Some changes to my trailer

[evldave]

Just got back from 10 days near Tahoe. Before I left, I made a bunch of changes to my trailer/truck. Thought I'd share.

Overall view of trailer after most mods...the wheels on the cart come off during transport

The cart comes off w/4 bolts and can be rolled around camp. Includes the battery box and Edgestar fridge (cooler on there for transport, the fridge goes in the trailer itself).

Cut off the original Forest Service ball hitch

Adding extending tongue

Battery box, w/cheapo wally-world battery + inverter

Close-up of the fridge cart

Attachment point for battery charging from my hummer (more info http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46576)

Pic of the fridge cart in place, from a fully charged battery, the fridge lasted 6 days in 85+ heat (high 30s at night), with lots of beer, food taken out, just like a normal fridge. I could charge the battery in ~1 hr plugged into the truck, just wheel the cart over, start the truck and plug it in Eventually I'll make a brace to flip the extendable tongue around and quickly mount the cart to the tongue reversed around and in the rear hitch so I can drive it around while charging it w/o having to use the trailer (make sense?)

 

[JPK]

"Eventually I'll make a brace to flip the extendable tongue around and quickly mount the cart to the tongue reversed around and in the rear hitch so I can drive it around while charging it w/o having to use the trailer (make sense?)"

Clear as mud.

I think a fair translation is that you will make a bracket to attach the cart to the tongue extension (which will be removed from the trailer so that you can drop the trailer without a connection - so it won't be stolen -) and flip the toungue extension around so that it will fit in the truck's 2" receiver, carrying the cart and battery for recharging on the go.

Why not just plug the batttery into the quick disconnect when you are on the road? Or do you drop the camper and stay in one spot for an extended time?

BTW, really like the Warn QD's for charging the battery. I wired in one at the rear of LJ Jeep thinking I would use it for maybe a hitch mounted winch or something. Never have used it, mounted a winch on the front bumper. But I have bought an M101A2 which I will be using for many things, amongst which are camping and touring. I was going to weld/bolt in a floor for the front frame area ahead of the box and mount a couple of fuel and water cans and a box for a battery which would power a fridge and some lights for the evenings. I was pondering how best to charge the battery. I think your solution is avery simple and very easy! Like the inverter there too.

JPK

 

[evldave]

"Eventually I'll make a brace to flip the extendable tongue around and quickly mount the cart to the tongue reversed around and in the rear hitch so I can drive it around while charging it w/o having to use the trailer (make sense?)"

Clear as mud.

I think a fair translation is that you will make a bracket to attach the cart to the tongue extension (which will be removed from the trailer so that you can drop the trailer without a connection - so it won't be stolen -) and flip the toungue extension around so that it will fit in the truck's 2" receiver, carrying the cart and battery for recharging on the go.

Why not just plug the batttery into the quick disconnect when you are on the road? Or do you drop the camper and stay in one spot for an extended time?

Correct, I'll flip the tongue extension around and use it to support the rack. The primary reason is exactly as you said - drop the trailer and drive around w/the hitch rack instead of trailer - idk how often I'll use it, but it's easy to make, and it'll be ready when I need it. I do plug in the connector when towing the trailer, just looking for alternatives.

The forklift connectors were cheap through All Battery Sales http://www.allbatterysalesandservice.com/browse.cfm/2,743.html

Nice people, the had a small office in Portland, went it thinking it was a retail store, it wasn't, but they helped me anyway, went in the back and found some of the connectors and sold them to me anyway. Online, they are cheap and just as good as the 10x expensive 4wd specific connectors.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Man,,, thats an awesome idea... I love it

 

[Hilldweller]

Needs a camera mounted on it and AWD servos so you can drive it around camp remotely... :smiley_drive:
Like the Mars Rover.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Needs a camera mounted on it and AWD servos so you can drive it around camp remotely... :smiley_drive:
Like the Mars Rover.

Then you just need to teach it to fetch beer and flip steaks! May result in less lip from asking others...ahem.

 

[ThomD]

That cart is pure genius.

 

[evldave]

Needs a camera mounted on it and AWD servos so you can drive it around camp remotely... :smiley_drive:
Like the Mars Rover.

Mars Rover ended up as it's nickname, and we discussed a remote control, makes it easier to get beer when there's more than one person. We were thinking skid steer would be easiest to make happen, and w/ the onboard battery all we'd really need would be a couple DC motors (already have the remote stuff from various R/C cars). Might be a cool winter project!

 

[Hilldweller]

I don't know; it's a slippery slope into decadence.
If you no longer need to get up to get a beer, what's next? Install a catheter?