7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

[Iconfabul8]

BTW... this is the last hole I will be putting on this side of the trailer. I'll take a picture of the full side tomorrow when the sun is in the right spot. The build is really looking more like an RV than a cargo trailer with all this stuff... I do have two more small holes to cut on the door side at some point. I want to install an exterior 110VAC outlet and I will need to install as small vent for the battery compartment.

I would take the lazy way and put the vent and AC box under the trailer. But everything you have done has been top notch, so i'm looking forward to however you do it!

[flboy]

Here's the outside pics. The outside is essentially done except the battery vent and AC outlet I previously mentioned. It is amazing how dirty this has got just sitting in the backyard. When I am done, I will clean it well and put a coat of wax on it. Definitely not too stealth!

Oh ya.... I do have to add the awning also on the door side.

[m.colley]

The outside looks great Don. Keep up the great work..

Martin

[Girls Gone Camping]

Don, I'm new here and getting ready to shop for a Cargo Trailer. I've been following your build, old and new for the last couple of days, I love what you have been doing and I'm learning a lot. Planning on making mine campable and then building as I decide where I want things. Yours looks beautiful, I really feel inspired. Great Job on the build and documenting it.

This forum and the instructions I have found here, make me feel confident I can do this. Not even scared of windows and holes now.

Jody (Girls Gone Camping)

[flboy]

Martin, Thanks for the encouragement as always!

Jody, thanks for your feedback. You can do it. It is a lot of work, but enjoyable work. Best of luck with your build.

[McDave]

Hey Don,
So I go to Sturgis for a couple weeks and I come back to find you cuttin' them holes again? Lawd, are you gonna make Hank and Tommy and me come down there for an intervention? I hope you still have a couple wall studs still intact to hold up all that stuff on the roof! You know I'm just kidding, I love ya man. But seriously, I don't want have to take that saw away....
So your rig is amazing and I really want to talk about it, but first ...Lets talk about me. So this was the first real test of the "Harley Hauler" and one thing is for sure, I gotta come up with a better name for it, cause it blew everyone away including me! Gotta tell ya, she's not completely finished, mostly cosmetics and nice-to-haves left undone, but the major operating systems worked flawlessly! OK, maybe not flawless, but pretty damn good. Nine nights of "Dry Camping" and I really started to feel at home in there, Sooo glad we chose this endeavor. Zero problems with the electrical systems, A/C and Heat, waste water, Fridge, Micro, instant hot H2O, all good. Couple quick "lessons learned" and I'll end this hijack..
Make sure you gotta way to latch that reefer door shut while traveling...you can just imagine.
If you built her on level (and I'm sure you did) your gonna want to get pretty close when you set up or doors wont operate the same etc.
Storage is at a premium. I don't have anywhere near enough.
Get a QUIET GENERATOR!!! or Solar... or both.
If you don't have that bed situation "put to bed", get one of those 22" high air matresses with the built in pump. Aired it up on Wed the 3rd and never thought about it again till it was time to leave on Sun. the 14th...Slept Amazing!!! Used it as a couch as well, no problems. Best $40.00 I've spent in a long time..
There's lots, lots more, but really its kinda the common sense stuff like bring enough towels, figure out a hamper, broom, bath mat, enough whiskey and cigars, etc. etc.
Now stop cutting her up and get out there and have some fun!!! It don't have to be perfect or even finished. You're gonna love it!
I'll check ya soon,

McDave

PS. Remember what those Skynard boys said, "Be a simple kind of man". Sometimes more isn't better, it's just more...
just sayin'...

[McDave]

OK, one more thing and that's it! Serious this time!
I just put a GFCI on a 25'-30' cord that's wired in to the power center on it own breaker. That way it'll reach anywhere inside or out, just roll it up and put it under the cabinet and kill the breaker......done. Very handy, trust me on this one.


McDave .....out.

[flboy]

Well there he is! I was getting worried the crowds in Sturgis swallowed you up. Good to hear from you. Sounds like you had a great time. I know what you mean about the reefer door. I put baby locks on mine. They are easy to install and work great.

I plan on getting out there Labor Day. I really just need to do the kitchen area and build the dinette, beside trim work. I am looking forward to it.

As you know, I have almost all Solar and then I have a Honda EU2000I generator to run th AC which is about as quiet as you can get. I like that generator.

How do you get the GFCI cord outside? Do you gave a drop in the floor?

I any case, welcome back and post up some pics of your rig in action . That would be great.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

[flboy]

I was cleaning out the shed and founds some drawers I had salvaged out of the donor camper. I think they are going to work well in the camper. I Have Friday off and plan on finishing the kitchen counter and cabinet build this weekend (minus doors). I actually found all the metal studs in my ceiling to anchor the overhead cabinets into.

I found the first one from the pictures and they are all 24" on center. I took a very tiny wood drill bit and set the depth at 1.5 inches to probe (verification) . If it hit metal, I knew it was the stud. If it sunk in... then just insulation. They are all marked now.

[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

I was cleaning out the shed and founds some drawers I had salvaged out of the donor camper. I think they are going to work well in the camper. I Have Friday off and plan on finishing the kitchen counter and cabinet build this weekend (minus doors). I actually found all the metal studs in my ceiling to anchor the overhead cabinets into.

I found the first one from the pictures and they are all 24" on center. I took a very tiny wood drill bit and set the depth at 1.5 inches to probe (verification) . If it hit metal, I knew it was the stud. If it sunk in... then just insulation. They are all marked now.

, Glad to hear you found the overhead studs and have then marked. Should allow you to move
right along now.

hank

[flboy]

Got some more wiring connected up to switches tonight. Working on hooking up the DC Circuits. Ready for the batteries now. :-) I may pick those up this weekend if I get time.


Wow, These rear lights are very bright for LED's!

I have a relay installed where my reverse lights on the truck will also turn these on when the trailer is hooked up. Will be great for backing up at night.

[McDave]

Hey Don,
Do you have a diagram for that circuit? Is the relay switching the power for those lights from the TV or does it use the house battery? Do ya need a diode as well? Also, are you charging from TV?

McDave

[flboy]

McDave,

TV only energizes the relay which switches the house battery via the relay contacts. The relay is in parallel to the manual switch inside the CT. No isolation/steering diode needed in this case. I'll draw up a schematic and post. Right now the schematic is in the grey matter.

Don

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[aggie79]

TV only energizes the relay which switches the house battery via the relay contacts. The relay is in parallel to the manual switch inside the CT. No isolation/steering diode needed in this case. I'll draw up a schematic and post. Right now the schematic is in the grey matter.

Don

Don,

It's a scary thought, but by following your thread and learning some more about electronics, I too am picturing the schematic in my grey matter. I'll be curious to see if what you draw up matches my notion.

Take care,
Tom

[m.colley]

Got some more wiring connected up to switches tonight. Working on hooking up the DC Circuits. Ready for the batteries now. :-) I may pick those up this weekend if I get time.


Wow, These rear lights are very bright for LED's!

I have a relay installed where my reverse lights on the truck will also turn these on when the trailer is hooked up. Will be great for backing up at night.

Your rear spot lights look good Don. I mounted some like that too and yup, their bright. I didn't hook mine thru the reverse lights but I can see where that would make a big difference in seeing whats behind you while your backing up. I might have to give that some thought.

Martin