Author Topic: Esky Install on Trailer  (Read 10464 times)

Offline alans1100

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Esky Install on Trailer
« on: January 01, 2015, 03:22:45 PM »
A couple months ago I needed to replace our esky (ice-box) which we've had for twenty years. The plan was to get something that could be used in the car and for the bike trailer. Being used on the trailer meant it had to full-fill two needs: Be able to fit in the trailer and be able to mounted up front on the draw bar and so a 50 litre (same size as old one) was chosen. http://www.bigterrain.com.au/cc50l-ice-box.html

Over the last few weeks I have got together some 2mm ali sheet and two right angles ( 1 given to me) and all I need now is the rivet gun which I have just ordered.

To get this project under way a few days ago I had to remove what looked like a 5 ply home made ice box rack installed by the previous owner. A real bush job held on by 6 pieces of twisted wire.



Leaving the draw bar free for my upcoming installation. The VIN plate will need to be relocated as it will be covered by the new shelf.



This was todays effort: to get the correct location for the shelf the esky with the lid opened was placed on the draw bar





To prevent movement of the esky is where the angled ali comes in. I bought one piece which I was going to cut into three giving one up front and one each side but with the free piece I can do this. To hold the esky in place I will need to add a couple straps. Somewhere I have a couple of mini ratchet straps which should do. Plus a hole below the drain plug. 



The only other item I need is some sticky backed rubber strips (still need to find) to mount on the inside of the angle pieces to prevent them wearing the esky and a piece of carpet off cut between the esky and the shelf.

Will update upon completion
« Last Edit: May 10, 2019, 12:24:26 PM by alans1100 »
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Offline Yorkie

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2015, 08:46:30 PM »
If you turn the esky 180, wind pressure whilst moving will hold it closed and it can also be mounted closer to the axle, reducing weight on the hitch.
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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2015, 09:23:14 PM »
Good point Yorkie about the wind, but the latches look as though they would need the same clearance as the lid to hinge back anyway  :think1

Good job Alan  :like

Do you use normal servo ice or may your own ??

I played with Dry Ice a few years ago.....was good stuff but needed carefull handling.
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2015, 12:01:49 AM »
If you turn the esky 180, wind pressure whilst moving will hold it closed and it can also be mounted closer to the axle, reducing weight on the hitch.

Between the lid of the trailer and the esky the gap isn't that great, maybe 35mm. The esky lid when open rests on the trailer lid but will open further when the latter is open

From now until my trip to WA I don't for see to many trips with the esky mounted up front, maybe border run and Balranald as maybes at this time.

Weight on the hitch is something I thought about. Normally I have one of those 50 litre plastic containers full of cooking gear which was up front in the trailer but that can be moved to back over the axle to compensate.
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2015, 12:15:37 AM »

Do you use normal servo ice or may your own ??


I use both. First to consider is water for cooking/drinking and the best way to carry it. How much to take depends on the trip but I found that three x 2 litre soft drink bottles filled with water and frozen for a few days is best plus one chilled for drinking/cooking water for first night. Servo ice is added end of day two or the next morning.

What do you all do with the melted servo ice water? I recycle for washing up and if I have enough left over for a once over with the wash clothe.

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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2015, 01:39:29 PM »
The only other item I need is some sticky backed rubber strips (still need to find) to mount on the inside of the angle pieces to prevent them wearing the esky and a piece of carpet off cut between the esky and the shelf.


I found the rubber strip on E-bay.....should be enough.......... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321029667690?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
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Offline blackduck

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2015, 08:31:40 PM »
If you turn the esky 180, wind pressure whilst moving will hold it closed and it can also be mounted closer to the axle, reducing weight on the hitch.

Between the lid of the trailer and the esky the gap isn't that great, maybe 35mm. The esky lid when open rests on the trailer lid but will open further when the latter is open

From now until my trip to WA I don't for see to many trips with the esky mounted up front, maybe border run and Balranald as maybes at this time.

Weight on the hitch is something I thought about. Normally I have one of those 50 litre plastic containers full of cooking gear which was up front in the trailer but that can be moved to back over the axle to compensate.

weight on the hitch was a concern on my trailer aswell
i compensate for the esky with a 10 l water container in the back of the box and some creative packing
mind you i use mine for weekend camping mostly so by the time the esky contents has gone so has the water
Cheers
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2015, 02:53:20 PM »
The rivet gun arrived today. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131139645545 and looks as good as the one that is $10 dearer in our local hardware shop

Once the weather clears a little I can make a start, hopefully at least the tray/shelf part before this weekends RTE
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2015, 05:07:03 PM »
I still have a little more work to do with fitting the angle pieces on the sides but the basic shelf is in place and ok to use at least for our 16th overnight for the RTE on the 17th.

A quick clean up of the draw bar then a couple coats of black paint



The shelf riveted in place.....care taken when drilling holes on LH draw bar section due to cabling for trailer lights and yes, amazingly the lights still work. Trailer VIN plate relocated from RH draw bar to just behind swivel hitch



The Esky base has a few wear strips
 


so some of the rubber tape I bought for the angle parts was placed on the bottom to act as both protection (between plastic and aluminium) and antiskid reasons.



The Esky lid open with trailer lid closed



and with trailer lid open.



Since we're going to Strathalbyn and staying overnight before going to our RTE on Saturday I need to have a temporary means of holding the Esky on the trailer. I have one small red ratchet strap and I bought another one this afternoon which will replace the blue elastic one that's on there. As is in the photo the Esky doesn't move but the new ratchet strap (680kg breaking strain) will make sure it doesn't.

« Last Edit: May 10, 2019, 12:52:18 PM by alans1100 »
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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2015, 09:33:46 PM »
Great work mate :thumbs
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2015, 10:06:11 PM »
Great work mate :thumbs

Thanks....

Trial run tomorrow. Won't be much in the Esky: a few ice bricks, 2 litres of frozen water and 2 litres of milk as our local supermarket didn't have the 1 litre milk in a plastic bottle.
The trailer will have the big dome tent, the new self inflating queen airbed (trying out) and the other usual minimal camping stuff so we can make a coffee etc.
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Offline ST2UP

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2015, 05:41:23 AM »
Alan any chance that the edge of the checker plate may be a bit harsh on your strap ?? even just a piece of rubber or the foam you used underneath the icebox may save the day.....I know you said it was a temporary arangment.


Cheers
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2015, 09:01:36 AM »
Alan any chance that the edge of the checker plate may be a bit harsh on your strap ?? even just a piece of rubber or the foam you used underneath the icebox may save the day.....I know you said it was a temporary arangment.


Cheers


That's all covered but the foam I used would make a good back up.......thanks.
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2015, 10:35:56 PM »
I took this during our ride down to the RTE at Ashbourne in Mid January and the extra weight in the trailer plus the Esky and contents didn't appear to have much effect on the bike and there were no issues with handling either.



On Saturday evening I cut the angles for the sides.



To secure the front piece in place while the  holes were drilled requires precision mounting hardware. In essence a variation of what I used to do when I working in an automotive metal press shop to mount some dies (tooling) into a press.



The angled piece is just forward of the plate and in centre (+/- 1 mm)



and got the front piece in place but my cordless drill ran out of steam and I couldn't do any more.



This evening after borrowing a proper (one with a cord) electric drill I finished the front piece and riveted it in place.

Then it was time for the RH side and unlike the front piece would mounted under the plate. The front rivet hole will be drilled when the other holes are drilled and the piece riveted in place.



The holes were drilled in the plate first, the angle held in place with a couple of clamps, and the rear hole drilled and then riveted. Then the remaining holes were drilled before removing the clamps and then riveted. 



The remaining front hole was completed next. The rear piece is in place ready to be mounted but I may need to use it for helping to hold the LH side in place while drilling the holes. This piece was supposed to mount underneath as well but it's a little to wide to slide in between the draw bar so plan two is in force.....lol.



This is an idea of the finished product. The LH side if plate is going to have a piece cut out which will allow the Esky drain water a place to escape.  I normally recycle this water when at camp and use it for washing up dishes, shaving and/or giving myself a wash and even the bike a debug after a day on the road. The little metal piece in the centre is underneath the Esky drain hole and I need to borrow a jig saw to cut this then it's a repeat of todays effort to mount the remaining LH side.

« Last Edit: May 10, 2019, 01:15:43 PM by alans1100 »
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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2015, 10:40:30 PM »
Awesome work mate :thumbs
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #15 on: February 04, 2015, 07:50:38 PM »
Awesome work mate :thumbs
Thanks

All but completed this yesterday......nothing like modifying things as you go. All that needs to be done is the drain hole for the Esky which I was going to do with a jig saw. It would have done the trick but I decided to get a 40mm hole saw instead. I found one on E-Bay for about $6 delivered out of China so it'll be a few weeks before I get it.



And the rubber (??) strips in place to prevent metal to plastic contact



The Esky in place.....there's about a 10 ml gap between the Esky and the rear strip



Trailer is now ready for the WA trip next year.



« Last Edit: May 10, 2019, 01:24:20 PM by alans1100 »
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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #16 on: February 04, 2015, 07:56:27 PM »
Quote
Trailer is now ready for the WA trip next year.

Just a tip for you,

Dont put the ice in just yet, it probably will have evaporated before you leave for WA next March

 o:) o:) o:)
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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #17 on: February 04, 2015, 09:57:01 PM »
It looks amazing mate, you have truly done an awesome job :thumbsup :clap :clap :clap
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Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #18 on: February 04, 2015, 10:39:35 PM »
It looks amazing mate, you have truly done an awesome job :thumbsup :clap :clap :clap

Thanks........now I can concentrate on a few items that need attending on the bike and start saving up for the return WA trip

After looking at the cooler options on the Classic Trailer web site I thought there'd have to be a cheaper way'

They wanted a $120 for checker plate over the draw bar and another $440 for either a 26 or 40 litre cooler. It cost me just under $300 all up and I have a 50 litre cooler which I can use in the car as well.

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Offline Candles

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2015, 08:11:41 PM »
 :dred11
Great job Alan, I manufactured similar for my Waeco on the Elite camper. I'd post picks if I knew how ;-*
I added small anti vibration feet under the plate. Works well and protects the contents of your Esky or fridge.

Cheers mate

Candles
 

Offline alans1100

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Re: Esky Install on Trailer
« Reply #20 on: February 15, 2015, 08:31:02 PM »
:dred11
Great job Alan, I manufactured similar for my Waeco on the Elite camper. I'd post picks if I knew how ;-*
I added small anti vibration feet under the plate. Works well and protects the contents of your Esky or fridge.

Cheers mate

Candles


Thanks though I did get the idea from here

« Last Edit: May 10, 2019, 01:25:39 PM by alans1100 »
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