TMooney said:
Looks like I need to do some weight scenarios. I'm going to open up a little bit here because I havent helped. I need to do that I apologize. I'm going to live in it . I want it big enough for a shower. I'm going to need a water holding tank inside .batteries for solar. Counter top cabinet to cook on. Gas bottle. Storage I'm not concerned . I'll put it where it fits. Small and large compressor freezers. I want a tv . Can be on wall. Queen size bed would be nice but might not get it. I'll be free camping BLM forestry or state parks on discount. Dry camping. I'm wanting 30 gallons of water . Might not be able to. I love quick showers.
I live in a V nose 6 x 12. Have done for a year. Something that I have found to be a blessing and a curse is my chair. Somewhere I read someone saying that if you can possibly manage it get a recliner. I took that advice to heart. So I designed the trailer around a $200 recliner. The recliner is great, it is comfortable, good for naps and just generally makes the place feel like home. Trouble is that it is pretty big and heavy. A recliner is easily 100lbs. I struggle to keep everything around 2000lbs.
The bed is a floor to ceiling cabinet / horizontal murphy bed.
The kitchen is built into the V nose. I carry 19 gallons of water. I have a 700 watt microwave, a toaster oven, coffee pot and an electric kettle. I have to be careful how I power that stuff.
Water is 8lbs per gallon. Then there is its distribution. You have to be careful with that.
I have a 32" flat screen TV that I have on a swing mount on the wall. Normally it sits at 90 degrees and with the recliner tilted I am about 5 or 6 feet from the screen. It is a great place to watch TV. Like the cinema.
Can I make a suggestion on the gas bottle? Yes, I know they come in different sizes, mine is a regular 20lb bottle. The usual kind. It was originally bought for a Mr Heater. I don't use it anymore. I use the 1lb green bottles and refill them. Hot water comes from a countertop gas heater and takes the 1lb bottles. Cooking is the butane flat single burner stove top. Everything I have mentioned evolved through bitter experience. Butane is more controllable than propane. You might well find that you don't need a great big space taking propane bottle.
For winter heating I use a small electric fire. The generator can handle it. No fumes, no condensation. I use 3. The main one is 1500 watts with 2 positions. The lower setting is 700 watts and it has a thermostat. That is more than enough and does not use that much electricity that it trips the gen. Insulation is your friend. I have 2 other fires a 500 watt and a 250 watt. The 500 watt also has a thermostat and is very efficient. I mix and match using the least amount possible. It is not an issue.
You will have to make an extended run fuel line though to run a small gen. I have a Honda 2000 which gives 1625 watts.
I have a dorm style fridge just like a small kitchen. You do not need to spend the kind of money Dometic want on a compressor 'box'. They are nice but pricey. I have been using this $120 4.4 cubic foot job since August 2012. Non stop!!
My shower came this year. It is made from soldered 1/2" copper pipe. Mounted to the ceiling with 'bell mounts'. I use 2 regular shower fabric curtains from Walmart. The tub is a good sized plastic tote from Home Depot. It doubles for storage. I am glad to have a hot shower but there is nothing quick about it. I plan on getting a double shower tent and setting it up permanently. Much better.
I would love to swap tips and ideas with you. I truly believe that an enclosed cargo trailer is the best bang for your buck available. Although a nice Sprinter does seem like a nice idea OR, my favorite, a shuttle bus conversion. Good luck and I hope it is everything you wanted.
