McCool's basic trailer build
- Thread starter Mccool
- Start date
?Here are a few pics from our trip. 50 miles of beach driving plus 600 to get down here. Camping was a nightmare, more mosquitos than I've ever seen and 3000% humidity. Trailer is working great, though my tailgate lock/latch wasn't up to the challenge. Using a ratchet strap until we get home and I can source I new latch.
I finally have an update after a busy few weeks. The trip was a success. I have about 2000 miles on the trailer and I'm happy with its performance.
I took it up to my old employer who sand blasted it for me and I put a coat of zinc primer on the body. Hopefully I can finish up the paint in the next couple weeks.
I took it up to my old employer who sand blasted it for me and I put a coat of zinc primer on the body. Hopefully I can finish up the paint in the next couple weeks.
Thanks!
Yes, that's exactly right. 3 slits per "knee", 12 total slits per fender. Allowed me to open the bottom up about 3 inches and then rewelded. Took all of 30 minutes instead of a full day sectioning the fenders in a traditional manner.
Thanks!
I'm getting around to starting the electrical system. We are headed out next week and I decided to buy a 12v fridge.
I'm using two gc2 golf cart batteries run in series. This gives me 12v and 210ah. I built a tray to house the batteries in the tongue box and keep them secure. Between the tongue box and main box I'm using a couple of grommets with a piece of flexible hose to run the wires through.
The fridge is temporarily strapped down and wired directly to the batteries. This will change once we get back but I dont have time to install everything permanently before leaving.
I'm researching solar components now, hopefully I'll start that process in the next month or two.
I'm using two gc2 golf cart batteries run in series. This gives me 12v and 210ah. I built a tray to house the batteries in the tongue box and keep them secure. Between the tongue box and main box I'm using a couple of grommets with a piece of flexible hose to run the wires through.
The fridge is temporarily strapped down and wired directly to the batteries. This will change once we get back but I dont have time to install everything permanently before leaving.
I'm researching solar components now, hopefully I'll start that process in the next month or two.
I'm continuing work on the electrical system. I purchased a blue sea systems 12 output fuse block and this fancy switch panel from amazon. I have the panel mounted and am starting on the wiring. Hopefully dirt/water wont be an issue with it mounted outside.
All terminals are being crimped, tinned, and heat shrinked.
All terminals are being crimped, tinned, and heat shrinked.
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Anyone have opinions on running the fridge through a rocket switch? I cant see any benefit to it, I'm thinking I'll just wire it directly to the fuse block.
I also need to work out a hookup for "shore power". I've planned on solar, but with just the fridge and some led lights, the batteries are lasting 10 to 12 days. I dont see us being away from power for that long unfortunately, so the solar setup isnt a high priority for me at this point.
I also need to work out a hookup for "shore power". I've planned on solar, but with just the fridge and some led lights, the batteries are lasting 10 to 12 days. I dont see us being away from power for that long unfortunately, so the solar setup isnt a high priority for me at this point.
Unfortunately the batteries added alot of tongue weight. I was planning on a water tank up front, but that's clearly not going to work. My plan now is to mount the water tank under the floor, directly above the axle. Hopefully I can make that work. I'm also going to need to mount a spare tire on the back, I'm hoping that balances out the batteries.