enclosed moto trailer hammock bunkbeds & other cool mods

See also my other blog article > https://foxymoto.com/camper-build-resources/

Index of Modifications

• MOD1 “Moto Trailer Bunk beds”

• MOD2 “Diesel Heater”

• MOD3 “Roof rack for solar panel and Starlink” WIP

• Mod4 ” Insulating roof for extreme winter and summer insulation” WIP

MOD1: Moto Trailer Bunk beds

I wanted to have a quick setup for beds for my moto trailer. The discobed cots are awesome, but they take up so much space and time to setup/take down.

I saw this article:

https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/e-track-custom-hammock-beds-for-enclosed-trailer.138614/

So, I wanted to use 1.5″ steel square tubing and vertical etracks with 2×4 mounts.

IMO, worth the extra money to save the time to sew some kind of tarp, mesh, or canvas.

Here is the link to the disc-o-bed cot canvas, that fits perfectly inside the 1.5 steel tubing.
https://www.discobedshop.com/collections/parts-for-disc-o-bed-xl/products/35-mat-disc-o-bed-xl-green they are about $40 each and I ordered 4.

My mother-inlaw helped me sew these. I used dump truck tarp, but it kind of stretches too much. I think next visit, we’ll adjust and make a 2nd one. Also, somehow they are shorter than I thought they would be. ISSUE: the stretchy tarp sags too much to be comfortable and also shortened the length and its stretches the other direction.

But these are super strong and after next adjustment should be good to go. Haul the dirtbikes in the enclosed trailer, if the weather is not too hot, sleep in the trailer. There are lots of drings for more traditional hammocks too.

as you can see in the photos the etrack goes all the way to the floor and I put one side into the steel studs.

You can see my last etrack project on the left, which is a 2×4 bench (I can put it on sitting height or workbench height under 2 minutes. I used bedliner paint to cover the wood.

I primered the steel studs to reduce rust and other problems.

This will also be a great “just in case” bed for snowbiking.

I plan to add a diesel heater soon. I just need time to install it.

product shopping list

small propane bottle for BBQ or fire-ring > https://amzn.to/45LSHkO

etrack vertical > https://amzn.to/47ULOzC

steel bars (1.5″ square tubing and 78″ long and 1/8 thick) at local metal shop including scamtax, cut fees= $127

etrack 2×4 wood mount/socket > https://amzn.to/3EfQpPh

diesel heater > https://amzn.to/3YVk3Tf

NOT recommended — mesh tarp (I found mine at harbor frieght) > https://amzn.to/3PeT55Q

COTS fabric (recommended!) > https://www.discobedshop.com/collections/parts-for-disc-o-bed-xl/products/35-mat-disc-o-bed-xl-green

etrack hooks to hold cots when not in use:
POROHOM 4PCS Heavy Duty E Track J Hooks，Large Steel 5″ J Hook E Track Accessories for Enclosed Trailer,Workshop & Garage,Maximum Load 1400 Pounds(1/2″ Diameter Solid Steel)

MOD2 Diesel Heater

Last winter, I used propane and elec heat to deice my snowbikes. I had to plugin the fan and elec each time. This year, I will have forced air diesel heater heat to deice the snowbikes and keep them warm on the way to the trailhead.

Also, I can use it for winter dirt biking or winter adventure riding. Usually during the day its 40-60 degrees, which is PERFECT IMO. But the nights are super cold. Also, if I take the 30′ motorhome I can put some guys in the trailer for sleeping in the bunk beds and some in the motorhome. The moto trailer will be an overflow for sleeping in the cold!

Also, if we get caught in a super bad storm snowbiking, we can shelter in the moto trailer. Multi-use preparedness too!

SHOPPING CHECK LIST:

diesel heater > https://amzn.to/3YVk3Tf

Universal Floor Mounting Plate Bracket > https://amzn.to/46MPjXI

Diesel Heater Exhaust Pipe – 78 Inch Stainless Steel > https://amzn.to/3SfOxhA

Spare Universal Car Air Heater Diesels Pump > https://amzn.to/40dVxgW

DC 2 dc charger, so it ensures you don’t overload the truck connection to charge the batter > https://amzn.to/3SeJGgI “Victron Energy Orion-Tr DC to DC Converter – 24/12-Volt 20 amp 240-Watt – IP43 Protected – for Dual Battery Systems – Non-Isolated”

Fuel fill cap > https://amzn.to/3s6ckG0(ended up NOT liking this, I prefer a yellow 5 gallon internal tank with Quick Discount (QD) to remove tank and fill and then carry fuel tank back into the trailer.

2″ hose to go from the outside fuel fill cap to the inside fuel tank > https://amzn.to/3tWVmu8

SAE connectors > https://amzn.to/472Xwa0

MOD3 “Roof rack for solar panel and Starlink”

I’ve had a hard time keeping my battery top’d off with an extension cord or attached to the truck while hooked up, there is a power lead from the truck connector to the battery. This results in a poor performing battery.

My buddy Tim gave me a 50 watt solar panel that includes a charge controller. I did NOT want to put holes in my roof, so I did some research about a side mount. The brackets were very expensive at home depo, but on amazon I could get some tube holding brackets pretty affordable.

Now I have room for 2-3 more panels for future growth. I also wanted to mount a starlink, but I didn’t want it mostly permanent. I wanted to have a magnetic mount for the starlink so I could move it to my truck or a buddy’s truck for moto-adventures. I also wanted the routed power cable for the starlink to stay with the trailer, so the starlink could be moved quickly.

Blackfriday sale, I got the starlink mini for about $240 delivered. They have a standby mode that allows 500 kbs internet to activate roaming (50gb a month for $50 and $1 per GB after the 1st 50 GB for data. I’ve found I can get close to 300 Mbps while traveling at 50 mph in a car. I also found that about half my house has good wifi coverage to starlink on the trailer.

I have two powerbanks that can run the starlink, for about 14 hours each. I would like to find a powerbank that I can charge and discharge with about 20-40 watts for the starlink so the battery would be getting top’d off. I’m hopeful that the trailer battery will be able to run the house lights, starlink and diesel heater for remote excursions.

Maybe someday there will be an starlink ultra-mini that can be about the size of a tablet or phone and then it would be motorcycle sized, but for now this will be a great basecamp system.

At 50% 100ah AGM battery, I should be able to run the starlink for 30 ish hours. Plus I have two other batteries I can hook into if needed. The 50 watt solar panel likely will NOT keep the battery up for starlink 24x7x365. I’m hoping with the roof insulation I won’t get above 90 degrees too much in the summer time otherwise my battery will be very unhappy with me!

SHOPPING LIST:

usbC to starlink adapter –both directions is nice: https://amzn.to/3YjT3xa

car adapter for starlink: https://amzn.to/4oFjBnu

Starlink Mini 12V Adapter DC Step Up Converter 12V to 30V 3.5A Smart Boost Starlink Mini Power Supply Cable Battery Pack for RV Accessories 9-28V Input with Waterproof DC Port No Voltage Drop

Magnetic sheet: https://amzn.to/4pro1Qc

Bar Bus (maybe get a breaker style): https://amzn.to/3KyO3BO

1″ square tubing bracket holder: https://amzn.to/3XHH50c

solar mounting z bracket: https://amzn.to/3Yds2vk

wire: https://amzn.to/4iKxE9P

IP68 Waterproof Solar Cable Entry Gland, Weather Resistant Dual Cable Entry Housing for Solar Panels of RV, Caravan, Marine, Boat, Cabin, Black

Starlink mini magnetic mount: https://amzn.to/48LnTE5

Starlink mini power cable(got two lengths, one for the trailer and one for a truck–16′ vs 10′): https://amzn.to/4prEy6L

wired lights: https://amzn.to/3MtpvdV (previous I had AA battery motion lights, but I wanted wired lights to the trailer battery…but they seem to draw power “ghost power drain” 🙁

100ah AGM battery for better cold performance. https://amzn.to/3MP6C5C
Renogy Deep Cycle AGM 12 Volt 100Ah Battery, 3% Self-Discharge Rate, 1100A Max Discharge Current, Safe Charge Appliances for RV, Camping, Cabin, Marine and Off-Grid System, Maintenance-Free

Here are some build photos.

MOD4 Insulating roof

LOVE LOVE LOVE how this turned out! I can tell its really going to be a great heat/cold barrier. I just hope the glue holds in extreme heat/cold.

shopping list:

• 10mm closed cell insulation: https://amzn.to/4j3ZO01

• 3 Pack Aluminum Foil Tape Bulk – 4 Inch x 55 Yards – Heavy Duty Metal Duct Tape, Aluminum HVAC Tape for Sealing & Patching, Air Ducts, Insulation Metal Repair, Professional Grade https://amzn.to/4pOPATg (did NOT use, cuz I went LONG ways between steel studs.
• adhesive for high temps and low temps: https://amzn.to/3XEGxbB “3M Hi-Strength Spray Adhesive 90, Clear Glue, Permanent, High Strength Bonding, High Tack, Bonds Laminate, Wood, Concrete, Metal, Plastic, 17.6 oz Net Wt, NOT FOR SALE IN CA AND OTHER STATES”
  I had to run to homedepot and get another can, 7×16 roof, plan on 3 cans. I would NOT get the spray down nosel!
• Different spray nosel: https://amzn.to/48EXXK3