Convert RV to emergency mobile com vehicle

[Hoghead]

The Ham Radio team of our CERT group has been tasked to put together a mobile emergency communications rig. FEMA, through the county, has already loaned us some radio equipment so now we have to find a vehicle to put it in.

The discussion among our group has been whether to customize a cargo trailer or go with a used travel trailer and perhaps tear out the bed for more working space and storage. Either way, we want to keep it as light as possible so any member with a 1/2 ton truck or small SUV could take it out in the field.

Are there any members out there that have been involved in projects like this willing to comment and or give advice. Thanks.

[Shadowcatche]

The Teardrop & Tiny Travel Trailer form has had a number of folks that have done CT conversions including one individual that does serious night sky observations with a computer controlled telescope.
The advantage to a CT is that you start out with a blank slate and wiring and any plumbing can be as you need as an example Aluminum or Steel framed trailers to meet your needs has a com trailer they made for a National Guard group.

[TXiceman]

QST has had several articles on converting vans/RVs to command centers.

First you need to decide what bands and modes of communications you will be utilizing and then find sports for all of the equipment, power and grounding system.

Ken

Ken

[Hoghead]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

QST has had several articles on converting vans/RVs to command centers.

First you need to decide what bands and modes of communications you will be utilizing and then find sports for all of the equipment, power and grounding system.

Ken

Ken

Going through ARRL website searching QST back issues have not found anything yet. Thanks.

[Hoghead]

Originally Posted by Shadowcatche

The Teardrop & Tiny Travel Trailer form has had a number of folks that have done CT conversions including one individual that does serious night sky observations with a computer controlled telescope.
The advantage to a CT is that you start out with a blank slate and wiring and any plumbing can be as you need as an example Aluminum or Steel framed trailers to meet your needs has a com trailer they made for a National Guard group.

TT&TTT is a great site. Thanks.

[W4RLR]

Contact the Okaloosa County, Florida Emergency Management Office. Ken Wolfe of that office did the exact thing you describe. Okaloosa County converted a cargo trailer to an emergency communications van that was first on the air during the last statewide emergency communications test. It left all of the multi-million dollar emergency command post vehicles in the dust.

Here is a link to pictures: http://forums.radioreference.com/pic...s-trailer.html

The conversion was done in house. You can contact Ken at:

Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center
90 College Boulevard East
Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: (850) 651-7150
Fax: (850) 651-7170

[alvinc]

Originally Posted by Hoghead

The discussion among our group has been whether to customize a cargo trailer or go with a used travel trailer and perhaps tear out the bed for more working space and storage. Either way, we want to keep it as light as possible so any member with a 1/2 ton truck or small SUV could take it out in the field.

Are there any members out there that have been involved in projects like this willing to comment and or give advice. Thanks.

Stay away from anything with an engine in it.... this means go with a trailer. There are a lot of maintenance involved in the engine and drive train.

I would recommend a cargo trailer as a better alternative. It is more of a clean slate. Travel trailers come with black and gray tanks, toilets, lots of wiring and stuff you don't really need for a communication trailer. All of this extra stuff counts against the weight rating.

Out ARC was given a travel trailer that we converted to comm usage. We gutted the bathroom (sink, toilet, tub) and removed the bed. This also allowed us to drop the black water tank. This trailer has two doors which makes it handy. The bathroom is now a storage space, or with a porta-potty can still be a bathroom. There are limitations with this design, we would have difficulty removing the couch because this is where the fresh water tank is located. Other things make removing the dinette difficult as well.

Bottom line for a comm trailer do you really need the following:

• kitchen sink, stove and cook top
• refrigerator
• microwave
• any sleeping accommodations other than a single bed
• shower or tub
• TV antenna or satellite dish

If I had a blank slate I think I would start with an insulated cargo trailer, or at a stretch a bare bones toy hauler. With cargo trailer you can add windows where you want them, the style and type of furniture. If you want a sink or cook top, that can be added. Add a generator and microwave, a rooftop air conditioner, maybe a little room for a porta-potti. Of course there will be no slide outs, but this is just one more thing to go wrong.

I would also caution against job site trailers. These are usually heavy and high off the ground. We had one and it was a pain.....poorly constructed.

Just as a pointer: Hercules 8.5 Wide Enclosed Cargo Trailers, Enclosed Trailers, Utility Specialty Trailer
Check out the options.

[Wayne M]

Have you considered contacting one of the RV Trailer builders. For something like what you are describing the could put one together to your specifications. There may be some price reduction because of the nature of the request. The worse you can get for asking is a "no."

The other option i would stick with is a bare bones TT modified to your specs, or cargo trailer done the same.

[Ray,IN]

1/2 ton towable sets some limits for trailer selection. I would look at a 26' or less travel trailer toy-hauler. The large, ramp-style back door would be very convenient for moving gear in/out quickly. Necessary living appliances are included, no fussing with that part of the modifications. They usually have provision for an onboard generator and fuel tank.
That's my thoughts, hope it helps some.

[Dagwood]

Will you be using roof mounted antennas? Most rvs do not have metal roofs and would have a poor ground plane.