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

[flboy]

Well, I did not leave for Arizona Jan 23 with the CTC and Lex as I had planned. Got a call with a sudden death in the family up in Massachusetts late evening on Jan. 16, and drove straight through (1,300 miles) on Jan 17 - 18. Was suppose to have a funeral yesterday, but it got delayed as some relatives here got sick late last week and now tested positive for Covid-19. Wife and I were unknowingly exposed by no less than 4 people for extended periods over a few days. We are quarunteening until we take Covid-19 tests on Thursday (not the inaccurate quick type). We will see after that. No symptoms yet, but if I am not positive for Covid-19.. this virus is not as contagious as advertised.

May be here a few more weeks before all relatives test negative and funeral can be rescheduled.. short story is that it may be late February before I can get back to Fl. to get my CTC and head West. If new cargo trailer is almost ready for pickup (suppose to be early March) , I may just wait to get it and build it out before I go West. Ordering lots of material for the build and looking forward to that as much as traveling.

In any case... events of life have a way of getting in the way of the best laid plans. Snow rolled in heavy today, so I have shoveling to do tomorrow (unusual activity for a Florida Boy!)... hunkering down and looking forward to the open road soon. All said, thankful for family and glad we can be here to be a blessing in the time of need.

[BigDave_185]

Northern AZ and southern Ut have been hit pretty hard with snow. The postpone will be good from this end of the road


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[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

Very sorry about your loss. Hope you both test Neg.

Sometimes things happen for a reason. Perhaps your were supposed to build the new trailer first (?).
Who knows. Be careful, stay safe as ya can. Gets really windy out here in the Spring not friendly to
'High Profile vehicles'.

hank

[flboy]

Hank, many thanks for the kind words. You stay safe also! I will make it out West sooner or later! Just going to take it one day at a time.

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[Tas]

Well, I did not leave for Arizona Jan 23 with the CTC and Lex as I had planned. Got a call with a sudden death in the family up in Massachusetts late evening on Jan. 16, and drove straight through (1,300 miles) on Jan 17 - 18. Was suppose to have a funeral yesterday, but it got delayed as some relatives here got sick late last week and now tested positive for Covid-19. Wife and I were unknowingly exposed by no less than 4 people for extended periods over a few days. We are quarunteening until we take Covid-19 tests on Thursday (not the inaccurate quick type). We will see after that. No symptoms yet, but if I am not positive for Covid-19.. this virus is not as contagious as advertised.

May be here a few more weeks before all relatives test negative and funeral can be rescheduled.. short story is that it may be late February before I can get back to Fl. to get my CTC and head West. If new cargo trailer is almost ready for pickup (suppose to be early March) , I may just wait to get it and build it out before I go West. Ordering lots of material for the build and looking forward to that as much as traveling.

In any case... events of life have a way of getting in the way of the best laid plans. Snow rolled in heavy today, so I have shoveling to do tomorrow (unusual activity for a Florida Boy!)... hunkering down and looking forward to the open road soon. All said, thankful for family and glad we can be here to be a blessing in the time of need.

I live in NH and work in central Ma. Where are you at in Ma? If you need anything let me know.

[flboy]

Tas, thanks for concern. We are doing well at the moment. In the Gardner/Fitchburg area if you know where that is. Take care.

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[Tas]

Tas, thanks for concern. We are doing well at the moment. In the Gardner/Fitchburg area if you know where that is. Take care.

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I work in Fitchburg and live 30 mins north in Jaffrey.

[flboy]

Never got to go out West as planned. I really wanted to experience the RTR in Quartzsite AZ and then explore the desert southwest some.Maybe next year will be the year. Instead, I was in the Northeast for almost 6 weeks dealing with unfortunate family matters. Been home for a little over a week and I am going to go camping in ONF for 4 days and ride my dirtbike to decompress some. Expect my new trailer to be finished soon, so I think I am going to wait and build the 6*12 out before heading out again. Maybe to the Northwest or high desert country this summer.

In any case, family comes first so plans are always fluid. For now, I am going to install these SuperSprings on the 7*18 to improve handling and sway as much as I can. Gusting crosswinds really affect the trailer at highway speeds and cause me to drift if I am not on it. These should prevent the trailer from leaning as much. That's the thought anyhow. As a minimum, they should keep the leaf springs from flattening over time.

These are essentially progressive helper springs . Got them premeasured and ready to install tomorrow before leaving Tuesday AM.

Will add some pics after I install and provide some performance comments after my trip.



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[PiddleFart]

Do you by chance have a link to those bags you are going to put on your trailer? I have shocks on mine now but they overextend when going over rough terrain, I think your solution might work better.

Thanks, Darin

[flboy]

Do you by chance have a link to those bags you are going to put on your trailer? I have shocks on mine now but they overextend when going over rough terrain, I think your solution might work better.

Thanks, Darin

Here's the link on E-Trailer.com. There are kits for overslung and underslung and for different sized axles, so make sure to pick the right one.

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=Sup ... Suspension

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[featherliteCT1]

So this is my thought. I will build 3 6.5 ft roller bearing rails and space them evenly with one in the middle and one on each side of a 1/2 thick piece of plywood cut to fit the length of the truck bed (6.5 ft.)and in between wheel wells (4ft). Then take another piece of plywood cut the same size and build the guides which will serve to strengthen the plywood and make sure the plywood stays in line when rolling out. Then I will take 1*2s and frame the top piece to put a lip on it and then just screw on two pull handles and build some stops to keep it from sliding out too far. Also will secure bottom piece with turnbuckles to the built in tie downs in the corners of the truck bed in case I want to remove it quickly to haul a motorcycle or etc..This only gives up about 2 inches of the inside height in the bed taking into account the bottom and top 1/2 inch plywood pieces and the roller bearing rail height. You think it will work?




Just built a small prototype of the rail and guide to get an idea of the fit.I Still have to decide the bearing spacing. I have 33 per rail available.. thinking maybe put one every 3 inches so maybe 26 a rail. The more, the better it will distribute weight, I suppose. I think with that many bearings it will slide out real easy given what I typically carry and be relatively sturdy. I also plan on sealing the plywood with Thompson's Water seal. I don't care about a color, just don't want any water swelling the wood if water gets in. It stays reasonable dry back there with the hard cover anyhow, but it can get a few drops in going down the highway with a lot of rain.









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Did you ever install these roller bearing rails for your truck bed sliding drawer? If so, how do you like them?

[flboy]

I did install them, and they worked out great. See this video for details:

https://youtu.be/nMExLVJ3c0A

[flboy]

Here is a picture of the SummoSprings installed. They are compressed alot already with 480 lbs of water and a dirtbike sitting over the axles. Fully loaded to leave this morning for 4 nights out in Ocala National Forest.



I am using them with no spacers.





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[hankaye]

flboy, Howdy;

Don, your mentioning the suspension got me curious. Seeing the photo of the new parts I noticed the
Hanger bolts. Have you gone the route of adding what "they refer to as" wet bolts? Ones that you can
actually add a shot or 2 of grease to to help prevent corrosion and promote movement. Here's a link;
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Access ... _Bolt.aspx

Just something to ponder on your 4 day excursion.

hank

[flboy]

flboy, Howdy;

Don, your mentioning the suspension got me curious. Seeing the photo of the new parts I noticed the
Hanger bolts. Have you gone the route of adding what "they refer to as" wet bolts? Ones that you can
actually add a shot or 2 of grease to to help prevent corrosion and promote movement. Here's a link;
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Access ... _Bolt.aspx

Just something to ponder on your 4 day excursion.

hank

Thanks for the information on Wet Bolts.. never seen those before.. Not sure if I need them for the hanger bolts... Is that what they are made for??