Camper trailer to enclosed trailer conversion

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I have been in need of an enclosed trailer for some time now. Only problem is I don't want to pay that much for one. So I started looking at craigslist for rv trailers. I found a 30' one in nice shape for my priceWhat I'm asking is, had anyone ever done a conversion like this and had any luck? I want to make it so I can put all my welding equipment and machines in it. One more thing, how do you guys think a 02 f150 with the 4.6l v8 will tow that 30' camper?1968 SA2001972 Airco 200 Deutz diesel 1975 Lincoln Weldanpower 225Lincoln ac/dc buzz box
Reply:Your tow vehicle won't have the power to properly pull that large of a trailer with any kind of load. I used to pull a 25' Aljo with a Ford F150 with the 5.0 engine and it was marginal.  You will have to wind that engine up and it will be constantly hunting gears.  I'd look for an RV that has aluminum frames instead of the older wooden frames.  Aluminum is lighter and more rigid.
Reply:Check the weight of the trailer and the tow rating of the F150. I'm sure it will pull it.... Will it pull a 30' camper loaded with 30' of stuff in the back? That's a better question. Once it's made into an enclosed trailer and beefed up underneath to actually BE an enclosed trailer, it's going to be a lot of trailer.Trailblazer 251Dynasty 200DXSuitcase Xtreme 12vsCarolina HV-12Old Delta drill pressVictor and (old) Craftsman torchesMobile work out of a trailer... Still acquiring my fabrication arsenal.
Reply:Don't forget about the wind that will knock down.Wind pressure = 0.00256 x velocity^2With the wind velocity component squared, the pressure increases dramatically as you speed up.Basically, short heavy loads that you can tow based on weight, you may not be able to tow with a 6 foot tall frontal area.(I've seen 0.00256 replaced with numbers as high as 0.004)Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 11-27-2013 at 07:00 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:To finish the above equation (cause unfinished math makes me crazy -lol) use wind pressure below:Force = (wind pressure) x (frontal area) x (coefficient of drag)Written as:   F = P x A x CdCommon values for Coefficient of drag on flat surfaces range from 1.4 to 2.0(yeah, my brain is odd and thinks about this kind of stuff for no reason...)Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 11-27-2013 at 07:03 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Well my truck constantly hunts gears now cause the junk 4.6 that has no balls. (Hopefully it will blow up so I can get rid of that POS)I don't really plan on hauling it a lot, I just really need a place to store all my equipment in.1968 SA2001972 Airco 200 Deutz diesel 1975 Lincoln Weldanpower 225Lincoln ac/dc buzz box
Reply:That's what mobile homes with broken windows and old school buses are for Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Toy haulers are just campers with ramp doors.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Since I had a Lincoln town car with a 4.6L and it didn't like moving its self around I cant imagine what a 4.6L in a big truck pulling a huge trailer behind it would be like.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Hey Dave- Funny you should say that. I have an old, derelict 20 camper trailer in the back property that's been there for years that I was thinking of making into a flatbed to haul the tractor and what-not; just cut the top and sides off it and see what the flooring is. Just trying to find the time is a bugger.
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesI have an old, derelict 20 camper trailer in the back property that's been there for years that I was thinking of making into a flatbed to haul the tractor and what-not; just cut the top and sides off it and see what the flooring is. J
Reply:LOL!What DSW says is so TRUE!Have I posted the story of the neighbor buying an old GooseNeck Stock trailer 10k gross?He cut the sides off and it was junk as the trussing was gone.I saw it and told him it what would happen!He scrapped the idea, put it on CL, a guy bought it and got down the road a mile (3 bumps) when It collapsed on him!He tried to turn around to bring it back and destroyed the box on his pickup!
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesHey Dave- Funny you should say that. I have an old, derelict 20 camper trailer in the back property that's been there for years that I was thinking of making into a flatbed to haul the tractor and what-not; just cut the top and sides off it and see what the flooring is. Just trying to find the time is a bugger.