prioritizing

[rdemler]

First post here.I'm in the final stages of getting set up with a 7x14 Legend trailer.I was wondering what options you think are the can't do without ones.I've already decided against a bathroom as it is camping and it seems a small temporary tarped enclosure and a bucket will do the trick.I'd like to stick to more cooking and sleeping inside in case of bad weather.My fishing trips are 2700 mile round trips to Montana from Upper Michigan.really interested in safe heating and cooling options.Any advice is appreciated. RDemler

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome to the forum. If you search around in the cargo conversion area you will find several people that put a galley in the rear and cook outside. Opens up the inside of the trailer and minimizes the problems with cooking inside. There are 2 cargos in our group that do this and they work out real well.

[rdemler]

Thank you that's what I'm looking for.Ideas!!

[roadinspector]

You'll find out we're full of ideas and other stuff too!

[Gonefishin]

I do kinda what you're talking about. Heat was the biggest improvement for me. I'm thrilled with my propane Dickerson, but there's other options too. Check out Rainer's heat and trailer ideas too. She has it "wired," so to speak. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=55219 My next important thing was the bed. I use a full size memory-foam mattress for the best afternoon naps and overnight sleeps I get all year. Next priority is my solar panel. Keeps my single 12-volt, deep-cycle battery charged all season. I run low-draw LED lights, charge phone and laptop, and run a 12-volt fan in summer. Speaking of fans, I have a Fantastic portable model, and it works great and draws nothing. It makes hot, still afternoons tolerable. I only cook inside in poor weather, and then carefully on low heat so as not to splatter grease and odors all over. I use a portable crapper, and rarely at that. Outhouses and restrooms are usually around where I go in Montana.

If there's one thing I would like to have, which I don't, it would be A/C. However, I don't want it bad enough yet to run a generator to power it, or cut another hole in the trailer to mount it, or give up the wall space for it, and just deal with one more mechanical thing. I find shade, run the fan, and/or take an afternoon drive in the tow vehicle. I like things simple and nearly maintenance-free.

Many on here have added their own insulation, and in hindsight, I might have gone that way. But, I ordered mine "insulated" from the factory and it is working ok so far. Its thin bubble-type rather than heavy-duty stuff. I don't camp much below 20 degrees, and my heater works fine in that. I never had to remove a panel from inside, and the cost was minimal.

So, we likely cross paths since I spend a good amount of time fishing in Montana from late June-October. Missouri around Craig? Dillon area? Missoula waters? Ennis? West? Island Park (ID)? I like hatches, dries, big rivers, and spring creeks.

You'll love a trailer for this. Its perfect for what we're doing. This place gave me the idea, and all the ideas, and is full of ideas for every option you can think of, and a bunch you never would have considered. The links below have fishing pics, trailer pics, and my thread. Have fun with it!

[Rainier70]

To go with what has been said already -- here is the link to GoneFishin's heater installation: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=56858

[lrrowe]

I have been saving photos of other work that I like or that would give me inspiration to do something like what I saw or something different. And I have done the same with links pertaining to this topic of CT's. These have come from others on this site or that I have found on my own.
I am teaching my self how to write websites so I can have one site to share my family stuff with an another to be totally dedicated to a CT project and all the activities that can come from doing a CT project.

Woodbutcher, I would love to post my website link here to share things but I have concerns.

Right now it is only a listing created for my use....to refer back to now and then and then a lot when I actually start my project. But do I run into trouble with this forum or other protection rights of postings? I am not concerned where I list websites because that is open domain in my mind and the companies want folks to go to their sites. But for example, one member in the overall TnTT forum has some very good comments and articles he has prepared. I linked to them. Am I in trouble if I have a link that sends someone to his posts and submittals? I try to always give credit where credit is due for the posts but I do not do this for the photos. The important words here are "try" and "do not...for photos.". I guess I could always password protect the photos and then there is no fear of violating any rules if all I am doing is to have them archived for my use.

I really do not think it is an issue because we sort of all do it with our posts a little bit here and a little bit there. I welcome comments and will post this link if the consensus is that I am ok. It has over 100 links on it now with categories such as plumbing, electrical, solar and so forth.

When I get a chance, I will go through the forum rules to see if there is anything there about this. I just went thru them and removed the obvious copywritten ones.

I am just trying to do what is right. But I sure would like to share my links to help out others. Thoughts everyone?

[Rainier70]

I meant to add that for rainy days I carry a wide variety of dehydrated meals. That way I can just take a minute and boil enough water to rehydrate the meal and make me a hot drink. I have an exhaust fan in my ceiling vent and I turn it on as well as open the window above my stove to do that little bit of "cooking" inside. That way any steam and fumes from my propane burner go right out.

My build/priorities has been about in this order:
Ceiling Vent
Windows
Door latch
Insulation walls and ceiling
Seal the floor
Set up battery, wiring, and change lights to leds
7 prong plug for vehicle charge
bed setup
table and cabinet storage
Solar panel
vented propane stove (this was later simply because I had most of the summer to do the other things before it started to get really cold)

Next I plan on finishing my interior ceiling, insulating my floor, and doing a mount for propane, gas line, and spare tire. I also plan on doing the reflective roof coating sometime this next summer as well as a more permanent shower area. I may also install RV shock absorbers when I get a chance.

[hankaye]

Rainier70, Howdy;

May want to re-order the finish of the wall and the wiring, unless you are going to keep
the wires on the outside of the walls .... but ... that's me.

hank

[rdemler]

Gonefishin,those are great ideas right inline with my thinking.I am getting mine insulated from the factory for 265.00.I think thats way cheap enough to get it done.I have to look into the solar thing as I know absolutely nothing about it so far.As far as sleeping goes I was thinking futon for the seating during the day and sleeping at night.It sounds like you're a trout fisherman.I actually go to Montana for the perch bluegills and sturgeon.I do catch my fill of trout.I really took a liking to the prairie areas north of Lewistown Mt.I'll be back for more great ideas tomorrow.Thanks everyone!

[Gonefishin]

I guess those species never occurred to me while in Montana. Keep us posted on what you build. We love pictures! My factory insulation gets me by, and should work for you too unless you plan a whole lot of cold weather use. The solar panel I use is easy. I got it from Amazon for around $100, and it clips to the battery with two alligator clips. I just lean it against the trailer on the sunny side. Sometimes I'll adjust it once or twice a day for maximum effect. Mine is a 30 watt, very small. You can get larger ones, and pair up panels too. I went for portability, and so far, it keeps me charged.

Keep us up to date and ask questions!

[lrrowe]

rdemlar and Gonefishing,

Since we are on the topic of fishing and CT's, I wish I could make the trip to Montana (from VA) and experience that great country and fishing. I will use mine to go after trout, smallmouths and striped bass in the freshwaters of VA, WV and NC. Maybe a trip to the coast and try the kayak on salt water. So I will be outfitting my CT with the ability to carry two kayaks inside it for stealth reasons and just maybe a Harley if I can only get my CFO's support (not likely).

I too am anxious to see each of your camping and fishing photos.

[beccae]

A fan in the roof-wish I had done it!!

[rdemler]

I ordered my trailer today.7x14 w/36in V-nose.Coming wired for 110 with a 3ft light on the side wall and 12v with 2 dome lights.Vents top and sides and two 15x30 horizontal slide windows.Rv side door with frosted window in door and screen door inside.Double back doors.All aluminum.I hope this works the way I want it to.I will do the insulation myself.Going to try and keep it simple as I can.Has anyone tried a futon for sleeping and sitting in one of these?Seems like it would cover two needs. RDemler

[PaulS]

I ordered my trailer today.7x14 w/36in V-nose.Coming wired for 110 with a 3ft light on the side wall and 12v with 2 dome lights.Vents top and sides and two 15x30 horizontal slide windows.Rv side door with frosted window in door and screen door inside.Double back doors.All aluminum.I hope this works the way I want it to.I will do the insulation myself.Going to try and keep it simple as I can.Has anyone tried a futon for sleeping and sitting in one of these?Seems like it would cover two needs. RDemler

Yep did the futon but my ct is only a 6X14 and will not fit acrossed the width