So awhile back, I started an enclosed trailer build to track my progress on how I built the trailer to suit my needs, what I did good, what I would do again, etc. I was looking for examples of what others did, and wanted to contribute my own. What actually turned out to be very good for me was when I went to sell the trailer - another member on this forum got to see the history of it. So, that's an ulterior motive to this thread for the day when I have to sell. Being active duty, I have no idea where I'm going next, so I highly, highly doubt I'll actually be able to keep this for more than 2-3 years. So anyways, here's the link to my trailer build:
http://forum.n2td.org/index.php?threads/otto-man-begins-an-enclosed-trailer-journey.23223/
I actually need to dig through my old pics and find some pictures when it was "done" (Builds are never done, I think it just gets to be 'good enough' and you don't bother with it anymore). But in the end, I wired the trailer for 30 amp RV power, installed a TON of outlets inside, lights, A/C, tire rack, Pitbull TRS system x3. It worked extremely well, but as the family started going to almost all the WERA races and track days, it was a natural progression to move into a toy hauler.
The Tahoe I had with the enclosed trailer was a complete TURD as a tow vehicle. It struggled towing that 7x20 trailer (~3,000lbs empty). It couldn't hold over drive on the highway. Hills...wow, hills were terrible. It swayed a lot (Probably having an anti-sway hitch would have helped). Oh, and it got a whopping 7 MPG towing. So I sold it, and picked up a diesel '04.5 Ram 2500, 4x4, CCSB, automatic with 4.10s. It literally towed the trailer like it wasn't there. It was remarkable. 13-14 MPG towing on the highway. I officially started drinking the 'diesel kool aid' after buying it. I wouldn't recommend towing anything bigger than a 7x16 with a gas powered full size SUV or truck after my experience with the Tahoe.
I could type a novel on how I chose my set up, so I'm going just cliff note most of it, but if you want to know more on why I chose what I chose, by all means ask. But here's the big things I wanted:
- On board generator. I didn't want to waste garage room with a genny. One more thing to load and unload to-boot.
- 50 amp service. Most all RV's that have 50 amp service have the Onan 5500 generator vs the 30 amp service with the Onan 4000. I wanted to be able to run the A/C, all the things inside the trailer, AND tire warmers - all at once. The 4000 genny simply could not do this.
- 15,000 BTU A/C unit. I hit the lottery with this one. It's got a 15k BTU unit. And a 13.5k BTU unit in the bedroom.
- 5th wheel over bumper pull. I've heard great things about 5th wheels, but never towed one prior to this. I already had the diesel truck...all I needed was a hitch. So I bought a B&W gooseneck + drop in 5th wheel slider hitch set up. I would give the B&W 5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic product, very glad I spend the extra $ on it over the competition.
- Fiberglass siding instead of the rigid aluminum siding. Fiberglass looks much cleaner (in my opinion) and is MUCH easier to wash/keep clean over the aluminum siding. On the down side, if you damage it, it's more expensive and a bigger PITA to fix.
- Garage style - separated garage or not separated. I really didn't care about this. I researched this until I thought my eyes were going to bleed - in the end, both have their ups and downs. Mine does not have a separated garage.
Enough text for one post...time to dig up some pics.
http://forum.n2td.org/index.php?threads/otto-man-begins-an-enclosed-trailer-journey.23223/
I actually need to dig through my old pics and find some pictures when it was "done" (Builds are never done, I think it just gets to be 'good enough' and you don't bother with it anymore). But in the end, I wired the trailer for 30 amp RV power, installed a TON of outlets inside, lights, A/C, tire rack, Pitbull TRS system x3. It worked extremely well, but as the family started going to almost all the WERA races and track days, it was a natural progression to move into a toy hauler.
The Tahoe I had with the enclosed trailer was a complete TURD as a tow vehicle. It struggled towing that 7x20 trailer (~3,000lbs empty). It couldn't hold over drive on the highway. Hills...wow, hills were terrible. It swayed a lot (Probably having an anti-sway hitch would have helped). Oh, and it got a whopping 7 MPG towing. So I sold it, and picked up a diesel '04.5 Ram 2500, 4x4, CCSB, automatic with 4.10s. It literally towed the trailer like it wasn't there. It was remarkable. 13-14 MPG towing on the highway. I officially started drinking the 'diesel kool aid' after buying it. I wouldn't recommend towing anything bigger than a 7x16 with a gas powered full size SUV or truck after my experience with the Tahoe.
I could type a novel on how I chose my set up, so I'm going just cliff note most of it, but if you want to know more on why I chose what I chose, by all means ask. But here's the big things I wanted:
- On board generator. I didn't want to waste garage room with a genny. One more thing to load and unload to-boot.
- 50 amp service. Most all RV's that have 50 amp service have the Onan 5500 generator vs the 30 amp service with the Onan 4000. I wanted to be able to run the A/C, all the things inside the trailer, AND tire warmers - all at once. The 4000 genny simply could not do this.
- 15,000 BTU A/C unit. I hit the lottery with this one. It's got a 15k BTU unit. And a 13.5k BTU unit in the bedroom.
- 5th wheel over bumper pull. I've heard great things about 5th wheels, but never towed one prior to this. I already had the diesel truck...all I needed was a hitch. So I bought a B&W gooseneck + drop in 5th wheel slider hitch set up. I would give the B&W 5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic product, very glad I spend the extra $ on it over the competition.
- Fiberglass siding instead of the rigid aluminum siding. Fiberglass looks much cleaner (in my opinion) and is MUCH easier to wash/keep clean over the aluminum siding. On the down side, if you damage it, it's more expensive and a bigger PITA to fix.
- Garage style - separated garage or not separated. I really didn't care about this. I researched this until I thought my eyes were going to bleed - in the end, both have their ups and downs. Mine does not have a separated garage.
Enough text for one post...time to dig up some pics.