Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, grey?

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, grey?

Postby rebar » Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:23 am

Hi everyone. I'm not having much luck buying a used CT in the configuration I want, so Ive found a few builders who will build it for me. The latest manufacture, Pace Setter, has gained my trust enough for me to seriously consider ordering one.. Ive also considered featherlite and Jensen trailers. Both custom builds. http://www.komfgco.com/

The last decisions I need to make are about what brand, and what size windows and door/screen I want. Does anyone have a short list of the best RV windows and doors available, and are there common sizes I should use to make it easier for replacement if the company I use goes belly up years later? I dont like the door placement on the V nose on the plans and would rather have it close to the wheel.

And second, the >100 gallon water tank.. I don't know the spacing between the frame rails yet but guessing about 55", and pace setter will leave enough space after I tell them where, but I need to choose or have a custom tank built. Has anyone had a custom water tank built, and what company's should I consider? Ive also decided to use a composting toilet so no black tank needed. But I'm leaning on not having a grey tank and just dump it on the ground 20' away with a hose. But if I ever camp in a camp ground, I don't think that will fly.. Should I plan on a grey water tank to?

Thanks!
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby John61CT » Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:52 am

Ronco Plastics, over 400 shapes & sizes, top notch quality
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby rebar » Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:36 am

John61CT wrote:Ronco Plastics, over 400 shapes & sizes, top notch quality


Thanks John, I'll check them out.

I'm learning Pace Setter rounded roofs are walk-able one piece 20 gauge overlapping the sidewall with a lap seam every 5' starting at the back. Walls are also 20 gauge. Roof bows and wall studs are 1' 1/4 14 guage hi tensile steel. Fenders are welded. Stamped 20g steel nose cone etc etc. No silicone but something called formolex..

Pace Setter is one heavily built cargo trailer..
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby dirtsailor2003 » Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:58 am

Are you going to have doors and windows factory installed or do it yourself?

When I ordered mine I wanted to have them put in two windows but they couldn't do it in the time frame that I wanted. I can take it back and they will retro in windows if I want. You can get all kinds of sizes so I wouldn't worry about it too much and get the size you want. For me If I install them myself, I'd want them to fit between the wall studs so I wouldn't be having cut the studs.

As for the curb side door the one on my trailer is 36". Makes it nice when moving coolers and large items around when I don't want to open the rear up to do it. For the screen they couldn't do an rv screen as it was to far into production and I couldn't wait. So I ordered this and it has worked flawlessly.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HUZB17I/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby rebar » Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:07 pm

dirtsailor2003 wrote:Are you going to have doors and windows factory installed or do it yourself?


That's what I'm trying to decide now dirtsailor, and the kicker is the inside trim ring.. Pace Setter uses starquest/Lippert glass slider windows, but the trim ring is designed for either a 1/8" wall or 1" wall if reversed. But I want to fur out the inside and have 2" insulated walls. So I think it might be best to have pace setter frame the window size I want, then install windows later myself..

dirtsailor2003 wrote:As for the curb side door the one on my trailer is 36". Makes it nice when moving coolers and large items around when I don't want to open the rear up to do it. For the screen they couldn't do an rv screen as it was to far into production and I couldn't wait. So I ordered this and it has worked flawlessly.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HUZB17I/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I'm reluctant to order a luan backed starquest RV door because you can break into them with a prybar. I'm leaning towards a pace setter 20 gauge door and zerk greasable hinges, but they don't offer a screen door and offered a phantom screen door instead that rolls in to a cassette when not needed..

Oh, decisions decisions..
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby rebar » Fri Mar 22, 2019 2:37 pm

These livestock trailers are heavily built.. But I'm not sure I like the angle iron design and the 2x3 cross members hanging down ready to snag something like that.. Does it make any difference other than not having a place for tanks etc?
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby McDave » Fri Mar 22, 2019 3:59 pm

RV windows
http://www.rvwindow.com/RV_Products_Lis ... goryID=187

Black or grey tanks, got mine through Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Class-Customs-Ga ... ay&sr=8-43
You can combine black and grey waste into one tank, or use a diverter valve at the shower drain to drain it to ground when acceptable or use separate black and grey tanks

Just about any size or shape of fresh water tanks and pumps/hoses/ fittings on Amazon as well
https://www.amazon.com/Class-Customs-Ap ... QBP5GC36B4

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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby rebar » Sat Mar 23, 2019 7:29 am

McDave wrote:RV windows
http://www.rvwindow.com/RV_Products_Lis ... goryID=187

Black or grey tanks, got mine through Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Class-Customs-Ga ... ay&sr=8-43
You can combine black and grey waste into one tank, or use a diverter valve at the shower drain to drain it to ground when acceptable or use separate black and grey tanks

Just about any size or shape of fresh water tanks and pumps/hoses/ fittings on Amazon as well
https://www.amazon.com/Class-Customs-Ap ... QBP5GC36B4

McDave


Thanks McDave.

I'm on the fence with Pace Setter's angle iron construction now, but regardless, I'll assume you feel Hehr RV Windows are the best.. Which series though?

And I now realize I will never be able to store 100 gallons of water under the floor in one tank. A 72x22x7 custom tank built by millerplastics.com would only hold 48 gallons so I would need two and connect them somehow.. Or consider a horizontal leg water tank mounted to the tongue, but then where to put propane?
https://www.norwesco.com/_site_componen ... -OK-TX.pdf
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby cargotocamper » Sat Mar 23, 2019 12:18 pm

I used these size windows:
https://amzn.to/2ByQEoK
https://amzn.to/2X1kkDR

I also used the same screen solution as dirtsailor2003 and that has worked well. I have a 36" door so the soft screen was easy to adapt. It might be easier to find a screen door for an RV sized door, which I expect would be nice, especially if you live in a buggy area, which I don't.

I did not install a gray water tank and it hasn't been an issue for me. I generally just drain into some sort of portable container. If you're at a hookup campground, you can drain directly into septic. However, it mostly depends on how/where you will mainly be camping and how/where you can dump.

I have a 12 gallon chassis mounted water tank that I got from a popup camper donor. That probably doesn't seem like much, but it has worked well for me and if I'm not camping near a water source, I just bring along extra filled 5 gallon aquatainers. If I'm near a water source, I bring empty aquatainers and use them to add to the 12 gallon water tank if needed. Water is heavy, so the ability to adapt is nice. Also, I had trouble finding a water tank that I felt would work without taking up too much space inside.
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby McDave » Sat Mar 23, 2019 1:27 pm

Hey rebar,
I must apologize. I can't honestly speak to the quality of those windows, as I have NO windows in my toy hauler. I have had that link saved for a couple years after reading another post about windows. I have seen many windows on ebay, new, used, horiz., vert., egress, you name it. One thing to consider is the wall thickness when finished. That way the mounting ring will be correct depth.
Sorry for the head fake...

If you go with the horiz. leg tank maybe the back of the truck is the right place? 100 gal is close to a 1/2 ton.. Why so much aqua? Remember, you need to consider weight and balance of the trailer and tow vehicle in the planning stage so as to avoid a major faux pas later. Here is the weight and balance calculator.
https://www.engineersedge.com/calculato ... alance.htm

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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby rebar » Sat Mar 23, 2019 3:05 pm

McDave wrote:Hey rebar,
If you go with the horiz. leg tank maybe the back of the truck is the right place? 100 gal is close to a 1/2 ton.. Why so much aqua? Remember, you need to consider weight and balance of the trailer and tow vehicle in the planning stage so as to avoid a major faux pas later. Here is the weight and balance calculator.
https://www.engineersedge.com/calculato ... alance.htm

McDave


Neat calc, thanks. I have the dodge D80 axle under air bags, so I should be ok. But the 55 gallon tank I have experience with was barely enough for myself, let alone two. My GF and I ended up pumping clear creek stream water into that water tank because we ran out.. I may not fill the entire 100g tank if I know there is another source, but at least I have the ability to bring allot. Id much rather have two 50 gallon tanks close to the axles though.

Has anyone ever installed vinyl residential windows in a CTC?
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Re: Mikes narrow track plan.. Windows/doors water tank, gre

Postby rebar » Wed Apr 17, 2019 1:02 pm

Turned out live stock trailers have no space for tanks or utilities under them..

The owner of this one at least responded to my $4k offer with a $4500 counter..

https://madison.craigslist.org/tro/d/ma ... 95212.html
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