Converting a enclosed utility trailer into a TH. Ideas...

After almost 2 years I have decided the RVing life is too much like owning big boats, been there done that. The coach performed fine, the pickup did well also. The whole chasing good weather, setting up frequently, unpacking, packing just didn't put my fun meter in the red....
So.....
We really love the Black Hills of SD which we have stayed for weeks at a time in summers past (including this past summer). So I decided to leave the TH there in storage this winter, next summer move it to the park we like, and settle in for July trough October. I bought a new 7x14 enclosed trailer to tow the bikes and stuff we didn't want to leave there home and back again. I will hang on to the dually for at least another year so if I decide to visit another area, I can pull it. But I wanted the option of getting rid of the dually and towing the small trailer with my Tahoe.
Now.... I am thinking the 7x14 with some mods would make a cool mini toy hauler that we could do short 3 or 4 day trips in, and also serve as a guest cabin if we have visitors in SD. We never dry camp, always stay in a park, so I'm not planning a shower or more than a portapotti in the plan. I have seen some YouTube videos on full conversions, but always looking for more input.
I'm planning a minimal grey water & freshwater, just enough to wash my hands, wash the coffee pot, no hot water system.
Inverter for power, as most times it'll be plugged in to a post. Three cu ft 120v fridge, no LP. Microwave, TV. Going to use a good cot, and wife likes air mattress....
Undecided about;
Whether to use a roof top AC or a portable, like the rooftop, but a portable is 1/2 the price and only requires a 4" diameter vent on the side.
Do I have to insulate the walls or can I get away with just the ceiling? Heck of a lot more work to remove and replace the plywood sides.
Haven't decided what to do on the floor, it has flush tie downs and I use 'Biker Bars' for the Harley's which come out in about 3 minutes. Thinking either a manufactured finish flooring or more than likely just carry a cut carpet to roll out.
All input appreciated!

Toy Haulers

colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2015
Mr Bojangles wrote:
colliehauler:
You are correct, hopefully I will be installing a roof A/C.
Will not insulate the walls necessarily. Hoping to hang heavy (something) to form small area (in front part of cargo area) use of small electric heater to heat or a/C to cool? That will require use of Honda iu3000 Gen in P/U.
The foam sheets you buy would work great for insulating and would make it a LOT more comfortable.
Mr_Bojangles
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
colliehauler:
You are correct, hopefully I will be installing a roof A/C.
Will not insulate the walls necessarily. Hoping to hang heavy (something) to form small area (in front part of cargo area) use of small electric heater to heat or a/C to cool? That will require use of Honda iu3000 Gen in P/U.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 07, 2015
CarlT100 wrote:
You should definitely insulate the walls. The thin walls of a utility trailer readily conduct heat and cold. I would choose a roof top ac. Those guys that use utility trailers for shops install roof top ac's for the most part.
Neighbor bought a utility trailer and did just that. He started off with a stand alone A/C vented to the outside, did not work well. He went with 15k Roof A/C.
Mr_Bojangles
Explorer
Oct 07, 2015
Afishinado:
Reading your parts break down, what does the 10 and 20 mean in your reference to ebay items?
Door window 1 $100.00 $100 ebay 10
Side window 2 $100.00 $200 ebay 20
Respectfully,
Jim o
Mr_Bojangles
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
Yes.... bunk or bunks will be against wall and liftable to be secure up against side walls.
Area (floor) above axles to be where loads placed.
GWolfe
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
Are you planning on sleeping in it with the bikes in there? You may have to come up with some lifted beds of some sort.

I have always liked this idea.
Mr_Bojangles
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
Hello again people:

Just to clarify for Post followers.....
My design intent is to build a TT to race across country, stopping to sleep and rest (hours) while using WIFI, Rest rooms, Restaurants, Showers, and whatever at Truck stops, Wal-marts, and rest areas.

I have done this with regular TT's many times, traveling SSW (gallup, NM) into california, north to Portland, Or., then home to Pa.

This time I hopefully will p/u and transport Motorcycles and Mopeds (two max?) using USHIP to help with cost. A possibility? Who knows, but it's a dream.

Anyone else thinking along these lines?
1jeep
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2015
Definitely insulate the walls and ceiling! before i bought the toyhauler we started down this road with a 8.5x24 trailer, we slept in it the first time without insulation and it was that much better after spending the time to insulate.

In the end we sold the trailer and bought a 5r toyhauler, for us it made more sense, but i will say i miss toying that enclosed trailer!
afishinado
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2015
Doing some Due Dilligence before I begin. Thought I would share....

Item Name Qty Price Cost Make & Model Supplier Weight
Refrigerator 1 $258.57 $259 GE GDE03GGHWW Lowes 63
Battery 1 $124.99 $125 Diehard series 27 Sears 57
Inverter 1 $150.00 $150 10
A/C Unit 1 $389.95 $390 Dometic 13500BTU RV Parts C 74
TV 1 $175.00 $175 LG 22" Sears 6
TV mount 1 $40.00 $40 Sears 4
sink 1 $60.00 $60 Small Stainless ebay 8
water tank 1 $0.00 $0 15gal w/pump have it
Grey water tank 1 $0
Door window 1 $100.00 $100 ebay 10
Side window 2 $100.00 $200 ebay 20
Insulation board 3/4"x4'x8' 12 $11.48 $138 Polystyrene Lowes 1
Microwave 0 $89.00 $0 Have one 8
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Total Cost est $1,636 Total Wt 261
afishinado
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2015
LowRyter wrote:
I wonder if you can get an 18ft Toy Hauler all rigged for less $$? .................

There were several at the Sturgis motorcycle rally this year $20k+/-, I didn't look at them (before I decided to do this), but the trailer dealers had utility trailers on their lots they took on trade for them. Again, having a 5er TH, I don't need a shower or toilet in this. Like I said in my original post I already bought the trailer and towed it (loaded) from SD to FL...

Strabo wrote:
Have you ever lived in a 7' x 14' space?

I have not, nor do I intend to. Will I sleep in 7x14 with wife and dogs for 2 or 3 days at a time? Certainly.

This is really the vision I have.... But with the V front, I need to be just a little more creative. Thanks Roy

.

toedtoes wrote:
Rather than putting more money into a 2nd trailer when you haven't enjoyed the first.........

I enjoyed the 5er, just not enough! Friend, this little trailer will be less work, a lot less when we do take it on a side trip. This project merely will expand what we do, plus save me from towing the big one 5000 miles a year plus side trips. With this trailer, I could hire someone to take the 5er to the campground and back to storage once a year. Doing that I could then sell the dually, I would save a nice chunk of change, one less vehicle to maintain and insure, plus driving my Tahoe all summer in SD is way nicer than a dually pickup.