Front box for trailer tent

[colinh1301]

I bought an eberspacher heater for my Landy but have decided (or my wife has) that it would be put to better use heating out trailer tent. I was thinking that the best way would be to build a steel front box for the trailer with the heater a small fuel tank and leisure battery contain in it.

The problem is I dont know what size steel to use. Would a frame work of say 25mm equal angle clad in 1.5mm plate be ok

Any thoughts much appreciated

Colin

 

[English Steve]

Would a frame work of say 25mm equal angle clad in 1.5mm plate be ok

Should be more than adequate.
I would suggest that you keep things separate though. If you use a lead/acid battery, the fumes are explosive so really should be kept away from the naked flame of the heater (if it's the type i'm thinking of), and so should the fuel tank.
Some of the Eberspacher type heaters have a sealed burner with an inlet hose drawing air from a remote location. If it's that type you have, there shouldn't be a problem/risk.

 

[colinh1301]

Steve thanks for the reply.

Yes the heater would be mounted on the base. It has a seperate combustion air and exhaust which are piped to the outside. The heaters are normally fitted inside the vehicl.

Would it be best to weld the steel sheet onto the framework or would you rivit it on

Cheers
Colin

 

[English Steve]

Hi Colin,

If the framework is carrying all of the load and the sheets are just for security or weather protection then there's no reason why they can't be rivetted on. You could also use thinner sheet if you are going that way.

We used to fit Eberspachers in these as the primary heater:

 

[Robotstar5]

We had one fitted to our Rescue Ambulance, had a timer on the dash, set it for an hour before you go it was great in the winter!

 

[colinh1301]

Thinner steel sounds cheaper so good. What would be a sensible thickness to go down to?

Would box section be better than angle or is it all just personnel preference.

I don’t have any friendly supplier of off cuts so I will be buying everything at retail

I was looking for excuses to use my welder (I bought it for replacing the rear x-member on my 110 and haven’t used it much since) but I guess with the thinner sheet heat may be a problem so best to rivet?

Cheers
Colin

 

[jugs]

Would box section be better than angle or is it all just personnel preference.

I don’t have any friendly supplier of off cuts so I will be buying everything at retail

Cheers
Colin

Box is stonger than angle so you can go smaller & rivit pips will be inside the box, tidy.

Tell us where you live, someone on here will know a good supplier in your area.

 

[colinh1301]

I hadn't thought about the inside of the rivets - thanks for that. I'm in Trowbridge Wiltshire

Cheers
Colin

 

[Hitch]

Have a look here for a local supplier mate...

 

[gavuk]

hi Colin ,got wozz and crayefish(landy owner)and myself within spitting distance if you need any help or advice ,Devizes steel can be very useful for offcuts and sheet steel ,based at Seend,useful for all manner of tools and bits for welding well worth a look ,could tig up the edges of thin stuff to make a box so no box ,angle or rivets needed,how big will box need to be? i've got a small folder,400mm or so wide,we can sort something between us

 

[colinh1301]

Hitch & gavuk

Thanks for the tip. I'll be heading off to Seend on Saturday. I'm not sure what size it will need to be. The heater is about 350mm long, I will also need to get a leisure battery in and a 9lt fuel can. I want the box to be tapered (roughly triangular) so it won’t look out of place on the front of the trailer. I will need to check how much space is available with the trailer and landy on full lock but I reckon around 1m wide by 0.5m long.

I reckon their will be a bit of weight especially with the battery so I think I would feel a bit better it had some box or angle iron in it.

Thanks for the offer of tools and advice its good to know they are people willing to help out.

Cheers
Colin

 

[gavuk]

I think they shut at !2 on sat Colin ,may be worth phone call to confirm,what welder are you using?

 

[colinh1301]

I've got a clarke 151 turbo mig welder. As I said I got it for the rear cross member of the 110. It seems to do the job ok and paid for itself on that one job.

 

[gavuk]

No problem welding thinner stuff then ,might be easier to get Devizes steel to cut plate if triangle is the shape,good luck with project ..gav

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi Colin, like Gav says, I'm right on your doorstep so if you need any help with anything just give me a shout and I'll be glad to help.

 

[colinh1301]

Cheers Woz, If I get stuck I'll be back.