perhaps a foolish question

[tink]

I am in the process of setting up a e150 explorer hi-top van for possible extended camping, My question involves my idea for addional storage. I have at my disposal an older 6x12 enclosed trailer. What I have in mind is setting up the trailer with my water, LP, Aux batts., solar, and genset. Room permitting a place to park a small Scooter too. I am thinking A 100# LP tank at least 30 gals, of potable water, 4 batteries, and a 4k generator.<br>This trailer in the past has held two full size Harleys plus gear and luggage for a two week trip. <br>I want to rig an umbilical to Siamese with the lighting pigtail.<br><br>So what do y'all think? I am not overly concerned about the stealthiness of this set up.<br>

 

[Les H]

Is the van up to towing it? What shape is it in? What is it's tow rating?does the trailer have ( working ) brakes?
It does sound like a disable idea, and I have often thought thought of the umbilical cord idea, but would use a separate plug rather than backfeeding the 7 way Rv plug on the trailer.

 

[tink]

The van is a 1996 e150 with the 351, I have a class III receiver. I often tow an open 6.5x12 tandem axle utility loaded with a Rhino. (I am a now disabled, former truck driver.) I dont know what the trailer was originally rated at but I do know it has a singe heavy duty torsion axle.<br>This is the van<br>

<br>the van has high mileage but runs great. I have repaired the little things and it gets about 17 mpg on ava.<br>

<br><br>please ignore the mess, I was unable to walk at all for 19 months and things got messy.<br>back to the trailer, it does not have brakes and my notion of the umbilical would be a completely separate connection from the trailer wiring.<br>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Tink,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">That is an intrigueing idea. The umbilical would have to be very heavy duty and&nbsp;have a quick disconnect plug system ... so you could drive away when you need to.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Good luck and keep us posted .</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[tink]

will do, leg pain induced insomnia has enabled me to spend many many hours planing and visualizing the set up.<br>I envision this similar to the tender for a steam locomotive. moving all of this out of the van should free up considerable space. <br>

 

[Guest]

Hi Tink, I think your idea is fine and should work well. My only question would be if you plan on traveling much or not. Maybe you are planning to be fulltime and just move once in a while...<br /><br />I think if I were in your situation I would do some traveling with the van first and see how much you really need. As in most things, less is actually more and you may not need a fraction of what you think you will while you are hanging out thinking about it.<br /><br />Overplanning is a mistake I have often made. I&nbsp; happen to really like the "getting ready" and if I take a lot of time to do it, I am always adding crap, most of which I never use. <br /><br />Every time I am on the road, I find something else to not take or that is just in the way.<br /><br />I am now going through a major redo of the interior of the van (maybe the 50th time? LOL) and carving out more un-needed gear, etc. One of my personal crosses to bear is too much food. I have some insecurity regarding food and running out so I ALWAYS take too much.<br /><br />I am finding that I equate the space and lightness of having much less crap, with freedom.<br /><br />Not everyone feels that way for sure and I understand but it is hard to find out what you need until you are actually in the rig and using it for that.<br /><br />Good luck,<img src="../images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />Bri<br /><br />P.S. Hey Tink....I just just read your intro and I think you already have a lot of experience of mobility and probably well know all that I said...lol. Oh well....If you like a trailer...you have a good plan...<br />Bri<br /><br /><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " />

 

[tink]

I know where you are coming from, I&nbsp;subscribe&nbsp;to the philosophy of overkill might just fall short. You know, if a hand grenade will do better use nukes "just to make sure". lol Need to balance being mobile and being a "prepper" at the same time. I have never made things easy for myself.<img src="../images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="../images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[Guest]

Gotcha.....I feel the same in many ways...although I think that being prepared is what you can carry in your head and pockets and are adept at using....<br /><br />Bri

 

[tink]

full agreement on the best prep is knowledge, did you see my post about the Man purse? lol. I would make any boy scout proud. I also have a strong Macgyver gene working in my favor.&nbsp;

 

[Guest]

Nope I don't recall seeing it..... will look now....<img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />P.S.<br />Couldn't find it. <br />bri

 

[tink]

https://vanlivingforum.com/post/One-Thing-You-Cant-Live-Without......-5679384

 

[Guest]

OK got it. Yep, that oughta cover it......<img src="../images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Bri<br /><br />

 

[BigBlue]

i think its a good idea ive seen a trailer like that once online with was fully equipped with a generator,two wind turbines and i think it was 1000w solar array which unfolded. it was pretty cool. looked about the size of your trailer. and it had room to sit in. Good Luck !

 

[Seraphim]

I like the umbilical cord idea. &nbsp;You can separate when you wish, and let solar keep charging your batteries. I've been considering a battRey array in my truck, so if I change campers I don't have to duplicate the storage setup.<br /><br />How do you plan to secure the trailer so no one drives off with when you're elsewhere?

 

[tink]

propane&nbsp;<br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31mLV-LX+xL._SX450_.jpg" alt="" /><br />water<br /><img src="http://www.etundra.com/DatabaseImages/334.jpg" alt="" /><br />electrical<br /><img src="http://www.c-mesales.com/contents/media/l_24086.jpg" alt="" /><br />a GFCI box mounted on outside of trailer to plug shore power plug into<br /><br />and this along with a good&nbsp;tongue&nbsp;lock to help dissuade theft of the trailer when disconnected.<br /><img src="http://std708.en.supplierlist.com/photo_images/49709/Trailer_Wheel_Boot.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />we all know a lock will only keep an honest man honest so thats about as good as could be done.<br /><br />

 

[Seraphim]

Remove a wheel lol