Topic: Building a Cargo / Camping Harley Hauler (Read 9541 times)

GETVRTCL · « **on:** February 27, 2010, 09:01:49 AM »

http://harleyhauler.blogspot.com/ Follow the build of the trailer in this site. Please become a follower so I know people are interested in what I am doing. Thanks

My wife and I are spending a long time crossing the country this summer. We needed a trailer to live in while hauling the bike. I am willing to listen to other people with ideas on what to put in the trailer and any modifications that might need to be done.

Gecko · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2010, 09:10:19 AM »

I probably won't sign up, but am interested in the project. Looks like it is off to a good start.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2010, 09:17:28 AM »

Thanks, if you have any ideas look at the blog and let me know please. I would like to do it right the first time.

OhioDave · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2010, 10:06:20 AM »

Gettinold · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2010, 10:06:59 AM »

Hey Dan
Curious why you dont just use your 5th wheel, or isnt it a toy hauler. $:-\$ Looks like a fun project for you.

Dave

Gettinold · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2010, 10:08:26 AM »

Quote from: OhioDave on February 27, 2010, 10:06:20 AM

Dave
Did you get your Quilt..... I know you nnnneeeedddd iiitttt.

Chains · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2010, 10:11:56 AM »

Signed up, cannot wait to see the finished product. Man the quarters will be tight but hey better than a tent. Is the siding grizzly proof? They can smell food and have a tendency to tear into things. Get a big high powered CCW to take with you.

Good luck

Trapperdog · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2010, 11:49:05 AM »

Looking good! What are your plans for bedding? I was thinking an electric bed lift in the back like some of the toy haulers have. You may want to bring along a generator as many Nat. parks don't have or have limited ele. hookups. Nice project.

OhioDave · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2010, 01:07:59 PM »

Quote from: Gettinold on February 27, 2010, 10:08:26 AM

Dave
Did you get your Quilt..... I know you nnnneeeedddd iiitttt.

Your right i do need it, actually i have been preoccupied and haven't done anything with it yet...its on the to do list.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2010, 08:49:37 PM »

The 5th wheel is not a toy hauler or this project wouldn't happen.
But don't worry an old timer told me that Grizzlys hate the sound of claws being scraped on aluminum so I think we are OK. And if I run into a deaf bear the 12 ga will be enough to convince them to leave.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2010, 08:55:50 PM »

It will be a little tight in there. But I think we will be spending most of our time on the bike.

Added some things to the blog today.

http://harleyhauler.blogspot.com/

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2010, 08:58:23 PM »

Quote from: trapperdog on February 27, 2010, 11:49:05 AM

Looking good! What are your plans for bedding? I was thinking an electric bed lift in the back like some of the toy haulers have. You may want to bring along a generator as many Nat. parks don't have or have limited ele. hookups. Nice project.

I can not find one of those beds, any idea where I can find one? Right now the bed is nothing more than a futom matress on the frame. The electric bed was my first choice but mo luck finding one.

Raza51 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2010, 04:29:25 PM »

Why not use a swivel trailer behind your 5th wheel camper ? IMO.

tompen · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2010, 06:35:49 PM »

I did one a few years ago. The object was to do it as cheap as possible. Used a pop-up as a doner.

tompen · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2010, 06:36:38 PM »

Other way

tompen · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2010, 06:37:23 PM »

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2010, 06:57:18 PM »

Quote from: tompen on February 28, 2010, 06:37:23 PM

BR

I have the same fridge. Do you use an inverter while towing? If so is it modified or true sine wave and how big? Also how many batteries give you how long on the fridge.
You use a porta potty or have a holding tank setup?
How is your shower set up and what did you use tub or ?
Got a lot of questions for you hope you don't mind.

tompen · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2010, 07:21:44 PM »

I don't mind. The toilet, shower unit came from the pop-up. It has a seperate holding tank and water supply for the toilet. You can just pull it out and dump it (6 gallons) I put in a holding tank for the shower and sink. The fridge is on a 1500 watt invertor. Be careful you get one that does NOT have ramp up technology. Since the fridge has a compressor it takes a lot of current to start but not so much to run. I have 2 Gp. 27 deep cycling btys . I don't know how long they will keep the fridge going, but overnight is OK.

Ditch · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2010, 07:43:14 PM »

Tompen that looks good. How long was the trailer you used? You have a lot crammed into a small space. Looks practical and well put together! I bet it surprises people when they first open the doors for the first time.

tompen · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2010, 07:53:04 PM »

It's an 8x20 Classic. Since it is a utility trailer it the box is 20 ft.long. I did this in 2002 and it was something people hadn't seen. Now the toy haulers are a lot more common than they were then. I have a 29 ft Tahoe Transporter now and the Classic is for sale. It was a lot of fun to see how effecient I could make it with the limited space. Also it is low and light. It tows like a dream.

Ditch · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2010, 07:58:06 PM »

I figured it had to be at least 20'. Good looking trailer you ought to be able to move it quick with the "upgrades"! Heck post it on here in the selling section. http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?board=44.0

tompen · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2010, 08:02:32 PM »

It's already there. I think it will sell in the spring. I get some action from Craigs List.

MIKEYTEE · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2010, 08:16:13 PM »

Quote from: getvrtcl on February 27, 2010, 08:58:23 PM

I can not find one of those beds, any idea where I can find one? Right now the bed is nothing more than a futom matress on the frame. The electric bed was my first choice but mo luck finding one.

Get in touch with Hogasm ( PM ). He's in Daytona this week. He built his hauler and installed a electric bed.
Mike

tompen · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2010, 08:28:53 PM »

I think most of the electric bed lifts are 'happyjack' . http://www.happijac.com/prod-lifts/lift-ov.php
I believe they may be in the $1300.00 range. Now they have them with two beds. Pretty cool.

RedDevil · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2010, 09:03:01 PM »

You can go to virutally any RV dealership that sells toyhaulers and they can get you the electric beds for your trailer...I pull a 36ft Raptor Toyhauler 5th wheels. It's our home away from home.

:devil

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #25 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:49:58 AM »

Quote from: Raza51 on February 28, 2010, 04:29:25 PM

Why not use a swivel trailer behind your 5th wheel camper ? IMO.

Too much money hanging back there on one wheel..

tompen · « **Reply #26 on:** March 01, 2010, 10:38:22 AM »

Just a suggestion.... Look at Craigs List for your area or shop around and you might find a camper with some damage or just an older one with good appliances, 12v convertor, propane setup, cabnets, cushions, stove, water pump, holding tanks, bathroom and shower stuff, awning, A/C, furnace, etc You can buy a whole camper for the price of an awning. I looked at the Catskills area on Craigs List and found a couple of possibilities.
Anyway, have fun with it.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #27 on:** March 01, 2010, 09:27:10 PM »

I thought about this direction, but over the past year I had purchased most of the items for the build. So I had everything except the toilet.

This is as far as I got today.

tompen · « **Reply #28 on:** March 02, 2010, 09:11:31 AM »

Lookin good....

Big T · « **Reply #29 on:** March 03, 2010, 02:50:21 PM »

Why did you not get a smaller trailer for just the bike and haul it behind your 5th wheeler, you see people do this all the time I have a toy hauler by KZ I have the Harley in the back and bring the 4 wheeler in the utility trailer that’s behind the 5th wheeler? You can even get one of the hydraulic lifts or electric lifts that fit on the back bumper. Why put your self thru all that trouble. But if you fiell the need go for it.

Big T

Cajun Country

Chains · « **Reply #30 on:** March 03, 2010, 02:59:21 PM »

Quote from: tompen on February 28, 2010, 07:21:44 PM

I don't mind. The toilet, shower unit came from the pop-up. It has a seperate holding tank and water supply for the toilet. You can just pull it out and dump it (6 gallons) I put in a holding tank for the shower and sink. The fridge is on a 1500 watt invertor. Be careful you get one that does NOT have ramp up technology. Since the fridge has a compressor it takes a lot of current to start but not so much to run. I have 2 Gp. 27 deep cycling btys . I don't know how long they will keep the fridge going, but overnight is OK.

Nice looking rig.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #31 on:** March 04, 2010, 09:11:09 PM »

Frame work for Fridge and Electrical system

Putting in the frame for the sink and the platform that will act as a area for the electrical inverter/converter/charger. It will also raised the fridge up 16 inches. This makes it easier to get in the fridge and allows for an area underneath it for a 20 gallon water tank, and all the electrical components.

When the cabinet under the sink is cut out the water pump and city water hookup will be easier to get at.

The platform for the fridge will end up being 3/4 plywood mainly because I have a sheet of it and I might as well use it, and the strength of it. The fridge is quite heavy and when it is full of food it will be a heavy item bouncing around back there. I am trying to come up with a good way to secure the fridge to the wall but am drawing a blank. Thanks for any ideas.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #32 on:** March 04, 2010, 09:13:10 PM »

Door Window install

I worked on cutting in the sliding window in the door. The window is a medium tinted slider with a screen.
As I said before this is nessary for us to have a clear look outside before exiting the Hauler, remember the whole Grizzly bear post, hear you go.

I layed the hole out on tape to keep from scratching the door. When I was happy with the overall layout I cut the hole with a fine toothed jigsaw blade, this made for a nice clean cut. I had a small bit of cleaning up to get the window frame in the hole tightly. Overall this worked out better than I had thought it would.

The window has been sealed with silicone caulking and looks good.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #33 on:** March 04, 2010, 09:20:38 PM »

30 amp Electrical connection

Today the weather still was not cooperating for outside tasks. With that said I decided to cut in the shore power inlet and the water panel. A 30 amp weather proof plug was purchased from a Marine outlet. Along with a 50 foot cord prewired with weatherproof ends. To insure that the hole needed for the power inlet was in the correct place, I marked it from the inside on the wall of the trailer. The water panel was marked the same way. The water panel is lockable so noone can tamper with our water supply, and it had provisions for a city water hookup and a fill nozzle for the tank side. The onboard water tank will follow but is only 20 gallons, which should be enough for 2 showers and some dishes.

tompen · « **Reply #34 on:** March 05, 2010, 09:06:12 AM »

Still lookin great. For nthe fridge I attached a strap like a ratchet strap but with a spring release to the wall behind the fridge and use it to secure the fridge while moving and keep the door shut. It should have a 3/8 hole in the top for the freezer door. Not fancy, but works.

hogasm · « **Reply #35 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:36:52 PM »

These might help

side view....has 17' awning
storage compartment on right side of door just over outside shower
plug for 110 on left side of door
light to left of door is 12v

hogasm · « **Reply #36 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:42:26 PM »

view from rear

refrig is 3 way
oven and stove are gas
under oven is gas water heater
exhaust fan is 12v
door enters into bath room
airconditioner and gas heater with 12v blower

all came out of a slide in camper that the frame rotted and we purchased for $650

hogasm · « **Reply #37 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:44:37 PM »

the dinette seat folds up so that the front tire on the right bike can be strapped in

hogasm · « **Reply #38 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:45:36 PM »

Over the dinette is a set of cabinets where the 4 doors open and the whole front folds down for larger items

under the cabinets is a set of switches where one is 12v lighting and the other is 110 lighting

tompen · « **Reply #39 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:51:23 PM »

Very nicely done. Kinda fun isn't it ?

hogasm · « **Reply #40 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:52:07 PM »

toilet is a sea land porcelain toilet with a hand spray
I went with a regular height toilet so that I could build a small step up which allowed the black water tank to hold more and would be flush with the bottom of the trailer

The shower is to the right of the toilet. Could not get a good picture since it is white and the flash did not help. It is a 32"x32" acrylic shower base. The walls are sprayed with bed liner material for water proofing. The drain goes into a 50 gallon grey water tank under the floor and is also flush with the bottom of the frame rails of the trailer.

hogasm · « **Reply #41 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:54:28 PM »

This is the electric panel which is both 12v and 110 with a battery charger built in

The water tank behind the door is a 40 gallon that is filled on the outside of the trailer.

hogasm · « **Reply #42 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:57:29 PM »

Under the refrig and behind the 3 drawers is the 12v water pump

It is great to be on a week long trip and be able to take a shower on the side of the road...ha ha

hogasm · « **Reply #43 on:** March 10, 2010, 09:00:19 PM »

The bed is home made from a regular queen size bed...welded together...and raised and lowered by a 12v motor, from a slide out that I purchased on ebay for $10

It is primitive but I only have $125 invested in the whole thing

hogasm · « **Reply #44 on:** March 10, 2010, 09:03:26 PM »

Pic of the bed motor

all the parts came from a local store that was closing down, chains, piller blocks, sprockets.

I did make covers for all the moving parts out of oak....just never got around to installing them

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #45 on:** March 12, 2010, 08:34:56 PM »

Quote from: hogasm on March 10, 2010, 09:03:26 PM

Pic of the bed motor

all the parts came from a local store that was closing down, chains, piller blocks, sprockets.

I did make covers for all the moving parts out of oak....just never got around to installing them

Very cool idea, I like it.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #46 on:** March 12, 2010, 08:37:36 PM »

Insulating the Ramp door

I was not going to insulate the ramp door. But I had MANY pieces of foam insulation left over, ALL over. I removed the 3/4 in plywood from the ramp and found that the space was about 1 7/8 inches deep. I was going to double the 1 in foam but thought it may make the outside skin bow so left it at 1 layer. I took all the pieces I had an layed them into the voids. After I had most of the surface covered I used a can of Great Stuff to fill in the gaps, this also helps hold the whole thing in place. The Great Stuff expanded enough to hold all the pieces and basically transform them into one piece sheet in the cavities. This recycled basically a whole sheet of foam board that would of ended up in the garbage, and that puts $20.00 back into the trailer fund.
Today I will get the high spots trimmed down and reinstall the plywood.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #47 on:** March 12, 2010, 08:40:13 PM »

Ceiling Insulation

Went through and sealed and filled the roof bows with low expansion foam. Then I cut the 1 inch foam for each space, I tried to fit it tightly so it would stay up without glue. After the sheets were pressed between the bows any that seemed to be loose I filled the gaps with caulking.

Then in the opposite direction I installed the radiant barrier insulation. This is a semi-rigid foil sided 1/2 inch insulation. The sales hype says that this is a R-21 factor insulation, if you can believe that. I am not sure I buy into that, BUT I have used this in my home as a barrier for the radiant heat system, and it does hold back the heat. So if I believe all the BULLS,,T about the R-factors the ceiling will be around R-27, I don't believe it will be that much but I think it will allow us to be cooler inside the trailer.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #48 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:00:06 PM »

Ramp door NON-skid surface

Today I wanted to get the ramp done so it had a week to dry before I drive the bike on it. I painted the surface with Rustoleum dark grey paint. I used this because I needed a paint that would give me time to get the surface covered before it dried and would allow me time to spead the grit into it.
I put the paint down THICK with a 1/2 nap roller then I spread Black Majic coarse sandblasting sand over the entire surface. The sand is coarse and should make a good surface that is safe and slip free. It sat for about 6 hours horizonataly so it could get a good set to it before I closed it up for the night because temps are starting to freeze again here. I will run the heat overnight inside the hauler to help the paint cure, but I still will not walk on the surface for atleast a week.
This what the surface looks like so far.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #49 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:01:24 PM »

Cutting out cabinets in walls.

I decided that the small areas left empty between the studs in the walls was wasted space. So I cut them out to make small storage areas. They made nice little areas for possibly bathroom items, can goods etc.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #50 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:03:05 PM »

Xantrex Pure Sinewave inverter and Battery system start

I purchased the Pure Sinewave inverter so there will not be any issues with the refridgerator or any electronics we will be using.

I chose the 3000 watt surge / 2000 watt constant inverter. I also purchased the optional remote starter for the inverter to make turning it off and on easier on me.
I will be wiring the inverter to 2 series 29 deep cell batteries.

This setup should let the fridge run for 20 hours without having to charge the batteries. The batteries will be charged while we are on shore power by the charger inverter, and I will have the batteries charging from the truck while traveling also.
I know that the electrical setup with a 1000/2000 watt inverter will run a 37 in LCD TV and a Bluray player for 6 hours and hardly drain the batteries.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #51 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:05:36 PM »

Tiling the counter top and installing the Sink and Cook top

We decided to try putting self stick tiles over the plywood counter top to make it a little more finished and to protect it from the water and food.
I had NO frigging clue what I was doing so just jumped in to see if I could screw it up. I have never been good a puzzles and finishing the small pieces with what I had left from the big cuts was a challenge.
I started with a strip down the center and worked my way outboard from there.

I forgot to tell you that the tile company recomended using a prep solution on the raw plywood to aid in the adhesion of the tiles. So I put the 2 coats recommended the day before so it would have time to dry before I started.

I have to admit it looks pretty nice, and it should protect it.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #52 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:09:47 PM »

Finishing off the Ceiling.

Finally got the last of the fiber board ceiling up yesterday. The board has a white smooth finish on one side and was rated for damp applications. I thought it would be better to use something rated for a damp environment because of the use the trailer will get. With the 15,000 BTU Air condition unit in it, the inside could get a little damp.
After getting the sheets to line up in the moulding that joins them I drilled 1/4 holes every 6 inches and installed hammer-in large head rivits designed for these sheets. I was afraid that with the bouncing and hard traveling we will be doing that I should keep the rivits close. The last thing I want is for the ceiling to come down on the bike while traveling.

I have an onboard wireless video camera that will have a live shot coming from the trailer to the Toughbook in the truck. That way we can check the status of things in the back without having to stop.

napalm · « **Reply #53 on:** March 28, 2010, 10:02:33 PM »

Keep the pictures coming....great job so far!

napalm

porthole · « **Reply #54 on:** March 29, 2010, 11:30:52 AM »

Since you plan on using the inverter I would skip the 29's and go for 2-4 6 volt golf cart batteries. You will be better off in the long run.

tompen · « **Reply #55 on:** March 29, 2010, 11:56:47 AM »

Thanks for the update. You do very nice work. Makes me want to start another one.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #56 on:** March 29, 2010, 12:14:13 PM »

Quote from: porthole on March 29, 2010, 11:30:52 AM

Since you plan on using the inverter I would skip the 29's and go for 2-4 6 volt golf cart batteries. You will be better off in the long run.

That was the original idea, but all for the people I have talked to informed me that the fridge will run atleast 20 hours on that set up and that is me only goal. I figure 10 hours per day on the road and settling into a campground each night with full hookups. If it does its job the beer and food will be cold when we stop for the night.
We plan on a few trial runs before the big trip. We have reservations at Americade for a few days to see how everything funtions.

porthole · « **Reply #57 on:** March 29, 2010, 10:37:19 PM »

Either way in the long run quality golf cart batteries will last longer and both in age and output. They are designed to do exactly what you are planning. Especially if you may try and run a small electric heater.
Don't forget, inverters are not 100% efficient.

For your app the pure sine is the way to go and worth the extra investment.

GETVRTCL · « **Reply #58 on:** September 26, 2010, 10:04:18 AM »

7000 miles , 6 weeks and a whole lot of fun.

Just got back from the trip and all I have to say is I am ready to move out west away from the CIDIOTS.

The trailer performed without a problem and I am thinking I will be building another one for my brother.

fresh oil and pipes · « **Reply #59 on:** September 26, 2010, 11:04:29 PM »

Have an older 379 Peterbilt hope to build into a toy hauler/motorhome someday.

cuttinhorse · « **Reply #60 on:** September 30, 2010, 10:00:20 AM »

I have a living quarters horse trailer. The smell of gas never enters the living quarters. I see some very affordable living quarters horse trailers for sale in this economy. I don't think I could build my own cheaper and that dosn't even take into account my time.

Author Topic: Building a Cargo / Camping Harley Hauler (Read 9541 times)

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm

hogasm