where it is curling. You can see that I ripped that crappy caulking off it wasn't held to anything anyway. You can also see the staples which I was just testing to see if I used something like that, if they would hold :-)



Almost have one side complete:



I need to get to the store to purchase more insulation and then some plywood , some 2X4's and some 1x3's. Gonna work on building/framing for the cabinet where the fuse box and charter/inverter will be housed. If you look at my earlier pictures, the cabinet will be on the left hand side all the way forward under that shelf that's already there. The plan is to build a small cabinet that will be just above the fridge (making use of every single inch of space). Also need to ensure the inverter has plenty of space since it has a fan to keep cool!).

Enjoy!

-Tim

[Blown284]

Sorry for the flurry of threads. I took a few of the posts from another forum and posted them here since I think it's more appropriate. HOpe no one minds.

If anyone has any input or suggestions, I'm all ears!

Thanks,
Tim

[jwhite]

For my trailer I was going for a really finished mancave feel so I glued carpet on the wall ,I was lucky and found some expensive carpet the right color I wanted on sale as a remnant at lowes and it was cheaper than the really nice paneling I used on the ceiling that was 38.00 a sheet.
I was going to use the really nice paneling on the walls but I found out that just putting it in the ceiling the trailer was not very square and there was more cutting than I wanted to do on the walls and around the window.
In my younger days my buddy and I installed carpet in a couple vans and it made them look great and with a great sound system it was the perfect thing to use.
I have changed alot of things to make my trailer better but this one thing i got right and am really please with the way it looks and feels.
There was a trailer on here not long ago that used the cheaper indoor outdoor type carpet on the inside and i thought it looked good,that type carpet is thin easy to cut and folds and bends and covers well and I think would work well in a toyahuler.

[Blown284]

For my trailer I was going for a really finished mancave feel so I glued carpet on the wall ,I was lucky and found some expensive carpet the right color I wanted on sale as a remnant at lowes and it was cheaper than the really nice paneling I used on the ceiling that was 38.00 a sheet.
I was going to use the really nice paneling on the walls but I found out that just putting it in the ceiling the trailer was not very square and there was more cutting than I wanted to do on the walls and around the window.
In my younger days my buddy and I installed carpet in a couple vans and it made them look great and with a great sound system it was the perfect thing to use.
I have changed alot of things to make my trailer better but this one thing i got right and am really please with the way it looks and feels.
There was a trailer on here not long ago that used the cheaper indoor outdoor type carpet on the inside and i thought it looked good,that type carpet is thin easy to cut and folds and bends and covers well and I think would work well in a toyahuler.

I never considered the carpet on the wall but that is a unique idea. You're right it's a lot of cutting but all worth it to me especially since I've never tackled anything like this before.

[capt4903]

I hope you put plastic or rubber grommets in those holes of the metal framing that your electric cord passes through....hate to see a fire or electric shock later on as road vibration chafes the jacket of that cord.....
something to think about....
nice start on your build...

[Blown284]

I hope you put plastic or rubber grommets in those holes of the metal framing that your electric cord passes through....hate to see a fire or electric shock later on as road vibration chafes the jacket of that cord.....
something to think about....
nice start on your build...

Good eye ! I planned on rubber grommets but will need to figure something out now that I forgot .

[Mud_Bug]

Great start to your build. I'm currently in the process of getting my insulation done, electrical ran, plumbing, and gas lines all before I put my wall covering on. Luckily my floor is covered with 1/4" rubber matting, that surely makes it easy to keep clean. I intend to utilize my trailer as the same purpose as you are.
Here's a few pics of our rides, hope you enjoy.
My wife's wheeler and my Polaris RzR.

[roadinspector]

Since you forgot grommets you might try silicone seal. Just hold the wire in the middle of the hole and put silicone seal around it. This has worked great for me before.

Earnest

[Blown284]

Since you forgot grommets you might try silicone seal. Just hold the wire in the middle of the hole and put silicone seal around it. This has worked great for me before.

Earnest

Think I'll do just that ----- great idea! Thanks!

[Blown284]

Great start to your build. I'm currently in the process of getting my insulation done, electrical ran, plumbing, and gas lines all before I put my wall covering on. Luckily my floor is covered with 1/4" rubber matting, that surely makes it easy to keep clean. I intend to utilize my trailer as the same purpose as you are.
Here's a few pics of our rides, hope you enjoy.
My wife's wheeler and my Polaris RzR.

Awesome bikes! Let's see some pics of the trailer too

-Tim

[Mud_Bug]

Great start to your build. I'm currently in the process of getting my insulation done, electrical ran, plumbing, and gas lines all before I put my wall covering on. Luckily my floor is covered with 1/4" rubber matting, that surely makes it easy to keep clean. I intend to utilize my trailer as the same purpose as you are.
Here's a few pics of our rides, hope you enjoy.
My wife's wheeler and my Polaris RzR.

Awesome bikes! Let's see some pics of the trailer too

-Tim

I have a thread started about my build. Look for "8x22 enclosed trailer".