Hot tub trailer Idea
#52
#54
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Ya, i thought about getting a camper trailer, but im going to need something a little more heavy duty to hold all the water.
Also, i am not going to be pulling this trailer full of water. Ill empty it and then pull it.
If i can get a double tandem axel trailer, each axel is rated for about 3500lbs i just need to make sure the frame can handle it when it is parked.
Although it would be pretty sweet to have this thing in a parade, having people in the back of it.... lol
The goal is to get a 5-6 person tub
Also, i am not going to be pulling this trailer full of water. Ill empty it and then pull it.
If i can get a double tandem axel trailer, each axel is rated for about 3500lbs i just need to make sure the frame can handle it when it is parked.
Although it would be pretty sweet to have this thing in a parade, having people in the back of it.... lol
The goal is to get a 5-6 person tub
#55
Why not take a van like in the link and chop the body off the back? Just cut off the roof and sides and then box in the front seats so its like a single cab truck. That way you wouldnt have to worry about pulling it or anything. I think they only have 12' space behind the front seat but you will have to check on that. If they do though then just make the seatting only 3' wide and do a little organizing. You could possibly extent it a foot or two if you can get the metal cheap.
1996 DODGE RAM CARGO VAN SHEVES ROOF RACK
This would be pretty tight, just need to put the front mud tires on and an add a leave int he rear and spacers in the front. You could possibly even leave the water in the tub.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/1191657308.html
1996 DODGE RAM CARGO VAN SHEVES ROOF RACK
This would be pretty tight, just need to put the front mud tires on and an add a leave int he rear and spacers in the front. You could possibly even leave the water in the tub.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/1191657308.html
Last edited by schatten789; 05-30-2009 at 11:30 PM.
#56
The idea is a good one...however the power consumption for the hot tub is to great. The pump can take typical household current 110v. It will take about 12 hours at a minimum to heat tap temperature (faucet) water. Also keep in mind transportation. Water weighs 7 pounds per gallon. So a typical tun with 600 gallons X7 pounds is 4200 pounds. not to mention the momentum it will achieve if you decide to pull a full tank around. The weight may not be an issue but Newtons 3 laws of motion might be as well as if the tub structure is rated to tolerate the moving, filled tub. You can power the others by propane, campers do it all the time. Try "Camping World" or an RV supplier for a source for equipment. Good luck with your idea but due to safety, look through an engineers eyes...Crash
#58
there was one of these in my city. i dunno if buddy filled it up everytime or kept it full all the time. but he used a jeep tj to haul it around. if you kept the water in it all the time, you could add baffles to prevent the water from sloshing around too much. the trucks at weedman had 250gallon tanks. you felt them slosh if the tank was half full/empty. the truck would rock at a stop light. if it's full, i'd need to compensate for stopping room.
it can be done as you can see, if you do it. good luck. just keep all weights accounted for and keep it under the max towing limits for safe hauling.
if you need support when it's parked, you could install those scissor lift thingies like on a fifth wheel camper. you know the ones that are at the corners and used to level the trailer. oh yea, if you were at my house, i'd wanna see wood under the supports so you didn't ruin my driveway with all that weight.
it can be done as you can see, if you do it. good luck. just keep all weights accounted for and keep it under the max towing limits for safe hauling.
if you need support when it's parked, you could install those scissor lift thingies like on a fifth wheel camper. you know the ones that are at the corners and used to level the trailer. oh yea, if you were at my house, i'd wanna see wood under the supports so you didn't ruin my driveway with all that weight.
Last edited by morris; 06-04-2009 at 08:42 PM. Reason: support edit:
#59
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Thanks again for all the input. I may be buying a trailer here farly soon. Weight is definatly going to be in issue. Baffles may be a good idea, IF i decide to tow it with water in it, but i dont think so; the wieght alone of the water would be tomuch for my ranger to tow, let alone the sloshing around.
Ya, those scissor lifts are what i will be going for to make sure its level.
Ya, those scissor lifts are what i will be going for to make sure its level.
#60
Yeah...don't like to be too critical, but I can't see this happening, especially with a traditional spa.
Start checking out some of those free hot tubs. They caught my eye once upon a time too. I looked for one for the better part of a year before I finally found a half way decent used one, and spent a decent chunk on it. It is only a five person but still weighs 900lbs empty. It was a major ordeal and slow tow moving it. As you mentioned most trailers only have 6' between the wheels so they will only fit a small tub. Most decent sized ones are 220v as mentioned and require a dedicated line with 60 amp GFCI and 4 strand 6ga wire. You can never use an extension cord legally, even on the 110v ones. The 110v ones use a dedicated 30 amp circuit, not a standard outlet. Electricity, swimmers, and water...
There is a lot more to spas than I initially realized, but the end result is great.
The only tubs I can think of that may work OK would be soft tubs or the roto molded ones that are all one piece. They have a small circulation pump and some use a friction heater on the motor to heat the water without a separate heater. You are looking at 24-48hrs to heat them in decent weather. Here is a decent spa forum I use you can ask specifics on Pool and Spa Forum -> Portable Hot Tubs & Spas
Roto spa
I tried something similar a few years ago, rentals are my choice when destruction is a possibility.
Worked pretty well except for an idiot that stopped short at a light. Uhaul got a sparkling clean truck back though
Start checking out some of those free hot tubs. They caught my eye once upon a time too. I looked for one for the better part of a year before I finally found a half way decent used one, and spent a decent chunk on it. It is only a five person but still weighs 900lbs empty. It was a major ordeal and slow tow moving it. As you mentioned most trailers only have 6' between the wheels so they will only fit a small tub. Most decent sized ones are 220v as mentioned and require a dedicated line with 60 amp GFCI and 4 strand 6ga wire. You can never use an extension cord legally, even on the 110v ones. The 110v ones use a dedicated 30 amp circuit, not a standard outlet. Electricity, swimmers, and water...
There is a lot more to spas than I initially realized, but the end result is great.
The only tubs I can think of that may work OK would be soft tubs or the roto molded ones that are all one piece. They have a small circulation pump and some use a friction heater on the motor to heat the water without a separate heater. You are looking at 24-48hrs to heat them in decent weather. Here is a decent spa forum I use you can ask specifics on Pool and Spa Forum -> Portable Hot Tubs & Spas
Roto spa
I tried something similar a few years ago, rentals are my choice when destruction is a possibility.
Worked pretty well except for an idiot that stopped short at a light. Uhaul got a sparkling clean truck back though
#61
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I have a trailer!!!!! Its a 16 foot trailer!! exaclty what i wanted. I got AN AWESOME DEAL!! just had to drive 2 hours to pick it up.
Ill try and post some new pics up tomorrow when it is lighter, but for now these were the ones that were on Ebay when i found it:
Here is the link to the ebay page where i got this: trialer:eBay Motors (item 160340679862 end time Jun-11-09 18:19:03 PDT)
Now starts the search for a hot tub..... YAY!!!
..
Ill try and post some new pics up tomorrow when it is lighter, but for now these were the ones that were on Ebay when i found it:
Here is the link to the ebay page where i got this: trialer:eBay Motors (item 160340679862 end time Jun-11-09 18:19:03 PDT)
Now starts the search for a hot tub..... YAY!!!
..
#65
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Darn it....
Ya, im giving the idea up. There are most costs then i was planning on, besides it was a little impractical.
Im selling the trailer. Ill take all the critism, i deserve it, lol.
Here is the post to the trailer: https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ml#post1371102
Thank you for the help and ideas however!! I do appreciate it!
Ya, im giving the idea up. There are most costs then i was planning on, besides it was a little impractical.
Im selling the trailer. Ill take all the critism, i deserve it, lol.
Here is the post to the trailer: https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ml#post1371102
Thank you for the help and ideas however!! I do appreciate it!
#66
#67
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Yeah. Thanks Man. It would be pretty sweet, but im a college student at the moment. I have a semester left (then i go to L.A. for 15 weeks) and i really should start being wise about money and looking at starting to pay some of these loans off instead of building a hot tub trailer.
I may do it later on in the future as a tailgating idea when i have a bigger truck (Have a water tank in the bed and such, lol) but as far as i can see, i want a hot tub for me and my future wife to have and it would be in private, lol. so, no need for a trailer a backyard regular hot tub would be awesome then, so i dunno.
Thanks agian though for all the input. At least i didnt get to far into this build, lol.
I may do it later on in the future as a tailgating idea when i have a bigger truck (Have a water tank in the bed and such, lol) but as far as i can see, i want a hot tub for me and my future wife to have and it would be in private, lol. so, no need for a trailer a backyard regular hot tub would be awesome then, so i dunno.
Thanks agian though for all the input. At least i didnt get to far into this build, lol.
#68
As I was reading, I got to thinking about the weight issue. If the Baffles were used to keep the water from sloshing and the weight was distributed properly on the tongue...couldn't smaller tires be put on the back so that there would be more mechanical advantage to move the weight? That may provide some ride height issues for the hitch....and look goofy as hell.
#69
hmm it could work and i bet you could make it nice what i would do is under one of the seats get a marine water tank 20-30gallon range and have it run thro a small propane water heater for like a trailer or something like that and have it on recurculate then put a to on the outlet so you can switch the water from the hottub to the tank that way when you roll up you could dump the hot water right in the tub make it alot hotter than it should be then fill with hose water that way it will be ready to jump in asap! on the other hand you could get a really honky inverter 6000+ and use a electric hotwater heater have it wired to your truck with the same set up that way aslong as your truck is a runnin your heatin water but.... propane is faster.... its up to you
#70
oh well im late lol... well it is a good idea and i think it would me epic and well actually it could be cheap if ya cragslist most of it normaly always hottub shells in there and grills in the frees and well as far as a grill i would actually go with more of a smoker type other than propane anywho its all worth nothing now but if ya ever wanna do it again im game for all the help ya need
#72
#73
Darn it....
Ya, im giving the idea up. There are most costs then i was planning on, besides it was a little impractical.
Im selling the trailer. Ill take all the critism, i deserve it, lol.
Here is the post to the trailer: 16 foot Utility/Car Hualer Trailer : Illinios
Thank you for the help and ideas however!! I do appreciate it!
Ya, im giving the idea up. There are most costs then i was planning on, besides it was a little impractical.
Im selling the trailer. Ill take all the critism, i deserve it, lol.
Here is the post to the trailer: 16 foot Utility/Car Hualer Trailer : Illinios
Thank you for the help and ideas however!! I do appreciate it!