7x16 Cargo Camper

[Mark519]

Main lights are DC fluorescent and draw about 9 amps but really light it up well


Low lights are LED and draw about 1 amp.


Accessory station for radios, chargers, etc


Fold down table. There will be compartments for storage.








Gray water tank is ABS from IconDirect in Canada. It holds 17 gallons and I installed an electric dump valve. Not shown on the picture: I put in a 1.5" vent tube but it wasn't quite high enough. So I plumbed a 3/8" fitting higher on the tank and ran it into the vent tube. This allow it to fill up fully and vent properly although it is a little strange.


Antenna rack for weather radio, GMRS, Cell at rear of solar panel. Also see the small round silver vent for gray water. It is smaller than the hat style vent cover.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hi Mark

I just wanted to get the best Axels as I have nightmares of flipping trailer on freeway with spring axels "maybe overblown" & unfounded ?
I tied a new smaller builder ...wait and see if they respond ?
With your elec jacks - I wanna get the next trailer to be at least 18" high
P.S. I just noticed you got Dexter axels on your trailer.

Ok ...in my retirement "SOON" first trip I'm coming to your place in GA & we are gonna build
one last really "SICK & slamming trailer" - solar powered for Alaska -40 to plus 100 deg.....

ONLY Licensed by us to be towed by Prevost Buss

[Mark519]

In all the forums I have read about springs vs torsion, I never read about anybody saying springs are prone to flipping. They did say springs are better off road, washboard, etc. I assume you have drop axles? You might be able to replace them with straight axles if you want more ground clearance. According to the spec sheet a 3500 lb dexter axle with 45 deg down angle has 16.8" of clearance to the frame. I believe that is the MOST you can get out of a torsion axle. Mine are ALKO but they are almost identical to Dexter. If you are worried about stability an equalizer hitch is the way to go. I would go with 45 deg down angle instead of 22.5 down if I had it to do over again. My front jacks just barely miss grazing the top of my driveway over the hump. I don't see how 45 would ride much different than 22.5 all other things being the same.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Mark

I might just have irrational fear
I do have drop down, springs on the bottom & was told they can be changed to springs on top to get extra 3"

Dexter has lots of good info on their web site, it never hurts to learn something new.
The -22.5 deg neg results in the torsion arm being around 0 deg under full load & there gives you the smoothes ride.
If someone knowns welding - they could build really nice trailer for $2-4k in materials

Maybe I will have to get into that one day ?

I can tell already from dealing with these trailer guys, none of them are hurting in anyway shape or form for lack of business...
even if you offer to pay extra, they are not willing to go out of their way to make a few changes...
Which tells me, the economy is NOT that BAD...when you can tell your best customers to go packing.

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/600-8K_Cat_1-12/2300-3500_Lbs_1-12.pdf

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Mark

I had more fun today. I went to see Darth Vader ...the local Cargo trailer guy.
He has a big sign, I beat everybody prices , so you know he is a crook already

By mistake I found out Cargo Mate & Continental Cargo are the exact same company made by Forest River.
I asked him for a price on a Eliminator car hauler 8.5 x 18', also called auto Master by other brand.

http://www.continentalcargotrailer.com/default.asp?page=models&unit=automaster&choice=feat

After giving me some sh** that he does not sell Cargo Mate we finally got down to asking what auto master price was ?
Pretty sure he gave me MSRP $7,999 so where is the low price ?
Then I asked him for price to upgrade 3500 to 5200 lbs axel - he told me $2,000
He gave me a long spiel about bigger tires, breaker, rims Yada Yada !!! I really did not need that.
When I asked how that was possible and told him its only $150 more for 6,000 over the 3,500 axel
then the difference dropped to $750 all of a sudden... WHAT A CROOK !!
Then he wanted $250 for a 16" x 12" cargo door !!

Finally I asked him what the weight was , he swore 2800 lbs .... web site says almost 3,240 lbs
for a guy who has been in business for 30 years...he really sucks at knowing his product.
Seams like he wants to rape you coming and going.
My feeling is he just wants to sell to Lay me downs, charlie lunch buckets ....easy customers....

I have not found anybody ready to give you a deal on anything, The trailer business is really good in my opinion.
I remember from 2008 they were a lot friendlier , maybe after the fiscal cliff - I can get what I want ?

Happy New Year !!

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hi Mark

I'm getting ready for -40 and +120 deg, I'm hoping for heating with a match & cooling with a ice cube

almost done, still have a few nips & tucks to go , on the 2nd layer inside the first layer

photo 3-2.JPG (84.17 KiB) Viewed 3908 times

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Mark

I got it figured out , just heat 20 gal of water to 120 deg & stay nice and warm inside the trailer,
Assuming tank is inside your trailer.

A easy way to figure is 1 gal water at 120 per deg difference outside.
If its 0 deg outside and you want it 70 - then just heat 70 gallons to 120

1 gal of propane will heat about 115 gal of water 60 deg , well with my heater
No smell & no need to buy an extra heater.

Jerry

[Mark519]

Seems like you would need to circulate it to a radiator. With some automatic controls it seems feasible.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Mark

I was thinking 3 different ways,

One was to install some pex tubes under the mattress & a small water pump to circulate the water around all night since I have front and rear tanks.
Two, just fill the front water tank with hot water and it slowly dissipate into the room, may take some trail & error.
Third, to use the same small pump and do a small section on the floor.
This way I don't need to mess with a gas, diesel or propane heater

Don't think that I will need that much as I will be installing triple insulation - for the Arctic pack

I'm talking with the factory in Penn right now for a new OTTCT v2.0 with 8 x 18' and they are checking if they want to install
your ultra fab lifts, since their frame will be 22" + high , I was thinking to install the 30" - 6,000 lbs jacks in the rear.
Gotta go PU in 6 weeks or so - hopefully , here is your sneak peek... in white of course

http://www.carmate-trailers.com/new_vehicle_features.asp?veh=317762&CatDesc=Cargo%20Trailers#detail

I'm having a local guy make me 4 white .030 metal side covers for the side solar panels - so they will be hidden when not needed
and can be uncovered when more juice is needed

I'm pretty sure with new Insulation that 5,000 Btu ac will make trailer like freezer in 100 deg

So if you have any ideas for name of new trailer let me know

P.S. last night I just ran dehumidifier for 12 hours, used 3.6kw and it heater the empty trailer 17 degrees.
i'm just testing to see what results I can get ... With full trailer & people would estimate 35 deg plus.

Jerry

[jwhite]

If your looking for another source for trailers this one is great http://www.trailershopper.com/
I found out that in my area it's one of the centers for building all types of trailers are there are companies all around here that have connections with these factories and custom build any type trailer you can think of.
you can spend days on this site looking around and comparing prices.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hi jwhite

I tried Lark first as that is what I have , but they are so busy making crap for their dealers ,
they gave me the finger

I will look at the site - looks good ,
But I'm pretty close to talking my money to Penn this time around.
They are building 99.99% what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the tip, wish I had known 6 weeks ago

Jerry

[Mark519]

CABINET DOORS
I don't have cabinet making skills and I wanted flush cabinet doors. My solution is to glue 1/2" birch plywood to the back of paneling and mount it with hidden hinges from Home Depot and SouthCo finger latches. The weight of the door is too much for the hinges to hold open in the over head position but that really isn't a problem. I had to make a spacer for the finger latch but I think they are available for thinner panels. I got a good deal on a bunch of them from a surplus company so I took it. There are many different latch styles available but some are expensive and some have to be ordered in large quantities (aerospace).

[DTCOOPER]

I'm curious what the drop is on your blackwater tank? How far below the frame rail does it sit, at its lowest point?
Mine hangs about 3" below the frame rail. I don't think I have much reason to be concerned (especially since I'm on Spring Axles).. Just wondering !
Thanks
Daniel

[Mark519]

Daniel, the tank is all the way up against the floor decking and hangs down below the frame 3.5". The electric dump valve adds another 1/2". It is right in front of the axle tube which is also below the frame about 4" and the front and rear jacks are about 5" below the frame. So I don't think it is at risk under reasonable circumstances.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Mark

After 2-3 months Its almost impossible to BUY AMERICAN.... I have come to an impasse with CarMate Trailers
They wanted to charge me $440 for a minor axel change that cost $90 from the Dexter Factory.
To check 2 different boxes on their order form , $440 PLEASE

To install 4 small vents that cost $30 each..... $440 MORE please
that is $300 for 1 hour labor......

To have 32" RV style door with Piano hinges $350 MORE Please

A Drop down step into 8 x 18 $250 MORE Please

if you want a minor custom change they will RAPE you ......
if you want the junk on their lot - then its $400 discount below MSRP ?
Are these trailer builders all NUTS

I offered them 99% of MSRP & cost of the $100 axel total $6,999

NO THANK YOU !!!!!