Toy hauler project

[cooksey69]

69 globetrotter now on a fifth wheel frame with 8'x8' aluminum platform for quads in back. just started project

[mnmhays]

Interesting...a friend of mine asked me consider building something similar for him.

[rock60]

looks like a great project, keep the pic's comeing

[cooksey69]

More pics about a week into it

[Darkspeed]

I really like it! What is your frame rail size? Boxed? Chanel?

[zedex]

Cool. Your going to have problems with frame flex aft rear axes with your quads hanging out back. That frame was designed to hold a box structure where the box stabilzes the frame and the frame stabilizes the box. Thats now gone. You can add a ladder under the frame though. Looks like a good time.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by zedex

Cool. Your going to have problems with frame flex aft rear axes with your quads hanging out back. That frame was designed to hold a box structure where the box stabilzes the frame and the frame stabilizes the box. Thats now gone. You can add a ladder under the frame though. Looks like a good time.

Ya that is why I was asking it looks super flexi

[Darkspeed]

cooksey69 I saw you posted completed photos with quads.. Looks Good!!

[slowmover]

Yeah, we need some more info and pics!!

[cooksey69]

I have always wanted to be able to take my quads and extra gear camping, and after renovating the globetrotter completely inside to fit our needs I wasn't about to dump a ton of money in a toy hauler. I searched craigslist and found a free 28' fifth wheel that had to be pulled off a foreclosed property. I scrapped the trailer to the frame and added 5200lb axles I had. The frame is TS5x2x3/16 that I laddered front and back with L2 1/2x2 1/2x1/4 and added bracing as needed to support airstream. The clearance is amazing which is great, as most are camp spots are remote. I have a 40 gallon fresh water tank and 36 gal. grey and 36 gal. black. We have had two trips with the airstream converted and it has pulled great, no problems. Of course it will be an on going project. I would like to fabricate a front cap and put a shade structure on the back. I will get more pictures of the frame and inside posted.

[slowmover]

Airstream 5th Wheel Toyhauler from another AIR member.

[RTD]

Cool idea, I've been trying to decide which route I want to take with my own project, I used to use a slide in truck camper and an enclosed trailer to haul 3-5 motorcycles to the racetrack, this year I ended up buying a 34ft Avion and have begun restoring it, I have gotten a chance to use it a couple of time but quickly realized that it is a lot more effort to get ready for race weekends and doesn't suit my needs, I have tons of sleeping and entertaining room but I end up hauling my race bikes in the box of my truck. I have pretty much decided that I'm going to dedicate the rear 12 feet to a garage area, I will have to build a door system but I thing this will be the best of both worlds. I hate to cut up and modify a nice bodied trailer but I really don't have much into it and I really like the trailer, just want it to be exactly what I want.

[slowmover]

You'd best have a look at the PANAMERICA and all posts by Brett of TTT. Cutting up a trailer is a lot different than interior mods. Even though the AVION is body on frame versus unibody (in a manner of speaking), it's a lot to ask of it. Maybe too much.

Which is why trailers mounted atop of GN flatbeds are popular. Recommend the link above to read around on the PIRATE4X4 forum.

[RTD]

Believe me, I would absolutely love a new pan American but it would cost about 50 times more than I have into mine, as far as cutting this one up it would actually be quite easy as there is no structural frame members in the way. Mine is an older 82 Model so it has a narrow rear window, And there is the storage door underneath that is a about the same width, there is very little material to remove. Obviously it is something that can't be returned to the way it was so I will have all of my plans ahead of time

[slowmover]

Note that "most" of the heavy items (appliances, etc) are located on or near the axle centerline. COG changes are fraught with problems. Only waste tanks expected to be emptied prior to travel are aft of the centerline (but one can travel with X-weight when full at near to ground level; with little rise from centerline to rearmost tank top).

I'd be more inclined to build living quarters in the front of an enclosed 5'er car hauler.

[Toldfield]

We were at the (formerly) Historic Races at Laguna Seca and saw this fine toy hauler...

[slowmover]

Thanks!

[BigButtUgly]

My 1958 Caravanner 22' has the same bad floor issues so cab off is necessary. Intend to
put 14" high extensions on outriggers with circumferential top plate. While cab is off, radius the wheel openings, chop the axle ends and modify to independent air lift suspension. Suspension set to normal road clearance or 11" of lift for off road. No problem to kneel to ground as have added new front electric jack which fully retracts. Do not know how to raise ball height to allow full lift and still keep rig level. Will replace the belly pan with .60 EPDM rubber . foam the original frame cavity and then add new floor at new 14" height. thoughts?