Trailer mods, what have you done?

[JayLeonard]

You guys are pi$$ing me off. I did not want to add lights like that, but crap now I have to LOL!
I haven't done much for mods really, other than lock up my propane tanks, add a bluetooth tank monitoring system for propane, and built some shelves in the pass through storage area.
Oh trailer is a Grand Design Imagine 2600RB 29.5 ft overall.
Well there was also the rear view camera, and the cargo carrier to the rear bumper with support struts of course. That's for carrying the 3000I Generac and a 2 1/2 gallon gas tank.
Oh and vent covers.
Oh an new good year endurance tires and the TPMS,
I guess I did more than I thought. No wonder I'm broke!
The negative "mod" I made was an oops and whacked the rear skirting on a stump. Luckily only damages the paper thin aluminum skirt/fairing. That will have to get fixed after we come back to FL from our trip to CT starting next week.
Cheers!

 

[Loudram]

You guys are pi$$ing me off. I did not want to add lights like that, but crap now I have to LOL!
I haven't done much for mods really, other than lock up my propane tanks, add a bluetooth tank monitoring system for propane, and built some shelves in the pass through storage area.
Oh trailer is a Grand Design Imagine 2600RB 29.5 ft overall.
Well there was also the rear view camera, and the cargo carrier to the rear bumper with support struts of course. That's for carrying the 3000I Generac and a 2 1/2 gallon gas tank.
Oh and vent covers.
Oh an new good year endurance tires and the TPMS,
I guess I did more than I thought. No wonder I'm broke!
The negative "mod" I made was an oops and whacked the rear skirting on a stump. Luckily only damages the paper thin aluminum skirt/fairing. That will have to get fixed after we come back to FL from our trip to CT starting next week.
Cheers!

That's the exact layout of my Spirit 2557RB

 

[JayLeonard]

"That's the exact layout of my Spirit 2557RB"

I just saw that looking at your pics.
Here's my rig as I was re-adjusting the hitch cause I did something stupid and bought a 2500.

 

[miles01]

"That's the exact layout of my Spirit 2557RB"

I just saw that looking at your pics.
Here's my rig as I was re-adjusting the hitch cause I did something stupid and bought a 2500.


View attachment 246289

i did the same thing

 

[Michael]

The two of you need bigger trailers to o go with your 2500’s.

 

[Loudram]

"That's the exact layout of my Spirit 2557RB"

I just saw that looking at your pics.

The biggest difference is the way our pantries open. Yours has a door on the side of the entrainment center, mine the entire entertainment center swings open.

 

[KMKKOZ]

This is my kitchen in my Keystone 225 MK.

I am still trying to find time to install the lights. Maybe tomorrow. I say that every day...

 

[JayLeonard]

The two of you need bigger trailers to o go with your 2500’s.

No, the trailer was too big (heavy) for the 1500.

 

[Loudram]

No, the trailer was too big (heavy) for the 1500.

Your trailer is lighter than mine, did you have a V-6 or a loaded Hemi with a low payload?

 

[KMKKOZ]

Your two trailers are comparable weights to mine. I'm about 5700 unloaded weight with 600 unloaded tongue weight. It's definitely at the upper limits of my 1500 but does fine. I put airbags on the truck and they help tremendously. I have a Blue Ox WDH and never sways and feels solid. I want to get heavier duty tires soon, but otherwise good to go.

 

[Loudram]

Your two trailers are comparable weights to mine. I'm about 5700 unloaded weight with 600 unloaded tongue weight. It's definitely at the upper limits of my 1500 but does fine. I put airbags on the truck and they help tremendously. I have a Blue Ox WDH and never sways and feels solid. I want to get heavier duty tires soon, but otherwise good to go.

My last trailer was heavier and longer than this one. The one I have now is a breeze to tow. I installed TufTruck springs along with the 3.92 rear and a 1600lb payload, this trailer tows great. I also use an Equalizer hitch.

 

[KMKKOZ]

That's a good setup.

 

[Treburkulosis]

View attachment 246403View attachment 246408

This is my kitchen in my Keystone 225 MK.

I am still trying to find time to install the lights. Maybe tomorrow. I say that every day...

That one looks really nice. Now you have me looking at them... Thanks guys lol.

 

[Treburkulosis]

My last trailer was heavier and longer than this one. The one I have now is a breeze to tow. I installed TufTruck springs along with the 3.92 rear and a 1600lb payload, this trailer tows great. I also use an Equalizer hitch.

Thats what my grandpa used. They work wonders with a trailer. I would for sure use those as well.

 

[JayLeonard]

Your trailer is lighter than mine, did you have a V-6 or a loaded Hemi with a low payload?

It was a 2017 Big Horn Crew Cab hemi with Ram boxes. Payload was only 1400 lbs and the trailer tongue weight was 920 (spec said 600 from factory) and we had hardly anything in the trailer for weight. When I weighed on our way to 4 day camping trip the trailer weighed 6500 but I was within 100 lb of the truck's GCWR and right at the edge on payload with an empty bed. (Actually we were probably over)
No problem with pulling power or braking, but I didn't want to be overloaded on the trip we had planned this summer, going out west t the big parks.
I loved that truck but we felt we had no choice but to go to a 2500.

And yes I was and am still using an equalizer wd hitch.

 

[Loudram]

I know I'm on the edge with payload too. That's the only number I really keep an eye on. I put very little in the truck when we camp.

 

[Loudram]

I went to great lengths to lighten my payload. I made sure this trailer had an outdoor kitchen. I wanted the fridge so I could stop carrying a cooler full of ice and drinks. I also bought a Beech Lane leveler kit (similar to the Anderson levelers but stronger) along with a second set of lynx leveler blocks for the stabilizer jacks so I could leave the two 6' long 2 x 8 boards and the rest of the wood at home.

They only thing extra I carry with me now is a 6' aluminum ladder to inspect the slide before I put it in. That's very light. I would get a ladder on the back but this trailer doesn't have the backers for it. I already emailed Coachmen about that.

So that leaves myself, our dog (14lbs), and sometimes my wife. If we camp locally she drives her car. She comes later so I can have the basics set up when she's gets there.

I did take into account the weight of the soft tonneau cover, drop in bed liner, step bars, and class 4 receiver I added in addition to the weight of the Equalizer hitch itself.

I crunched the numbers pretty hard.

 

[JayLeonard]

We really don't have all that much weight in the trailer, but anything we put in pretty much has to go forward of the axles. I moved my tool bag to the bathroom under the sink, and we put drinking water bottles in the shower, but there's not much room for heavier stuff.
Anyway the 2500 will handle it, and we don't have to worry about what we load into the truck. Screenhouse, firewood perhaps, a bin full of parts/fluids and tools for the summer long trip, and extra clothes, you know the drill. Oh yes the cordless drill.

I actually forgot to mention the very first mod I did on my trailer. I rotated the tongue jack head 90 degrees so I could open my tailgate. I've since helped several others do theirs as well. I carry the tap with me just in case. LOL

 

[JayLeonard]

Speaking of mods, has anyone relocated their safety chains? This is NOT mine, but was posted on the GD owners site. Mine have some minor dings in them nowhere near to this extent.
I know it's from turning too sharply while backing, and the WD hitch lines up perfectly with the chains, but it's darn near impossible to know when you do it.
It's just a poor design making this an issue.

 

[Loudram]

That's ugly. I hope they never need them. They won't hold long.