7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue May 09, 2017 3:19 pm

170104 Featherlite Drawing Final update 3.pdf
Here is a drawing laying out the trailer, as ordered. Some, but not all, of the features are described in the text above the drawing.
(830.27 KiB) Downloaded 797 times


Here is my new 16x7x6.5 Featherlite all aluminum trailer I had built. I plan on using it to haul my motorcycle from time to time, and to sleep in it on a boondocking basis. For now, all I want to do is get it insulated, add a few shelves, extend DC power to it, and add three 100 watt solar panels, all so I can take a few vacation trips … as soon as I get it rigged out!. It will be pretty primitive, but functional, to start out.
I have no present intention of installing AC, toilet or running water … at least for now.

[edit: at 7-26-17. I am now thinking about installing a window type AC unit]

I discovered this wonderful web site in December, 2016, and have learned a LOT from looking at and reading about what you guys have done. You guys are AWESOME! I am starting to show signs of addiction.

I will be attempting to post photos as I progress. Not having previously posted photos, I am not sure how this is going to go … but here goes!

The first thing i am going to try to do is attach a drawing of the trailer in pdf document format.
Last edited by featherliteCT1 on Fri Jul 28, 2017 6:33 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue May 09, 2017 3:43 pm

IMG_0947 (480x640).jpg
IMG_0947 (480x640).jpg (230.16 KiB) Viewed 9890 times
[/attachment]
IMG_0946 (480x640).jpg
IMG_0946 (480x640).jpg (152.46 KiB) Viewed 9890 times
IMG_0945 (480x640).jpg
Here are some photos as delivered. Sorry about the dark photos, I uploaded these from my laptop ... on my iphone they look good.
IMG_0945 (480x640).jpg (213.51 KiB) Viewed 9890 times
[attachment=0]
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue May 09, 2017 3:45 pm

IMG_0948 (480x640).jpg
IMG_0948 (480x640).jpg (188.75 KiB) Viewed 9887 times
IMG_0949 (480x640).jpg
IMG_0949 (480x640).jpg (203.14 KiB) Viewed 9887 times
IMG_0952 (480x640).jpg
IMG_0952 (480x640).jpg (204.39 KiB) Viewed 9887 times
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue May 09, 2017 3:52 pm

IMG_0953 (480x640).jpg
all aluminum except axles, tongue, and wood liner
IMG_0953 (480x640).jpg (181.96 KiB) Viewed 9884 times
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue May 09, 2017 4:03 pm

I weighed the trailer at a truck stop and found out the trailer weighs 2,200 lbs., empty, including the spare tire. The 4,800 lb axles and 16" wheels with 8 bolt lugs added a few extra lbs.
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7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby EZDog » Tue May 09, 2017 5:39 pm

That is one beautiful trailer!

Did you get the removable fasteners so that you can insulate too?
There seems to be a few options that need to be ordered together to get the panels to easily remove later or otherwise they will be riveted on in some way.
I imagine this one was also pretty spendy?

Here is mine,there are a few of us here.
ImageImage
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Tue May 09, 2017 8:13 pm

EZDog wrote:That is one beautiful trailer!

Did you get the removable fasteners so that you can insulate too?
There seems to be a few options that need to be ordered together to get the panels to easily remove later or otherwise they will be riveted on in some way.
I imagine this one was also pretty spendy?

Here is mine,there are a few of us here.
ImageImage


Yes, the inside panels are screwed in and thus removable. Featherlite has a beautiful trailer with aluminum interior walls with a tremendous electrical package, at a very competitive price, but with no windows or insulation . However, you can make no modifications. The aluminum walls on that discounted model are glue taped on and not removable. At least rivets could have been drilled out. So to get windows and removable walls I paid several thousand more dollars ... I stewed about it for a few months but finally decided to bite the bullet and get what I wanted.

Your rig looks very functional ... I like a V nose too.
I also have a 1/2 ton Chevy Silverado truck with a camper shell ... very handy to have.
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby McDave » Wed May 10, 2017 1:44 am

Whoo Boy! That is Cadillac Style right there. Somebody's livin' right. Can't wait to see what you do with her, what an excellent way to start. Congratulations.
Now GET BUSY!

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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Wed May 10, 2017 11:43 am

McDave wrote:Whoo Boy! That is Cadillac Style right there. Somebody's livin' right. Can't wait to see what you do with her, what an excellent way to start. Congratulations.
Now GET BUSY!

McDave


McDave,
When I was about 7 years old, my Dad found, on the side of a country road, an old rusty, abandoned farm wagon where all the wood had rotted off leaving just the tongue, axles and rims. He took me with him to haul it home. In the field, he repacked the bearings and mounted some old wheels. His VW bug had no trailer hitch so he wired the tongue to the bumper with a coat hanger and we hauled it home. He then built a wood bed with sides that we used to haul our gear in when we went on camping vacations.

Ever since, whenever I drive down the road, I look at every trailer as I drive by, usually rubber necking as I pass. From the cheapest, smallest, rustiest ones to the large fancy ones.

My first trailer was a $100 4x4 harbor freight that I hauled a jon boat on, my second was an $1,800, open 10x7 Aluma that I hauled my motorcycles on. I still have those two trailers and probably ought to get rid of them. And now, after all these years, I decided to splurge and buy this Featherlite. I would be embarrassed to say how much I paid for it.

Thanks for the encouragement!
Ron
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby EZDog » Wed May 10, 2017 4:40 pm

Well I know we are all dying to know what ballpark it was in but I have a feeling I already know too?
I found mine for under 3K in pretty decent condition and am pretty thrilled at that so the thought of a brand new one,bigger and loaded with options makes me a little weak just imagining it.

They do seem to be built better though which is really what I was looking for in the end anyway.

I also have several other CT and never considered the notion of getting rid of any?!?

Last week when I needed to evacuate my warehouse in the flood plain they all came in pretty handy for sure! :beer:
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby low277 » Wed May 10, 2017 7:36 pm

Featherlite makes a nice trailer! Nice platform to make your own custom creation. :thumbsup:
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby aggie79 » Thu May 11, 2017 8:03 am

Very nice trailer!

In my dreams, I've been considering a Featherlite. Could you say what the interior width is please (face of plywood to face of plywood)?

Thank you,
Tom
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby featherliteCT1 » Thu May 11, 2017 8:47 am

aggie79 wrote:Very nice trailer!

In my dreams, I've been considering a Featherlite. Could you say what the interior width is please (face of plywood to face of plywood)?

Thank you,
Tom


Thank you, exactly 76 inches wide, plywood to plywood.
One of the ways that I justified spending so much money is that Featherlite has a reputation for relatively high resale values.

Ron
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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby aggie79 » Thu May 11, 2017 5:04 pm

Thank you. They make amazing products.


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Re: 7x16x6.5 Featherlite Build

Postby McDave » Sat May 13, 2017 11:24 am

featherliteCT1 wrote:
McDave wrote:Whoo Boy! That is Cadillac Style right there. Somebody's livin' right. Can't wait to see what you do with her, what an excellent way to start. Congratulations.
Now GET BUSY!

McDave


McDave,
When I was about 7 years old, my Dad found, on the side of a country road, an old rusty, abandoned farm wagon where all the wood had rotted off leaving just the tongue, axles and rims. He took me with him to haul it home. In the field, he repacked the bearings and mounted some old wheels. His VW bug had no trailer hitch so he wired the tongue to the bumper with a coat hanger and we hauled it home. He then built a wood bed with sides that we used to haul our gear in when we went on camping vacations.

Ever since, whenever I drive down the road, I look at every trailer as I drive by, usually rubber necking as I pass. From the cheapest, smallest, rustiest ones to the large fancy ones.

My first trailer was a $100 4x4 harbor freight that I hauled a jon boat on, my second was an $1,800, open 10x7 Aluma that I hauled my motorcycles on. I still have those two trailers and probably ought to get rid of them. And now, after all these years, I decided to splurge and buy this Featherlite. I would be embarrassed to say how much I paid for it.

Thanks for the encouragement!
Ron


Wow,
That was like looking in a mirror. You just described my childhood and my dad to a T. Even right down to the HF trailer, which I still have. It's hard for me to shake that need to make something from nothing. I got to hand it the old man, I had no idea we were poor, none. Work was what was did for fun. Still do, I guess.
Thanks Dad.

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