Tent trailer/overland trailer

[Marlin]

Got some major work on the trailer done today.
I stained the wood deck, got all the carpet laid out, once the stain cures, I will mount the carpet. I have had good experience with the lowes gray outdoor carpet. I did an 18x12 slab with masonry screws in charleston. It has been there 4 years, no fading, no problems.

I also bought my 45watt solar set and a 114a/hr deep cycle battery. The solar set is on sale at HF for 150, comes with a controller, 2 led work lights (not very bright, but ok for a tent I suppose), 3 15watt panels, all the wiring, and a PVC frame that is actually pretty nice. The lights only draw 350ma each, so I could run both of them off the battery for well over 100 hours with no charge. They have fluorescent bulbs in them, may check on some brighter LED bulbs and swap them out. I also added a 750watt inverter, should be enough to run a fan, lights, charge a laptop etc...

And the cherry on top, a badass steel tongue box at Harbor Freight. It is definitely a diamond. 90 bucks with a coupon, solid steel, inset lid with piano hinge that is inside the box. It is VERY well made, fit the trailer perfectly.

Also got all the new tie downs on the trailer and started punching new holes/grommets for the tarp I got for it. Not sure how that portion is gonna work out. The tarp is the right size, but it needs to be tight to keep it from shredding. I am thinking maybe putting a truck bed cargo net over the tarp? Dunno yet.

My dad's company just finished tooling for a brand new designed electric jack. I will be getting one of the first off the line for "testing" in the field I will cut off the existing jack and replace it with the electric.

Next up, wheels and tires. Not sure if the VX wheels will work or not, the offset is way wrong and I would have to have some major spacers, may just find a set of steel 6x5.5 bolt pattern wheels with deep offset, maybe steal Tom's, and slap the tires I have in the shed on there. I need to order the max coupler from Kilby and fab/weld that up. Then she will be mostly overland ready. Still need to build a skid plate for the front/bottom to cover the water tank and protect the frame on the trail. Gotta look at the rear clearance and evaluate that as well. Will post up some pics tomorrow while I am treating the tent for bugs.

[Marlin]

Even more progress with assistance from my 7 yr old. The 6 yr old went to the hospital with strep...

We got the battery mounted up, installed the carpet.




These pics are pre-carpet...

[Marlin]

Coming along now, I think I am done with the exception of the lock n roll hitch. Ordering that today.

I finished up the box/electrical. I have 40 feet o retractable cord for the solar panels. That means I can park the trailer in the shade and put the panels elsewhere in the sun.
I also installed the new controller and 750 watt inverter.
The controller drops out the inverter at 12ish volts. That means I cannot completely kill the battery. I went with a smaller inverter on purpose. Think of it as an amp/hr fuse. In theory, I could max out that inverter and not kill the battery for 18-20hrs. I was originally going to mount it, then decided to strap that way I can take it out and use it someone else's vehicle or whatever. I stored the alligator clamp cords in there as well.
I added a drop light for inside the box. I also added a 25 foot 3 outlet extension cord, which is what the port on the side is for. Voila, self sustaining electricity!
I also got the tent treated for bugs. Setup the beds and sleeping arrangements. I wish UK single mattresses were available here. A twin is 34" wide, UK single is 29ish. Two thermarest pads will fit on side, which is what the boys will use, but I would rather not "rough" it if I don't have to