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Streamtrain · 09-11-2011, 06:25 AM

Purchased this trailer about 4 months ago. First thing to go was rear belly pan covering the grey and black water tank. Then when it was the A frame where it attaches to the boxed section on the main channel frame rails. The guy who got me back on the road didn't pay much attention to detail and didn't tell be he never bolted down the side walls in front of the wheels. The walls moved off the floor and the side door opened and swung back against the side wall and bent the door frame. Then the rest of the belly pan began to peel starting from the front and moving it's way backward.
Trailers now gutted and I'm going to shorten it and install a new frame over the winter.

As it is now.

And how it should look shortened, Photoshopped but you get the idea.

worldinchaos · 09-11-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streamtrain

Purchased this trailer about 4 months ago. First thing to go was rear belly pan covering the grey and black water tank. Then when it was the A frame where it attaches to the boxed section on the main channel frame rails. The guy who got me back on the road didn't pay much attention to detail and didn't tell be he never bolted down the side walls in front of the wheels. The walls moved off the floor and the side door opened and swung back against the side wall and bent the door frame. Then the rest of the belly pan began to peel starting from the front and moving it's way backward.
Trailers now gutted and I'm going to shorten it and install a new frame over the winter.

As it is now.

And how it should look shortened, Photoshopped but you get the idea.

I'm not able to see your second and third pictures, but sounds like quite the undertaking. Good luck and keep us posted!

Wabbiteer · 09-11-2011, 11:20 AM

Sky's the limit... oh wait you want an entrance door, that costs extra

Streamtrain · 09-11-2011, 03:42 PM

I was thinking of moving the door from the passenger side to the drivers side, this way it won't open into the wind, kind of like the caption at the top of the forum page. The door width is less than the window width. I've measured this several times to see how short I could get it. A make shift awning will need to be created. The trailer could be around 15'6" after shortening from the center of the hitch ball to the rear bumper. As I don't use campgrounds much, which are set up for passenger side entrances, it could work out fine.

worldinchaos · 09-11-2011, 08:43 PM

So I'm guessing you are moving the axle back as well or removing a section from behind the axle? Otherwise 15'6" with that rear axle placement would be pretty awkward.

Streamtrain · 09-12-2011, 06:14 AM

Taking off all the panels between the rear curved section and the front curved section and replacing the center with a single sheet from one side to the other. This will iliminate all protrusions through the exterior skin. I do not have nor will I install any propane appliances. There will be no bathroom as well. The interior will be insulated with spray foam as well as underneath the floor. It will be used soley for sleeping and working. The rest of the creature comforts I've been getting away with in other ways and will continue to do so.

Streamtrain · 01-24-2012, 05:07 PM

Well started on the shortification process!

InsideOut · 01-24-2012, 05:44 PM

How are you handling your weight & balance front-to-back? From your PhotoShop image, it seems like the axle will be way too far forward and the shortened trailer will be "squirrely" when towing due to too much "junk in the trunk". Is it relocated in actuality?

This kinda reminds me of a short "1960 Ambassador" I saw in Mexico a couple of years ago.

Shari

Streamtrain · 01-26-2012, 05:34 PM

When I've built utility trailers before, the standard positioning of the axle is at 60% of the length of the box. The wheels are cutting into the rear section quite a bit so I hope I'm on the handling side of things as you pointed out.
I wanted a regular side door entrance. I've seen a local Airstream for sale, $29,000, that was cut down and he had no side door but a door at the back of the trailer. Didn't like that design. Were looking at mounting a full spare at the front of the trailer instead of the propane tanks.

Got the angle iron rim mounted today as well as the two inner halves of the inner fenders. Since there's the possibility of a Harley LowBoy going in I added some bracing to the center of the floor.

Streamtrain · 04-08-2012, 02:44 PM

Got a little more work done on it.

Steve Bryant · 05-07-2012, 10:23 PM

This is an interesting thread. Is the trailer mainly going to be a toy hauler/novelty trailer or do you plan to camp in it too?

Streamtrain · 05-08-2012, 04:24 AM

Streamtrain · 05-08-2012, 04:29 AM

As it stands today. It will be a full time residence for me. I've removed and will not be re installing the mechanical systems in this trailer. Plan to spray foam insulation to keep me warm. Lived it it for a year and couldn't believe how many drafts were in the trailer.