Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I bought a 7x14 enclosed trailer to convert into a prospecting toy hauler. Here are a few pics of the beginning stages. My hopes are to have a sink, shower, stove, two beds, and heat. This will be my first go at a conversion and I am sure I will have fun in the process.

Toy Hauler Conversion

To help people out, I made a quick Youtube video of the final completed trailer. (Well, I'll must likely make a few minor changes down the road.)

Cargo Trailer Converted

Looking good. I look forward to following your build. Keep the pics coming.

RWH,

VERY nice trailer! And you obviously have the skills to do a really nice job.

For the "air gaps" the best fix is either butyl tape forced into them or spray foam. The spray foam used generously will cover the bottom "plate" of angle iron and keep it from ever rusting again from gravity-puddled, interior condensation and high humidity.

Major plus that your trailer has a really nice RV side door!

Best wishes,

Prem

Looks like this could be a REALLY nice one! Looking forward to the pictures and techniques for "sink, shower, stove, two beds, and heat." I keep thinking about upsizing to a 7X14, but mine ain't broke. I'll be watching yours though. Just about anything you need to know can be, or has been, answered by the members here. I'm betting your expertise will add some more ideas.

Thanks guys. I know I am a new guy on the boards here, but believe me, I have been reading these boards for quite a while now. These boards are a treasure trove of information and I am so happy I found you guys.

Of course, I am having the same problems everyone faces with a conversion such as these. For instance, I have the walls and ceiling insulated, easy enough, but what to do about the floor. Do I insulate the exterior side? Hmm.. I think I will try sandwiching the insulation as a subfloor using spacers for rigidity. Then use some type of floating floor as a finished floor. This way I can just simply weather seal the belly of the beast and not do the belly crawl trying to fasten foam board to the under carriage. Plus I think there may be moisture issues, if I do.

I picked up a shower stall today so hopefully I can get started on the build soon. Getting excited.


First question:

I read somewhere in the forum that there are better inverters than others but for the life of me, I can't find it again. I remember some people were complaining of fan noise. Anyone know a good middle of the road inverter brand that will do the job and be quiet at it in the process?

I've been busting my tail on this project and finally finished with the insulation which took a lot longer than I thought it would. Now to start working out the layout.

Added a few more pics to Photobucket.

Toy Hauler Conversion

Yeah. Great start. Floor insulation too keep em coming.

RWH wrote:Thanks guys. I know I am a new guy on the boards here, but believe me, I have been reading these boards for quite a while now. These boards are a treasure trove of information and I am so happy I found you guys.

Of course, I am having the same problems everyone faces with a conversion such as these. For instance, I have the walls and ceiling insulated, easy enough, but what to do about the floor. Do I insulate the exterior side? Hmm.. I think I will try sandwiching the insulation as a subfloor using spacers for rigidity. Then use some type of floating floor as a finished floor. This way I can just simply weather seal the belly of the beast and not do the belly crawl trying to fasten foam board to the under carriage. Plus I think there may be moisture issues, if I do.

I picked up a shower stall today so hopefully I can get started on the build soon. Getting excited.


First question:

I read somewhere in the forum that there are better inverters than others but for the life of me, I can't find it again. I remember some people were complaining of fan noise. Anyone know a good middle of the road inverter brand that will do the job and be quiet at it in the process?

WOW RHW

Your build is really smoking - world record pace. I used Dow blue board on the floor as it holds 15 psi - but your idea with spacers is also Excellent as its 50% or more cheaper and white foam smashes flat , most here 96% would rather die then loose 1" on the inside - BUT IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GO , I have 2.5" floor, 3" walls and 4" denium in the ceiling. Doors have 1.5" Dow blue board.

I like the Magnum inverters PSW or MSW from 600 watt & up , as I have 2100 watt solar they are EXCELENT. -
Also they work as a EXCELENT quality battery charger & pass through when connected to shore power
The fan is VERY QUIET , is off most of the time, costs start around $600 and up. I have a 1500 MSW & the 1000 PSW
To get them to equalize the batteries you need the $185 control panel well worth the cost.

Morning star makes a great pure sine inverter NO FAN ,- ZERO NOISE, I have 3 of those - EXCELENT for everything , cost $225.

Good luck.

Check my blog

OverTheTopCargoTrailer


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

RWH,
I am curious as to what thickness foam and floating floor you used and what will be your final interior height?
Thanks,
Bob

Bob

Your getting down right personal with the new guy

RWH

The people on this form , nothing is off limits for them
Give em a chance they wanna know your tire pressure

Jerry

Well RWH, what tire pressure are you running with?
Bob

PS On the serious side, the reason I asked is I am trying to decide to pay and extra $151 for 3 or 6 more inches in interior height which also increase wind resistance or go with the shorter interior height and bend over or bump your head a little bit. I was looking to see what others are going to tolerate and maybe that would influence my decision.

Bob, get the height. What's a few gallons of gas and 150 dollars after spending so much on everything else? No since ducking and bumping. That's the consensus I hear from most too. Saving just one all night headache is worth the 150. 6 inches more drag will be minimal.

What he said. Once we made the decision to go with a CT it did not make sense to us to have to slouch, duck, hunch over. YMMV

Diamond Cargo come 6'3" height standard. I used dense foam board that has r3.6 with reflective sides. Then I used 1/2 ply over that. The floor turned out very solid. I have thermo cool ceiling with the same foam under that. Ending ceiling height is 6'2".

Thanks guys for the comments/answers.