Where to get started on adding living quarters to trailer?

2,195 Views | 4 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by will.mcg
will.mcg
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I am thinking of getting an older aluminum horse trailer with 8' short wall "dressing room"(simply a large tack area in front with top mounted AC). I can build anything but need some input from others experience or knowledge. I don't want to deal with water or grey water tanks. Can I tie my shower & sink drains together & run them to a RV type sewage hose to drain out at RV hook up sites (when camping)? I don't want a toilet unless it can be drained in a similar manner as the shower & sink. I simply want to attach a water hose to supply water for shower & sink.

I want to have a junction box where my extension cord from 120v power will supply the whole trailer. But is the existing AC usually running off of tow vehicle power or a separate 12v battery supply? Will I have both 12 volt & 120 volt in the trailer? I plan to have microwave, instant hot water heater, tv, some outlets for charging devices, will put in vinyl plank floor, cabinets, carpet above the nose for a mattress. Will a tiled shower hold up to travel or should I find a small insert?
Milwaukees Best Light
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Post some pics of what you are working with.

From what you are describing, unless you are bringing horses along in the horse section, you might be cheaper buying a used trailer that is already wired and plumbed for all this. If you are doing the horse thing, you still might want to look i nto selling this one and buying one that is already finished out. You are going to need 220v to run all that stuff, or multiple 110v lines in. That will not be cheap to do it properly. The plumbing is a whole nother story.
TxSquarebody
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I built living quarters years ago. If you can, I would suggest wiring to an RV plug. Adapters exist to connect to standard blade connectors(extension cords) when RV electrical is not available at the site. Inside, wire it up just like your home but use the direct bury type romex. It will hold up better to heat cycles, abrasion, and still lays flat behind wall panels.
FunnyFarm14
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Quote:

I want to have a junction box where my extension cord from 120v power will supply the whole trailer. But is the existing AC usually running off of tow vehicle power or a separate 12v battery supply? Will I have both 12 volt & 120 volt in the trailer? I plan to have microwave, instant hot water heater, tv, some outlets for charging devices, will put in vinyl plank floor, cabinets, carpet above the nose for a mattress. Will a tiled shower hold up to travel or should I find a small insert?
Confused here. Existing power of the tow vehicle will be 12VDC. No AC power unless you put it in. That said, put a house battery in the trailer and have it trickle charge off the tow vehicle (either direct wired or through a charger umbilical to prevent drawing on the tow vehicle batteries). This way you've got lights when not hooked up etc. Most vehicles are keyed hot, meaning they only give 12V power through the plugs when the key is on so that there is not a draw on the vehicle. Dont want to go camping to find out that leaving the outside lights on all night means you cant start the truck in the AM.

1) You will want to wire to 30A/120V coming in to run all that mentioned. Air Conditioning for sure.

2) "Instant Hot Water"- you may be better off getting a smaller propane powered water heater. Ours is 6 gals and heats in under 20 minutes. Reduces the load on the electrical power as all you will have is 12V for the spark.

3) Unless you plan on running an inverter, you will only have the AC power when plugged in. Most trailers are this way because inverting on a static battery will drain it pretty quick. Hook up a battery charger to run while AC plugged in.

4) Lights should be 12V. Run a diode so you can run them off the tow vehicle power -or- house power but not both at the same time.

5) Stay away from tiled- New build homes have cracks and they are pretty static. Bounce it up and down the road a few times and see how long that shower will last. I would go with the insert.

6) Dont forget the cabinet locks. The ones with the rollers are best otherwise all you chit falls out

Take a long look at how some of the newer living quarters trailers (or older) are done up and that will give you a good place to start.
JSKolache
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Bunkhouse
will.mcg
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After more thought I will do some more shopping to find one with existing LQ.
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