vaxRV 2.0 cargo trailer toy hauler conversion

[vax]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and wanted to share my project a 6x10 wells cargo toy hauler conversion. Ive recently broke my dominant hand so forgive the brevity of my post ill elaborate much more when I'm not one hand hunt and peck typing! For now my blog http://www.vaxrv.com has more details and here are some pics. alot of these pics are throughout the build. ill try to assemble more chronologically accurate info later and take updated pics of the finished wiring and stuff

[abqlloyd]

Nice. How did you mount the solar panels? I have some Z-mounts I was thinking of using.

[vax]

I used 1/4in bolts. drilled through the internal steel frame to secure it, then attached 2x4s up top and lag bolted aluminum angle brackets. here are some pics and a brief write up http://vaxrv.com/2014/09/solar-panels/
I still need to go back and weather proof it all. it was a rush job for burning man on the mounts and insulation

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Welcome aboard

Looks like your trailer has a few camping miles on it
That's a lot of batteries for 200 watts in panels.

OTTCT

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[vax]

350watts in panels. 450 amp hours in batts yea its over kill, I need more roof!

[vax]

Yea shes old. That axel article on rats thread makes me think it might be time for some sand blasting and new everything below but she rides ok for now!

[vax]

I just updated with some shots of the insulation project http://vaxrv.com/2014/09/operation-igloo-insulating-the-trailer/

Anyone have advice on cladding? I was thinking of covering it all with a thin lightweight ply maybe.

[Rchr]

Greetings, I see you used a portable A/C, how has it worked out for you?

[dustboy]

Wow, yeah plenty of battery powerrrr, and the PV's are not wimpy either. I hate gennys so I'm all for more sun power!

If you're in the Bay, go to one of the hardwood suppliers (MacBeath, PALS, Moore Newton, etc) and get some 1/4" prefinished maple or birch, that's what I used and it keeps the interior bright and looks pretty nice. Plus no finishing or painting after.

[vax]

thanks for the tips, thats good to know. Yes its a portable AC unit, 9000 btu's. It works decently but as far as I can tell a window unit would be better suited and more efficient. if I could redo it I would have built a 5000 btu window unit in and duct it accordingly. I run a generator if I'm running AC which is the only downside, while the inverter will crank it, I know that it'll completely drain my bank in no time so I avoid using it for that. I have an efficient yamaha gennie that runs it great. I've tested it in desert trips with no real issues, naturally when I open the trailer I lose my cold so that sucks but thats normal. if temps climb too high it will kind of crap out, the inside insulation helps a ton though, I dont need AC in the desert til almost noon and it keeps a decent temp unless I let the heat in.