ET (Ellie's Trailer) Came Home, finally!

[pappaw]

Hi There:

After 2 years of shopping and thinking, I ordered our 5X10 United cargo trailer to convert, and after 8 weeks of waiting for deliver, (as promised) here are a few pixs, and more in my album too. It was to have silver wheels to match my tow (Ellie our Honda Element) and a spare tire rack, which I need to return to my dealer to get taken care of shortly. It has an awning, side door with RV lock and steps, porch light, insulated and finished inside walls, paint to match my tow, grad handle on the door, extra height, vents in the galley area, and side windows.

We have the toilet and shower framed in so far, hope to start on the rear wall next, it will hold our window A/C unit (thru the wall). Rear storage will be for a galley, Honda generator, cooktop/grill, etc. Inside will have bunkbed that converts to dinette, TV, DVD, playstation, stereo, ham radio, etc, and a sink.

For H2O a onboard water tank with pump and city water hook up, electric will be wired for shore power, genny, and a battery for 12 volt, and a waste tank with dump for you know what.

Now if I can only do it all.







Cheers: Jeff

[IndyTom]

Great looking trailer Jeff. Looking forward to seeing your build as it evolves.

Tom

[AG25]

Looks good!!

I would like to do a similar size trailer and also have a smaller TV. I was wondering is the Honda a 4 or 6 cyl? About how much does the trailer weigh? Do you have brakes on the trailer? How does the honda tow and stop with the CT? Do you notice much drag when towing?

Good luck with the build!!

Tony

[bigbendhiker]

Very nice trailer. I know you must be excited to start.

Congratulations.

Can't wait for pictures of your build.

[lmajeff1]

Hello Pappaw

Glad your trailer arrived. I almost have all the T 11 siding up for the inside of mine. I hope to have done this weekend so that I can prep for stain and paint. I hope that you get as much fun in converting yours as I am with mine. It just is a slow process for me.


Jeff

[bc toys]

Glad you got your trailer looking forward to watching you, as will be doing mine as well the only thing is need is tome and money and ideals oh and lots of Well i'll be watching you

[sportxlh]

Hi There:

..........We have the toilet and shower framed in so far, ..........

Can you post a picture of the bathroom framing. I am trying to get a feel for exactly where you're going to place it and how much room you'll be left with. Congrats on the arrival of the trailer: it looks very nice!

[pappaw]

Looks good!!

I would like to do a similar size trailer and also have a smaller TV. I was wondering is the Honda a 4 or 6 cyl? About how much does the trailer weigh? Do you have brakes on the trailer? How does the honda tow and stop with the CT? Do you notice much drag when towing?

Good luck with the build!!

Tony

Hi Tony:

It's a 4cyl, has a 1500lb tow rating, and has 4 wheel disks. My trailer weights right at 1000lb. I did not get electric brakes. I was surprised at how well it handled the trailer. I would not want to go any bigger thou. The trailer is 5 foot wide and is the perfect for the Element, mirrors and backing and so on. Stops pretty well. I've had electric brakes on trailers before and I seeing how they work, or don't work, think I'm fine without. My dealer talked me into the V nose, didn't cost me any extra, but I do think it makes a big difference behind the Element. The Element has no aerodynamic design and is bad on windy days so I expect having the trailer behind me on windy days will be fun, something I'll try to avoid. Hope that helps you.

Jeff

[pappaw]

Thanks all for you words of support.

I'll get some more pixs up soon.

Jeff

[8ball_99]

I would reconsider the trailer brakes. They do work very well when setup right. If you had trouble with a trailer in the past it was probably because something wasn't right in the system.. Could have been a junky controller, wiring problem or the brake pads needed attention. With a vehicle with such a light tow rating and a trailer weighing at the limit your going to want brakes.. Once that trailer is loaded up with camping gear it will push you around pretty good I bet.

[Trainman45]

Hi Pappaw,
Your trailer looks great, I like the color. Have fun with your build, your going to love it.

[pappaw]

Did some painting and put down some vinyl this past weekend,

got the toilet room finished:





painted the storage and (to be) galley area:





and painted the inside of all the doors (the color is close to that of the exterior of the trailer, guess the bright sun and the camera didn't get along well):



Cheers

[Oldragbaggers]

Very nice. I'll bet you're anxious to start enjoying it!!

[pete42]

nice trailer and nice build the cost of adding brakes depends on if you wheel hubs have the place for them to mount
at least it was for one of my trailers, the best controller is made by TEKONSHA the PRODIGY model around $120
when I bought my first Scamp they installed a TEKNOSHA VOYAGER model it works very well but doesn't have the features
of the PRODIGY but cost around $70.
I have owned lots of trailers some with and some without brakes
I have found the ones with brakes worked better
the trailer brakes stop the trailer the truck's brakes stop the truck.
going down a mountain you will find the trailer tends to push the truck not good.
it also causes the truck brakes to heat up also not good.
If you can see your way clear I would recomend to add brakes.

pete

[pappaw]

Thanks Becky:

Been on 3 camping trips so far. We are on hold til is cools off here, been in the 90s. Have a trip planned for the 4th of July to meet our oldest daughter and grandkids for the weekend.

Cheers