My TOYHAULER build...

[PA Slammer]

Well... It's been almost a year of looking for the perfect toyhauler / camper. I think I finally found the one I want. I compromised between a trailer with everything and a trailer with nothing. I ended up with a solid foundation for my build.

It's a VRV with insulated walls and ceiling, 110 and 12 volt, a couple of overhead vents, a sink with hand pump that drains directly to the ground, a no bath bathroom, a fold out bunk, and not much else.

What do I want to add? What would you want to add?

I think the highest on my list is a solar set-up.

Next is a fridge / freezer.

Heat?

Fresh water tanks?

Screens?

So many decisions. WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO IT?

Here are a couple pics to start... These are from the dealer's webpage. I'll be sure to take my own soon...

[dirt hokie]

awsome

i wonder if its possable to just buy the fold out bunk componets, lots of possabilities for small light stuff.

[Trail Ryder]

How much ($$$) is it? How much does it weigh?

[PA Slammer]

Originally Posted by dirt hokie

awsome

i wonder if its possable to just buy the fold out bunk componets, lots of possabilities for small light stuff.

My guess it would take quite a bit of internal framing cutting out such a big area. I had thought of this as well, but... I decided it would be entirely too much for me.

[pvangel]

Nice trailer! good luck with the build!

[PA Slammer]

Originally Posted by Trail Ryder

How much ($$$) is it? How much does it weigh?

WOW, right for the jugular, huh?

OK, gotta get this over with... MSRP was $15, 778. I know freakin' crazy! This one was a 2011 the dealer could not get rid of due to the fact it was stripped down without all the amenities. The ones with everything included go for $22,000 to $23,000. Unbelievable!

I ended up paying $12,000 out the door. Still very high! It is an all aluminum trailer (frame included) with absolutely no wood. Hose down the interior kind of mindset.

I probably could have got a similar v-nose for $7,000 to $8,000. So I paid $4,000 to $5,000 for the insulation, 110 and 12 volt, inverter, cabinetry, bathroom area, pop out bed, vents, tie down tracks, flooring, shelving, window, and I think that's it...

Was it worth it? Fu*%, I don't know. In my opinion, that is a LOT of WORK! I'm sure it would have cost less than half that to do it myself, but I didn't want to deal with it. In fact, I don't want to deal with the rest of the build, but I can't find something I want. I want a solar powered machine! Off the grid, boondocking master. Soon enough...

As for the weight, it was advertised at 1750 lbs. I think that referred to the trailer without everything added. I got it weighed today and it was 2260 lbs, with a mr buddy heater, battery, area carpet, porta-potti and a few small things. Still pretty light in my opinion.

I'll be pulling it with a Roadtrek RS Adventurous on a sprinter 3500 chassis. The RV weighed in at 8520 lbs (dry) and the GCWR is 15250 lbs.

[pvangel]

PA, Those are very well built trailers and will last for ever, That was at the top of my list (I think I even looked at that one) when shopping for one. I think you did great!

[PA Slammer]

Thanks, I appreciate the moral support.

BTW, I've been watching your build. It's what has given me the motivation to do this build! You've done an outstanding job!

PA Slammer

[Easterner]

Congrats! I'll be watching great start.

[dirtydeeds]

It's simple. I like simple.
How did you come to the conclusion that solar is your best option?

Originally Posted by dirt hokie

i wonder if its possable to just buy the fold out bunk componets, lots of possabilities for small light stuff.

That is a good question. I would be interested in doing that with the side of the Transmogrifier. (I named my box on wheels. )

[dhally]

Nice trailer! We have a van and would like to get an enclosed trailer some day too.

I don't think solar really pays back compared with other options, for instance a small generator. Or just hook it up to the tow vehicle for charging and put more batteries on board..

[PA Slammer]

Originally Posted by dirtydeeds

It's simple. I like simple.
How did you come to the conclusion that solar is your best option?





That is a good question. I would be interested in doing that with the side of the Transmogrifier. (I named my box on wheels. )

Solar may not be as efficient, but it's less hassle and way more quite.

PA Slammer

[PA Slammer]

Originally Posted by wittrrider

There is lots of real estate up on the roof. Perhaps some peel and stick solar panels similar to what they use on golf carts? But they can be expensive, and not so effective if you camp mostly in the woods.

LED interior light bulbs can cut down on the usage side of things.

Been thinking about the peel and stick, but it's roughly 50% as efficient and solar is already at a disadvantage.

LEDs are high up on the list as lights are a high usage item.

PA Slammer

[PA Slammer]

Originally Posted by dhally

Nice trailer! We have a van and would like to get an enclosed trailer some day too.

I don't think solar really pays back compared with other options, for instance a small generator. Or just hook it up to the tow vehicle for charging and put more batteries on board..

As for hooking it up to the tow vehicle for charging... will it charge through the 7 pin wiring harness when both vehicles are parked? Does the tow vehicle have to be running? Will it take it's charge from the van's battery or the RV's battery bank? If I run the RV's generator while parked, will it charge the trailer also?

PA Slammer

[dirtydeeds]

Originally Posted by PA Slammer

As for hooking it up to the tow vehicle for charging... will it charge through the 7 pin wiring harness when both vehicles are parked? Does the tow vehicle have to be running? Will it take it's charge from the van's battery or the RV's battery bank? If I run the RV's generator while parked, will it charge the trailer also?

PA Slammer

It could get charged through the 7 pin, but I would not hook it up like that. If you hooked it up to the van to charge, you'd best use a battery isolator. This allows the van to charge the other batteries but power used in your trailer won't drain your van battery. If you're using your trailer a lot, you're vehicles charging system might also need an upgrade. I'm not familiar with what is in your van but I'm sure there is an alternator made for the ambulance version that will make a lot of power.

Using a generator means you can have lots of power, when ever you want. They can charge back up batteries as well - just use a normal battery charger.