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Old 07-14-2020, 06:54 PM   #1
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Bored Covid project

Due to Covid and my wife taking care of her elderly and not healthy dad, we have been trying to stay home as much as possible. Since I can’t work on the boat(it’s in Fl and I’m in Tx), we stumbled onto a little project the last couple of weeks.

We have two college age kids and are always helping them move into and out of apartments and dorms, so I bought a cheap 7x14 cargo trailer. We found a forum where people convert these little trailers into combo travel trailers but still use them as cargo trailers also. We decided to give it a try, even though we don’t have much skill in building things.

My wife’s big requirement was it had to have a shower with hot water, and a separate toilet that doesn’t sit in the shower like many do to save space.

This is what we came up with:

Coming home with the little trailer. It’s super light and easy to pull.
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Removed the plywood walls and installed foam insulation, then reinstalled the plywood.
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Getting ready to cut for windows. Jewel had to have some “escape” style RV windows because she thought someone could lock us up in the trailer using the big lever style exterior locks. The window install sucked because I had no idea what I was doing, but it turned out OK.
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We installed shiplap type boards because we think they look cool and look kind of like a beach cottage.
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The front “V” area is where we reserved space for the bathroom for the shower, composting Nature’s Head toilet and the window AC mount and utility room under the AC.

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Old 07-14-2020, 07:13 PM   #2
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Bored Covid project

I didn’t want an ugly window unit sticking out of the side of the trailer so I rigged up separate cooling ducts to for the intake and condenser exhaust. Then used some cheap boat portholes to connect the ducts to outside air.
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Putting in the battery, hot water heater, battery charger. Small 10 gallon fresh water tank will be above hot water heater.
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Working on the shower plumbing.
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Stand along sink cabinet. It uses a little pump that sits on a 5 gallon water bottle and the drains into another 5 gallon water bottle.
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Jewel installing her fancy looking (but cheap) stick on tile.
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Old 07-14-2020, 07:14 PM   #3
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Well I guess that big bucket will do for now - seems you are all ready to go!
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Old 07-14-2020, 07:16 PM   #4
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The big ramp door can be used as a back porch. Here is Jewel enjoying a cocktail at the beach cabin. This some old AstroTurf we had lying around. Will get some better turf and attach it to the big ramp door I think.
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Old 07-14-2020, 07:57 PM   #5
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Interesting idea, good work.
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Old 07-14-2020, 08:09 PM   #6
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Bored Covid project

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Originally Posted by menzies View Post
Well I guess that big bucket will do for now - seems you are all ready to go! [emoji3]

That galvanized bucket is the shower base! I have not finished that yet. Hope it looks kind of like this when done (but smaller).

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Old 07-14-2020, 08:11 PM   #7
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Is that ramp insulated somehow?
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Old 07-14-2020, 08:52 PM   #8
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Bored Covid project

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Is that ramp insulated somehow?

No it’s not. It’s def the weak link in my insulation plan. It’s pretty thick plywood (3/4” I think) but no insulation. Suggestions? Maybe the AstroTurf will insulate it!
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:01 PM   #9
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But now it's too nice to move things in!

Your shiplap is what makes it. Growing up, one room of our cabin was attached to what used to be the outside wall, so it was white shiplap similar to yours. It just says "summer place"! Looks fun and breezy. Nice use of space.

I have a trailer that's very similar to that. I optimized it for a move by building a lightweight (removable) loft inside and making a space where I could tie 4 x 8 sheets on one side below it. I have had thoughts of making a mobile workshop (just for my own use). My toolboxes would probably overwhelm it though. I was recently re-inspired when I ran across photos of a "race trailer" used for a racing sailboat. (I guess that's a thing.) It was so organized and you could just pull it right into the marina (well, some anyway).
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:09 PM   #10
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But now it's too nice to move things in!

Your shiplap is what makes it. Growing up, one room of our cabin was attached to what used to be the outside wall, so it was white shiplap similar to yours. It just says "summer place"! Looks fun and breezy. Nice use of space.

I have a trailer that's very similar to that. I optimized it for a move by building a lightweight (removable) loft inside and making a space where I could tie 4 x 8 sheets on one side below it. I have had thoughts of making a mobile workshop (just for my own use). My toolboxes would probably overwhelm it though. I was recently re-inspired when I ran across photos of a "race trailer" used for a racing sailboat. (I guess that's a thing.) It was so organized and you could just pull it right into the marina (well, some anyway).

Yeah that’s what I told Jewel. She made it too fancy to use as a cargo trailer. Lol.
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:10 PM   #11
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You are officially more bored than I am.
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:22 PM   #12
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Is that a sleeper sofa?
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:22 PM   #13
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That galvanized bucket is the shower base! I have not finished that yet. Hope it looks kind of like this when done (but smaller).

Attachment 105018
Interesting. How are you going to drain it?
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:29 PM   #14
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Is that a sleeper sofa?

It’s a futon we had lying around. Not super comfy to sleep on so far, but I just ordered a foam topper to help out, hopefully.
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:34 PM   #15
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Interesting. How are you going to drain it?

Drill a hole in the floor. Put a container to catch the gray water underneath if needed. This is a low budget operation.

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Old 07-14-2020, 09:34 PM   #16
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You are officially more bored than I am.

[emoji30][emoji30][emoji30][emoji30]
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:37 PM   #17
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Drill a hole in the floor. Put a container to catch the gray water underneath if needed. This is a low budget operation.

Attachment 105021
Make sure to put a good quality gasket around that hole. You could end up with rot there if you are not careful.
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Old 07-14-2020, 10:25 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by cardude01 View Post
No it’s not. It’s def the weak link in my insulation plan. It’s pretty thick plywood (3/4” I think) but no insulation. Suggestions? Maybe the AstroTurf will insulate it!
Remove heavy plywood; put on layer of foam; pace plywood back in place over the foam with standoff sleeves on bolts to prevent squashing the insulation? OR lathes the thickness of the foam crisscrossed instead of the bolt standoffs? Either is a brilliant solution.
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Old 07-14-2020, 11:27 PM   #19
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Will you please discuss the suitcase with the 24” speaker in it, along with how is this used and what to do you connect to it?
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Old 07-14-2020, 11:59 PM   #20
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Will you please discuss the suitcase with the 24” speaker in it, along with how is this used and what to do you connect to it?
Looks like a 12" or 16" speaker to me, plus a small tweeter. I'm wondering where the amp is that pushes it. My guess is it is the Dude's keyboard amp, and probably a dual use speaker system so he can blast some recordings while working/playing with his new travel trailer.

Nicely done, Dude & Jewel! I really like the interior a/c adaptation. Did you install a 30-amp shorepower connector?

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