7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

[flboy]

I am going to weld a metal bed frame see if I can build in some storage like you did. Still unsure if I’ll motorize it.

Thanks.


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I am sure it will be nice. This was my first go at a lift bed and I learned a lot. There are some things I'd do different... for instance I couldn't mount the pulleys up front on the struts due to how close I put them to my cabinets... Didn't think of that when I mounted the bed as the pulleys came later. And trolleys not necessary, but struts are to guide and pin the platform to hold it up. Also, I would have made provisions to put the winch and etc. under the bed and roll from there. If I ever do it again... that will be done. Too much retrofit on this design for that.

In any case, good luck. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. If it is light enough.. you may get away with not needing the motor. My bed is heavier than it needs to be.. and now especially with drawers and table top storage.

[flboy]

Episode 3 of Lexus Travels. Enjoy. 5 weeks and then we travel!
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https://youtu.be/aMJQ4CSRTDw
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[BigDave_185]

I am going to weld a metal bed frame see if I can build in some storage like you did. Still unsure if I’ll motorize it.

Thanks.


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I am sure it will be nice. This was my first go at a lift bed and I learned a lot. There are some things I'd do different... for instance I couldn't mount the pulleys up front on the struts due to how close I put them to my cabinets... Didn't think of that when I mounted the bed as the pulleys came later. And trolleys not necessary, but struts are to guide and pin the platform to hold it up. Also, I would have made provisions to put the winch and etc. under the bed and roll from there. If I ever do it again... that will be done. Too much retrofit on this design for that.

In any case, good luck. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. If it is light enough.. you may get away with not needing the motor. My bed is heavier than it needs to be.. and now especially with drawers and table top storage.

Do you mean mount the actual winch to the bed? If so..... that could be a different way to view this idea.


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[flboy]

Yes, that is what I mean. Winch mounted under the bed in back center and pulling the cables from each side.

[flboy]

4.5 weeks left and I set out for the first 3 months of living on the road in my CTC. Been getting the Tow Vehicle ready and bought myself something I have been wanting in my truck for a long time. A Sony Touch screen with XM radio and Android Auto. It was some work soldering up a wire harness and it took some research on what to buy, but I was able to retain all my Sync functionality and steering controls and etc. from Ford. I even was able to flash the Maestro converter to include tire pressure monitoring and etc.. Biggest upgrades for me on the trip will be Navigation (I will be able to use Wayze or Google maps on the big display) and the built in back up camera for hitching up. Sirius XM will be nice too. I bought an entire year subscription for $82 and change (first time subscriber introductory offer). I will likely cancel in a year as I would never pay full price. I wanted to try it since the Sirius XM receiver was a free bonus with the Sony purchase. I found out during install that I can also hook up to the OBDII port and monitor just about every parameter on the Engine real time as I drive. That was a bonus and it works great. All of that functionality is part of the Maestro converter and iconnect bus built into Sony receiver.

https://youtu.be/YgWDFcvVCYQ



Here is before and after.

Before



After... there are too many screen to show.. but so much functionality built in with a touch screen as you can imagine. I just love it! I even found a Sony radio with a roll knob for volume (is multi function to select source with a push). A radio is just not a radio without a roll knob! At least in the world I come from. You might also see the Digital Mobile Radio hotspot I mounted in the cubby to the left of center below the 4WD selector knob. I had to modify it some which was easy while I had the dash apart.




I will be pulling the CTC around to the driveway next weekend as I make final preparations and start loading. Starting to get real.

Here's my travel buddy now at almost 12 weeks old. She is turning out to be a sweet and well mannered dog. Loves getting in the truck already and growing like a weed! Also, her gold colored highlights are starting to come out.




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[featherliteCT1]

Wow!!! That looks like a factory install!!

[flboy]

Wow!!! That looks like a factory install!!

Thanks!

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[John61CT]

Look up wonder wash, ezywash, pressawash.

Not for big loads but all we needed for 95% of a family of four's needs off grid full time for over a decade.

Few cups boiled water teaspoon detergent, give it a lazy turn every few minutes, bob's your uncle.

Hot day don't even need a spinna, do it in the morning hang it out drippin no worries.

[flboy]

Thanks John61CT. Those washers look like they would work for sure. I have this wand coming that I will use in a 5 gallon bucket. I have lots of uses for the bucket. I don't think I'd have room for the washer too. I also have a dry bag that someone else recommended that I want to try too. The idea behind the spinner is a quick dry or dry inside the camper. In any case, this is all new to me, just trying to prepare for the road and take what I think will need. I am sure I will make discovery on what I really need and what i don't. I am looking forward to that part of the adventure as well.








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[featherliteCT1]

Flboy,

If you were to do it over again, is there anything you would change about your air conditioner install?

Thanks

[flboy]

Flboy,

If you were to do it over again, is there anything you would change about your air conditioner install?

Thanks

I can honestly say I am very happy with the installation overall with one minor thing I have learned that I would change. It is minor and if I ever have to pull the AC out for any reason, I will fix it. Just too lazy to modify the isolation foam and trim on the front panel right now.

I have a "slinger" AC which does not have a water drain, but rather a water catch where the condenser fan picks the water up and throws it on the condenser coils to aid in cooling it. This is cold water from the evaporator condensation, so it does provide some efficiency otherwise not gained. The thing is, I dislike the splashing noise and really don't think it does much (I could not discern any practical difference.. maybe in a controlled experiment you could).

In any case, I modified the AC by putting a drain hose on the rear of the pan so I do not have to hear it slinging water... but it does not drain well because I mounted the AC level. Mounted as intended In a window, the AC would tilt back some naturally. Being level, I still get some "slinging" going on. I think with a few degrees tilt (shim the front slightly), I am sure the water would drain much better and not rise enough in the water catch to be slung. I'd have to modify the front trim and related blue foam behind the trim to add some shims to the front.

Last time I went camping and used the AC, I did not level up side to side perfectly on purpose (slight tilt favorable to the AC) and it seemed to drain well.


Overall, The AC is in the right spot in the camper about mid ship and at the ceiling. It cools very well in the hot weather and runs from my Solar setup for hours or from the small 2000W generators. Replacing the Air Conditioner is just about an hour process if it ever needs to be done and I can pick one up at any big box store for about $189 to $230 depending on sales or time of year in just about in any town in the country.

Long answer... sorry.

[featherliteCT1]

Thank you, I enjoyed reading your informative answer and appreciate you taking the time to do so.

[flboy]

July 27 is getting closer. Getting the tow vehicle ready for the trip as well. Replaced the OEM spare which I never had to use, but was no good due to age and wheel rust. Also it would have been something just to get you to next exit since it was a much smaller diameter tire than I now have mounted. You shouldn't drive far like that.

I was surprised the same size tire (diameter and width) as installed on the truck would fit underneath, but it did. So it will not be an issue to drive highway speeds for as long as I want with this spare. It is a similar tread and load range E with just a slightly different rim which they just about gave me (70% off) because it was a one off they had lying around. I don't care if the spare matches in this case as I would get main tire fixed at first chance and have them replaced and rotated at the shop.

I did the CTC spare replacement 2 months or so ago. Spare tires are very important... something you should always have and really never want to use.







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[flboy]

Was thinking about those hot summer evenings coming up when I'd like to be sitting under the awning, but it is rather hot... or those hot days when I am boon docking and trying to stay cool, or just to keep my dog cool if I have to tie her up under the awning while I am doing things in camp. In any case, I had been needing to change out my outside shower faucet to something compatible with a typical hose connection. I never use it as a shower , but want to be able to wash the bikes or Lex when running off the tanks.

I already have the fan to attach the mister nozzles to and I have an 110VAC GFCI outlet under the awning. Should work. Easy just to replace my old faucet with the quick connect faucet in the outside shower box. The mister has a hose connection and needs pressure so I may as well use my existing CTC plumbing system. very simple add on for on or off grid I think.

Anyone use these "misters" with a fan while camping? I am all about comfort these days... tough enough sill to rough it, but why if I don't have to...






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[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

Yup, outdoor swamp cooler (misting), works fine out here where humidity is like hen's teeth.

about that quick disconnect hose and fixture, have one very much like it on my RV for stuff like
you mentioned. Only one problem is you need to DE-pressurize the water system before you
attach or detach it.

hank