Hobby Trailer: the rebuild...

[KSCrawler]

I've had this 5x8 enclosed trailer for about 10 years, used primarily as a storeroom for most of my camping crap. It has sat beside the barn for the last 6ish years, out of sight, out of mind, except when I needed a piece of gear.

A few months back, something triggered a desire to bring the aging trailer back from the dead, and give it new life as a hobby room on wheels. Plans for the build include a few deep cycle batts in a tongue box for field power, interior and exterior lighting, multiple power ports to plug in lipo chargers, stereo system, folding roof rack that will double as a sleeping platform, and some sort of camp kitchen with a mandatory 12v beer fridge.


Here's the roof rack design, unfolded:


It's in the process of being built, I need to stop by the weld shop some time for progress pics.

While waiting on the roof rack, I have gutted the trailer, converted all of the running lights to led, insulated the interior with 1" Styrofoam, put down some linoleum, and covered the walls and roof with prepainted masonite panels. When I went to add panels to the rear doors, I discovered some bad news... the lower part of the doors suffered from some water damage. What should have been a simple job turned into completely rebuilding new doors. Enough jabbering, here's a few progress pics:



Here's the new door blanks, glued and clamped:


Inside wired and insulated, ready for flooring and wall covering:


Flooring and most of the panels in place, along with some interior led lighting. Ratchet straps are to stow the ez-up, camp chairs, etc:


New rear door, compared to old front door (still need to rebuild it to match the rear doors):


Tongue mounted battery box, with shore power connection for charging system. Considering adding some solar panels for extended outings. Oh yeah, also added a vent on the side of the trailer, with some cpu fans to move some air if needed:


Inside shot of the vent and fans:


More progress soon, waiting on USPS to deliver some switches and other goodies. Hoping to have it road worthy for the Goat Hill GTG in Kansas City.

[ElBandito]

Looks good Billy. If you need any help with it, just hollar.

[KSCrawler]

Thanks, will do!

[Docwolf]

pretty kick ass, yeah holler if you need help with like holding stuff........or drinking beer.........wasting time........you know, whatever ;)

[boisetrucker]

Nice work so far man can't wait to see it all finished up.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

[grob23]

Lookin good Billy! All of my rigs should be done by Goat Hill, will your trailer?

I too don't mind helpin any way I can, now that there's some nice weather

[KSCrawler]

Thanks guys, I'm hoping to have it done for the Cinco de Mayo crawl at Coronado for its maiden run, then work out any bugs for Goat Hill the following weekend. The wife picked up some cool beanbag chairs so we can wrench in comfort! Other additions in the works: onboard air, portapotty, onboard water, solar charging, solar shower... the list goes on. This trailer will serve double duty as a bugout trailer if the need ever arises.

[grob23]

Originally Posted by KSCrawler

will serve double duty as a bugout trailer

YES! That mentality never gets old... kudos for thinking ahead!

I'm pretty interested in seeing where the solar charging setup goes

[ElBandito]

Harbor Freight has these solar chargers for cheap.

[KSCrawler]

I would need 120 of those to keep up with my power usage! I have 3 60w panels, and am researching Max Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers. The ones from Morningstar come highly recommended, but have a hefty price tag.

[Docwolf]

Arduino board, photo cell and servos.

Sent from my RM-845_nam_vzw_100 using Board Express

[KSCrawler]

Yep, great solution for solar tracking, but I'll be using power seat motors instead of servos due to the size of the panels. MPPT varies the current draw from the pv panels to maximize power output. This can also be done using an Arduino and some high current FETs, but I already have enough Arduino projects on the drawing board! Don't tempt me... dammit, too late... what's one more sketch to start writing!!! LOL

[crawliestsalinan]

Thats turning out pretty good Billy. lots of good ideas, can't wait to see it. goodluck!

[KSCrawler]

Thanks! The rest of my switches arrived, so I no longer have an excuse to just hang out in it and drink beer. Now that the wall panels are in, Kori has named the trailer 'Pearl.' Alotta white in the interior, might need some color in there. Also thinkin' maybe I should put a dimmer on the led light strips on the ceiling... or I could just leave it as in and drink more beer!

[Docwolf]

Dimmer ;)

Sent from my RM-845_nam_vzw_100 using Board Express

[G-FORCE]

Love the checkerboard floor! I've seen that in a couple of racing trailers. Your plans are top shelf! Nice work. Can't wait to see it at Goat Hill.

[KSCrawler]

Thanks G! Got a little more done. The ez-up, folding chairs, folding tables, tent, etc. have been strapped in place up front.

The all-important porta-potty has been set up front, but not sure if it'll stay there. The mandatory beanbag will just be shoved wherever it will fit once all the shelving is in place.

Got tired of sitting the house today, so I went out and started working on the beer fridge rack. The fridge will store against the driver's wall, then swing out into the position shown below to be accessible from the back of the trailer.


I still need to tweak it a little then weld it up solid and bolt it in place. Slow progress, but it's progress!

[KSCrawler]

Link to larger pics: https://plus.google.com/photos/10920...P7gg8vC0r3_4wE

[grob23]

Trailer is coming along nice! What are ya planning for the ceiling?

[KSCrawler]

The majority of the ceiling will be covered in 1/8" white masonite, and I'm planning on using 1/16" pvc shower panels in the tight radius corners. Still need to run a few cables front to rear, then the corners will be insulated and covered.

My 'to do' list on this thing keeps growing! I get one thing done, and add three more. I made some headway on the beer fridge support today, just need to cut and thread two more pipe nipples tomorrow at work, then weld it up and bolt it in. Then I can finish up the task lighting on the rear doors, and then I can run the ground wire for the batts up front, and then work on the work bench, and then, and then... LOL