Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello everyone, I just ran across this site last week. I would like to thank everyone for the treasure trove of info
I have gleaned so far. Tomorrow we will be finalizing our purchase of a 2016 Aluma AE612. It has taken a few years
to convince the misses a CT was the way to go, not an Aliner. So, we will be finding a new home for our trusty 16
year old popup.

At this point in time, I will be setting it up primarily for minimalistic boondocking and stealth camping. Basically,
we don't need much. I will be installing the bear minimum for our trip in June. We will be doing Yellowstone and
some family/friends in Idaho and Utah. Then I will install additional items based on new requirements.

Questions:
Anyone else have a Aluma brand CT; thoughts & experiences?
Looking for a good source and installation advice for a Fan-tastic Fan 1250 insulated with white doom.
Looking for an aluminum/light futon frame (wife) source?
Anyone have experience with insulated RV windows, are they worth it?
Sprayed closed cell foam insulation; what thickness on ceiling, walls and under aluminum floor?
More to come.

Thank you

Welcome to this great site of info hope we can help you with any of your ?'s Keep us posted with pics on your build

you mean something like this ??


http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=2016+Aluma+AE612&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=zlXuVJjeLIzioATZpoKYCA&ved=0CCQQsAQ&tbm=isch

nice rig at only $4,999

http://www.stoufersauto.com/madison-lake-mn/2016-aluma-ltd-ae612r-econo-10975376.htm


DETAILED INFORMATION
Get financing
Unique Features & Description: THis is a new series for Aluma enclosed trailer. Stop and check it out!!! • 6'6" Interior height • 1-3500# Torsion axle - No brakes (2990# GVWR) • Easy lube hubs • ST205/75R14 LRC radial tires (1760# cap/tire) • Phantom aluminum wheels, 5-4.5 BHP • Extruded aluminum floor • Plywood wall lining to ceiling • Rear ramp door • Rivetless .030 exterior aluminum skin • One-piece aluminum roof • 2" Coupler with safety chains • Swivel tongue jack, 800# capacity • LED Lighting package • V-Nose front (approx 32") • Aluminum treadplate rock guard • 32" Side door • Dome light with switch* 4 TIE LOOPS AND 5 YEAR ALUMA WARRANTY
Year: 2016
Make: Aluma Ltd.
Model: AE612R ECONO
Type: Enclosed Trailers
Exterior Color: WHITE
Length: 12 ft.
Width: 6 ft.
Height: 6 ft. 6 in.
Serial Number: AE612R ECONO
Composition: Aluminum
Axle Size: 3500lb. Axle
Hitch Style: Ball
Tongue Style: Bumper Hitch
Hitch/Ball Size: 2 in ball

BC Toys: Thanks, the dealer is stating 10 to 12 wks, so it will be some time before I can give it the laying on of hands.

OTTCT: Your link shows a steel trailer with a square roof junction. The description you include is for a different trailer.
It's for an R, which is a recreation version. I.E. flush tie-downs, aluminum rear door ramp and ramp lift assist.

My CT is ALL aluminum, including the floor. It has the one piece roof with the round junction. It was cheaper and lighter
than the comparable Featherlight. MSRP is $6558, I got it for $5368.

Details
Factory pickup -$400
No interior sheeting -$135
American Marine's spring bash discount -10% NICE!
Traded the 2 mag wheels for three painted steel wheels
Added brakes +318
No interior lighting -$24

Well, I'm still waiting. Aluma said it will be another 4 weeks. So, no pics. I have decided to go all solar (boondocking),
NO generator.

Question, the CT is ALL aluminum, including the floor. I plan on having 1" of closed cell foam sprayed, 1" air gap, 1/2" rigid
foam (thermal break) and ~1/4" panels (synthetic/plastic ?). Nothing that can rot. Do I need to be concerned about electrolysis
when screwing the interior paneling to the 3/4"x2" aluminum ribs? I'm thinking square drive stainless steel screws. And, no
tape on the rigid foam joints; that will allow the wall to breathe.

I do have the bulk of my components in hand:
2) 100 watt PV panels with tilting supports, portable/not roof mount
30 amp shore inlet, 25' 6/4 soow extension cord with combiner box
Morningstar SureSine 300 watt inverter
2) Trojan T105 batteries
Engel SB70F 12 volt fridge; 26 watts running & will freeze food solid (measured)
Trimetric 2030RV battery monitor
Trimetric SC-2030TM controller
500 amp shunt
Fan-tastic Fan 1250R
4) LED slimline dome lights & dimmer
Slimline porch light
Elkhart 124 25" x 5" Single Step (side door)
2) 5000 pound Stabilizer jacks with 3/4"x6"x10" treated pads
Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove MS2HP
Aluminum frame futon
Required fuses, wire, receptacles, boxes and etc...

Needed:
1" closed cell foam sprayed
1/2" rigid foam sheets for thermal break
Interior sheeting
Aluminum spare tire rear door bracket
Aluminum propane tank rear door bracket
Windows, she needs to look at it first.
Rear door screens
Battery box

You're off to a good start even without your trailer. Good call on going all solar.

Looks like you'll be better insulated than a refer truck. Are you planning some winter trips?

dustboy wrote:You're off to a good start even without your trailer. Good call on going all solar.

Looks like you'll be better insulated than a refer truck. Are you planning some winter trips?

Not intentional, my focus is to reduce the need for heating/cooling to a minimum. There by reducing
the overall energy requirements.

The 12 to 24 volt fridge I choose is pricey, but I decided to go with it when Engel told me it would run
on a 90 watt PV panel WITHOUT a battery. No shore power.

The only reason I invested in a smaller (more efficient) inverter; my wife wants to take her Kitchenaid
immersion blender along. I have not measured it yet, the label states 120 volt at 2 amps.

I'm glad I read this. An immersion stick could be so handy. A mini blender.

The one bit of advice, absolutely get the brakes or at the very least make sure the axles have the brake baking plates. Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

SUPERB trailer! Way to do it right!

Ditto on the trailer brakes! (It's so nice to be able to stop on a dime instead of rolling into a crash.)

And ditto on an immersion blender (stick) for making soups and sauces.

It will have electric brakes, a $315 option. For a time, I wrangled with the manufacture; I wanted the
small Chinese battery and box on the hitch eliminated. I explained it will be a camper and have two
batteries. No deal, evidently if brakes are to be installed? They legally have to install the battery and
box. IMO, clearly a case of where common sense is not common; an oxymoron.

I have also decided to install a furnace, probably a Propex? I looked at the diesel heaters which are
twice what I can get a Propex for. I have many years of experience with propane heaters used at night
in mobil control rooms (semi-trailers). Computer equipment don't operate reliably below 50 F. The
condensation was formidable. I just don't want to futz with it. Would anyone have any experience
with a similar heater?

I have also opted out of not using negative (black) wire in the 12 volt circuits. I had planned on using
the trailer frame. I did a little research into electrolysis. I called Aluma and questioned them. They
stated they use zinc plated fasteners? I replied that will not prevent electrolysis induced corrosion; it
just switches the anode/cathode state. I then asked what Aluma incorporates for other aspects of the
trailer? Such as the axle, door hinges, hitch jack and etc... No response as of yet. By the way, this also
happens on steel trailers and more so where salt is used on roads.

I approved the ct drawings and was told it should be ready for pickup on the 17th?

Right side view


Left side view


Top view


Bottom view