I have a 2002 Silver Star 3 horse, gooseneck with 7' short wall.  I am wanting to put full living quarters into the trailer, minus propane stove.

The trailer is currently in Georgia... I'm in California fixing to head back east at the end of the month after graduation from grad school.

My understanding is that the trailer will need additional bracing to handle the extra weight associated with the water tanks.  Was wondering what else is required.  The trailer COULD have been had with bigger axles, which I though I'd ordered but am not sure actually came with the trailer... I'll check when I get back east.  I believe the current GVWR for the trailer is 9900 pounds... so my intention is to get the larger axles on it and get it updated for the heavier load.  Also want to get the VIN plate updated to reflect the heavier GVWR.

My question is, can I get full LQ built into the trailer for a cost-competitive price?  I owe $7500 on the trailer and LQ would cost probably $10,000, but won't be started till I pay off the balance of the trailer loan.  I am betting that to add the heavier axles (if I don't already have them) and the floor bracing, plus LQ, I'd still come out ahead of buying a new trailer with LQ.  I will not buy a used trailer.

Any thoughts?  Just trying to save some money.  My trailer only has 3000 miles on it, but we'll be gearing up for lots of rides coming up.

Mike

Thank you.  Unfortunately, I just will not accept the loss from selling or trading this trailer.  When ordered, it had every option I wanted and was built according to what I wanted, although I thought I ordered the heavier axles (which I'm not sure I got).  Cost too much to only get $5000 trade from the dealer, who received about 4 times that amount.  I probably did not the best deal, which explains why I'm reluctant to buy a trailer again...  I'd rather pay a little more to get it up to speed than finance nearly the entire cost of a new trailer bought from another dealer.  I have only put about 3000 towing miles on the trailer, and it has a known history, unlike something used.  I can live with some of the differences it'll have vs a "real" LQ trailer.  Especially when a "real" LQ trailer is out of my budget.

Heheheh.... I'm finding that I hate the concept of buying a new trailer as much as I hate the concept of buying a new truck!!  I'm much more comfortable upgrading what I have.

Mike

It depends on how the floor supports are under a Silver Star, Does it have the I beams under the floor or does it have a couple of Z braces running from front to rear. I have never been under a Silver Star but it most likely has one or the other, if it has I beams under it going side to side you can have the tanks made to fit between them. I usually cut one side of the I-beam on the bottom to open it up for a little larger tank. Local sheet metal shop brakes the aluminum I use for the tanks, made to fit the trailer I am building. As far as value for the LQ trailer done at other than the factory I'll dispute that one I turn a pretty good profit on trailers I build and sell and I'm not a "factory". The last two trailers of mine I sold in an average of 15 days.  Both 30K +

 http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=48

Hw, you do nice work. Hubby wanted to buy a shell and finish one out when we bought our lq but I said no, he would never get it done. Very professional looking too. Debbie

I dont think you can put holding tanks under a Silver Star.  they have a 'flat' bottom.

I LOVE my Silver Star!!

Thanks, Dawnya.  My trailer is 3000 miles away right now... so I can't look.

HWBar, how do we resolve this problem?

Thank you,

Mike

I by alot of RV supplies(sinks, switches, lights, awnings and ect..) from RV Surplus in Elkhart. I'm a dealer for Jazz Sales they carry alot of the horse trailer stuff. I don't but any holding tanks, I have all of them made out of .125 Aluminum, cost a little more but it's a horse trailer that will be taken places that a RV won't, so they need to be a little more durable. I have a buddy that's a trailer dealer and the most common repair he get's on an LQ trailer is holding tank repairs. The industry does not make a tank for Horse trailer so the "Factory" LQ stores use tanks made for RV'S. To do so they have to "knockout" crossmembers or like on Cimmarons, Harts, and some others the trailer manufacturer has to put extra bracing under the trailer where the tanks are going to go because they can't use the standard support system they use on the non-LQ trailers. They use a different floor system than other MFG's. It can be done but needs to be done at the MFG.

I have a 30 gal freshwater tank inside the 'boot box' with is actually the bench seat (pic in album)
I prefer a porta-potty but if you don't you may have to put it on a platform with the black tank underneath.
They make showers with room on one end to cover the gray tank. 
There are ways... Your conversion shop will already know this.