PingPong

After being involved with rock crawling for over 10 yrs and trailering a rig for the last 8 I finally got tired of packing and unpacking camping gear. So after lots of searching for used stuff. Most of it was overpriced and didnt have the weight rating or needed a crap ton of work. I started to look at having one built.

Of course I looked at all the big name builders.. and then I started to search EBay. Found Lots of New trailers that you could have custom built for reasonable prices. After talking to 10-12 different salesman, and specing the trailer the way I wanted it.. I dropped the hammer on it.

Specs are

24' V-Nose (24' box)
2 5200# axles with brakes on both
Bully Dog hitch
8.5' wide (102" wide Maximum width allowed with out wide load stuff)
7.5" Tall with a 7' door height ( 90" tal with a 84" door height)
Electrical package ( 24' lights 2 110 outlets, 60 amp breaker and 15' shore cable)
Insulated ceiling
13.5 BTU heat/ac unit

AT the manufacturing place in Pearson GA




Just a comparison between my old open trailer and my new one






So once I got it home I decided the floors needed to be protected. SO I went to lowes and bought some Valspar Epoxy for wood. I ended up using 2 Gallons of it. BUT when oil or fluids get on it.. it wipes up easily.





SO once the Floor was painted the walls looked naked.. SO it was ime to paint them as well. I had some left over Benjamin Moore from our house Remodel. I thought 2.5 gallons would have been enough... Man was I wrong.

Cutting the Trim in



here is where I ran out on the first coat

PingPong

Well I finished painting the walls added a second coat to the floor.. and then life got in the way of progress.

After My wifes work decided to buy a new fridge.. I got the old one and decided it was trailer bound. Then after loading my rig in the trailer... I realised the spot where the factory put the tie downs was not going to work for my rig.

pic shows factory location.. and if you look you can see the pencil lines where I needed it.



I bought the 6k tiedowns off of Amazon.com 4 of them for 34 bucks... but it came with no hardware.. so after a trip to the local hardware store.. and a 3.5" hole saw I went to work.

Pic of rig in the trailer







As of right now I am still working on securing the fridge, and acquiring a microwave... Still need to find a cheap tool box for the front. also plan on using ratchet staps to secure Items for travel, until suitable brackets and tabs can be sourced or Fabbed.

Ultimately I plan on adding Laminate flooring in the front and Aluminum Diamond plate to the rear.. sourcing a small flat screen and DVD player. I also just solicited a quote from the local RV place to add an outside shower.

PingPong

pic of the vanity plate on it


I had a strict budget to adhere to on this.. so a lot of things did not get done at the time of purchase. That being said here are the things I would do differently

Goose neck

7k axles but 3 of them and go with a 32' length (will be able to fit both of my rigs)

Escape Hatch for drivers side...

add more outlets

Have them do the vinyl walls

have them add stabilizer jacks

have them add the shower

Maybe a window

recess the spare tire mount in the floor.

XJPat

Wow that is one sweet toy hauler. Would love to have something like that. Nice setup.

caronaxtr

What was your budget? That really nice, what's your tow rig? 2500 diesel?

PingPong

My budget with getting it was 7k...

Price was 6240... round trip with a hotel stay and food I spent right at 675.
then there was taxes 324
then I spent another 175 on paint and supplies to do the work.

My truck is an 05 6.0 gasser. Yeah fuel economy sucks. Going to Ga I averaged 13.5/13.6 at 79 mph... on the way back it was between 7.3/7.5 at 70. That being said my truck only has 51k miles on it and I am having a hard time seeint the price of a new diesel.. let alone a used one. So until my truck gives me problems.. or I go wheeling more then 4/5 times a yr... I cant justify the buy in on a new truck.

XJ-92

http://powertye.com/store/index.php?...&product_id=37 Look at these for tie down points. The race team I help out for uses these in their trailer. they have them on the walls and floor to keep things in place.

Lowrange2

I've been wanting to do something like this but I don't have the truck to pull it with.

My little 5.3 1500 does good to pull my Jeep on the open trailer much less an enclosed trailer.

I've always thought it'd be cool to make fold down bunks. When not in use they'd fold up against the sides of the trailer.

PingPong

My 2500 gasser has no problem pulling it.. but it has no problem saying it wants fuel all the time too. The empty weight of the trailer was 3600. By the time I put my gear and rig in it.. I will be at 9k give or take.

I have looked into them. They run about 4-500 depending on where you get them.. and doesnt include the mattress way too much if you ask me.

PingPong

More work happened today Raised my weight distribution hitch up.. to raise the nose of the trailer just a bit.

Then went to lowes.. bought 25' of 10/4 power cable and a male and female end. Now my trailer will have lights and Ac without the Generator running. Also gives me another 25' to move generator away from the trailer when camping. I have one of them loud *** ones.

Also bought some brackets to mount the fridge to floor and walls. While not pimp brackets.. what I have done will work till I make some.







Next I plan on using ratchet straps to secure stuff in place. this is the approximate layout







I start 12 hr night shifts tonight so wont much be happening for the next few days...

Stay tuned more to come

Lowrange2

I meant to build them. Ply wood, a couple piano hinges and some chain. Throw an egg crate on it and you have a fold down bed.

93XJLI

your budget INCLUDING the trailer is 7 grand??? where did that trailer come from, it looks like a near $10k trailer to me.

Big David

http://gatortailtrailers.com/category/factory/

Located in Pearson, Ga

PingPong

7k was my purchase and get it budget..with paint tax and tags and the floor stuff.. I an in it just under 8k.

My planis to kepp it 3/4 ys then sell it and buy the trailer I want with more of the things I have learned

Lowrange2

This.