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

[flboy]

Thanks Hank! Happy New Year!

I put the piece of trim I had laying around on the back of the bed rail to conceal the 2*4. I looks better when the ramp is down.

[flboy]

Got the light in today for the seating area.



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[CoventryKid]

Don:

I stumbled across this short video the other day - a couple in AK building tiny houses.

Thought you might find the bed lift of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEurdaURavw

PS: Your trailer is looking really great!! Congrats!!

[Padilen]

Neat video. Barn door track is heavy duty. One of my failed attempts was a kayak lift from the ceiling. But that lift looks good.


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[McDave]

Well, that is how a lift should operate, I think. There may have been some "creative editing", just sayin'.... But the design should work, in theory. Couple ideas to add, definitely would look at load rating of whatever motor is being used, a gear reduction wench seems ideal. Strong but slow. Like Me... I would want to go to floor with wench. If you could contain those cables to prevent anything from getting caught up or damaging cables, probably a good idea. Also in the unlikely event that a cable should fail while under load, this could be a life saver. I would want some type of limit switches for top and bottom to prevent torqueing the entire rig into oblivion in case of operator or control switch failure, or causing a tangled rats nest by over un-winding. An amp sensing cutout or circuit breaker could prevent catastrophic failure in case of a bind or obstruction, similar to garage door opener. A lock bar with a switch to secure it at top and not allow motor to operate until lock bar is manually unlocked, forces you to pay attention and focus on operation. Getting the cables and pulleys and winch all synced up may be a little touchy, and may require some adjustments as things break in and stretch and settle and expand or contract. Keeping the tension even at all four cables will be important to lifting without binding, or unwinding into a tangle if binding while lowering. Obviously, trailer level and plumb will be critical at build/install as well as when using.
This is where the happyjack style has the advantage. All four screws are synced up via chains and sprockets and have positive lift and lower, gravity isn't relied on to provide tension and each screw should be able to overcome any drag before a bind occurs. Also, there is not the "loaded spring" danger, and getting your shirt tail caught in the works is less likely. Trailer level is less important. You also have infinite lift and lower within the limits. You can lift an inch or fifty inches or anywhere between. A lot less moving parts and the slop that each brings to the party. If a person could copy this system economically, then you'd be doin' your business in high cotton.
Sorry, didn't mean to ramble. Again.

McDave

I may have just had a minor epiphany...or a stroke, but if a human being were to use chain and sprockets instead of cable and pulleys, getting and keeping synchronization should be a lot more achievable... gas struts to provide positive down force at all four corners might keep tension even enough to prevent binding....
Hmmmm....

[Padilen]

Do it then we'll " borrow" it!


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[flboy]

Loaded for the trip to SC tomorrow A.M. This is the second trip with a few bugs worked out and the loft bed installed. Most importantly this is the first trip with the Mrs.. If it passes this test.. all is good.

[McDave]

Oh Man, That looks really good. I just got that nervous, excited, anxious feeling you get before headin' out for a big Rally.
That felt pretty good, we just got another1.5ft of snow and -20s Sunday and Monday. Today was like Springtime, hi 34f and its still about 30f. Getting hit again Friday, already running out of places to put the snow. CTC has 2.5-3ft on roof. But I gotta say I'm pretty impressed with the insulating. I have been able to keep it liveable inside with a 1100 wt ceramic heater even at -20 and brutal wind chills. I built a wireless thermostat/relay power box last night so I can control the heater. Set it for 55f, but didn't get out there to check it yet today. I can see it from the Den window, so it didn't burn down last night. Knock on wood. From 55f I can work pretty easy and it doesn't take much to bring up to 70f. Floor is COLD, so I may have to address that next year when the time is right.
Hey Don,
Have a great time, and enjoy that beautiful rig you have built. Enjoy your time with the Mrs. and Bros. as well.
If you get a chance, a couple pics. of something warm and maybe green if that's possible would help us make it through.

McDave

[McDave]

Hey Don,
A little something for the road. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dimDXTOf94

McDave

[KCStudly]

Nice work Flyboy.

Hey McDave, did you catch that James Taylor received a Kennedy Center Honor the day. Pretty cool.

[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

Looks like you've got things under control. Beautiful job with the trailer.
Beware of the idiots out there, there's mor of them then there is of us.

Safe travels. "Fair winds and following seas." (old Naval saying)

hank

[msnglinc]

I thought about garage door tracks, but the shafts and wheels seemed like the bed and associated weight might leverage them and bend things
My wife and I both tried the bed with the full load on the trolleys and track. It is super solid. It just needs a balanced lift I think.

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My tracks will only be for guiding the bed up or down. They'll be vertical so there won't be any load on them or the wheels. Once in the down position I will have fold down legs from the frame at each end and the mid points to carry the weight. The down position will only be about two feet off the floor. The up position will be flat against the ceiling and non usable.

[flboy]

Hi All.. Happy 2017. I just got home from SC and reconnected to the Grid.

McDave... thanks for the James Taylor tune.. That's a good one. I hope you get thawed out some.

Thanks all for the well wishes on the trip. It went great. My wife really likes the trailer... very excited in fact. That bathroom and hot showers did it for her ... oh.. and the cinnamon rolls from the oven... I perfected that a bit from the first run) .. The only request was another towel rack in the bathroom. That will be easy!

The bed arrangement worked great. We slept well all three nights with plenty of room to lounge around underneath the bed in the camp chairs during the day. It got into the low 30's two nights and a 1500W ceramic heater set on the 750W (medium) mode kept the trailer at 68 degrees at the thermometer level and up at the bed level it must have been 5 to 10 degrees warmer.. I was throwing off blankets.. The insulation is doing its job well.

No issues with the camper this time.. Everything worked as it is suppose to. With full hookups... the hot showers lasted about 10 min before I started to run out of hot water...

The trailer towed great @ 65mph. No swaying and very controlled. A few times I forgot I was towing..

The MC rides were tough with 45 degrees in the late afternoon... Riding about 65- 75mph... that gets chilly on my bike with no wind screen... I am thankful for the cruise control where I could alternated hands going down on the engine to thaw out. I also almost had a small deer take me out right at sundown... it turned away last second.... that would have been ugly if it run out a little more...

My new gas struts came in while I was gone.. I'll give them a shot tomorrow to see if they solve the problem

A pic parked at the camp. I have a full hookup with power, water and sewer. (McDave... sorry there is not more green... this is SC.. Florida is a a little warmer. )

[McDave]

Oh Lawd,
That is nice, I feel better already. Is that Low Country? Cause I swear I can smell Shrimp and Grits...
Yep, dusk and dawn. Prime time for those deer to try to take you out.
Glad all went well, When Mama's happy, everybody happy...
Thanks for the pic. Rig looks Great!
Happy New Year!

McDave

[flboy]

Oh Lawd,
That is nice, I feel better already. Is that Low Country? Cause I swear I can smell Shrimp and Grits...
Yep, dusk and dawn. Prime time for those deer to try to take you out.
Glad all went well, When Mama's happy, everybody happy...
Thanks for the pic. Rig looks Great!
Happy New Year!

McDave

It is low country right along the Savannah River. Nice place.. I take maple syrup and butter in my grits... the local people hate me for that.