11/01 – Meeting with Matt at UConn
- Tongue weight needs to be factored into given weights
- HMF first event in 2017 is Sunday, March 12
- Would like receptacles on the outside of the trailer because he wants to close the trailer doors
- Matt wants us to look at other chargers that won’t charge as quickly and would thus be much cheaper
- Change all max times of use to 6 hours
- Bruce Marcus from Marcus Communication in Manchester is a good contact for retrofitting vehicles
- Create instruction manual to use maintenance
- Create a BOM with equipment specs and “Order By” date
11/04 – Phonecall with Matt
- Found out the 20’ trailer GAWR is 7000 lbs, not 10000 lbs
- Increasing capacity of original trailer:
- Increase suspension to higher capacity – leaf springs go for < $30 each
- Increase axle capacity
- Ensure wheels and tires can handle weight
- Some people are saying you should buy a heavier built trailer as so many things make the rating: frame size, coupler, axles, springs, breaks, tires, etc.
- A new 9990 lb capacity trailer is about $10,000
- Trailer Options:
- Buy 9990 lb capacity trailer * Matt’s preference
- Create dedicated solar power trailer (landscape/utility trailer)
- Maximize power output
- Power just combined loads of 20’ and 12’ trailers
- Mobile batteries in back of truck, panels still on trailer
- Update our current trailer
- Called Bolton CT trailer to get their opinion on updating existing trailer. $4000 just for the axles and $400-500 for labor. Would have to be re-registered by DMV