Toyhauler modifications thread
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
While we are on thermostats.............this past weekend I set the front A/C (15k dometic brisk air 2 w/wall thermostat) to 70 and it got the trailer to 65 degrees. Never did hear the fan kick off. For giggles I set it to 80, fan kept going but the trailer temp did rise. Anyone else run into the fan not turning off? Thought it did last time it used it?
Started to monkey with mods tonight, looks like the spare mount will go where the fuel cell would be if I had one. Should be an easy mod, need to check on my stock of angle iron.
Also started to chase wiring for the awning light dimmer, and found something worth noting. Not sure if this was just Puma's doing or if it's more widespread, but I found this nice 5A fuse and holder hidden behind the trim the hides the awning motor and light wires running up the outside of the trailer. Nothing like using weather tight stuff out in the weather................
May help someone out sooner or later.
Started to monkey with mods tonight, looks like the spare mount will go where the fuel cell would be if I had one. Should be an easy mod, need to check on my stock of angle iron.
Also started to chase wiring for the awning light dimmer, and found something worth noting. Not sure if this was just Puma's doing or if it's more widespread, but I found this nice 5A fuse and holder hidden behind the trim the hides the awning motor and light wires running up the outside of the trailer. Nothing like using weather tight stuff out in the weather................
May help someone out sooner or later.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
*edit* There was no book provided with the trailer on the t stat or a/c unit. I found the book online and sure enough it was on low rather than auto. Thanks Rodney!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Finally got a free Saturday with decent weather and working on my list of mods. Spare tire relocation was my biggest concern so I dove into it first. I ordered the trailer without a fuel cell, so that's where the winch now sits, about 5 feet forward of where it was, and no longer at the very rear of the trailer.
Having a full mobile shop helps. Bracket made.
Test fit with the tire. The rest of the pic is washed out but the necessary parts are clear.
Everything looks good so now its time to take it all apart, and paint it all up before final installation at which point I'll use matching length hardware, washers and stover locknuts.
While the paint is drying I'm going to wire up the awning LED dimmer.
Having a full mobile shop helps. Bracket made.
Test fit with the tire. The rest of the pic is washed out but the necessary parts are clear.
Everything looks good so now its time to take it all apart, and paint it all up before final installation at which point I'll use matching length hardware, washers and stover locknuts.
While the paint is drying I'm going to wire up the awning LED dimmer.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
Nice fab job! 
So the rear of the camper is to the left in this picture?
Interesting crossmember made like a truss.. Lightweight yet strong!
So the rear of the camper is to the left in this picture?
Interesting crossmember made like a truss.. Lightweight yet strong!
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Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
You are correct Randy, rear is to the left. Thanks for the compliments guys. I used to do a lot more fab work when I was into 4wheeling. Got everything painted up and hanging in the garage yet. All hardware is ready to go so I can bolt it back up tomorrow for good. Picked up some big fender washers to go against the factory crossmember as it isn't that thick. But if a rolled, ungusseted flange can hold the fuel cell full of gas up (if it had one) I should be ok.
Supernight awning dimmer (see Rodneys thread (somewhere!))is all wired up and working. Going to go out in the dark and see how it looks soon. *edit* Went back out in the dark and tried the dimmer out. Much better now!
Got a few more mods I want to do before we leave for the mountains of Virginia Friday at 6AM. But truck and trailer both need a bath. We'll see what I get done.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Nice work Scott. Is this a second spare set up or did you just move it forward for clearance?
Where did you get the winch assembly from?
I'm thinking about adding a second spare as triples could always use a second spare and putting back underneath the garage. Spare is now under the generator up front.
I added a thin piece of plywood between the frame members and the tire. Once after pulling it down, it had fairly deep grooves on the face of the tire where it had rubbed. That didn't give me much confidence if I needed it.
Where did you get the winch assembly from?
I'm thinking about adding a second spare as triples could always use a second spare and putting back underneath the garage. Spare is now under the generator up front.
I added a thin piece of plywood between the frame members and the tire. Once after pulling it down, it had fairly deep grooves on the face of the tire where it had rubbed. That didn't give me much confidence if I needed it.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Nice work Scott. Is this a second spare set up or did you just move it forward for clearance?
Where did you get the winch assembly from?
I'm thinking about adding a second spare as triples could always use a second spare and putting back underneath the garage. Spare is now under the generator up front.
Where did you get the winch assembly from?
I'm thinking about adding a second spare as triples could always use a second spare and putting back underneath the garage. Spare is now under the generator up front.
Bob, this is just a relocation of the factory spare setup. Lippert/ FR decided that putting the spare at the very rear of the trailer hanging below the bumper about 4" was a good idea, well, maybe the cheapest idea. The triangular guards folded up and the spare drug so something had to be done.
The winch came with the trailer from the factory, but is branded as Lippert if you want to try to track one down. seems to be an ok piece from what I can tell. Not as nice as the winch for the truck spare though.
I debated putting mine under the genny compartment, as I had seen some there last time I was at the dealer, but the steel seems too thin to me. Though the others were all the same thickness. I have no genny, but the box installed instead blocks all access to the bottom plate anyway.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Been too long on this thread.............The awning light dimmer was the best 7 bucks I've spent so far. Spare relocation worked out well, but it did come loose somewhere between Harrisburg PA and Luray VA. I think it was because the cable was wound and unwound with little weight on it numerous times and it just pulled in tight. Tightened it in Luray and stayed tight since, approx 500 miles. Actually found the truck spare loose too when doing the wireless air install.
Finished the truck wirelessAir so it's back to the camper now. I have awning support poles all powdercoated and ready to install. TST TPMS will be going on before we head for Florida Dec 26th. Also getting the spring loaded landing gear leg pins. Need to build kayak supports for garage, work on better underbody sewer hose storage, and also a way to mount the roof ladder under the body somewhere so it's not hogging space in the garage anymore. Think that's it. Projects are all done on the sticks and bricks (for now) so wifey says I can go at the trailer!
Finished the truck wirelessAir so it's back to the camper now. I have awning support poles all powdercoated and ready to install. TST TPMS will be going on before we head for Florida Dec 26th. Also getting the spring loaded landing gear leg pins. Need to build kayak supports for garage, work on better underbody sewer hose storage, and also a way to mount the roof ladder under the body somewhere so it's not hogging space in the garage anymore. Think that's it. Projects are all done on the sticks and bricks (for now) so wifey says I can go at the trailer!