Two A/C questions

[Mark Freedom]

That's a nice vent you have there, I may have to look into those.
I figured to use the same style vent for my battery vent that I plan to put in a box on the tongue/hitch.
My plan is for 2 batteries one on each side, one to run an inverter and the other for all the rest of the 12 volt needs, that way if I go off road for an extended time it will give me sort of a "back-up" battery.
I don't expect to run the AC off of the inverter, but plan on a TV with a small home entertainment system in the cabin, and a small microwave in the galley .
I'm going to start with a 5x10 trailer with a 3500 lb. axle and use 15 wheels, I plan to pull it with a Wrangler for the most part, so it would use the wranglers spare, my F250 is a gas hog.
Hopefully I'll get this house sold pretty soon so I can start turning this dream into reality.

[2bits]

I am going to start with a simple 110v system with 12volt wiring and hookups in place, but I don't expect the full 12v to kick in for a while just due to time and $$$ concerns for the batteries and inverter, but they are definitely part of the plan.

You must be planing quite the heavy trailer for a 3500# axle! Remember too much of a load rating will make your trailer bounce all over the place because there won't be enough spring in that spring I guesstimated mine redneck style and I ordered a #9 Dexter axle (2000lbs) derated to 1500# since that seemed to be the standard for my size so you might want to consider ramping down a little once you get in to it.

[Mark Freedom]

I do plan to put shocks on it first thing.
I want it to set up high and be able to haul the weight should I need to load it up and head for the back country.
Right now I have a 26 foot TT and it's just to big to take about anywhere, not to mention it's weight.

[madjack]

...let me second 2bits on the 3500# axle...unless you are building a REALLY HEAVY camper, you might want something lighter to keep from having near rigid suspension...a set of shocks are not gonna help much if the suspension is not moving at all...also, the microwave...with much use it will kill a battery pretty darn quickly...keep in mind that when using an AC appliance on batteries/inverter, that the amperage rating of the AC appliance will be multiplied by a factor of 10...so a microwave that draws 6amps of 120VAC power will need 60AMPS of 12VDC power to operate!!!!!!!!
madjack

[Mark Freedom]

...let me second 2bits on the 3500# axle...unless you are building a REALLY HEAVY camper, you might want something lighter to keep from having near rigid suspension...a set of shocks are not gonna help much if the suspension is not moving at all...also, the microwave...with much use it will kill a battery pretty darn quickly...keep in mind that when using an AC appliance on batteries/inverter, that the amperage rating of the AC appliance will be multiplied by a factor of 10...so a microwave that draws 6amps of 120VAC power will need 60AMPS of 12VDC power to operate!!!!!!!!
madjack

What would be my other choice?
If I use a 2000 pounder and then load it up heavy it will start busting the springs.
I don't plan to use the microwave much with the inverter, I have an 1850 coleman powermate that I would generally use, but I might occasionally want to heat up a cup of coffee in the morning or something without the noise of a generator or without lighting a fire for one cup of joe.

You're right, I may need to think more about the 3500 lb. axle but I know that I'll be hauling a lota chit in there and I question if a 2000 pound axle is going to get it.
In addition to what the trailer itself will weigh there will be a generator, and ice chest, water, water pump, microwave, AC unit, TV, dvd player, pots and pans, cast iron, 2 batteries, jack & tools, screen tent, awning, mattress and bedding, coleman camp kitchen, chairs, inverter, charger, and no telling what else I'm forgetting at the moment.
I haven't set down and added all these weights up, but it seems it's pushing the limit on a 2000 pound axle.

The trailer itself I plan to do 3/4 inch sidewall, 1 inch stud, and 1/4 interior wall and then two layers of 1/16 for the roof, and then fiberglass the whole thing.
I can't even guess what that's going to weigh right now but it won't me light.

I'd say if I was going to use it to just run from one camp ground to another it would be over built, but I plan to take it in the back country so I think it needs to be a pretty solid build for that.

What I'm thinking is that often a lot of the stuff I'll be hauling around can be left out, but I still want to be able to load it down if I need to.

Still think that's too much axle?

[asianflava]

I suppose you could use a 3500lb axle if it were a leaf sprung axle. You could adjust the spring pack down to what you need. If it were a torsion axle then you can't adjust it, though it does have damping qualities that leaf sprung axles don't.

I have a 2000lb torsion axle on my 5X10 and it is a bit much. Torsion axles ride best when close to their rated limit. Teardrops usually don't have a wide range of weight, the difference between empty weight and loaded weight may only be a few hundred pounds.

[2bits]

Mark, from what you mentioned, you are not loading it up with anything too unusual from the normal camping gear and Teardrop appliances. What I did was just read every post in construction techniques any time I could for as far back as I could, and just read other peoples experiences (rather than advice) and make your own call. It is time consuming, but I really enjoy the learning process too, lets hope I learned enough haha

[Mark Freedom]

I've read and read, it's still a bit difficult to try and determine the weights of everything combined once it's all finished and loaded.
I'll probably take your advice and go with the 2000 pound, if it doesn't work out I can always upgrade.

[2bits]

I was looking through some posts in the axles section from the A-Z Index in the General Discussion forum, and it seems like alot of people have better luck with leaf spring setups vs. Torsion arm set ups when it comes to doing alot of off road stuff, so you sound like you are on the right track and with leaves you can upgrade!