6x12, 7x12 Which One...but am close

[lrrowe]

For many months I have been reading a lot of inputs from other CT'rs, asked questions and added an input here and there on building one's dream CT camper. I have narrowed the choice of CT down to CarMate thanks to many inputs, especially from folks like Jerry form "OverTheTopCargoTrailer". I must wait a month to travel to the most reasonable dealer from me which is 6-8 hours away in order to inspect them and place an order if all goes well.

In the meanwhile I have ideas that I would like to post and get comments back about them. Then this will be my thread to post my progress once I do receive my trailer.

First, before I start posting other questions and ideas, I have a basic question of "what size to get." I am really on the fence on this one. I have heard comments on the 6x12 being very adequate for those who want to keep it simple and for those who wish to try and get the best gas mileage they can.

Then I find myself listening to others suggesting the 7 foot wide units because of the added room, especially for being able to turn a bed width wise, thus helping with making more floor space available for other use.

My trailer will be simple per se. Chuck wagon kitchen in the back, AC, and shower and portable potty. The shower will drain into a portable grey water container so simple plumbing will be all that is needed. I will carry water containers, propane, batteries and the like.

Back to the 7 ft width. I would like to go with a 7 x12 if the extra 6 inches on each side will not really drag me down that much. I have a new (to me) F150 Eco-Boost Supercrew 2012 truck, so I am sure I have all the power I need. And extra 6 inches in height might be considered too.

Then there is the matter of a single axle versus a tandem one. I think I understand the benefits of a TA, but the purchase cost is higher and the weight is also higher. This to me translates to lower gas mileage. But am I going to travel from coast to coast? No, but putting on mileage while traveling to and from neighboring states is not out of the question.

So while waiting to go look at the CarMates, I will continue to ponder this question and try to come to some conclusion before I go out of state to look at them.

My next post will be showing my sketches and other ideas.

[lrrowe]

This sketch shows the layout for the 7x12 trailer.
The top one is with the upper bunk on the driver's side and the bottom shows it on the other side.



This next sketch shows a sample of how I will carry a 12 foot kayak. It will slide under the Chuck Wagon shelves in the back and under the main bed and then protrude into the cabinets (will allow for this in the construction process).



This last sketch show the Chuck Wagon concept with a barn door setup. It is not dimensionally correct, just a concept to show how things will roughtly go together. It shows an AC unit on the top which at first will be used with the right barn door open to test it out and then hopefully I will cut an opening in the door for the unit to "breathe" through. The opening will have a hinged door for traveling done the road.

The kayaks will slide under the first shelf and when not being used, the openings will have a plywood cover which slides in and makes a secure storage area for coolers and the like.




Ok, comments, suggestions and critiques welcomed!!

[PaulS]

I did a 6x14 and if I could of done the 7 wide it would of aloud me to turn the bed saving space. I would also of just went with the single axel but I think I would keep the brakes they are nice to have.

[jwhite]

Ok it's only my opinion but 2 axles are the way to go with the electric brakes, and having 4 tires on the road pulls better and if you have a blowout your going to do a lot better.
I now have a new found respect for new tires and proper tire pressure, I recently bought a 30ft toyhauler and although the tires look perfect we had 3 blow outs before we got home and after the 1st blow out we didn't have a spare, so the tire service brought out 2 new tires ( all they had) and about 10miles from home the 3rd tire went out so we limped 2miles back to the nearest town at 1'30 AM and left it until the next day.
I had AAA and went ahead and used the tow service to tow the toyhauler to my house.
Now on I am going to make sure the tire pressure is correct, I am also going to invest in a good air compressor.
My only other thought is to go as long as you can, I thought a 7x16 was what I wanted but now I think a 7x20 would have been better, it doesn't cost that much more to add a few feet.
I thought when I built my trailer I had just what I wanted for size, but I ran out of room really fast and there is not much you can do if your trailer is to small>?
that's just what I have found out having done it before, in fact I would do a lot of things different if I did it again.

[Rustic313]

We are limited on our tow vehicle (3500 lb max tow) so opted for a 6x12. I've started the conversion and it should work out ok. Moreover, the single axle and smaller size was much less expensive.

If your tow vehicle and budget can handle the larger size then I'd say go for it. As I fit out the 6x12, I can see already it will be serviceable but a bit cozy. The 7' width gives you more options with the bed.

[David_L6]

Since you have enough TV to tow anything within reason, buy bigger. 7 X 12 minimum. Maybe 7 X 14. Added length won't hurt you gas mileage much. 6' 6" inside height minimum. 7' would be better. I prefer tandem axle trailers for peace of mind in case of a blow-out if nothing else.

[lrrowe]

Darn I hate it when I hit the wrong button and lose all my typing. This is my second attempt to make this post. And you cannot ever write or say it the say the second time around.

Anyway, I wish to thank all of you (y'all from down here) for your inputs so far. I am hearing the same here as in other posts. Go as big as you can afford or can tow.
So I will very much keep that encouragement in mind when I go to the dealer for Carmate in PA in a month or so (6 hour drive which I will do as I head north for other reasons).

I believe my final decision will be a compromise with all things considered. But I now believe I will compromise as to what goes inside so as to get the best I can on the outside. I think the most significant factor affecting my decision will the impact that it will have on gas mileage. I know that gph will go down, but by how much if I go 7 feet wide and/or add an extra 6 inches. Also if I add 6 inches, I may not be able to back it into my garage when I work on it (probably not something I should worry about).

This is what I am considering now: (how do I make the picture bigger for the post? I know you can double click on it to make it bigger, but others have their pictures posted in a much larger format.


To be towed by:


I want to have the trailer color sort of match the truck, but I know I have to be careful about colors and it getting too hot from the sun's rays.

[norcal2]

I have a 6 x 12..if i had to do it over id do a 7 x 12 just for the bed as i am to tall to sleep between the walls i could run my bed the other direction. I like your new spec sheet, and single axle trailer spec..not a fan of tandem axles unless i really need the weight and load carrying capacity....

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Irrowe

Just a little FYI , your 7 x 12 is only 76" wide

My unit is 80" ..... This is What you generally need for a queen mattress
If you are short & use a soft roll mattress then 76" may work.


Jerry

[lrrowe]

Jerry, sometimes it is helpful to be under 6 feet tall.

A custom cut foam mattress would work with the 7 x? Carmate for my wife and I. And I am building it for our use and not resale so a custom foam mattress does not bother me. Actually the inside dim. would even be less then the 76" as I would heed all the advice I have been seeing in this forum and would add another layer of insulation over the insulation that goes between the uprights and of course over the uprights themselves - to address the cold / heat transfer through the uprights.

But now if I go with a a generous layer of insulation on the top, the 70" height will be a problem. Any additional reduction in height would result in bumped heads. So maybe I have to consider adding 6 inches to the height or just "compromise (there I go, I am starting my compromising)" and accept some bending over while in it. We will see when the total cost of an order gets quoted. Hmmm, I wonder if they would consider just going 3 inches more? Cannot hurt to ask.

How did you get the 80"? Did you go with an 8' wide unit?

Bob

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Both my units are 80 wide , so your trailer is a little smaller then the standard 7 ft for some odd reason.

7 x 12 = 84" ...... So inside is generally about 80"

So maybe a 6 ft .... Is also short of 72" ?

[lrrowe]

Your right. That went right over my head. Dementia is flirting with me for sure these days.
How do you spell "embarrassed"?

Any way, I went to CarMate's web site and see 76 in interior width posted for some models and then 80 inches on others. All 7 footers.
I wonder if it is a miss print or if they may actually have different models with different widths. I cannot see where they post the exterior widths, so I cannot verify it using that measurement.

I think this is a great catch on your part and will definitely take some more homework on my part.

Now for a second question.
If I put a cab on the back of my truck (replace the tonneau cover) do you think that box shape will help with a flat front trailer as far was wind resistance goes? If I have my druthers, I think a flat front makes cabinet work inside and batter, propane tank and spare tire work on the front outside also easier.

Bob

[ValerieP]

We have a 7x12 single dropped axle, extra 6 inches height, with brakes, trailer ordered. It took me a month or more to decide what would be best. It would have been nice to have had the tandem, and I could have, but it was another 500-600, so we will watch our tires. Realistically, though, when I spoke with each of the cargo companies, each agreed that for the purpose it will serve, that single axle will be fine. We live in South Carolina, so we had a ton of choices for brands, since many are made in Georgia. We could have purchased and then driven to Georgia to pick up, but in the end we decided to purchase locally. We chose the LOOK, it is still built in Georgia, but hubby and I felt much more at ease with a local dealer.
Good luck with your decision. Our trailer will also have a V nose- In the end, we chose the 7 foot so we could have a bed that took up less space. We also ordered the ramp, just in case we ever want to drive anything into it- and in the meantime we can use it for a deck!

[lrrowe]

Thanks ValerieP,
I am strongly leaning towards the single axle at this time, even if I go the 7' size (very heavily leaning that way now).
I have a heavy duty trailer that has 20 year old tires on it and it is only a SA. And it gets a lot of use. Not had any problems with the tires.
I probably should replace them now just as part of a preventive maintenance effort.

[roadinspector]

If you go 7' you won't regret it. You will gain a lot of extra useable room with it.

IMHO
Earnest