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

[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

[dudleydoright]

Hi Pappaw,

Looks like have a well planned and thought out setup, nice job. Hope to start on mine in about 2 weeks and go back to review yours to help me plan mine.

Mike

[capt4903]

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.

Do you know if it would be expensive to add electric brakes to a enclosed trailer, I dont have brakes yet but I think it would be safer to for towing. So what would I all need to have electric brakes installed on my trailer. And what do you all suggest for brands and would I need a brake controller then as well and which one is a good one?

trailer brakes are easy to add....put 'em on my 6 X 10 Aluma vee-nose.....just make sure the axle has the mounting brackets already welded on......they can be added, though.......get info off of axle tag for supplier.....i bought a complete kit from a recommended supplier out of Illinois...will have to wait until I get home to get that info.....backing plates, drums, bearings, shoes, wiring, battery and box, breakaway switch.....everything for install about $200.00.....took about 2 hours to do in the driveway.....had the car dealer install the controller when I bought my Colorado last year......

[pappaw]

Thanks Mike, and good luck with your build!

We'll have to get together some day, think I remember you saying something about being a Mark Martin or Roush fan?

Cheers

[capt4903]

ok..found my receipt...bought my brake kit from R and P carriages out of Seneca, Il......kit was $ 178.40 + 31.52 shipping.....

their website is http://www.randpcarriages.com

I've ordered a few times from them for items for my cargo.......

[pappaw]

Not much going on right now, saving for our trip (fly) to visit family and friends in southern Oregon shortly.

The last camping trip was the 4th of July weekend. So far everything works out good. We had planned on Labor day weekend, but the hurricane cancelled that.

Here we are on the 4th making the ever important smores with the grandkids:



Hope to get some fall camping in when we get back from Oregon.

Cheers

[David_L6]

How did you mount the waste water tank(s)? Any pictures of that part of the build?

Also, can you explain what all that electrical stuff is?

[Bkcreation34]

I have to say for a small Ct this one is the best out there. Small space but creative enough to have a bathroom in there and eating area and sleepign quarters. You did a great job and wish we run into each on the road so I can see your design in person.

[pappaw]

Hi David:

I just fastened blocks of wood to the floor on each side of the tank to keep it from moving and a piece of framing material was fastened across the top from one wall to the other. I guess one could use banding or plumbers strapping to go over the top and down to the floor to secure the tanks.

The electrical is the same as most use. I can run on 110AC shore power, run 110AC from my generator, or 12 volt DC from my battery. Here's my simple layout:



From left to right is the 110 AC breaker box on the left and 12 Volt DC fuse block on the right side. AC power runs the water heater, air conditioner, heater, TV-DVD, converter, etc.

The next is the AC to DC converter that makes the DC power to run the cabin lights, fans, water pump, cellphone Kindel chargers etc.

And the last black box is the battery charger conditioner. While hooked to shore power or the generator it is charging the battery.

The battery is used when not hooked to shore power and the generator is not running. When camping where there is no shore power the trailer runs off the battery, when someone wants to take a shower or the AC is needed during hot times to cool off the trailer the generator is started for those periods, and also recharges the battery.

I hope that answers your questions.

Cheers

[pappaw]

Thanks Very Much BK!

Would love to meet up you or any forum members. When we go camping, the trailer has always drawn anywhere from 2 to 6 people per day wanting to see in and get info. Makes us proud we could build it.

Cheers

[Bkcreation34]

Thanks Very Much BK!

Would love to meet up you or any forum members. When we go camping, the trailer has always drawn anywhere from 2 to 6 people per day wanting to see in and get info. Makes us proud we could build it.

Cheers

I am signed up the teardrop and tiny trailer event in Wisconsin this next weekend. They have over 150 people signed up. : ) I am excited to see other CT owners out there.

[David_L6]

Hi David:

I just fastened blocks of wood to the floor on each side of the tank to keep it from moving and a piece of framing material was fastened across the top from one wall to the other. I guess one could use banding or plumbers strapping to go over the top and down to the floor to secure the tanks.

The electrical is the same as most use. I can run on 110AC shore power, run 110AC from my generator, or 12 volt DC from my battery. Here's my simple layout:



From left to right is the 110 AC breaker box on the left and 12 Volt DC fuse block on the right side. AC power runs the water heater, air conditioner, heater, TV-DVD, converter, etc.

The next is the AC to DC converter that makes the DC power to run the cabin lights, fans, water pump, cellphone Kindel chargers etc.

And the last black box is the battery charger conditioner. While hooked to shore power or the generator it is charging the battery.

The battery is used when not hooked to shore power and the generator is not running. When camping where there is no shore power the trailer runs off the battery, when someone wants to take a shower or the AC is needed during hot times to cool off the trailer the generator is started for those periods, and also recharges the battery.

I hope that answers your questions.

Cheers

Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense to me now that I know what all the electrical gizmos are.

Have any pictures of your water tank installation?

[roadinspector]

I really like your clean layout. The only difference from your equipment and mine is my converter doubles as a charger.

Earnest