1/4 ton trailer lid ventilation? (2 Viewers)

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Walldog

Walldog

Joined
Dec 16, 2004
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3
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First, this is a great forum and I like what others have done to their 1/4 ton trailers!

Does anyone find the need to have some type of vent system on their lid for their 1/4 ton trailer? As I drove into work today I noticed a contractor's enclosed trailer and it of course had one, so it got me thinking.....

I'm finalizing the design on the lid of my trailer and if needed, would rather incorporate a vent into it now. And to see what, if anything, others are using.

If needed I'd rather not use one of the fugly plastic square ones.
This one looks interesting..
http://www.roofvents.com/aura-t.html

FWIW I have a CDN M101. These do not have the plugged holes like an M416, M100, but rather just have 4 drain holes, 1 in each corner. These would allow for some air flow....


Thanks,
Wally
 
Hey Wally,

Welcome aboard. This is a cool place to hang out and is a 100% cruiser.

Scan your drawings and a pic of your trailer. I have been thinking about the same for a while but never got around to it.

BTW why not cut out small vents in the sides and leave the top alone. The top then can be used to tie things down.

my 2 c's
 
Unless your trailer leaks, or you live in an area with very high humidity (and condensation), you don't need a vent. I built mine with no vents, and no problems at all. In fact, it never occurred to me to consider vents. More worried about water getting in, than out, I guess.

M
 
Hi Wally - welcome to this place

I have not had a chance to work on my 101's yet. But the other work trailer I use, I built a quick diamond plate top for-( think I emailed pics to you)- when the weather is wet the tools inside develop moisture through condensation. Without a vent I have to open the lid to let the trailer breathe and dry out.
 
I've never seen one with vents, but it sounds intriguing. Mine does not have any vents and I've used mine in AZ without any issues. It does get hot inside, but that doesn't really affect me as I don't carry gear or perishables that could be affected.

I'd love to see your ideas, let's see some sketches!
 
DesertDude, I did get those pics -thanks.

I live in ME and see anything from dry to wet weather and everything in between. With my trailer being 100% ultiltarian (camping, dump runs, toolbox on wheels etc). I like the idea of venting just to keep things dry and somewhat cool.

I'm hopefully going to finalize some drawings this week-end.
 
fredieusa said:
Scan your drawings and a pic of your trailer. I have been thinking about the same for a while but never got around to it.
Click to expand...

I have some JPGs of some rendered CAD files of the semi-complete design. I know diddly about hosting/posting these things. Any takers to do this for me? I'll email them to you.


thanks,
Wally
 
DesertDude,
THANKS for the posting!

I decided that I did want ventilation after all. To achieve this I'll get some vents laser cut (work perk) and weld them into the front/back cross supports of the lid. The vents will also be able to be plugged. There will be some half couplings welded on the inside. When I'm on the road and don't want rain to get in the couplings can be easily plugged with a threaded pipe plug.
There will be a 'blank' coupling welded on the inside. This will be for when the vents are open, I'll then have a place to store the plug (so I won't misplace it!)

The hinge design has changed. The bottom half will be mounted to the underside of the rail.
For a locking mechanism I'm going to try to use the latch mechanism of a truck tailgate (I'll have to find a trashed Tacoma tailgate). Use the Tacoma linkage and purchase a Pop-N-Lock pull.

open to thoughts good or bad

wally
 
You can buy a stainless slam latch with a lock with extra keys and use that to lock your tailgate. Costs about $20 or so. I did this on my trailers, and added a couple spring pins to secure the tailgate against accidental opening if the slam lock is breached or wrenched on the trail.

M
 
Mike,
My trailer does not have a tailgate. I have the design and materials to make a tailgate, just not the heart. I was planning on using a slam type latch to close and secure the lid.
I haven't been able to find the right lockset yet though. Will have to check out the local auto stores and see what the truck bed boxes use.

Any thoughts?

W
 
Ddude,
Thanks. I think the Weatherguard boxes are the best. I don't personally have one, but during my search a few years ago I visited all the local seller of each make and found the WG to be best. I wound up not getting a box, but was impressed with the WG.

The lockset on the truck boxes actually sit within the box and the latching mechanism on the lid. I'll have to reverse that process, but it should work OK.

Is it possible for you to take some pix of the latching mechanism, how the pushbutton activates it, etc and email them to me?

Thanks in advance,
Wally
 
Sure thing - be happy to snap the photos - I am on the road and with out my camera download cable, but I return to the home front Wed and can email the shots to you at that time.

One of the things I like about the way the lock-set works - is - you can lock and unlock from both sides and the lock opens with a button push. Appears to be quite thief proof as well.
 
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