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

[Hader]

Don,

In another topic, you said: "... but if you can only do one.. generator or solar, I'd lean towards the generator for the simplicity and availability of the larger amount of power whenever and wherever.”. I also remember you saying something about pulling over and taking a break and having an AC to keep you cool.

One of the most important aspects of having a small trailer (after a clean bathroom) is to be able to pull over and take a little Nap. Your comments and sharing of Info are making it easy for me to decide on what to do in my build. Thanks for all your input.

In case you are wondering about my build! We got the trailer last month (6x14 LARK), we won't start on it till later this month or next. You can see the trailer in my Album.

[flboy]

Hader, thanks. I am glad I can help. I am certainly learning as I go here and appreciate the others on this forum who willingly offer advice and critique. It is valuable. Best of luck on your build. I am looking forward to the updates when you get started.

On the Solar vs Gen... I have designed my build around extended boon-docking as I plan to semi-retire in 18 - 24 months months. 60 gallons of freshwater is alot for a small camper for instance. Likewise, the solar electrical system includes 5 -100W Panels, 1500W pure sinewave inverter, and 3 Deep cycle 115Ah batteries, a 40a Solar Controller and much wiring. The cost is about 2X to a good Honda Generator which can provide power anytime anywhere, but is noisier and requires fuel to be hauled.

I have both for redundancy on the boon docking and will actually use the generator to supplement as needed. As you know also, Solar is not 100% reliable if your site has shade, or on a cloudy day and at night. With all that I have for solar... I'd be pushing it to try to run the AC all night.. whereas I can if needed with the generator.

Having both is the best of both worlds but expensive... and in reality... not absolutely necessary.. That is just my opinion. I guess you can nap and run the AC with a genertor in a rest stop.... Truckers leave their engines running all the time. I am a gadget guy, however, and think it is cool to run off solar because I can. :-)

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[McDave]

Hey Don,
Thanks for the relay info. Those look like they could come in handy on occasion, so I ordered a few.
Gotta tell ya, I about fell out of my chair laughing when I read Hank's post. He's just funny! Then there is Martin, who we know is a master craftsman, but sometimes iffy in the math dept.. I'm really 56 yrs old, er... young. Goes by pretty fast..
Looks like you are about done. Can't wait to see your rig in action.
Thanks again,

McDave

[m.colley]

Hey Don
Thanks for the diagram, its pretty much what I had in my mind when you were explaining it to Dave, now ya got me wondering, did I wire my reverse lights in at my 7pin? Your build is comin along great, the end is near, keep up the great work.

Dave, yup my old HS math teacher warned me bout not carryin the one, she told me it was gonna be my downfall .


Martin

[flboy]

McDave and Martin.. glad the diagram helped. I hope all is well with you. Have a great day.

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[flboy]

I cut the foam (4" High Density) for my dinette seats tonight and installed the overhead LED lighting in the cabinet. Ran out of time to connect the wiring up to the switch, but will get to it tomorrow. The Electric Knife really worked well for cutting the foam. It is all good practice for carving the Turkey in a few months! Don't tell my wife though... she hates it when I take her kitchen stuff and use it for tools!

My wife is going to help me select some fabric for the covers.. I may be able to get my sister to sew the covers... if not.. I may take it to an upholstery shop.

[flboy]

I have the stereo (Bluetooth capable with Aux and USB inputs) and TV in and started facing off the AC and Refrigerator cabinet.. The TV is on a swivel mount so I can move it around quite a bit to face forward, backwards, etc. It will be flush to the wall for travel. That little digital antenna I put on the roof a while back picked up 55 channels. About 20 are good for me.. the rest are in Spanish and some are music.

Going to build the upper cabinet in the bathroom tomorrow and start some painting. That will be it for the weekend... then a lot of little things (trim, finish work, etc..) during the week.. Next big job is cabinet doors. I have to put together the router table sometime this week. My brother lent me his, but he didn't tell me it was not assembled. LOL

[skates04]

I have been looking into doing a conversion and just found this forum this week. I've spent a lot of time reading this whole thread, learned a ton, thank you!

Fellow KTM rider here. Looking forward to seeing how the bikes fit when your done, as I will have to fit two. Well 1 1/2 daughter is still on a CRF50.

Is your trailer 18 feet plus the "V" or is it included?


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[flboy]

I have been looking into doing a conversion and just found this forum this week. I've spent a lot of time reading this whole thread, learned a ton, thank you!

Fellow KTM rider here. Looking forward to seeing how the bikes fit when your done, as I will have to fit two. Well 1 1/2 daughter is still on a CRF50.

Is your trailer 18 feet plus the "V" or is it included?


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You are welcome... glad it was helpful. The trailer is 18' * 7' with a 2' Vnose so 20' from the tip of the Vnose to the ramp. This garage area as I have laid it out will take 2 full size dirt bikes.. or a street bike and one dirt bike, or one 4-wheeler. I am not too far away from pulling the bikes in and marking the floor for tie downs and tire chalks.

This forum is a great place to browse if you are looking for ideas. Lots of good stuff here as you are finding out. Good luck on your build if you decide to go that route. Go KTM!

[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

You ain't done anything for me to say something negative yet ... , .

"I have to put together the router table sometime this week. My brother lent me his, but he didn't tell me it was not assembled. LOL"

So, ... when you're done take it all back apart and return it 'just like ya got it' , .

hank

[flboy]

Got the very last cabinet built. This was the one in the bathroom I was waiting to do. I needed it for storage... but most importantly, it ties that thin wall in well and makes it structurally more rigid. It was not real rigid before. I am going to do the same on the other angled wall with the shower curtain bar. It will add some strength to the wall in addition to holding up the shower curtain.

[Hader]

Don,

"but most importantly, it ties that thin wall in well and makes it structurally more rigid."

I'm sure glad to hear how you are making it work. My 2 walls will be a 1/2" and will depend on support from 1 corner and kitchen counter-top.

Your build is at the last stretch, I'm happy for you. If we were closer, I'd throw you a BBQ for the occasion.

[flboy]

Thanks Hader. Appreciate that. Yes.. I can see the end.. just cabinet doors, finish work and the bed.

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[flboy]

Wow.. just looking back.. I have been at this for over 6 months . I actually started in February when I was scavenging from the donor camper and waiting for the Lark factory to build the CT. Time sure does pass quickly looking in the rear view mirror.

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[flboy]

Ordered some of the hardware to start building the loft bed. I have got a lot of good ideas from the forum but in the quest for build simplicity, I will try something different.... I am going to build the bed less than 100 lbs.. so I believe I'll only need the two struts to assist the lift and then I will use pins through the guides to keep it up and not load the struts.

These mount brackets I found on eBay should simplify the build also. I ordered qty 4 of those.

I have a very simple design in mind by using regular house bed rails of the type used with a headboard and footboard and have the hooks on the ends to catch the headboard. I'll build the guide channel using qty 2 90 degree angle iron pieces facing eachother on each side spaced wide enough for the frame connection and put a bolt through at the bottom to catch the bed rail hook like on the headboard. Going to take minimal welding to make a ladder frame. With screws 6 inches spaced on each side of the guide, the walls will support the bed and the guides will only be 3.5 ft. long... We'll see how it works. It always harder to take it from the mind to reality.



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