Trailer Build

navalseabee
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
So the wife and I decided it was time to upgrade from tents and borrowing people trailers and get our own. So some searching around led me to this 2017 7x16 $2500


Some things we thought were must haves.
1) Ability to store bikes and sleep at the same time
2) Queen bed
3) Quick drive to race, park, sleep with no movement of any gear placed.

So this led to some creative Microsoft painting


And actual progress. I decided to go the paint route because its cheap, easy to fix and lite. A stop to the local PPG store had me leaving with some decent quality latex for the walls and 4308 for the floor. They recommended the 4308 after i told them "smooth finish, easy to wash, chemical resistant, make non-skid for ramp".

On the agenda next is to finish the floor, and run some wiring for outlets, lights etc... The goals are 4 outlets, 2 lights, 13.5k AC, insulate roof, fold down table, cloths hanger, helmet rack, tie down hanger and the storage/bench in the nose.
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navalseabee
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2/28/2017 4:35pm














2/28/2017 5:48pm
don't forget something to wash up when youre done.
you can wash the bike when you get home.
wsc96
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AU
2/28/2017 6:15pm
Will you divide the back up with a wall? Bikes in the back and sleeping in the front. If you want to reduce the amount of moving of gear once you're parked this might make the most sense and it will help with keeping the smell out of the sleeping side.
EastFlorida
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Merritt Island, FL, USA
2/28/2017 6:40pm
wsc96 wrote:
Will you divide the back up with a wall? Bikes in the back and sleeping in the front. If you want to reduce the amount of...
Will you divide the back up with a wall? Bikes in the back and sleeping in the front. If you want to reduce the amount of moving of gear once you're parked this might make the most sense and it will help with keeping the smell out of the sleeping side.
I agree.

Also, I'm no expert but I've always been told not to have the bikes in when sleeping. I leave mine outside and lock them to the trailer/toy hauler...

The Shop

navalseabee
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
3/1/2017 7:11am
wsc96 wrote:
Will you divide the back up with a wall? Bikes in the back and sleeping in the front. If you want to reduce the amount of...
Will you divide the back up with a wall? Bikes in the back and sleeping in the front. If you want to reduce the amount of moving of gear once you're parked this might make the most sense and it will help with keeping the smell out of the sleeping side.
I wont due to having the weight distributed correctly. I wont be keeping gas cans in the trailer they'll be in the bed of my truck. As far as smell even with the bikes in the trailer there isn't any, I make it a point to drain the carbs and keep the gas shut off inside the trailer. For longer trips I'll keep the bikes outside, I'm not super worried about one night sleeping in there with the bikes.
navalseabee
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3/1/2017 7:23am


More paint went down yesterday, 1st and 2nd coat on the walls, 1st coat of orange thrown down. Doing the floor tonight.
seawitch
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Wanchese, NC, USA
3/1/2017 8:32am
Looks good so far.
navalseabee
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
3/28/2017 8:57am
Did a bunch of work last two weeks. Got all the wiring ran, outlets installed and breaker box installed; it all worked and nothing even caught on fire I was impressed.



So next project was building the table and shelves in the Vee and insulating and sheeting the ceiling, here's the frame structure going in.





So heres the template I made from scrap stuff, hot glued together and then transferred onto my sheet. I choose 1" MDF for the sheets, I got it free from a friend and waterproofed it with my paint I used on my floor.







Deck in, shelf in. The wife and I decided we both hated the original orange color we picked, quick trip to Lowes and now shes looking proper.










There she is all packed up sans bikes for a race this weekend. We decided to make a shelf above the bench for all our bedding it worked perfectly. Also got tired of our crappy lantern so Walmart had shop lamps for $10 it'll do until $$ comes to finish insulation and sheeting ceiling.

Things to Come: Insulate ceiling, sheet ceiling, real interior light, A/C summer is coming and Florida is no joke.
andcone
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53
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5/16/2013
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
3/28/2017 9:15am
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you in (Not sure their reason, but it's possible). I was thinking about adding windows for fresh air, light and an escape route for emergencies (Lock in or fire). I have kids so I wanted another way of getting everybody out very quickly.
I was looking into getting some sort bed system that lowers from the roof or Murphy bed style. Looking forward to seeing how your trailer progresses.
hvaughn88
Posts
8361
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6/19/2013
Location
Conway, AR, USA
3/28/2017 9:19am
andcone wrote:
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you...
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you in (Not sure their reason, but it's possible). I was thinking about adding windows for fresh air, light and an escape route for emergencies (Lock in or fire). I have kids so I wanted another way of getting everybody out very quickly.
I was looking into getting some sort bed system that lowers from the roof or Murphy bed style. Looking forward to seeing how your trailer progresses.
I've seen some trailers do beds like using the 2x4 mounts that attach to E-track systems. Looked pretty cool
hvaughn88
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Conway, AR, USA
3/28/2017 9:22am
andcone wrote:
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you...
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you in (Not sure their reason, but it's possible). I was thinking about adding windows for fresh air, light and an escape route for emergencies (Lock in or fire). I have kids so I wanted another way of getting everybody out very quickly.
I was looking into getting some sort bed system that lowers from the roof or Murphy bed style. Looking forward to seeing how your trailer progresses.
hvaughn88 wrote:
I've seen some trailers do beds like using the 2x4 mounts that attach to E-track systems. Looked pretty cool
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily



andcone
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Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
3/28/2017 9:41am
andcone wrote:
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you...
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you in (Not sure their reason, but it's possible). I was thinking about adding windows for fresh air, light and an escape route for emergencies (Lock in or fire). I have kids so I wanted another way of getting everybody out very quickly.
I was looking into getting some sort bed system that lowers from the roof or Murphy bed style. Looking forward to seeing how your trailer progresses.
hvaughn88 wrote:
I've seen some trailers do beds like using the 2x4 mounts that attach to E-track systems. Looked pretty cool
hvaughn88 wrote:
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/28/184284/s1200_IMG_3123.jpg[/img]
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily



Great idea. That looks like it will work. Thank you.
navalseabee
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
3/28/2017 9:52am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 9:56am
andcone wrote:
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you...
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you in (Not sure their reason, but it's possible). I was thinking about adding windows for fresh air, light and an escape route for emergencies (Lock in or fire). I have kids so I wanted another way of getting everybody out very quickly.
I was looking into getting some sort bed system that lowers from the roof or Murphy bed style. Looking forward to seeing how your trailer progresses.
I honestly wanted to do something like that for the bed, but after thinking about it I decided that the way were have been doing it (queen mattress on the floor then strapped to a wall) was best. This way it keeps the trailer very versatile and fast to get bikes in and out. Another big consideration when making things is keeping them low profile on the wall so it doesn't make the trailer feel narrower than it already is.

I would LOVE to have a window or two, but after talking to a friend who did it in his it doesn't sound worth the effort. Seems to me like that's an option that should be ordered from the factory, I mean if your motivated then sure. Same kind of deal for the bracing for an A/C, mine was an off the lot model so I got what I got luckily it has the roof bracing.

So far its lives very well, Wife and I just did 3 nights in it with no complaints.
navalseabee
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3/28/2017 10:10am


Sorry for the crap photo but heres a look at what she looks like ready to go. There is enough room with the bikes set staggered to leave them in there and lay down the bed, which was a requirement of mine.
MXD
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USA
3/28/2017 11:20am Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 12:43pm
Here is my set up. I'm not trying to derail your thread but when I was building mine, I loved seeing other builds so I could get some ideas. I found those scissor jack couch/beds on CL for $60 each. An elderly woman bought a toy hauler for her and her disabled husband to camp because he was in a wheelchair and needed the ramp to get in and out. They used the drop down queen and didn't need these so she had them removed and I happened to find them and scoop them up. It was the ultimate score. I was only going to use one and sell the other but when I installed it, I realized that if I put them on opposing walls, they would just barely touch when in the flat position and make a bed that is bigger than a king. It's unbelievably comfortable. I sleep like a baby in there. On a typical day, I just flip one down to sit on. I have a deep cycle battery on the tongue for overnight power to run a fan, lights or a phone charger. I also have a generator pass through for larger appliances. I recently braced the roof to support an AC unit (only partially finished and unpainted in these pics. It is now complete and painted white). My last project is a shower stall. I'm going to put it where the SS shelf is now. After that, I will have my perfect poor man's toy hauler. Oh, and one last thing I have tucked away in there is a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat on top. An 8 gallon bag, some kitty litter and I'm good to go.....litterally hahaha. The durability of toy haulers really turned me off. That's why I went the cargo trailer route and decided to build it myself with only the essentials.









hvaughn88
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Conway, AR, USA
3/28/2017 12:02pm
andcone wrote:
Great idea. That looks like it will work. Thank you.
I'll try to find a picture, but I also saw one who added additional e track up towards the top so that you just put in place up as high as possible when you're not using it and it's out of the way when you're packed up (if your trailer is tall enough)
Tracktor
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The RTF/Amboy, WA, USA
3/28/2017 12:39pm
andcone wrote:
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you...
I've been thinking about building something similar to this. Looks great so far. These trailers can be locked from the outside. Somebody could easily lock you in (Not sure their reason, but it's possible). I was thinking about adding windows for fresh air, light and an escape route for emergencies (Lock in or fire). I have kids so I wanted another way of getting everybody out very quickly.
I was looking into getting some sort bed system that lowers from the roof or Murphy bed style. Looking forward to seeing how your trailer progresses.
hvaughn88 wrote:
I've seen some trailers do beds like using the 2x4 mounts that attach to E-track systems. Looked pretty cool
hvaughn88 wrote:
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/28/184284/s1200_IMG_3123.jpg[/img]
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily



I was thinking about doing that but with kind of a hammock that clips on all four corners. ...........
MR. X
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North Tonawanda, NY, USA
3/28/2017 12:41pm
I like looking at trailor or van builds as much as bike build threads.
hvaughn88
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Conway, AR, USA
3/28/2017 12:42pm
Tracktor wrote:
I was thinking about doing that but with kind of a hammock that clips on all four corners. ...........
That would be pretty cool. Theres one where they ran some material between the two 2x4's and made a makeshift hammock out of it.
MXD
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USA
3/28/2017 12:48pm
hvaughn88 wrote:
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/28/184284/s1200_IMG_3123.jpg[/img]
Something kind of like this so you can put it up/take it down easily



As soon as my kids get a little bigger, this is exactly what I'm going to do to make a top bunk over my existing fold up beds. I measured already and there is enough headroom to store it up high still walk underneath it.
hvaughn88
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Conway, AR, USA
3/28/2017 1:00pm
I know this is a revived thread, but if the OP doesn't mind a little hijacking, how bout posting up some of the e-track mods/ideas you all have seen? If you don't wanna do it in here, we can start a new thread about it if that's cool.
3/28/2017 1:37pm
andcone wrote:
Great idea. That looks like it will work. Thank you.
hvaughn88 wrote:
I'll try to find a picture, but I also saw one who added additional e track up towards the top so that you just put in...
I'll try to find a picture, but I also saw one who added additional e track up towards the top so that you just put in place up as high as possible when you're not using it and it's out of the way when you're packed up (if your trailer is tall enough)
Sounds like a great way to store the bed up as high as possible when not in use...I guess if you let the air out of the mattress it could really be up high.
rrjr
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USA
3/28/2017 5:16pm
I honestly wanted to do something like that for the bed, but after thinking about it I decided that the way were have been doing it...
I honestly wanted to do something like that for the bed, but after thinking about it I decided that the way were have been doing it (queen mattress on the floor then strapped to a wall) was best. This way it keeps the trailer very versatile and fast to get bikes in and out. Another big consideration when making things is keeping them low profile on the wall so it doesn't make the trailer feel narrower than it already is.

I would LOVE to have a window or two, but after talking to a friend who did it in his it doesn't sound worth the effort. Seems to me like that's an option that should be ordered from the factory, I mean if your motivated then sure. Same kind of deal for the bracing for an A/C, mine was an off the lot model so I got what I got luckily it has the roof bracing.

So far its lives very well, Wife and I just did 3 nights in it with no complaints.
Your wife rides dirt bikes and sleeps in a trailer with no bathroom? She's a keeper! Well done.
Pirate421
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1826
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7/26/2015
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USA
3/28/2017 5:24pm
MXD wrote:
Here is my set up. I'm not trying to derail your thread but when I was building mine, I loved seeing other builds so I could...
Here is my set up. I'm not trying to derail your thread but when I was building mine, I loved seeing other builds so I could get some ideas. I found those scissor jack couch/beds on CL for $60 each. An elderly woman bought a toy hauler for her and her disabled husband to camp because he was in a wheelchair and needed the ramp to get in and out. They used the drop down queen and didn't need these so she had them removed and I happened to find them and scoop them up. It was the ultimate score. I was only going to use one and sell the other but when I installed it, I realized that if I put them on opposing walls, they would just barely touch when in the flat position and make a bed that is bigger than a king. It's unbelievably comfortable. I sleep like a baby in there. On a typical day, I just flip one down to sit on. I have a deep cycle battery on the tongue for overnight power to run a fan, lights or a phone charger. I also have a generator pass through for larger appliances. I recently braced the roof to support an AC unit (only partially finished and unpainted in these pics. It is now complete and painted white). My last project is a shower stall. I'm going to put it where the SS shelf is now. After that, I will have my perfect poor man's toy hauler. Oh, and one last thing I have tucked away in there is a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat on top. An 8 gallon bag, some kitty litter and I'm good to go.....litterally hahaha. The durability of toy haulers really turned me off. That's why I went the cargo trailer route and decided to build it myself with only the essentials.









Wow doesn't get any better than that. Those beds are like over $500 and with the width of your trailer having them fold out and touch perfectly. Jackpot my man that's awesome. I'm going with a cot on mine. I also mounted a truck toolbox to the floor of mine as a bench with storage. Does anyone have any experience using that roof paint that is supposed to insulate? I think I saw one that says it should drop the interior temp by like 20*. I may be interested in trying that out on mine.
TXDirt
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Plano, TX, USA
3/28/2017 5:32pm
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the best features we had. When folded down it only took up maybe 2-3 inches width of space. Used it all the time.
navalseabee
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Virginia Beach, VA, USA
3/28/2017 5:40pm
TXDirt wrote:
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the...
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the best features we had. When folded down it only took up maybe 2-3 inches width of space. Used it all the time.
I want to do this but the wife is battling me on it. Another problem i have yet to solve is where to mount the spare tire. The tongue isn't long enough to make it easy and mount there, and I'm unsure how to affix it to a wall outside the trailer and make it look decent...
j368
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575
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Tulsa, OK, USA
3/28/2017 7:13pm
TXDirt wrote:
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the...
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the best features we had. When folded down it only took up maybe 2-3 inches width of space. Used it all the time.
I want to do this but the wife is battling me on it. Another problem i have yet to solve is where to mount the spare...
I want to do this but the wife is battling me on it. Another problem i have yet to solve is where to mount the spare tire. The tongue isn't long enough to make it easy and mount there, and I'm unsure how to affix it to a wall outside the trailer and make it look decent...
Put a recessed space underneath the flooring. You can order trailers with that now. Or mount it underneath the trailer, and put a cover over the tire so it doesn't get beat.
TXDirt
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7786
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Plano, TX, USA
3/29/2017 6:59am
TXDirt wrote:
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the...
In our small trailer we had a 6 foot table mounted on brackets we could flip open or close down against the wall. One of the best features we had. When folded down it only took up maybe 2-3 inches width of space. Used it all the time.
I want to do this but the wife is battling me on it. Another problem i have yet to solve is where to mount the spare...
I want to do this but the wife is battling me on it. Another problem i have yet to solve is where to mount the spare tire. The tongue isn't long enough to make it easy and mount there, and I'm unsure how to affix it to a wall outside the trailer and make it look decent...
Why would she be battling you on a table mounted inside the trailer? It was probably the best feature we added to be honest. Full sized table for eating, working and relaxing, etc. And when folded down pretty much takes up zero space. And as another poster mentioned, see if you can find room for spare tire underneath trailer. That's usually where I have seen them stored.

Like what you have done so far!
kaptkaos
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1087
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Location
Miami, FL, USA
3/29/2017 7:21am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2017 7:24am
Nice job, I love the Harley colors. I had a 24ft cargo trailer that we split in half, front cabin was insulated and finished for sleeping, had cabinetry and AC and a side door. The back half was a garage and also had a folding bed.

In Florida, you need AC, which means you need a generator. We had installed a fence lock outside that aligned with the door handle and it clicked in and we could padlock it so nobody could lock us in. We put only one small fixed window in the side camper door, to make it secure, and so the light would wake us up.

Most important feature was the Sunsetter we installed outside, it was a life saver.

Had good times in it, but decided to get a Keystone Raptor 5th wheel toy hauler, so I an camp with family and friends instead just having a riding trailer.

The Keystone has been very good to me and I am super happy with it.

BTW I was able to sell the cargo trailer for a fair price when I was ready to upgrade. People with motorcoaches haul them behind their rigs.

There was a site that was dedicated to building these things and it was very useful, they a ton of builds and ideas. I cant remember it, there was one called tiny travel trailers or something to, very useful.
3/29/2017 8:52am
kaptkaos wrote:
Nice job, I love the Harley colors. I had a 24ft cargo trailer that we split in half, front cabin was insulated and finished for sleeping...
Nice job, I love the Harley colors. I had a 24ft cargo trailer that we split in half, front cabin was insulated and finished for sleeping, had cabinetry and AC and a side door. The back half was a garage and also had a folding bed.

In Florida, you need AC, which means you need a generator. We had installed a fence lock outside that aligned with the door handle and it clicked in and we could padlock it so nobody could lock us in. We put only one small fixed window in the side camper door, to make it secure, and so the light would wake us up.

Most important feature was the Sunsetter we installed outside, it was a life saver.

Had good times in it, but decided to get a Keystone Raptor 5th wheel toy hauler, so I an camp with family and friends instead just having a riding trailer.

The Keystone has been very good to me and I am super happy with it.

BTW I was able to sell the cargo trailer for a fair price when I was ready to upgrade. People with motorcoaches haul them behind their rigs.

There was a site that was dedicated to building these things and it was very useful, they a ton of builds and ideas. I cant remember it, there was one called tiny travel trailers or something to, very useful.
Do you have any pictures of your fence lock on the door from that trailer? That sounds like a really good idea

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