Our 5X10 Cargo Trailer Conversion we call ET

[pappaw]

Hi Pete, thanks: The bug screen is already on my punchlist, but thanks for the pointer. My wheelchair is actually a mobility scooter too, and it fits and rides in the back of the car just fine. with the tailgate it is easy to get in or out. Just thought it would be nice to keep it in the trailer. It also can ride inside the living area of the trailer and we just need to unload it when we get to the camp site, but yes I could add a trailer hitch to the rear of the trailer then add a carrier for it there if needed.

Hi trainman, thanks: The water tank is 10gal, and the waste tank is 16gal. I figured I would run out of water, before I over filled the waste tank. On a 3 day, 2 nite stay we just did run out of water as we were getting packed to leave. That was 2 of us taking a lite showers each day, and 2 lite wash ups each day, and toilet use, some dishes. We drank bottled water and used that for brushing teeth and the dog too. I think a 2 night stay would be an occasional thing and 1 night would be the norm. So we should be good. One thing I did (my wifes idea) was to change out the shower head from a hand held shower head to a kitchen hand sprayer, and it works much better in saving water and only using and getting the water in just the right place at the right time, rather than just letting the water run the whole shower.

Pappaw

[aggie79]

Jeff,

I'm still very fascinated by your build and would love so more information on your layout. Would you mind a few more questions? What is your bunk bed width and how do you like it? What size is your shower? Also, I believe it is located in the "vee" but what is the width of your toilet room?

I've been racking my brain as to how to fit everything in a 6 or 7 by 14 and you've fit it all in a 5 by 10.

Thank you,
Tom

[k1hog]

Very nice job!

Johnnie

[pappaw]

Hi Tom:

Questions are fine, I ask them here too. The bunks are about 27" wide, and they work fine. That's about the same width as our sofa, and we both sleep (at times) fine on it, so that was part of the inspiration. A bought a used shower pan from a guy that works on RVs and sells parts, I think it's 24x26, so that is where I started with that, the walls and ceiling are lined with FRP panels I bought from Lowes. Yes the toilet is in the V nose. I sat on my home toilet with a yard stick and figured out how much room I need to conduct business and that was the model for positioning the toilet in the trailer. I think I found you need 24 inches wide, but 36" in length to be able to set down, (being 6ft and 200lbs) so not everyone could use my toilet. Just get you a yard stick and do some measuring around your home for ideas. When I get a chance I'll measure the V for you and post. I used the whole width of the trailer but don't remember the length. I did go all the way to the curb side door and had just enough space to make it work. I remember thinking more space would have allowed for a small sink, but I knew I would have to make some sacrifices from the beginning. I could have gained another foot at the back where I have my cargo area, but it was important for me to have the generator as close as possible to it's point of use, and also left more space for the future galley on the other side of the rear.

Hope that helps

And Thanks Johnnie.

[aggie79]

Johnie,
Thank you very much for the additional information. That's a big help for me. I don't know how to use the computer design programs and am not much better sketching on paper. I like your idea about using a yardstick and will start measuring clearances and dimensions at home.
Thanks again,
Tom

[pappaw]

Hi Tom:

We plan on painting the bathroom (well the toilet room) this weekend, and thinking I need to take up the toilet to have more room to work and make it more easy, I thought it would be a good time after painting and while the toilet was out, to lay some vinyl flooring down, so I picked up a remnant from my local friend/dealer. Anyway I had to measure the space for that and it was about 5foot wide and 3 foot deep at the widest point which was the "V". and where the toilet actually sits is about 2 foot wide.

Also one thing I wanted to point out is that I did not want a trailer wider than my tow, so I would not need special mirrors, etc. So that's why I decided on a 5 foot wide trailer. The problem with that is one can't have the bed go across the width because you need 6 foot for a proper bed. So your tow (I think) is a truck, you could go 6 foot wide and have more choices for an interior layout, whereas I had to make our bed length wise to get a 6 foot bed in.

Hope that helps

Cheers and have a nice weekend: Jeff

[pappaw]

Cheers

[campmaster-k]

Wow super trailer great work.

[Emmitt]

Ok...you got me, where you want me to drop a trailer so you can build me one...LOL, great build....wish I could build like that

[emg178]

Really nice work pappaw. I'm thinking about options for towing behind an Element. How does yours tow? Any idea on the mpg when towing the trailer and when not towing?

[angeli]

hi pappaw,

nice job! Have you ever weighed it? If you know, can you post the dry weight? Thanks! Forgive me if you posted this here and I missed it!

Marie

[pappaw]

Thanks for all the kind comments.

Sorry but I do not have any additional pictures of the water/holding tank installations.

The Element pulls the trailer fairly well and stops it just fine (4 wheel disk brakes). The Element is a square box pulling another square box (my trailer is over 8 feet above the ground), so the wind is sometimes a factor (glad I got the "V" nose for sure). I have a 5 speed automatic transmission, and on and grades it will down shift (more than I think it should). If you have the older style Element with the 4 speed or a manual transmission you should not have that problem as much. I have only checked the mileage once and found I got 18 MPG towing and I get 27 not towing.

I have not had it weighed yet. The dry weight was just over 1000lbs, and now loaded I expect I'm a tad over the recommended tow capacity of 1500lbs. But again, seems fine.

I have talked to people who pull boats, etc weighting over 1700lbs all the time with their Elements.

My longest trip has been 4 hours each way. I probably wont go much more than that. I have driven all type of cars, trucks and equipment, pulled all type of trailers ever since I was a young lad, so I am comfortable and capable in this case. If you have never pulled a trailer I might suggest a lower, lighter trailer may be in order for an Element especially if your planning on long trips or thru the mountains?

Hope that helps and makes scents

Cheers

[emg178]

Thanks. That was very helpful. I've towed a bit, and am perfectly comfortable doing it. We have an 08 auto, which I think is 5 speed. The top speed is basically an overdrive for low revs on the highway. I was worried about excessive downshifting with the trailer.

It is tempting to pick up an enclosed 5x8, b/c they are pretty cheap and it seems like an easy way to get a serviceable trailer set up quickly. Maybe I'll rent a Uhaul for a day and see how it works for me.

I'm also considering a 4.5 to 5' high interior raindrop build as an efficient shape behind the E. At 18mpg, I'd say you are doing very well for the full height trailer.

[pappaw]

Hi emg178:

I think your right about your tranny.

Also I'll say this but you probably know already; there are 2 hitches available for your car, one is very light and I would not trust to tow a camper with, the 2nd is a full class 3 hitch that has a Reese type receiver, if you have a class 3 hitch your good to go and will handle way more than your Ellie can pull.

I just wanted to be careful someone with no experience didn't run out and buy a 7 x 12 foot 2000lb trailer and think it was ok to pull with an Element cause I said so, and the first trip out, a semi with a 52 foot box trailer with 40 tons on goes flying past them at 80mph, and flips them into the ditch with that big blast of air, you know what I mean.

If I had to do it over, I would order what I have again. For me having the head room (as I have back problems and ducking and crawling around are out for me) makes up for the added wind resistance and weight issues. Yes I only run 55 to 60mph, but that's the speed limit round here anyway, except the interstate (which I hate driving on anyway) (and maybe that's fast enough for anyone towing a camper safely?) and we enjoy the scenery.

Again, the 5 foot wide fits perfect behind the Element and mirrors, and 8 foot would be lighter than my 10 footer too.

Keep us posted what you get, and good luck shopping.

Cheers

[Rainier70]

I would love to see the inside pictures of this trailer. Are there any that you could upload? Thanks!