Camper trailer renovation - need advice

sailorman · Mar 19, 2011

Boggen, good suggestions and we both think alike. My guiding rule is keep trailrt weight to a minimum ( since I don 't know what I 'm starting with ) to produce a towed hard body tent already setup inside. I have a large selection of camping gear acquired over years to choose from. I will only put in the trailer what I would normally put in my tent after setup + a few extra. Extras : porta-pottie, sink draining to camp hookups or small gray water tank outside, kinette cabinet/counter top, and AC already installed.

All other gear/clothing will be carefully carried in PU bed with an eye toward weight and distribution. Some gear will be shared inside and ot depending on weather.Camp stove, cookin' stuff, folding table and chairs and so on.

Yep and shelfs, shelfs shelfs ! I like them too.

Guide line is as light as possible semi-primitive camping with practically no hookup camping. Not plannin' on pullin' into a complete camp ground, hookin' up, crankin' up a TV dish and AC and never comin' out like I 've seen some folks do. Makes me scratch my head and wonder why they left home.

sailorman · Mar 19, 2011

Pat, I 'm guessin' it is a 3500# axle also even though there is no weight identificatin on it. I 'm gonna be switching to 7 pin plug with trailer brakes and an auxillary trailer battery for some DC. Gonna install a cheap solar charge for trailer battery on sunny days while camping.

sailorman · Mar 20, 2011

Got Galley/Sink ruffed in.

radioman · Mar 21, 2011

you are on your way! :thumbsup: As for comment for open shelfs in a camper... ahem... have you thought about the stop and go traffic? it will throw stuff around esp in a shelf. Go to a local camper place and pretend to be shopping. look closely on the design of shelving. They have lips on bottom to catch stuff from falling out, doors that close on it, cardboard like bottoms and sides to reduce weight etc..

sailorman · Mar 21, 2011

radioman said:
you are on your way! :thumbsup: As for comment for open shelfs in a camper... ahem... have you thought about the stop and go traffic? it will throw stuff around esp in a shelf. Go to a local camper place and pretend to be shopping. look closely on the design of shelving. They have lips on bottom to catch stuff from falling out, doors that close on it, cardboard like bottoms and sides to reduce weight etc..

In regard to shelves and cabinets I 'm gonna call on my long distance sailboat racing experience knowing nothin' much can toss around stuff like a boat in heavy seas and wind. Both shelves and cabinets will have lips. Shelves will be used for flat folded clothes initial carried in truck. Cabinets will have semi-stretch netting instead of doors or canvas secured at the opening top and lock downs at bottom. May use a similar canvas setup over top of shelves for travel. Then roll canvas back once camped. If the equipment normally lived outside when I tent camped, it will be carried in truck. Of course as I gain experience with the camper I may find I can put some of that equipment in camper.

Gettin' ready to ruff frame overhead galley cabinet now. Man I 'm really enjoyin' this build. And if it doesn 't work out as towable for me, I 'll sell it and use money as a down payment for a new popup. I 'm fond of the A-Liner and Chalet models. Not wantin' to deal with soft sides.

P.S. forgot to add the configuration is 1 overhead galley cabinet, 1 floor galley cabinet/counter/sink, and 1 ceiling to floor closet with shelves.On extended campouts I 'll be resupplying at local stores.

KubotainNH · Mar 21, 2011

pat32rf said:
Hook up your wiring so the battery is on the ignition side of your key so it charges whenever the truck is running.

Sorry but I don't agree with this one, you could be putting a huge load on your ignition switch. I went with the recommended setup on my popup which is to attach straight to the battery with a 20amp fuse near the terminal using a wire rated above 20amps. If worried about draw when the tow vehicle is not running then you can add a switch or use a relay that is turned off/on by the ignition but always have a fuse in there.

Sailorman, looks like you are well on your way with the smaller wood. I wouldn't worry about storing stuff in your truck, you should be well under the max weight the way you are now building it. My trailer has lots of cheap particle board which of course is heavy, I see you are using plywood which is stronger and lighter. I think you should be able to get to the point that all your camping stuff lives in the camper. Grab your perishables, hook up and go camping.

sailorman · Mar 21, 2011

KubotainNH said:
Sailorman, looks like you are well on your way with the smaller wood. I wouldn't worry about storing stuff in your truck, you should be well under the max weight the way you are now building it. My trailer has lots of cheap particle board which of course is heavy, I see you are using plywood which is stronger and lighter. I think you should be able to get to the point that all your camping stuff lives in the camper. Grab your perishables, hook up and go camping.

Thanks Mike ! My truck manual says 7500lbs GCWR. My truck weighs approx 3760 lbs with me and full fuel tank no gear. That gives a trailer weight of 3740 lbs. My math understanding may be a bit fuzzy, but I think I should have no problem towing the weight. Gonna add WD hitch with sway control and brakes. Just doin' this interior work now with materials I have while saving money for brakes, controller and hitch.