A toyhauler cargo conversion

[pvangel]

Finally got a spare tire, so had to mount it up.



Another Ebay find, PitPosse makes it and was under $20. 4 self tapping screws into a frame member.



Mounted up!





It is a belted tire not a radial (all Tractor Supply had) but should be fine as a spare.

[pvangel]

T minus 6 days to the first real test and a quick trip tomorrow for a 1 day shakedown ride, disconnected shore power and hooked the trailer up so I could pull it out and load up. All systems are go! Well not.... no 12v anything. So I started tearing things apart, I checked the breakers and nothing,fuses..nothing. checked the battery and it was at 12.7v so the charger had been working, checked grounds, all showing 12.7 v....I was ready to burn the trailer after all the work I had in it. I took a breath and figured I would check voltage at the fuses and started pulling and checking, first 3 no volts, last one ...BLOWN. I forgot that all 12v goes through that fuse and I had left a 15 in there and had meant to change it, put in a new one and ...lights! I double checked everything and did a test with all lights on, water pump and Fantastic fan and we were good to go.

[pvangel]

My wife came up with this idea and it worked great! She made the pillows so they could be hung up while in transport mode.



Couch down,



Lounge mode,



Thats a good women!

[hankaye]

pvangel, Howdy;

Thought I'd heard a Homer Simpson "DHO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O"
behind a head-slap awhile ago.
Glad to hear cooler heads prevailed and things are good to go!

hank

[prodart]

PV, you're only going to be about 45 minutes from where I live. I'm gonna try to make it up to the track if I get the chance next weekend, but I'm already sceduled to work Sat. morning. Pm me and I'll shoot you my cell in case you run into any problems on your trip. Well wishes to you on the first outing and hope to get to meet you, Mike

[bc toys]

that much weight on those self tappers you better watch them close they will come out but good looking trailer and wish you the best on your trip

[cleonard]

First I want to say thanky you for this thread documenting your build. I've been contemplating a slightly larger version and you have been a great source of information and inspiration.

It's been mentioned before, but how is your weight? Have you had a chance to weigh it loaded? I see that you managed to get four bikes in there and that has to be in the vicinity of 1000 pounds just in motorcycles. With the rest of the built it's got to be over 3000 pounds when loaded up to the max.

Most of the single axle trailes I've looked at were all rated at just under 3000 pounds. I know that over 3000 pounds in my state and you have to get electric brakes. A common axle rating is 3500 pounds and I'd bet that most use a 3500 pound axle but rate the trailer at under 3000 pounds to save the $$$ of electric brakes.

[pvangel]

that much weight on those self tappers you better watch them close they will come out but good looking trailer and wish you the best on your trip

They are into the frame but I was worried as well, I'll keep an eye on them. Thanks!

[pvangel]

First I want to say thanky you for this thread documenting your build. I've been contemplating a slightly larger version and you have been a great source of information and inspiration.

It's been mentioned before, but how is your weight? Have you had a chance to weigh it loaded? I see that you managed to get four bikes in there and that has to be in the vicinity of 1000 pounds just in motorcycles. With the rest of the built it's got to be over 3000 pounds when loaded up to the max.

Most of the single axle trailes I've looked at were all rated at just under 3000 pounds. I know that over 3000 pounds in my state and you have to get electric brakes. A common axle rating is 3500 pounds and I'd bet that most use a 3500 pound axle but rate the trailer at under 3000 pounds to save the $$$ of electric brakes.

I am not sure of the weight yet but really only intend to put 3 bikes in there at a time and I know they are 200 lbs each. I did pull 3 bikes in it today for about 80 miles of mixed road one of which is I95 through Connecticut which is a HORRIBLE road and everything is fine, no sway no bouncing pulled great. I still feel I am under 3000 pounds even if I put a 4th bike in there.

[pvangel]

pvangel, Howdy;

Thought I'd heard a Homer Simpson "DHO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O"
behind a head-slap awhile ago.
Glad to hear cooler heads prevailed and things are good to go!

hank

Hank you have good hearing because it was said very loudly here in NY....

Now the problem, fuse blew again tonight after I got home from riding. worked fine all day and I got home ate dinner and went out to unload so i turned the lights on. After unloading one bike I came back in the trailer and lights were off. I have to check it again but everything is off.

What would cause that to blow? I have to look into it....

[dustboy]

That's a tricky one--so it worked ok with all the loads running, but with just the lights on it blows?

And only the main fuse is blowing, not just the lighting circuit?

[hankaye]

Pvangel, Howdy;

My knowledge about electrical 'stuff' could be contained in a mouses'
thimble..... I'll sit back and aquire a smattering more. May reach the
1/2 full mark...

hank

PS. On my RV forum it has been mentioned that one should check ALL
the screws for the wire connections ... with the power off and allow the
capaticers time to discharge (an hour or 2), first ..... then start your
head scratchin'.

[pvangel]

That's a tricky one--so it worked ok with all the loads running, but with just the lights on it blows?

And only the main fuse is blowing, not just the lighting circuit?

I don't remember exactly how it is setup but...there is a fuse that is for all the 12v and that seems to blow, there was a 15 in there that blew so I put in a 25? and ran everything at once. tonight I just had the 4 overhead lights on and it blew while I was out of the trailer. My worry is that there is a grounded hot wire somewhere but finding it will not be easy, will look at it tomorrow after work.

[A Plus MM]

I would replicate what you were doing when you were unloading the trailer - every step, and pay attention to when the fuse blows [and I'd use a small fuse so it'll blow easy]. I'm guessing there is a wire is shorting out somewhere but maybe it happens when you walk in a certain part of the trailer or touch/push on a particular wall. Something is flexing somewhere letting a wire touch something it shouldn't. Good luck!

[bc toys]

as for the fuss blowing it sounds like you have a nicked wire it could be the feed to the battery and make sure you didnt cross +and - that will do it also good thing is you only have 2 wires to check pull fuss to main and all the others and check continuity hot to ground any thing you get a readying on take wire apart and read it again lights you can turn off switch pump same turn off switch if you still get reading thats your problem if not then take loose at fixture well good luck and if you need any help let me know