We spent Saturday installing cabinets, the gas service, and testing the appliances. Over the last week, I've built the forward wardrobe, the top for the boot box, and faces for the top galley cabinets and a shirt cabinet that was installed in place of a TV stand.

Installing the wardrobe in the trailer nose was difficult. It didn't fit because I evidently mismeasured its length. Fortunately the error resulted in it being too long instead of too short, but we wasted some time trimming it to fit. The other cabinetry went in without any problems.

We installed the propane gas lines starting at the tanks and running to the appliances. The black pipe was sourced from a local plumbing supplier, cut to length, threaded and fitted with ells and copper adapters. We ran into a problem when pressure testing our work. The system leaked three lbs in about five minutes. The regulator and all our connections were checked, with no apparent leaks found. Then by capping off each gas appliance in turn, we discovered the hot water heater was the source, and apparently it was leaking internally. 

We filled and pressurised the water system and decided to try to fire up the water heater. It was reluctant to start for the first time, and only by bleeding the gas line were we able to get a gas ignition. After a couple of start/stop cycles, we again installed the pressure gauge and leak checked the gas supply system. It held perfectly. Apparently the gas solenoid was partially off seated during its construction, and when cycled, fit as it was intended.

The fridge also worked on the propane as well as the cook top burners. We were pleased with the results, as they included not only a functional testing of the propane, but the electrical and water systems as well. The air conditioner blew cold air, and its heat strip blew warm when it was selected. The flushing toilet, cowboy shower and faucet all worked as they were intended. It was a good day, all in all.

The LQ is now functional but many small items need to be finished. I have to make the storage cabinets for the bathroom, and design some boot racks as well. Crown and shoe mouldings have to be made, as well as two window valances. The interior faces of the exit doors and refig will later, be veneered with Cherry to match the cabinets and trim.

One item we also installed,which I don't have in my LQs, is a LP gas detector. This is hard wired into a 12V system, and provides additional protection that the CO and smoke detectors don't. I think I will plan on using them in the future.

The other item is a second fire extinguisher mounted in the sleeping area of the bunk. The preferred location is to have it accessible from the exterior doorway. But if there is a galley fire, the most probable area of combustion, there is no way of accessing an extinguisher, while waking up from your sleep. I am too, going to install second fire extinguishers in the bunk areas of my LQs.

This is my first complete LQ installation. I've helped out with parts of several others, but have never before, enjoyed the satisfaction of completing the final product. It's amazing how much can be built into such a small space, and how comfortable and transformed the trailer becomes as a result. I purchased our trailer with a complete installation, and have had to do little, but enjoy it. To start with an empty metal shell and make it into a living space, is rewarding.

Even though we were basically copying my interior, we did effect some changes. We omitted the shower in the bathroom and installed a cowboy shower in the first stall. We deleted a gray water tank, installing only a black water storage. The only gray water source is the sink, and while only used for light washing and tooth brushing, its volume is easily shared by the one blackwater tank. The toilet and holding tank were a departure from our first plans, which included the installation of a toilet and above floor tank sourced from a truck camper. The change cost about $380 and is well worth the price.

The interior appointments were changed as well. The ceiling has a soft touch automotive head liner. The upper cabinets have acrylic panels in the doors, the cabinets are Cherry instead of my Oak examples. This LQ has urethane flooring in the bathroom and hardwood in the main area. Mine has linoleum throughout. I like his new interior better.

The owner scored a nice aftermarket automotive radio/CD player from a wreck yard. It has ample power to drive both interior and exterior speakers, and can take inputs from various sources, Ipods, MP 3, DVD players etc. It was a $25 bargain.

Next weekend will include the owner's first on the road trial. He did mention that he and his wife would try a couple of driveway sleep overs this week, to determine what they will need for the upcoming weekend. Their last trailer experience consisted of sleeping on an air mattress, within an open bare metal cocoon. They awoke cold and damp.

I hope my ramblings have influenced you DIYers, into an addition of, or modifying your own LQ. There is no black magic involved, and many rewards to anticipate.

BOL  Gard

We are in the process of doing the living quarters in my Exiss trailer.  Where do you recommend purchasing the refrigator from?  Also, do you have any pictures available?  I would love to see the finished product.  We have just finished stripping the trailer.  We had the shower stall installed with the gas water heater and fresh water tank.  (I needed to use my trailer during it's transformation!)  I appreciate any help you could give.  Thanks

All of the appliances and most of the parts we used were sourced from the Internet by the trailer owner's wife. Her husband and I brain stormed one night, and made a master list of materials we would need for the project. She is an excellent expediter, ordering and obtaining most of our materials from that list, in time for their installation. She spent a great deal of effort comparing prices, features and shipping costs. I don't know what her sources were for each item, there were many. Her husband showed up each weekend with the trailer, and usually everything we would need for that day's construction.

They bought a Dometic brand refigerator. Here's one source you can try:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-refrigerator-parts-1.htm

BOL   Gard

It sounds really nice and I know you did an excellent job.

I keep reading here so that I can form a plan for my 4' short wall.  I'm actually learning a lot from the site.  I'll do something with mine either this summer ....as it already seems to be speeding by... or in the fall/winter when I'll have more time.

I love tiny things the fold up and all that neat fitting things into the smallest spaces, but alas I'm not very imaginative.

The easiest way to get an idea of layouts and what will fit in a given space, is to view other completed installations. Here are some 4'  weekender variations of one brand of trailer, similar to mine. Some trailers will have more cabinetry, some less. It all depends upon what you want to install.

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=255083

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=253910

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=251385

Since the owner's and my labours were "free", the only costs were the prices of materials. I think the owner spent~$3800 for everything when we were done. This cost could have been lessened a bit, but he wanted the best wiring and splurged a little on the ceiling. We saved some, whilst only installing one holding tank.

A similar new interior was over $10K a year ago, so the savings of a DIY is significant.

Thanks for the links to 4' short wall lq's.

I followed the links, and it's really helpful to see them.

I'll start a thread soon about what I'm thinking.  I have some things that I wonder about using.  For this trailer (not expensive, but a good condition older trailer) and attempt (is that ceiling going to fall down?), I'm going to try not to get in over my head and keep it simple as I learn on this one.  I do have some ideas and I'd like to post them on this forum first.  I do go back and forth on whether the shower should be in the first stall or in the dressing room.  Right now, I'm leaning toward the first stall for several reasons. 

The one you and your friend put in sounds really, very nice.