8x24 Car Hauler Project

[lars]

Greetings! Just found this forum while searching for cargo trailer conversions. I've been reading a lot of the posts for the past couple hours, extensive wealth of knowledge here!

I haven't seen anyone with the same length of trailer I have. I did a search but didn't find anything, perhaps my search-foo is weak today. My trailer is 8x24 with a 40 inch wide side door and a ramp rear door.

In addition to the factory recessed D rings for a car, I've added more tie downs to mount 2 motorcycles side by side towards the rear/over the axles. I have tons of e-track on the walls because I was using the trailer to move x-country. I mounted two new wheel/spare tires just inside the side door, one on top of the other prior to the move. I also installed two Maxx Air vent covers to allow ventilation while still keeping rain out.

I want to build this trailer to haul a couple bikes as well as have the amenities to go to bluegrass music festivals and camp. I'm thinking a double bed up in the nose and a single Murphy bed fold down over the axles or towards the rear, whatever works best. I purchased some e-track mounts which allowed me to build a "granny's attic" with three 2x4 up front. I want to put the double bed below that and use the shelve for storage, etc.

I purchased a 17 foot awning for $200 off craigslist. It's in great shape, all the parts are there. I don't have a bunch of help in my area since I just took a new job. I'm a little leery installing this myself without help, so I may just have Camping World do the install. Still pondering this... I've no idea what that installation should cost.

This trailer/camper/toy hauler will be used generally only in the summertime so don't really thing insulation is necessary, although I could be swayed given the experienced folks on the site.

I'd appreciate any pearls or links to posts you've encountered on the site specific to 24 footers. Thanks kindly.

Cheers! Lars

[jwhite]

You will want to insulate it and the more the better,I originally thought it wasn't needed but I found out like everyone else that it's probably the main thing you need to do right from the start.
I wonder what kind of TV your useing to pull that large a trailer,the reason I asked is my buddy has car hauler same size and he said that a half ton pickup wasn't enought to pull it properly and he sold his truck and bought a 3/4 ton diesel.
I think part of his reasoning is that he wants a huge toyhauler to live in full time so he went ahead and bought the truck he would need and he says that the car hauler is easy to pull now.

[lars]

You will want to insulate it and the more the better,I originally thought it wasn't needed but I found out like everyone else that it's probably the main thing you need to do right from the start.
I wonder what kind of TV your useing to pull that large a trailer,the reason I asked is my buddy has car hauler same size and he said that a half ton pickup wasn't enought to pull it properly and he sold his truck and bought a 3/4 ton diesel.
I think part of his reasoning is that he wants a huge toyhauler to live in full time so he went ahead and bought the truck he would need and he says that the car hauler is easy to pull now.

Thanks for the nudge towards insulating. I checked on insulation, looks like I can get sheets for about $7/per. Variable pricing per sheet. Any recommended R value?

I pulling this with a 3/4 ton F250 4x4 Super Duty. It tows fine with a 5.4 gas V8. A diesel would have been nicer, but an expensive option at the time.

Lars

[smooth1977]

Curious on the awning, did you install it or let Camperworld do it?