My toy hauler thread

[supermanotorious]

I confess, I joined a RV forum to share my excitement of our new (June '15) to us toy hauler and those people aren't nearly as supportive as you guys. I should've just stayed here so better late than never.

Scored her in a Craigslist deal and it was more than I wanted to pay, more than it was worth, but it was pretty much exactly what we wanted. I've fixed almost every issue short of getting mattress covers for the ultra firm beds, and hanging a modern flat TV.

This spring we're taking it and the kids to Yosemite and in the summer, we and another couple will load the Harleys in it and head to Sturgis.

Here are some pictures, and next I'll post the write up I made regarding why a toy hauler instead of something else.

A couple things I could use help with, a phase question regarding my generator and more imminently, parts on the loft bed.

For the bed, the struts have failed which allowed the unit to tweak and compromise the bearing in the track. What are those bearings called, where do I get them? A local RV place said they'd only be willing to sell me the entire new hardware package, a cool $1,000. That aint happening.

For the generator, here is the deal. The RV requires 30 amp service for running the A/C and other components. The A/C has a 20 amp breaker. My gene has 2 pairs of 110V on 20 amp breakers and a 220V with (2) 25 amp breakers. I've been told I can not separate the A/C and run it off a different "leg" than what the other components are on. Meaning I can not plug the main RV into the first pair (A) of 110V outlets, and the A/C on to the other pair (B) of 110V outlets. I don't really understand why not but that is not my question.

I understand the 220V outlet is composed of legs A and B, how would I determine which is which? My thought is to have the A/C run off leg A on the 220V outlet, and have the other components run off leg A on the 110V outlet. What do you think?

OR, would it be possible to add a 30 amp 110V outlet to the gene?

 

[supermanotorious]

Hopefully this post will help others come to a decision or at least get them further on their ideas. It was a few years ago when I decided my young family would enjoy a camping rig and I started to explore all options. I am a Sith lord level handyman and at one point I was ready to build my own travel trailer. I purchased plans from Glen-L but even as an experienced fabricator I found the plans lacking.

So a couple summers later and a huge unexpected summer work bonus I was shopping for a used trailer. I came across so many toads before I found our princess. I even bought a travel trailer, towed it home, and flipped it the same day for a $1,200 profit because I wasn't in love with the style. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice 2008 Pilgrim custom build with a MASSIVE bathroom but that bathroom came from the expense of the living quarters. At this point I really started thinking "what am I really looking for in a camper?" Well initially I totally avoided toy haulers as my old man said a friend had one and complained the cabin always smelled like gasoline and that would be a perpetual problem for haulers.

So I was mainly looking at travel trailers on the local Craigslist. I tossed out the idea of any motorized RV (Class A, B, C, or bus) because I wanted the ability to leave the rig and drive to the fishin' spot, dry goods store, or restaurant and know I wouldn't lose my spot at the camp ground. I didn't want a fifth wheel (even though I love them) because my tow vehicle is a half ton (but still bad @ss for a half ton) and I didn't want to sacrifice my pick up bed. I also threw out pop-ups because we wanted a solid rig, something a large wild cat couldn't claw it's way through. Tossing motorized options out limited my opportunity to take our boat with us as well but I decided I would tow doubles because A) America and B) I am a bad @ss trailer puller as my old man had me backing the boat before I had a driver's license.

After weeks of getting frustrated by dumb Craigslist people I decided to open my mind to toy haulers. I researched other forums and discovered lingering gasoline smell is really hit or miss and many of the people complaining of the smell admitted to spilling gasoline on the floor during transport. As soon as I considered the toy hauler the reasoning crashed on my head. We do have mini bikes, quads, off-road go-karts, wakeboard winches, full size grills, and more. And I liked the idea of having some open space for whatever, even normal household furniture like my favorite leather recliner.

How would you get half of this stuff through the door of the travel trailer?- you wouldn't. And what if you didn't have all those internal combustion toys?- who cares. With the hauler you get a large rear door to roll what ever you're into, into the rig. So that's what we decided upon, A) we can take toys, B) if we don't take toys we can take things that give the rig a more home type of feel. On our first trip with the toy hauler, we fell a dead oak tree and burned some of it at our campfire. I wanted to bring the trunk home and the toy hauler was the perfect solution. And oh yeah- there wasn't a hint of gasoline in the cabin even after towing the trailer in 100+ degree Arizona weather for several hours.

 

[landuse]

Those things are a great idea. Combining a trailer and caravan into one

 

[supermanotorious]

No one can tell me about the gene phases :-(

No one knows about the loft bed bearing?

 

[landuse]

No one can tell me about the gene phases :-(

No one knows about the loft bed bearing?

I am sorry, but I have to tap out on this conversation. I will hurt rather than help the situation.

C'mon guys....anyone have a clue??

 

[2SlickNick]

I don't know, but I do like it. Also I have seen your work and know... http://youtu.be/qztuEucrNBc

 

[Daniel Sheffield]

The generator.... No. The bed however I have used inline skate wheels before. They are skinny and tall so you might have to shave some. They have good bearings and hold decent weight. Might work for you with minor mods. You still need to support the strut somehow though.

 

[chancer]

Sorry Soup... I read your thread, every word. Congrats looks like family fun for all. I dont know about the gen. but the rollers look like you would have to see it and understand what is wrong and how it works, With your fab skills. Should not be a problem.
Too bad they were dorks at the Trailer forum.

 

[supermanotorious]

The little tab that holds the wheel/bearing is bent and that has caused the plastic wheel to try to jump the track, the skateboard wheel seems like a good idea and we have a few skateboards here at the house so maybe I'll see what I can do with those

I figure I'm going to have to support the bed somehow, remove some brackets and do some cuttin and weldin, sure I can do it but dang it- I was hoping to avoid that...

---------- Post added at 07:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 AM ----------

Does anyone have an inverter they'd like to recommend? I found the Aims 1200 for a good deal on Amazon but the reviews scare me a little, what it taught me is that I want a pure sine inverter between 1000W-2000W with transfer switch and charger. I would like to spend less than $300 but less than $200 would be even better

 

[OzFab]

Inline skate wheels or razor scooter wheels sounds like a good idea...

As for the strut mounts, there's a lot of pressure on them; are they attached to anything structural or only the wall sheets?

 

[supermanotorious]

they are screwed in to "studs" behind the walls and secured pretty good except that one that compromised the wall, I plan to take it off, lay it flat on the welding table and weld flat stock in 2 directions to extend the footprint and drill new lag holes

I ordered replacement 75lb struts on ebay and they dont hold the loft up very well with the new memory foam mattress toppers I bought so I'm jumping from 75lb struts to 100lb struts, hopefully its just plug and play and the new heavier struts dont tear at the mounts beyond what they can handle

last night was a freakin' 12V rodeo, trying to track some issues down only to find it was a blown manual reset breaker and life was good once I reset it, check out this silly hack to light the running lights, not connected to the truck, for ambiance, or just to notify the kids its time to come inside!

 

[supermanotorious]

another thing, I went thru the fuses on the 12v panel the other night and figured what each went to except #3, I just cant figure it out and dunno what it could be. I confirmed fuses for the overhead lights and exhaust fans, refrig, heater, water heater, exterior lights, water pump, radio, and confirmed #3 does NOT control the CO sensor (although I didnt check to see which fuse does) so its beyond me what it could be

any ideas?

 

[landuse]

Take the #3 fuse out and see what doesn't work....or am I oversimplifying things?

 

[supermanotorious]

I did exactly that as I did with each of them, #3 remains a mystery, everything (I could think of) is still working, now there are 2 positions (#1 #9) that have no wire connection but #3 certainly does, I trying to figure out if there is something I'm not thinking of- for instance, they wouldn't tie the trailer running lights, or brakes off the house panel..... right??

 

[supermanotorious]

Oh, and another small (yeah right) need I'm working on is the whole boondocking 12V power supply! I bought this Interstate deep cycle in June '15 and wonder if I should just get 2 more of the same for a 3 battery bank, thus saving the cost of a 3rd battery.

I'm heavily considering this AIMS inverter as the reviews are mixed but lean towards decent and seems this is a product Aims is testing in market at this price.

I'm open to your suggestions however!

 

[supermanotorious]

Alright, I did buy that inverter and I tested it the other night. I'm pretty pleased with it. I've had wire and fuses and all kinds of stuff showing up recently thanks to selling some pontoons and the wifey getting free Amazon prime!

As I started tracing wires to figure the best place for mounting the inverter I discovered not only more mouse nests, piss, and poop, but decaying mice as well- super gross! We've been cleaning and it's helping the odor in the trailer!

I got down to business on the bed, what a PITA but I'm glad it's almost done. I supported the bed and removed the bed rail, cut off the compromised tab and welded a new one on. I extended the bed catch and drilled mounting holes for more lags. I was really hoping to tell you guys I figured out the caster situation but I'm still in discovery mode.

I did a lot of fit/alignment testing throughout the process. I did forget to drill the mounting holes in the bed catch extension before primering but I did drill them before painting.

I sure hope I have everything buttoned down in time for the Yosemite trip!

 

[supermanotorious]

more pics!

 

[supermanotorious]

more and more pics!

 

[Denny]

Man, you really should learn how to lay a decent weld bead.

Denny

 

[landuse]

Man, you really should learn how to lay a decent weld bead.

Denny

Lol. If only mine looked half as good as that